The word of mouth has been building for a while now, with a lot of activity to promote this new film – but now, the first Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets trailer has been released… and as you’d expect from director Luc Besson, director of The Fifth Element, the visuals are simply breathtaking. But don’t forget the graphic novels it’s based on, which are being published in English by Cinebook.
Rooted in the classic graphic novel series, Valerian and Laureline, visionary writer/director Luc Besson advances this iconic source material into a contemporary, unique and epic science fiction saga.
Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe.
Under directive from their Commander (Clive Owen), Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to the breathtaking intergalactic city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha’s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time – uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all.
Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; in fact, unseen forces are at work, placing our race in great danger…
Valérian and Laureline (known in French as Valérian et Laureline), also known as Valérian: Spatio-Temporal Agent or just Valérian, is a best-selling French science fiction comics series, created by writer Pierre Christin and artist Jean-Claude Mézières. First published in Pilote magazine in 1967, the final instalment in a 22-book graphic novel series was published in French by Dargaud in 2010, and Cinebook began publishing the series in English shortly afterwards, although they have some way to go to complete the series.
All of the Valérian stories have been collected in graphic novel album format, comprising some twenty-two volumes. The award-winning series was adapted into an animated TV series, Time Jam: Valerian and Laureline, which debuted on Canal+ Family in France in 2007, with 40 episodes made.
• Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets stars Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock, Kris Wu
• More about the film here on Facebook: facebook.com/ValerianMovie | follow the film on Twitter @ValerianMovie | Instagram: @valerianmovie
The Graphic Novels
Note: Cinebook’s collections reprint the Darguad album releases in French. All links below are AmazonUK Affiliate Links
This page was last updated on Wednesday 27th November 2024 to complete the catalogue
Les Mauvais Reves (The Bad Dreams)
First published in Pilote, Issues 420-434, 1967 – available in French
La Cite des Eaux Mouvantes
First published in Pilote, Issues 455-468, 1968 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume One: The City of Shifting Waters
Galaxity, capital of the Terran Empire in the 28th century. Valerian and Laureline are agents who protect mankind from rogue time travellers. Now they are sent to New York in 1986 to intercept Galaxity’s worst megalomaniac, Xombul – except that in 1986 the world is in ruins and New York is about to be swallowed by the ocean. The two agents must navigate the shifting waters of the past to make sure that the future will exist.
Terre en Flammes (Earth In Flames)
First published in Pilote, Issues 492-505, 1969
L’Empire des Mille Planetes
First published in Pilote, Issues 520-541, 1970 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Two: The Empire of a Thousand Planets
Valerian and Laureline are exploring Syrte, captial planet of a system of 1000 worlds. Their mission is to discover whether the Syrtians could present a danger to Earth. What they find is a decaying empire led by decadent aristocrats, a population ripe for revolution and a mysterious caste of masked wise men who discreetly pull the strings from hidden fortresses. Swept up by the winds of history, the agents of Earth will have to choose a side…
Le Pays Sans Etoiles
First published in Pilote, Issues 570-592, 1971 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Three: The Land Without Stars
When a rogue planet threatens a new Human colony, Valerian and Laureline are sent to investigate and discover a barren, rocky surface…and a whole world beneath it! The people who live inside Zahir have never seen the stars. Divided along gender lines, torn by a senseless and bloody war, they are unaware that their planet is hurtling towards disaster. To stop it, the two agents of Galaxity will have to infiltrate both sides and force a reconciliation.
• Available here from amazon.co.uk
Bienvenue sur Aflolol
First published in Pilote, Issues 632-653, 1972 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Four: Welcome To Alflolol
Technorog is a planet essential to the economy of the Terran empire. For 200 years, it has been a centre of industry, research and agriculture. Suddenly, the indigenous population – believed long extinct – comes back to the planet they know as Alflolol. Earth’s laws are strict: They must be allowed back on their ancestral grounds. But when Valerian and Laureline are assigned to facilitate their ‘reinsertion’, they see the difference between the letter of law and its spirit.
Les Oiseaux du Maitre
First published in Pilote, Issues 710-722, 1973 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Five: Birds of the Master
Valerian and Laureline’s ship has crash-landed on an uncharted planetoid. The two castaways quickly discover a vast ship cemetery, leading them to believe that their arrival was not an accident. Before long, they make contact with a population whose sole purpose seems to be to gather and produce food for a mysterious “Master’. The Terran agents aren’t going to be turned into slaves easily, but the Master enforces his will through his terrible agents; the Birds of Madness.
L’Ambassadeur des Ombres
First published in Noveau Pilote, Issues Nos. 14-17, 1975 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Six: The Ambassador Of The Shadows
Point Central is a multicultural space station that serves as a sort of United Nations to the galaxy. Tasked with protecting the new ambassador from Earth, Valerian is kidnapped alongside his charge in a lightning commando attack. It’s up to Laureline to do all the heavy lifting and slog through the seedy bowels of the station as she tries to locate and rescue them – and figure out who kidnapped them and why.
