Murena

In this historical epic set in ancient Rome, Murena (2002–2014) traces the brutal rise of Emperor Nero and the fall of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, weaving political intrigue with visceral tragedy. Published by Kult Editionen across nine issues, the series is most closely associated with writer Jean Dufaux and artist Philippe Delaby, whose lush, cinematic art captures both the grandeur and decay of the empire. A masterwork of European historical fiction, it matters for its unflinching portrayal of power’s corruption and its enduring influence on the genre.