The Dungeon continues to add pieces to its splendid building and this month it takes place in volume 14 of the Monsters: The Superior Beer collection. There's no denying that the title makes your mouth water, but isn't it too bitter?
Unique monsters
In the heroic fantasy universe of the Dungeon, published by Delcourt, series were gradually added and each developed its own setting. The writing duo remains the same: Joann Sfar and Lewis Trondheim. They offer a funny story in substance and a very free tale in form. Nothing goes in rabbits anymore. By tradition, this xenophobic people never leaves the village of Zautamauxime. But Bonnie Mallory, a young waitress, can no longer stand the (many) faults of her neighbors. She goes to sell her beer on the market in the name of a brewmaster. Its arrival on the market is not appreciated by everyone. So much so that an assassin is hired to prevent him from selling his beer. In the Monster series, the cartoonist changes with each book. In the fourteenth volume, Bastien Quignon tries to enjoy with us The superior beer. This volume also marks the beginning of a shared universe à la Marvel or DC because we meet on a square other well-known characters of the Dungeon. Both draftsman and colorist, Bastien Quignon blends fully into the atmosphere of the Dungeon. His style mixes round shapes reminiscent of Trondheim and Sfar's charcoal inking. His representation of animals is very close to Disney cartoons but with more raw images that serve wonderfully the purpose.
Racism in rabbits
The superior beer gives the intoxication of a beautiful meeting. This new volume of Dungeon is above all the portrait of an adventurer. Bonnie is just looking to leave her fetid community to discover something else. She is not afraid of anything and is ready to do anything to fulfill her mission. She also encounters a remorseful killer. But superior beer also tastes very acidic in the first few pages. A tavern rabbit insults pigs and proudly claims his racism. Bonnie's mother explains that foreigners are a threat to their civilization. Leaving the village is a sign of madness for this people with traditional dress reminiscent of Germany. At a time of rising right-wing, the message is clear. Further, this proud woman does not hesitate to use the knife to defend her skin. We then see the parallel with the Me Too movement. If the background is engaged, The superior beer is never leaden because the humor seduces. Nothing is plausible but everything is fun. Once past the last houses, Bonnie discovers that the people on the outside are not so cruel but she is greatly helped by this superior beer that appeals to all consumers including a monastic order that has renounced alcohol for ten generations. In addition, the two writers come out of Manichaeism through the character of Bonnie. The young woman is certainly tolerant but tends to take out her knife very often. She loves gold as much as she loves blood. While Asterix sometimes forgets its past mixing humor and commitment, La bière supérieure never loses its flavor. Humor is the first taste that comes but it is followed by a very successful moral tale and then a beautiful portrait of a woman. All this is enhanced by a very successful drawing. If this volume does not give the recipe of the superior beer, it is on the other hand that of a new success of the Dungeon. You can find other chronicles on the series with Dungeon Antipodes, The Demon Slayers and Daycare for Petiots.