Sur les Terres Truquees
First published in 1977 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Seven: On the False Earths
Valerian, shot to death in an Indian fortress. Valerian, dead in 19th century London. Valerian, gunned down in San Francisco’s Chinatown… And Laureline, paired up with an unpleasantly arrogant historian from Galaxity, forced to witness every demise of the man she loves on a succession of re-enacted pieces of human history. A very strange case that will take the two spatio-temporal agents to the limits of their endurance as they hunt down the mysterious architect of the false Earths….
Les Heros de l’Equinoxe
First published in 1978 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume Eight: Heroes Of The Equinox
Every 100 years or so, the infertile people of Simlanne send their champions to the sacred island of Filene, where the best among them, chosen via a series of tests, will find and bring back the next generation. This cycle, though, the local heroes seem to fail repeatedly, and the aging Simlannians have sent for heroes from other worlds. Valerian, chosen to represent Earth, will have to overcome the tests and his competitors in a dangerous odyssey.
Metro Chatelet
First published in 1980 – published by Cinebook in 2015 as Valerian Volume Nine: Chatelet Station, Destination Cassiopeia
Our two spatio-temporal agents are on a new mission, but this time the duo is split up. While Laureline flies solo from planet to planet, on the trail of arms dealers and forbidden technologies, Valerian is on 20th century Earth, teamed up with the eccentric Mr Albert. And he, too, is hunting down technologies incompatible with the era. What is the link between the two cases, separated as they are by centuries and light-years?
Brooklyn Station
First published in 1981 – published by Cinebook in 2015 as Valerian Volume Ten: Brooklyn Line, Terminus Cosmos
The two Galaxity agents’ investigation into the elemental forces appearing on Earth continues. While Laureline, dogged and efficient, follows a promising lead somewhere in outer space, Valerian is struggling to unravel the mysterious events plaguing our 20th century. Demonstrations of fantastic phenomena follow in quick succession, pushing poor Valerian to his limits. And matters will have to be settled simultaneously in New York and on an asteroid on the edge of the galaxy to save our world…
Les Spectres d’Inverloch
First published in 1984 – published by Cinebook in 2016 as Valerian Volume 11: The Ghosts Of Inverloch
Galaxity’s orders are rather bizarre, lately. Laureline has been left on stand-by in a Scottish castle. Valerian, haunted by recurrent nightmares, has been sent to capture a sentient being as if it were a wild animal – an unsavoury task, to say the least. And on Earth in the 1980s, members of the military and political elites are descending into madness one by one. What future does our planet still have … and who’s so bent on changing it?
Les Foudres d’Hypsis
First published in 1985 – published by Cinebook in 2016 as Valerian Volume 12: The Wrath of Hypsis
The head of Galaxity’s Spatio-Temporal Service himself has joined Valerian and Laureline at Inverloch Castle. There, among various human and alien allies, he explains to them the threat that looms over Earth: all of the recent incidents, all those important people gone mad and threatening to bring about the apocalypse… All of that is due to the malicious influence of the mysterious planet Hypsis. But Hypsis is a world that moves from system to system – it’ll need to be pinpointed first…
Sur Les Frontieres
First published in 1988 – published by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 13: On The Frontiers
On an interstellar cruise ship, a mysterious individual in full environmental suit is working hard to get to Earth. On Earth, meanwhile, another person in a spacesuit is exploring a nuclear reactor on behalf of its owners. That second man is Valerian, and since the disappearance of Galaxity, he’s been forced to make a living by putting his advanced knowledge and equipment to good use. But what he’s discovered inside the plant is extremely worrisome.
Les Armes Vivantes
First published in 1990 – published by Cinebook in 2016 as Valerian Volume 14: The Living Weapons
Valerian and Laureline, no longer members of any organisation, are down to doing space deliveries. With Galaxity gone and money getting scarce, their aging spaceship is becoming a hazard, which is pushing Valerian into accepting questionable cargo. After a somewhat rough landing, our two ex-agents, on their way to deliver their goods, meet some individuals with very surprising gifts who claim to be itinerant artists. But is that really all they are?
Les Cercles du Pouvoir
First published in 1994 – first published by Cinebook in February 2017 as Valerian Volume 15: The Circles of Power
Broke, without a job, their ship almost a scrap heap, Valerian and Laureline are stuck on Rubanis, unable to pay for repairs. So when a trio of old acquaintances introduces them to the head of the local police, who is looking for independent agents for a risky – but well-paid – mission, they accept readily enough. But Rubanis is the most corrupt planet in the entire galaxy. How are they to find out who really holds the reins of power there?
