The son kills the father and the daughter kills the mother, not without effort, because the mother fights back. Here is what "Mother, daughter & co" by Clothilde Delacroix presents to us at Delcourt editions. Through short chronicles of everyday life, the author exposes clashes, complicities and mother-daughter introspections, in an interesting way.
Mother vs daughter
We have a mother, single, independent and her daughter, young, mature, seeking to emancipate herself and sometimes jaded – in short, a teenager. Through short chronicles staging their daily lives – the reader is served by a funny duet with the verb easy and sharp sometimes. All of them made ordinary – the two bicker over a yes or a no, a united duet without being exaggerated. Outside the clichés about single mothers with teenagers – on the other hand, we still have scenarios that many parents know – for example, the clash of their young offspring vis-à-vis their style of dress or their tastes in music or popular culture. If sometimes the drawing seems to pass in the background, the verbal jousting between the two characters are the strength of this comic. This work offers the confrontation (in all benevolence and never taking oneself seriously) of the loving but ironic gaze of a forty-year-old mother and that of the young teenager with a relentless look at her mother who suffers the passing years. At the thematic level, there is no taboo, without falling into coarse humor or "pee-poo" – the author still addresses delicate subjects (rules) or the way society looks at women of a certain age – without going with a heavy hand. In small individual scenarios, mothers and daughters of all ages will be able to find their way around at one time or another. 
A simple and uncomplicated comic
It is a simple, quick and hassle-free read that is offered to the reader with this volume. With all the bad news in the world, a little levity doesn't hurt. The line of the drawing is simple with colors reminiscent of watercolors. The colors are simple and bright, they draw attention to the key elements of the chronicle. It is by focusing on the expressions and words of the characters that the author has chosen to put forward and it is a winning choice. Because like other humorous comics, we could read these chronicles as small sketches – not so far from reality in fact. Through our two protagonists, the author highlights the female perspective of different generations on the different issues. Diktats and obligations of society, puberty, education or romantic relationships are among the many themes addressed in this book. The conversations of the two women show the different views and priorities of the two generations, but also show the complicity of mothers and daughters that can exist. Each of the protagonists per page can be the key character of the chronicle and takes over the other, it is a quality of the comic because even in reality, it is not because we are parents that we will necessarily have the upper hand over his teenager level replica and vice versa. Both have the art of stretching the stick to be beaten at times, and without ever trying to hurt, the other catches it without hesitation. The reader will have a little moment of laughter while reading this work. Puns, lines that hit the mark, if you like French humor – that is to say – puns, irony, a little depreciating and with wit – then, the reader will be served. 
Editor's verdict
Although we would have liked a more careful drawing at times, it is a comic book that has merit, that makes you laugh and that does good. In the category of humorous comics, this one is well worth the detour, or rather, the look. Quick, simple and without headaches, the columns put into context certain mother-daughter debates and can give ideas for lines to those who have teenagers. Teens – you also have a resource in front of you in terms of clashes with your parents. Take a good hit, watch a Netflix series and let's not talk about it anymore. Puns, depreciatory humor but with wit, we find humor "à la française" among the lines of the characters, which are the real strength of this comic. The editorial team recommends this little reading during your summer holidays. 
"Mother, daughter & co" by Clothilde Delacroix at Editions Delcourt is now available in bookstores.
