This was such a beautiful book. I am so pleased that I stumbled upon it. It’s so far from what I usually read but the illustration were gorgeous and the story was so moving. I loved it. Thanks for the review copy via #netgalley. I would recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who loves a good story, regardless of whether they enjoy graphic novels. Perfect.

I will say though, it was a little cumbersome to read on my Kindle as I had to keep zooming and moving around which might have taken some of the impact away. Still, it was excellent.

A gorgeously illustrated nonfiction graphic novel that was equal parts beautiful and informative. Prior to seeing the blurb for Debon's The Colony, I had no knowledge of anarchist movements in France in the early 1900's. My understanding of communism and libertarianism is, to be quite honest, lacking as well. Debon told the story of the L'Essai commune of Aiglemont very well. The level of detail and color intensified as more people joined the commune and as Fortune's beliefs spread. Debon's use of color is especially masterful in this graphic novel. This is yet another topic I am interested in learning more about because I have stumbled upon it on NetGalley.

Rich prose coupled with thoughtful renderings make for an engaging telling of the enlivening story of a group of 20th century anarchists founding their own colony in the Ardennes Forest.

I really enjoyed that artistry of this book and it's beautifully drawn, but the story didn't draw me in and I got bored.

It's 1903, when French anarchist Fortuné Henry buys a small plot of land on the edge of the Ardennes, and starts his own anarchist commune, L'Essai. He starts alone, but quickly attracts others who share his ideas, and they start planting crops and building a house. This attracts even more people, journalists, artists, local villagers. As a reader, you are waiting for the moment things will go south, as it seems inevitable.

The book tells Henry's story in beautiful drawings (using chalk, I'm guessing), depicting nature and L'Essai in pastoral sunny colours, and urban scenes in more muted, harsh colours. The drawings tend to be zoomed out, making the characters look tiny in their natural surroundings, which gives the work a sense of epicness, while also emphasising how this is just a moment in time.

It does also means that characters aren't that well defined. The sparse text there is, reads as if taken from an anarchist manifesto (which it probably is). It can all feel a bit unemotional. When families start to leave the colony, we get to see them leave, but not any discussion surrounding it - at this point it is quite clear why anyone would leave, but that is just one example of a moment that could've been dramatised more.

It won't surprise anyone to hear the colony is no longer there, and the written biographical epilogue mentions how the site of L'Essai has returned to nature. I would've loved to have seen a drawing of the site as it is today, in the same style as the rest of the book.

All that said, it's a fascinating story, and the art alone makes it worth reading.

I can't believe I've never heard of this story before. I am French and have a connections with anarchist groups in France and I never heard anything of it ! Anyways, the comic is beautiful, the gaphics are astounding and the storytelling is very well done. I love that Nicolas Debon was tho well documented about this subject. I also love that he took the time to brinf awareness on those community movements, that existed well before the boom of the anarchist movement.

I absolutely loved the art style of this graphic novel, and there was a great story to go along with it.
This was a great, quick read and I really enjoyed all the added information at the end about the real life events and people this graphic novel was based on.

Europe Comics have done it again, published a compelling graphic novel and brought history alive for me and given me insight into something I had no prior knowledge of or even heard about.
From the comic book:
“In 1903, a man with a few tools stopped in a solitary valley in the Ardennes Forest, France. Soon, he would be joined by worker comrades, ex-convicts and libertarians, all following the same dream: to build a better world. It was the start of the colony named L’Essai.”
“With THE COLONY, Nichols Devon has produced a magnificent tribute to a true story, a moving testimony that remains troubling topical.”
The drawing and the wide sky illustrations are a great addition to the story and is all the better for being set into this comic book presentation. I really enjoyed reading of a real life adventure and ambitious attempt to bring communism into being by actions as well as words. Fortuné Henry the founder of the colony is the narrator. He was a known anarchist and used a friends name to by the land. Many similar ventures have existed in history, orders of friars and monks, communes and kibbutz but here was a stepping back from violent struggle to create social organisation a model for society where there was no division due to class, sex, status or wealth. All worked together and ate together as a living organism. But like dividing cells each would bring their own skills and expertise for the good of the whole body of the colony.
I truly found the reading experience fascinating; in some respects you wanted to see these people thrive and expand. But the difficulties are shared and the problems they overcame inspire. Perhaps a vision which was so pure and needed charismatic elders to stir it forward shows why societies often break down. We fail when we label certain ventures as failures without noting what was good and could be improved on for the benefit of all. Rather we tend to dismiss and mistrust ideologies and behaviours we don’t understand and are the poorer as a result.
Looking at the timeframe and considering what would happen in Belgium and France in widespread maiming and killing we remember as World War I, you wonder which model to live by (or die under), is the better. This is a refreshing story to unclutter our preconceptions and while it entertains it really gave me scope to think and reflect.
If you can source a copy I suggest you give it a read.