Les Otages de l’Ultralum
First published in 1996 – published by Cinebook in 2017 as Valerian Volume 16: Hostages of Ultralum
Valerian and Laureline take a break from adventuring and go on a cruise, but Valerian feels uncomfortable among the idle and the powerful. He’s not bored for long, though, because when a quartet of mercenaries board the cruise ship to kidnap the son of the Caliph of Iksaladam, they end up taking Laureline as well. With the almighty Caliph offering a massive reward for his son’s return, Valerian’s quest to rescue his girl is suddenly hindered by every bounty hunter in the galaxy.
Volume 17: L’Orphelin des Astres (The Orphan From The Stars)
First published in 1998 – published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2017 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 17: The Orphan from the Stars
After having retrieved the son of super-rich caliph of Iksaladam from his kidnapper, the vile Quatuor Mortis, Valerian and Laureline find themselves, quite by accident, on the Shimballil asteroid. This space-California seems to be a magnet for the rich and beautiful. Our space-travelers meet all kinds of characters there, from the much-celebrated psychologist, Dr. Scharz-Metterklume, to film producer Ty Koün, who hires Laureline for a steamy episode of “kinosaga.”
Volume 18: Par des Temps Incertains (In Uncertain Times)
First published in 2001 – published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2017 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 18: In Uncertain Times
The eternal struggle between heaven and hell takes a very strange turn for Valerian and Laureline! The (false?) gods of Hypsis are once again interfering with Human history. Tired of their lower status among their peers, the trinity in charge of planet Earth opens communications with megacorporation Vivaxis at the end of the 20th century – an occurrence Valerian and Laureline’s allies report to the two ex-agents. But to what end did the Hypsians initiate such a contact? And who is the mysterious Sat who, from the depths of Point Central, also endeavours to meddle with Human affairs?
Volume 19: Au Bord du Grand Rien (At the Edge of the Great Void)
First published in 2004 – published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2017 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 19: At the Edge of the Great Void
Somewhere at the edge of known space is the Great Void. That inscrutable, shapeless, ever-changing place is where the expanding universe springs forth, where new planets and new life forms are created. It s also, according to the gods of Hypsis, the place where Galaxity’s Earth was sent and is being kept prisoner. Valerian and Laureline begin a discreet investigation, but it doesn’t take long before they start finding obstacles in their path, placed by the rulers of Rubanis – and their mysterious master…
Volume 20: L’Orde des Pierres
Published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2017 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 20 – The Order of the Stones
The expedition into the heart of the Great Void is launched, and Valerian and Laureline are on it. But in no time they’re already facing the mysterious force that threatens the entire galaxy: the Wolochs, gigantic sentient monoliths dead set on destroying any civilisation that might stand in the way of their domination. Our two Human agents can’t hope to stop the Order of the Stones by themselves, but fortunately, they still have allies…
Volume 21: L’OuvreTemps
Published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2017 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 20: The Time Opener
The evil hordes of the Wolochs are rampaging through space, and everywhere death and destruction follow. But despite the despair of some and the betrayal of others, Valerian, Laureline and a few other brave souls are resisting. They’re hoping to use a mysterious artefact, the Time Opener, to banish the stones and bring back Earth. But what price must they pay to do so? And what sort of Earth will they get back if they succeed?
Volume 22: Souvenirs des Futurs
Published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2018 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 22: Memories from the Future
Even though Valerian and Laureline’s adventures have come to an end, there are still many chapters that haven’t been told yet. Simple episodes, post-scriptums to their main stories, moments of their lives seen through the eyes of their friends, their allies, or even their enemies. Here’s a collection of vignettes that will cast a new light – sometimes funny, sometimes touching – on the saga of our heroes.
Volume 23: Souvenirs des Futurs
Published by Dargaud in French | Published in 2018 by Cinebook as Valerian Volume 23: The Future is Waiting
After the events of The Time Opener, Valerian and Laureline reverted to childhood, and are now living with Mr Albert on 21st century Earth. But in a universe where time travel is a reality, words like ‘after’ or even ‘now’ can be somewhat… hazy, and elsewhere, in other times, our young but nonetheless adult agents are still working tirelessly to maintain a galactic peace threatened as always by greed and the thirst for power.
Valerian and Laureline: Là où naissent les histoires
Published by Cinebook as Where Stories Are Born in 2023 – available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
The Delphs are an artificial species who depend entirely on an extremely rare substance, that not only allows them to live and reproduce, but also fuels their creative talents – for the Delphs are the most sought-after storytellers in the galaxy. They call upon Galaxity to find a new source of it, as their own is exhausted. The problem is, the only available deposit is on 21st century Earth, and the agents on station… are still going to high school!
Web Links
• Valerian – The Complete Collection – A Full Checklist
A guide to the combined editions
• Valerian titles available on Amazon.co.uk
• More about Valerian on the Cinebook web site
• More about Valerian in French on the Dargaud web site
This page was last updated on Wednesday 27th November 2024 to complete the catalogue
- About the Author
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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.
Categories: Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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