Welcome
Welcome to the official American website of The Obscure Cities, a graphic novel series set on a counter-Earth, created by the Belgian comics artist Francois Schuiten and his longtime friend, writer Benoit Peeters, in the early 1980s. In this fictional world, humans live in independent city-states, each of which has developed a distinct civilization, each characterized by a distinctive architectural style.
The word Obscure is somewhat misleading for English-speaking readers. In America, we tend to think of the word to mean "little known" or "odd." The French use the word for multiple meanings, including "mysterious," "hidden," or even "secluded." ALL of these adjectives could apply to the world imagined in the minds of Benoit Peeters and Francois Schuiten.
The word Obscure is somewhat misleading for English-speaking readers. In America, we tend to think of the word to mean "little known" or "odd." The French use the word for multiple meanings, including "mysterious," "hidden," or even "secluded." ALL of these adjectives could apply to the world imagined in the minds of Benoit Peeters and Francois Schuiten.
Shadow of a Man Translation completed!
SHADOW OF A MAN is the story of a young insurance agent, Albert Cassimo, as he struggles with insomnia and nightmares, and the side effects of the drug he is prescribed to help him. The book is scheduled for a July release but may be delayed due to the Covid-19 virus. Translated and edited by Stephen D. Smith of Alaxis Press for IDW.
IDW commits to two titles for 2020
My editor at IDW, Justin Eisinger, has informed me that the plans are to release THE SHADOW OF A MAN in July 2020 and a newly translated and remastered edition of THE TOWER in November 2020. This is exciting news for me and for all Obscure Cities fans. I may even head to San Diego Comic Con for a signing. Stay tuned for more news and updates.
Originally published in French in May of 1999 as L'Ombre d'un Homme, THE SHADOW OF A MAN is chronologically the seventh book in the Obscure Cities canon, having been released in Europe following THE LEANING GIRL and before THE INVISIBLE FRONTIER. It is a standalone tale. This is the first time this book will be available in English.
First published as La Tour, a serialized story in the French publication, A Suivre, in 1986, and later collected as an album by Casterman in 1987. THE TOWER is chronologically the fourth book in the Obscure Cities series to be published. Though it was actually the third canonical story. Book three in the series was a beautiful art collection entitled, L'Archiviste (The Archivist). THE TOWER is an essential volume as it tells the oldest story thus far told in The Obscure Cities, taking place in 450 A.T. (After the Tower). From the incredible webiste, altaplana.be, the Obscure Cities timeline is thus: There are two set of time lines used on Altaplana. The Obscure time and the lighted time. The lighted time (our reality) is calculated A.D. (Anno Domini) like the Julian calendar. The Obscure time lines are calculated A.T. (After the Tower was constructed).
Consider visiting https://www.altaplana.be/index/at-timeline to learn more.
Originally published in French in May of 1999 as L'Ombre d'un Homme, THE SHADOW OF A MAN is chronologically the seventh book in the Obscure Cities canon, having been released in Europe following THE LEANING GIRL and before THE INVISIBLE FRONTIER. It is a standalone tale. This is the first time this book will be available in English.
First published as La Tour, a serialized story in the French publication, A Suivre, in 1986, and later collected as an album by Casterman in 1987. THE TOWER is chronologically the fourth book in the Obscure Cities series to be published. Though it was actually the third canonical story. Book three in the series was a beautiful art collection entitled, L'Archiviste (The Archivist). THE TOWER is an essential volume as it tells the oldest story thus far told in The Obscure Cities, taking place in 450 A.T. (After the Tower). From the incredible webiste, altaplana.be, the Obscure Cities timeline is thus: There are two set of time lines used on Altaplana. The Obscure time and the lighted time. The lighted time (our reality) is calculated A.D. (Anno Domini) like the Julian calendar. The Obscure time lines are calculated A.T. (After the Tower was constructed).
Consider visiting https://www.altaplana.be/index/at-timeline to learn more.
SAMARIS is available!
SAMARIS (30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
Written by Benoit Peeters
Illustrated by Francois Schuiten
Newly translated by Ivanka Hahnenburger and Stephen D. Smith
Samaris is the first volume of the chronicles of The Obscure Cities, published as a graphic novel in 1983 in French and published for the first time in English in 1987 as The Great Walls of Samaris.