This was a beautifully illustrated graphic novel based on true events - the founding of a libertarian colony in the French forest in 1903. It begins with sparse drawings of harsh land and slowly, little by little more character join the story as the colony grows. Alas, the founding individual is put in jail as his printing press that he brought into the community is sued for slander and the community dissolves. 5/5 stars.

The Colony was inspired by actual events: the founding, in 1903, of a libertarian colony in the French Ardennes forest by anarchist Fortuné Henry and his comrades.

Fortuné Henry was a part of an anarchist faction, who after a personal tragedy decided to build a new society apart from the capitalist world and to do it through labor. Initially, the idea seduced many people and the community started to thrive. Unfortunately, humans are only humans and some of them desire power too much for their own good.

I loved the art - it's stunning. The story is a nice tribute to the failed social experiment.

Such a beautiful tale of human colonisation. Amazing pictures and moving story. I’m so surprised it’s based on a real story. Would really recommend for lovers of these real life stories.

Thank you, NetGalley and Europe Comics, for a complimentary copy of this graphic novel!

First, I have to say that this graphic novel is based on a true story and that was amazing because I had no clue that a community such as L'Essai actually existed. I was born and grew up in a country that claimed to be communist and socially just and fair when in fact it was a dictatorship. So, it was easy for me to see and accept the principles L'Essai was founded on. The basic principles were amazing, but from what I have experienced first hand and from learning more about history, philosophy, and economics, human nature is just not compatible with the principles of a truly communist society, let alone anarchy, such as the system practiced at L'Essai. Nonetheless, it was great to see the early stages and hard work that the founder and his followers put into the community to make it flourish. It takes strong will to go through the kind of suffering and hardship the colony went through.

The sepia colors used for the illustrations was a great choice! It gave the whole graphic novel a vintage feel which was great given that this was a historical novel.

I didn't know Nicholas Debon previously.
I read this comic and developed a great regard for writing and illustrations skills of the artist.

This comic is based on true events and tells story of an revolutionary, outlier man who goes to woods to make a colony of free people; who are not dependent on government or other masses for survival.
They don't think they need God to help them.
Story is complex with twists and turns.
Emotions of characters are clearly visible in their body language and story maintains it's theme throughout.
Artwork is mesmerizing.
It is marvellous and I am interested to read other works by the author.

Political philosophy of communism is showcased with both positive and negative aspects.
Finally tale has a bitter end but as you read about making of colony you fall in love with community.
A wonderful book which needs no appraisal.
Just read it; to feel it.
Enjoy the artwork setting aside any political messages conveyed.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.

(ARC Received from Netgalley)

This graphic novel looks at an experimental communist colony in the French countryside.

The art is lush and beautiful. I found the dialogue a bit dense, and I do wish it went into more detail about the founder’s thirst for ever increasing greatness.

Still, a lovely testament to a piece of little known history.

This fascinating graphic novel is based on a true story about a group of anarchists who set up a colony on the edge of the vast Ardennes Forest. Led by Fortuné Henry at the turn of the 20th century, the colonists seek to live in an alternative way where everyone is equal and power is shared.
Together they live in peace attracting others to join them. It takes hard work to farm and develop the land and to nurture a community but yet it seems as if this community has the answers to life.

I thought this was an excellent story of about a group of people who were determined to live in a just and equitable way. They faced many hardships and hard work, but they were generally happy. Over time battling the elements takes its toll on the community, but when Fortuné Henry is imprisoned the life of the colony begins to ebb.

The artwork is simple, but good and it conveys the story in a powerful way. I didn't know much about anarchism as a political philosophy before reading this and this was a perfectly enjoyable introduction.

Copy provided by Europe comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

The book feels well-designed and attractive. It also feels realistic and grounded. An interesting story.