The Beast - Hardcover

by Zidrou (Author), Frank Pé (Illustrator)

"For anyone curious about Franco-Belgian comics, it's an impressively drawn introduction to a classic character." --Publishers Weekly

Captured in the heart of Palombia by Chahuta Indians and sold to exotic animal traffickers, a marsupilami lands in the port of Antwerp in the 1950s. Managing to escape, he arrives in the suburbs of Brussels and is taken in by François, a young boy who is a fan of animals and whose daily life is far from easy. François is picked on by the local kids, particularly because his father had been a German soldier, an unforgivable crime in those postwar years; a fact he and his mother cannot escape. Both are ostracized for their connection to past events.

This sometimes dark but always hopeful adventure by renowned author Zidrou and celebrated gallery artist Frank Pe portrays a beautiful friendship between a boy and his beast. The authors pay a superb tribute to the fabulous animal created by Franquin in the series Spirou et Fantasio while denouncing the mistreatment and trafficking of exotic animals. A magnificent adventure whose heart is the extraordinary friendship that can unite a child with an animal.

Author Biography

Zidrou is the pen name of Belgian writer Benoît Drousie, born in 1962 in Anderlecht. Originally a schoolteacher, he transitioned into writing in the 1990s and quickly became a prolific figure in European comics. Known for his versatility, Zidrou has penned everything from humorous children's series like L'élève Ducobu to emotionally rich graphic novels such as The Adoption. His collaboration with artist Frank Pé on The Beast reimagines the iconic French comic character Marsupilami in a poignant, postwar Belgian setting. The story blends social realism with mythic undertones, showcasing Zidrou's talent for crafting narratives that are both tender and unflinching.

Frank Pé is a Belgian comic artist born in 1956 in Ixelles, Brussels. Renowned for his poetic and animal-centric storytelling, he studied sculpture at the Institut Saint-Luc before launching his career in Spirou magazine, where he created the introspective character Broussaille. His work often blends philosophical themes with lush, expressive artwork, drawing inspiration from nature, art nouveau, and artists like André Franquin and Egon Schiele. Over the decades, Pé has crafted acclaimed series such as Zoo and Broussaille, and contributed to animated films and illustration projects. In 2021, he released a volume of artwork and strips reimagining the character Little Nemo in Slumberland, originally created by Windsor McCay in 1905, from a nostalgic, grown-up perspective. His collaboration with Zidrou on The Beast similarly reimagines the character Marsupilami in a haunting postwar setting, showcasing his signature blend of realism, emotion, and mythic atmosphere.