Young officer, Franz Bauer, is asked by the leaders of Xhystos to visit the mysterious city of Samaris and research the rumors that have been circulating. Several before him had left to explore the city and never returned. After a long journey by Altiplan and Aerophele, Franz reaches Samaris, only to find that the rumors he had heard in Xhystos don’t compare to the real secrets held within the walls of this fantastic city. His sanity and the fate of the other explorers is at stake in this, the first installment of the now internationally acclaimed THE OBSCURE CITIES graphic novel series.
This edition, marking the 30th anniversary of the original English language publication, features an expanded main story, an all-new creator-approved translation, and new coloring. The book also contains the never before published-in-English THE MYSTERIES OF PAHRY, a THE OBSCURE CITIES story, originally published in four different parts, three in the French Comics magazine, A Suivre, from 1987 through 1989, and in the December 1994 issue of Macadam-plus.
The four parts are: I. The Big Secret, II. Passage to the Louvre, III. The Fugitive and IV. The Strange Case of Dr. Abraham.
Written by Benoit Peeters
Illustrated by Francois Schuiten
Newly translated by Ivanka Hahnenburger and Stephen D. Smith
Samaris is the first volume of the chronicles of The Obscure Cities, published as a graphic novel in 1983 in French and published for the first time in English in 1987 as The Great Walls of Samaris.
Young officer, Franz Bauer, is asked by the leaders of Xhystos to visit the mysterious city of Samaris and research the rumors that have been circulating. Several before him had left to explore the city and never returned. After a long journey by Altiplan and Aerophele, Franz reaches Samaris, only to find that the rumors he had heard in Xhystos don’t compare to the real secrets held within the walls of this fantastic city. His sanity and the fate of the other explorers is at stake in this, the first installment of the now internationally acclaimed THE OBSCURE CITIES graphic novel series.
This edition, marking the 30th anniversary of the original English language publication, features an expanded main story, an all-new creator-approved translation, and new coloring. The book also contains the never before published-in-English THE MYSTERIES OF PAHRY, a THE OBSCURE CITIES story, originally published in four different parts, three in the French Comics magazine, A Suivre, from 1987 through 1989, and in the December 1994 issue of Macadam-plus.
The four parts are: I. The Big Secret, II. Passage to the Louvre, III. The Fugitive and IV. The Strange Case of Dr. Abraham.
Missing Text in Word Balloon on Pg. 33 of THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND
It is every editor's fear, and every proofreader's job, to ensure there are no typos or deletions in a book, but in my experience, no matter how many times you go over a book before going to the printer, there will always be something wrong.
On page 33 of THE THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND, there is a word balloon missing copy.
So below is the page including the copy so that you, the readers, know exactly what was said.
This will be corrected on Future editions.
On page 33 of THE THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND, there is a word balloon missing copy.
So below is the page including the copy so that you, the readers, know exactly what was said.
This will be corrected on Future editions.
The Theory of the Grain of Sand Coming November 2016
Diamond Comics' monthly catalog, PREVIEWS, got fans worked up in late June when the November Releases issue boasted a spotlight on THE THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND. IDW will release this fantastic story from The Obscure Cities series on November 2nd. Translated by Ivanka Hahnenberg and Stephen Smith, and edited by Smith for ALaxis Press, this title marks the first publishing collaboration between IDW and Alaxis Press.
The book will retain the "European" size and format of the Casterman editions and Alaxis Press' first release, THE LEANING GIRL. The retail price will be $19.99.
The story starts like this… Brüsel - July 21, 784 - Constant Abeels patiently catalogs the stones that have mysteriously appeared in different rooms of his apartment. All are exactly the same weight: 6793 grams. In a nearby building, a young mother can’t figure out the source for all of the sand that is accumulating in her apartment. Not far away, the owner and chef of the famous brewery, Chez Maurice, cannot stop losing weight though his body has not changed. Only weights can hold him close to the ground. And these strange phenomena are getting worse every day.
The story features the return of Mary von Rathen, the title character of the book, THE LEANING GIRL. Now an adult, Mary is an investigator of unexplained phenomena.
THE THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND begins in the familiar Brüsel, then takes the reader to the far reaches of Pâhry and to the untamed outer cities of Boulachistan, the land of the Bugtis and that the Moktars.
