Les Fléaux d'Enharma #1

Three travellers press through a punishing mountain snowstorm on this striking opening volume from Delcourt — a barefoot, bare-chested warrior leads the way while a long-haired companion and a heavily armoured knight with a battered shield follow close behind, all three battling the biting cold with visible determination. Le Terreau des Braves ("The Breeding Ground of the Brave") signals right from its title that endurance and courage are at the heart of this world, and the frozen, wind-scoured peaks rendered by Cordurié and Créty set a mood that is both epic and grounded. If you're drawn to gritty, atmospheric French fantasy bande dessinée, this 2009 series opener makes an immediately compelling case for the world of Enharma.