“Lucas Wars”, comic book on the genesis of Star Wars, crowned with two awards

2024-01-14 17:16:16

The force was with them. The screenwriter Laurent Hopman and the designer Renaud Roche did a double blow this week, seducing the juries of two prizes awarded by the media, with their comic strip Lucas Wars (1). Awarded the Franceinfo prize for current affairs and reporting comics on Tuesday January 9, the album received the Fnac France Inter BD prize on Friday January 12.

Everyone praised the undeniable narrative qualities of this graphic novel telling in detail behind the scenes of the production of the first part of Star Wars, Star Wars, released in 1977 on all screens on the planet. But Laurent Hopman was not content with this incredible story strewn with pitfalls, as cinema knows many. Its script, rich and documented, delivers the portrait of the American filmmaker George Lucas who carried his project through for years.

Founding trauma

It all began a long time ago, in distant California. On the roads of a small Californian town, young George almost dies in a car accident, at only 18 years old. The dreamy and rebellious dunce who causes his parents to despair decides to do something with his life: cinema. It is through this founding trauma that Laurent Hopman begins the story of the filmmaker’s destiny, from Jedi apprentice of the 7th art to king of Hollywood, after the unexpected triumph of Star Warsin 1977.

But the path that leads to this global success is as uneven as the Californian road, and George Lucas only manages to slalom between the problems with the help of his friends. Starting with his partner, editor Marcia Lucas, who worked on American Graffiti (1973), George Lucas’ first success.

The narration of this album is as lively and nervous as the graphic style of designer Renaud Roche. Sacrificing the richness of a realistic line on the altar of the thrilling rhythm of the story, full of tasty anecdotes, the designer Renaud Roche delivers a comic strip with a refined style of formidable efficiency. A tour de force.

(1) Deman Éditions, 208 p., €24.90