Not many cartoonists can boast being married to their art — sporting a full wedding dress to boost! But Simon Hanselmann is definitely one of a kind: revolving around a small cast of characters, his prolific work manages to be both utterly politically incorrect and deeply endearing. To quote Lou Reed: Take a walk on the wild side.

In spite of the success of the luminous adventures of Hilda, Luke Pearson also has a dark side. With Everything we miss, the young British author did bring a more ominous look on his fantastical universe, thus oscillating between the optimism of childhood and the anxieties of adulthood.

Does Sammy Harkham really needs any introduction? Both noted cartoonist (from Poor Sailor to Crickets) and famed Kramers Ergot editor, he had nevertheless maintained a low profile these past years, following the release in 2012 of a polarizing KE8 and a personal anthology with an ominous title (Everything Together)… that is, until 2015 came around, and became the stage for something of a re-invention.

With his fragile little stories, Simon Moreton follows in the steps of John Porcellino, sharing his attachement to self-publishing. After releasing the tenth and final issue of his ‘zine SMOO last year, it seemed a good opportunity to discuss his evolution so far, as well as his new project, Minor Leagues.

With one foot in comics and the other in contemporary art, Aidan Koch is definitely a polymorphic artist who draws, sculpts, works on fabric, publishes littles books and makes installations. In every one of her projects, she works with fragile things, connects fragments, suggests impressions — building with every stroke a narrative that is both elegant and cristalline.

Most of us discovered Mochizuki Minetarô with Dragonhead, a story as desperate as it was claustrophobic, where the end of the world had rarely been so bleak. He’s back now with Chiisakobe, with a narrative both luminous and delicate — and deeply Japanese. From darkness to light, the story of a metamorphosis.

As the second millenium was coming to an end, New Zealand brought us Hicksville, a touching declaration of love for comics. But after three promising issues of Atlas, nothing — Dylan Horrocks had vanished, facing what turned out to be a long crisis of faith… until the (almost) surprise release of Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen. Or how he stopped worrying and learned to love comics — again.

With his strong imagery where profound unease meets platic perfection, Charles Burns is definitely an artist one recognizes at first sight. Often compared to David Lynch, he took a decade to complete Black Hole, and just brought to conclusion (with Sugar Skull) the trilogy that began with X’d out. From Burroughs to Tintin, portrait of a creator haunted by his obsessions.