L'Ancien

Emerging from the pages of Etranges Aventures in 1971, L'Ancien is a Bronze Age figure brought to French-language readers by the legendary creative partnership of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, published under Arédit-Artima. Across a remarkable span stretching all the way to 2023, this character keeps extraordinary company — sharing adventures with the likes of Docteur Strange, Cléa, and the dread Dormammu across titles including Eclipso and Docteur Strange : L'intégrale. With at least one collector-recognized key issue to their name and over five decades of publication history, L'Ancien is a fascinating thread in the rich tapestry of Franco-Belgian comics heritage, well worth seeking out for any devotee of the mystical corners of the Marvel universe as filtered through a distinctly French lens.