Alfred’s ‘Instants d’années’ Celebrates Four Decades of Delcourt Publishing

To mark its 40th anniversary, French comic book publisher Éditions Delcourt has released Instants d’années, a unique visual retrospective created by artist Alfred. The work, described as a “leporello” or accordion book, offers a poetic and fragmented look back at the publishing house’s history.

A Kaleidoscopic Retrospective

Instants d’années presents over 200 fragments—images and moments—spanning Delcourt’s four decades. Alfred, known for works like Pourquoi j’ai tué Pierre? and Come Prima, captures the essence of the publisher through a series of sketches and impressions, resembling a visual scrapbook. The book accompanies an exhibition, “L’Aventure éditoriale – Delcourt, 40 ans au rythme du 9e art,” held at the Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l’image in Angoulême from January 29 to November 15, 2026.

Format and Style

The publication is designed as a silent leporello, allowing for a non-linear reading experience. The images, often lacking text or presented as “private jokes,” are intended to evoke memories and references to key moments in Delcourt’s history, including the success of Renaud Gang and the Dungeon saga. The work is described as a “souvenir object” and a “self-promotional fantasy” rather than a traditional comic book.

Alfred’s Connection to Delcourt

Alfred’s relationship with Delcourt dates back to 2000 with the publication of Abraxas, a collaboration with Éric Corbeyran. He is recognized as one of the publisher’s key authors, having also created works like Le Désespoir du singe for Delcourt. His artistic style has been compared to Jacques Tardi, with a cinematic approach reminiscent of Terry Gilliam and James Cameron Lambiek Comiclopedia.

Publication Details

• Title: Instants d’années
• Author: Alfred
• Publisher: Éditions Delcourt
• Publication Date: January 22, 2026
• Price: €24.50
• Dimensions: 25.9 cm x 25.9 cm x 2 cm

Instants d’années is available in paper format both in bookstores and online Editions Delcourt.