Why the new "Gaston Lagaffe" succeeds in putting passion before money

The twenty-third volume of the Gaston Lagaffe comic series, titled Des Boum et des Paf, releases on October 21 with a print run of one million copies. Quebec-based artist Delaf returns to the character he revived in 2023, this time collaborating with Lewis Trondheim on the script. Publisher Dupuis expresses confidence in the release, noting that the previous installment, Le Retour de Lagaffe, sold 750,000 copies despite legal opposition from the daughter of creator André Franquin. Trondheim, known for creating Lapinot and co-authoring Donjon, joined the project due to scheduling constraints. After completing his initial Gaston work, Delaf took a break to draw a Donjon with Trondheim and Joann Sfar, causing delays. With the publisher targeting a 2026 release, the original timeline collapsed. Instead of a month-long writing residency in Sherbrooke, Quebec, the pair worked via remote exchange. Trondheim wrote seventy-five jokes, from which the duo selected material to construct the album. Handling the legacy of Franquin, who died in 1997 and did not wish for his character to continue under another pen, required careful attention. Trondheim aimed to replicate Franquin’s specific grammar, utilizing full-page or half-page gags to avoid overextending the format. The team varied tones from tender to absurd, ensuring readers could anticipate a joke but not its location or method. An initial plot involving a quality control officer hired by Dupuis was abandoned for lacking energy. The goal remained consistent with the original style: each page must deliver impact before moving on. Delaf identified the ninth album of the old numbering, Le Cas Lagaffe, as the peak of Franquin’s art around 1970. This era served as their reference point. During this period, the love interest Mademoiselle Jeanne made numerous allusions that Gaston missed, while the anti-hero appeared less clumsy and more militant than in earlier volumes. Delaf described Gaston as falsely simple and full of contradictions. For instance, although eco-friendly, the character drives a car that leaves oil slicks used by children for water skiing. When Delaf drew an homage page featuring Gaston sticking the entire editorial staff to the ceiling with an invented insecticide, critics argued it contradicted the character’s harmless nature. Delaf countered that readers should revisit the canon, where Gaston frequently invents such substances. Regarding future audiences who did not grow up with the series, Delaf stated he created the book for the child he once was. Both authors agreed that attempting to craft a recipe specifically for modern children results in disjointed work. Their guiding principle is treating the character as a loan that must be returned in good condition. Consequently, Gaston’s libertarian nature limits his actions. He would not draw a pistol to defend Jeanne; instead, he might use a can of Fly-Tox. While he might attempt vegetarianism, the character’s established traits remain paramount. The collaboration focuses on preserving the spirit of the original rather than adapting it for contemporary tastes or commercial metrics. The release marks a significant step for Dupuis, building on the financial success of the 2023 revival amidst complex intellectual property history.