Arelate - Intégrale #1

Set in the ancient Roman city of Arelate (modern-day Arles), this handsome omnibus from 100 Bulles collects the Premier Cycle of Laurent Sieurac and Alain Genot's historical series in one substantial volume. The cover — rendered in warm sepia tones — places us squarely in the arena: a confident, unhelmed gladiator raises his sword in triumph at center, flanked by two fully armored fighters carrying shields, while a packed amphitheater crowd roars in the background and a fallen helmet lies at his feet. It's an atmospheric, carefully researched image that promises exactly the kind of gritty, sand-and-sweat Roman drama this 2015 collection delivers.