Sometimes, nothing is more comforting than a good meal accompanied by a fine bottle of wine. Ulysse et Cyrano is a graphic novel that illustrates the conviviality of "good food," gastronomy, and cooking, while delicately enriched by a simple and beautiful human story, a tale of learning where truth is found in pleasure.

A decisive meeting over a good terrine? This is the premise of the new comic by Xavier Dorison and Stéphane Servain, undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable graphic novels of the year.

Ulysse et Cyrano tells the story of a meeting between two very different characters: Ulysse, a young heir to one of the largest fortunes in France and Europe, and Cyrano, a former star chef who decided to isolate himself after setting his restaurant on fire. The plot is set fifteen years after World War II, and the shadows of that tragic past come knocking on Ulysse's family door. His father, Charles Ducerf, is suspected of collaborating with the Germans during the war. The patriarch decides to send his son and wife to Burgundy, to a small country house, while the situation calms down.

In this peaceful place, Ulysse accidentally meets Cyrano, a somewhat grumpy epicurean who introduces him to the pleasures of cooking and good eating. A fateful encounter that will change one’s future and heal the wounds of the other’s past.

The journey of learning and emancipation behind the stove begins.

Around the Table

The prolific Xavier Dorison is behind the script, a renowned author of many series such as Long John Silver and Undertaker, to name just a few. He has also written notable one-shots like Le Maitre d’Arme, a symbolic and furious medieval thriller. Dorison’s work is generally more focused on genre comics (piracy, westerns…), which is not the case here with Ulysse et Cyrano, co-written with Antoine Cristau, a novelist and passionate gastronome.

Throughout this remarkable album, the story is driven by the beautiful bond between an adolescent trapped by his status as an heir and a fallen star chef. A picaresque comic, the narrative challenges social conventions through a love of gastronomy. Dorison and Cristau highlight charming characters, constructed with simplicity and precision, without exaggerating their traits.

We quickly become attached to Ulysse’s journey, who, like the iconic hero of Greek mythology, is also sent into exile—but to Burgundy. This forced exile becomes a discovery and a marvel for him, far from the path his father had planned.

Nature plays a central role in this comic, evoking an old-world France that easily charms. In this pastoral setting, the reader meets the grumpy Cyrano. His name, borrowed from literary lore, fits this epicurean character perfectly. Although he doesn’t share the same physical features as his namesake, Cyrano has an ideal “nose for truffles, good wine, and women.” While a bit rough around the edges, he is also haunted by his past, having closed his restaurant after a deep disappointment.

Around this duo revolve a colorful cast of endearing characters, including Ulysse’s seemingly fragile mother, his strict and rigid father, the beautiful and intelligent Marie, and Cyrano’s joyful companions.

With his masterful writing, Xavier Dorison keeps the reader captivated through a narrative filled with emotion, mixing serene meals, humor, and poignant moments, especially in the father-son relationship, which adds a dramatic weight to the work. Ulysse et Cyrano offers delightful passages for a feel-good comic that avoids sinking into pure naivety, delivering real moments of tension.

A Well-Set Table

This comic not only warms the heart but also whets the appetite. Reading it on an empty stomach is not advisable... The irresistible urge to indulge in a chicken with crayfish or rabbit terrine may stir your hunger after finishing the book. Fortunately, the authors included a few recipes at the end, ensuring you won't be left starving. What truly makes this comic so mouth-watering, though, is the art of Stéphane Servain (L’Histoire de Siloë, L’esprit de Warren), who, like Dorison, departs from his usual affinity for genre comics.

With a precise and expressive style, Servain brings the characters to life, their emotions perfectly portrayed in settings that shift from bucolic to oppressive. His talent shines through vast scenic panels of an intoxicating pastoral landscape to the meticulous depiction of prepared dishes that will make your mouth water. Servain undoubtedly adds a new skill to his repertoire with his remarkable portrayal of cuisine, from hearty traditional meals fit for a farm inn to the refined gastronomy that always seeks innovation.

The importance of coloring cannot be understated, as it enhances the visual appeal, from lazy afternoons by a stream to moments of camaraderie in Cyrano’s sunlit kitchen. It also sharpens the colder, more intense scenes, especially those involving Ulysse and his father. Servain never loses sight of the characters’ emotions, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in this culinary and human adventure.

In voluptate veritas: Truth in Pleasure

In voluptate veritas, a very Epicurean phrase uttered by Cyrano, drives much of the narrative in this beautiful album. It’s a phrase we could also associate with the pleasure of reading this title, which is, dare we say, one of the best graphic novels of 2024. Casterman has published a powerful, positive title, with a beautifully crafted edition and a symbolic, soothing cover.

What is pleasure, in the end? The authors offer a gentle answer: the ability to make one's own choices, against all odds, whether it's Ulysse seeking emancipation from the predetermined path set by his father or Cyrano discovering a new culinary world through less traditional cooking.

It’s a story of pleasure, a quest for happiness, a tale of emancipation, love, and learning. Ulysse et Cyrano combines all these ingredients into a graphic novel that captures the essence of French culinary culture and the joy of a good meal paired with a fine bottle of wine.