Comics Journalism or la BD reportage : The Rise of a Nonfiction Subgenre

La BD reportage , or comics journalism, is an increasingly dominant subgenre of French-language nonfiction comics. Surpassing the editorial cartoon in both space and scope, graphic reporting is rooted in oral interviews and on-site research. This “op-art” intentionally showcases a behind-the-scenes, subjective perspective; cartoonists feature as reporter-characters, who follow a story as it unfolds and dialogue with informants. While there is still considerable artistic fluidity—especially given cartoonists’ distinct drawing styles— BD reportage has developed dominant thematic specializations, like war reporting or environmental activism. While readers are likely familiar with bestsellers—such as Emmanuelle Guibert and Didier Lefèvre’s Le photographe (2003–2006) or Inès Léraud and Pierre Van Hove’s Les Algues vertes (2019)—this article will characterize comics journalism as a broader subgenre, in terms of aesthetics, journalistic practices, publication format, and subject matter. After this survey, it will transition to the growth and institutionalization of the nonfiction comics market, while considering how BD reportage borrows from or overlaps with (seemingly unrelated) cartooning practices, such as courtroom sketches, graphic memoir, or travelogue. Finally, this article concludes with the case study of French artist Étienne Davodeau: a creator who specializes in comics reporting.