Paris of the Future, by Moebius, print offered by the Book Palace

By John Freeman on March 22, 2021

The Book Palace is currently offering this Classic Moebius Print – a futuristic view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower at the centre, regarded this as one of his best paintings.

This Parisian Futurescape is one of Moebius‘s most impressively produced screenprints and was first published by 9eme Art in 2000, now one in a range of numbered limited edition prints on sale from the Book Palace. Although be warned, they don’t come cheap… but are definitely more affordable than original art by the much-admired French comic artist.

This is a 12 colour masterwork starting from the base of an incredible drawing showing Paris in the Future, complete with Eiffel Tower, River Seine, flying Shuttles and four onlookers observing the scene from a vantage point inscribed with a quote from Antoine de Saint Exupery (celebrated author and illustrator of Le Petit Prince / The Little Prince), which reads: ‘The future is not to be predicted, but to be permitted.’

The perspective suggests Paris itself has been transplanted, perhaps into a spaceship or mini Dyson Sphere?

“The perspectives and details Moebius manages to achieve in this artwork are absolutely stunning,” the Book Palace description notes, “and hark back to one of his most famous works which helped influence Ridley Scott’s epic film Blade Runner… The long tomorrow.”

This print was published as an edition of 120, but this one bears the marking E.A. for ‘example artist’, in other words it forms part of a few copies which were exclusively reserved for collaborators in the project.

• Check out the Paris (Limited Edition Print) (Signed) by Classic Moebius Prints here at the Book Palace | Full Classic Moebius Prints range

With thanks to David Roach

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.