The book will retain the "European" size and format of the Casterman editions and Alaxis Press' first release, THE LEANING GIRL. The retail price will be $19.99.
The story starts like this… Brüsel - July 21, 784 - Constant Abeels patiently catalogs the stones that have mysteriously appeared in different rooms of his apartment. All are exactly the same weight: 6793 grams. In a nearby building, a young mother can’t figure out the source for all of the sand that is accumulating in her apartment. Not far away, the owner and chef of the famous brewery, Chez Maurice, cannot stop losing weight though his body has not changed. Only weights can hold him close to the ground. And these strange phenomena are getting worse every day.
The story features the return of Mary von Rathen, the title character of the book, THE LEANING GIRL. Now an adult, Mary is an investigator of unexplained phenomena.
THE THEORY OF THE GRAIN OF SAND begins in the familiar Brüsel, then takes the reader to the far reaches of Pâhry and to the untamed outer cities of Boulachistan, the land of the Bugtis and that the Moktars.
The Leaning Girl a hit at San Diego Comic Con
The attendees of San Diego Comic Con 2014 had a special treat as the convention welcomed special international guests, Benoît Peeters and François Schuiten. Alaxis Press held daily signings at its booth attracting long time fans and curious passersby who stopped and had their books signed.
Friday evening, Schuiten and Peeters were presenters at the esteemed Eisner Awards 2014 ceremony, along with other celebrity presenters, Kelly Hu and Orlando Jones and comics industry legends Mark Evanier, Kevin Eastman and Sergio Aragonés.
Saturday afternoon, the convention hosted Schuiten and Peeters along with Alaxis publisher, Steve Smith, for a two hour presentation and Q&A entitled "Architects of the Obscure Cities." The event was attended by over 50 fans and began with Benoît Peeters being awarded the Inkpot Award for lifetime achievement in Comics for his writing.
Friday evening, Schuiten and Peeters were presenters at the esteemed Eisner Awards 2014 ceremony, along with other celebrity presenters, Kelly Hu and Orlando Jones and comics industry legends Mark Evanier, Kevin Eastman and Sergio Aragonés.
Saturday afternoon, the convention hosted Schuiten and Peeters along with Alaxis publisher, Steve Smith, for a two hour presentation and Q&A entitled "Architects of the Obscure Cities." The event was attended by over 50 fans and began with Benoît Peeters being awarded the Inkpot Award for lifetime achievement in Comics for his writing.
Schuiten & Peeters at San Diego Comic Con
Later this month, two comic book legends, Benoît Peeters and François Schuiten, will be international guests at San Diego Comic Con. Plan on visiting the Alaxis Press booth #4401 throughout the weekend and also plan on attending one of the two official convention autograph sessions Friday, July 25, from 12:30pm - 1:30pm in AA19, and on Saturday, July 26, from 4:30pm - 5:30pm, also in AA19.
Make sure to set aside time to attend the SPOTLIGHT ON BENOIT PEETERS on Saturday, July 26th, from 2-3pm followed immediately by the SPOTLIGHT ON FRANÇOIS SCHUITEN from 3-4pm. Both in Room 4. I will be moderating both discussions, sharing with the audience film clips and images from their careers. In addition, Benoît, François and I will spend part of the presentation time discussing THE OBSCURE CITIES and the future of the series in English language editions.
Please visit the Alaxis Press booth #4401 throughout the weekend. A schedule of in-booth signings will be posted.
See you soon! - Steve
Make sure to set aside time to attend the SPOTLIGHT ON BENOIT PEETERS on Saturday, July 26th, from 2-3pm followed immediately by the SPOTLIGHT ON FRANÇOIS SCHUITEN from 3-4pm. Both in Room 4. I will be moderating both discussions, sharing with the audience film clips and images from their careers. In addition, Benoît, François and I will spend part of the presentation time discussing THE OBSCURE CITIES and the future of the series in English language editions.
Please visit the Alaxis Press booth #4401 throughout the weekend. A schedule of in-booth signings will be posted.
See you soon! - Steve
A Guide to the Obscure Cities
This is a remnant of the official map of the Obscure Cities. It is a land full of mystery, of ancient alchemy and modern technologies. Explore the site, explore the cities. Join our list and participate in our forum.