Written by Jean-Claude Bartoll and illustrated and colored by Eon, L'otage vascon, the first volume of Karolus Magnus was published by Soleil on May 5.
The history of France revisited
The Vascon Hostage, the first volume of Karolus Magnus, takes place in the year 777. Always anxious to expand his kingdom, Karolus Magnus (Charlemagne) was offered an alliance by an emissary of the Abbasid caliph of Baghdad in order to defend himself against the Emir of Cordoba. Delighted at the idea of being able to subdue the Saracen people, Karolus Magnus agreed. To reach Zaragoza, the armies will have to cross Vasconia. But the vascons, at least those who live in the mountains, do not recognize the authority of Karolus Magnus and wish to see Artza of Ossau, son of king vascon, ascend the throne. In order to cross Vasconia, and on the advice of his spy Brunhilde Von Bruck, Karolus Magnus frees Artza of Ossau from his jails so that he can allow the troops to reach their destination. 
The Vascon hostage, a personal story
The vascon hostage is likely to appeal to a wide audience in the sense that the historical aspect of the story is not an obstacle to the understanding of this first volume. If rivalries and power struggles are recalled in order to announce the stakes, great importance is given to the personal history of the main characters. Everyone's personality is pronounced and reinforced by Eon's precise pencil stroke, which gives a very human dimension to the story. Where history buffs will find their happiness in historical shenanigans and struggles, others can find it in the personal feelings and heartbreaks of the characters. 
This first volume of Karolus Magnus varies between action scenes, political discussions and carnal relations while developing some characters at the heart of the Carolingian dynasty.
