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80 DAYS
About the project
Book covers
Pages 1 to
24 in English
Storyboards
Sketches
Location
research
Brussels, guided tour
The making of
80 Days
Benjamin
Button
Press review
Gerry Geronimo
Recent cartoons |
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Press Review |
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Starting from a very
original idea - an eighty-year-old who lives his life
backwards, losing a year each day - Nicolas Vadot and
Olivier Guéret accomplish a remarkable countdown: 80 Days.
This fantasy account becomes an excuse for expressing missed
opportunities, but above all a manner of stressing life's
extraordinary strengths. Clever dialogues abound amid
elegant and classic artwork.
Le
Nouvel Observateur (France) |
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To say the least Olivier Guéret
and Nicolas Vadot have created an extraordinarily original
scenario which is above all wonderfully orchestrated by
colours and drawings. The starting point: a dying
80-year-old gradually gets younger, by a year each day,
thanks to the company of Juliet, his attractive young carer.
An undreamed-of opportunity which enables him to progress
from his deathbed to a wheelchair, and thence to a walking
stick before ending up jogging like a teenager. The authors
describe this slow process little by little, a marvellous
adventure to begin with, but gradually a two-edged sword as
in both directions the days and the years are numbered. From
the fun of seeing life differently (Ah - to be 20 again!)
the reader moves on towards the syndrome of "the man who
gets smaller and smaller": where will it all end? And
simultaneously a new and ambiguous relationship takes place
between Edward and Juliet who end up both being 35! This is
a vertiginous journey through the drawings and also the
colours of Nicolas Vadot, which veer from a strange green to
deep blues, using a simply brilliant precise pencil touch.
Is this countdown an end or a rebirth? The answer is to be
found at the end of this one-off album, of which one of the
most hallucinating sequences must be the red Citroën DS in
flames heading for a wall. Which is not the case of this
album!
Nicolas Vadot and Olivier Guéret have also collaborated in
the Norbert l'Imaginaire
(Gerry Geronimo) trilogy.
Sud-Ouest (France) |
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This is a very original
story, brilliantly executed by the duo Vadot/Guéret, with a
most unexpected ending. We have already met these two
authors in Norbert
l'Imaginaire (Gerry Geronimo),
and here they are again - much to our delight - with a
one-off really worth its salt.
The style of the drawing is somewhat out of the ordinary.
Even though at the onset it can be a bit off-putting, one is
rapidly captivated by the style, the colours and the
characters.
It is as if the pencil strokes of the drawings have not been
rubbed out, at times the whole thing seems unfinished,
however the overview of the frames reveals a highly polished
work. This original and indeed rare effect is completely
under the control of Nicolas Vadot, who presents us with a
beautifully structured album.
As far as this original tale goes, with its relentless
rhythm of the passage of the days, we could have expected
several volumes in which to immerse ourselves in the events
of the protagonists' adventures. But finally, as a one-shot,
it is fantastic.
Sceneario.com (France) |
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Vadot and Guéret really
love playing with their characters and their emotions.
Their first series, both notable and noticed,
Norbert l'Imaginaire (Gerry Geronimo),
related the amusing but moving love-story between Simon and
Lisa as seen from their inner selves, fount of human
feeling. In 80 Days
they regale us this time with the last days in the life of
an 80-year-old man who rejuvenates by a year with each
passing day... which brings him closer daily both to his
death ...and his birth! Vadot and Guéret recount very
cleverly the psychological evolution of this old man who so briefly
regains his youth, under the watchful eye of the beautiful
Juliet. They succeed in rhythmically delivering this
implacable count-down in time, without repeating themselves,
and keep up the suspense until the very end... A tale of the
fantastic which is the vehicle of a subtle reflection - without
too much heart-searching - on human nature itself.
La lettre de Dargaud (France) |
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He is 80 years old and
getting younger day by day. The surprising Edward Goodman
makes the acquaintance of Juliet, his young carer, and
plunges into a reverse process of psychoanalysis under the
watchful eye of an inspector who is a Churchill look-alike.
This alluring idea of a journey into his past is handled
masterly by the authors.
Midilibre.com (France) |
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This marvellous tale of fantasy
dealing with the passage of time is the work of Olivier
Guéret for the scenario and Nicolas Vadot for both scenario
and artwork, the result of which is an original and
remarkable book. Both in their thirties, the two authors
descibe with talent and sensitivity the workings of the mind
of an old man who is seen to recapture his zest for life,
rekindle the power of his inner feelings and realise that he
has perhaps let life pass him by. By alternating passages
describing Edward's new life and psychoanalytical episodes
between the hero and Winston Churchill, the authors set the
scene for a deeper reflection into the profound aspects of
human nature.
This original story should appeal to many, particularly as
though the plot may seem heavy-handed it is handled with
great dexterity by its creators: light and airy frames,
careful and never superfluous dialogues as we follow the
surprising journey of Edward and Juliet towards peace.
Vadot's sensitive illustrations of the various sites where
the action takes place are masterful, Brussels has seldom
seemed more beautiful. The use of pencil drawings, without
inking, is magnified by a warm and luminous use of colour.
We had already been captivated by the two authors with their
earlier series, Norbert
l'Imaginaire (Gerry Geronimo),
published by Lombard Publications. They confirm here our
good first impressions by submitting this superbly
intriguing and sensitive account on the passage of time.
Actuabd.com (France) |
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After a lengthy time in
the pipeline, and with the help of co-scenarist Guéret, our
very own political cartoonist Vadot has strayed far from his
well-known hunting-ground. The scenario, overflowing with
psychoanalytical references, forms a trap sprung on the
reader. Beware of starting the album at the end! As far as
the graphic side goes, Vadot has evermore perfected his
style. Compared to Norbert
l'Imaginaire (three books
published by Le Lombard) the drawing takes on considerably
more strength, thanks to a mixed technique : pencil drawing
and Photoshop, bold intensity of colour, scenes of Brussels,
some extraordinarily dreamlike frames: go for it!
Le Vif/L'Express (Belgium) |
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Though the idea of this scenario
is hardly new, Vadot and Guéret handle it with talent and
have a few surprises in store which enable us to the read
their book in a variety of ways. They also present us with
several thoughts on the passage of time, the ageing process,
life's projects and regrets, an insight into changing
reality....without forgetting some very wonderful views of
Brussels.
Le Soir magazine (Belgium) |
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Departing from his
cinematic technique and elaborate framing, well tried in
Norbert l'Imaginaire,
Vadot reverts to a more streamlined, classical, presentation.
The result is a work of great brightness, with shining
colours, based on drawing which
‘smells of vigorous rubbing-out'
as the artist is pleased to point out. This is a study of
emotions palpable in the scant illustration and texts of
this graphic novel.
L'Echo (Belgium) |
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Here is one of the
season's happy surprises!
80 Days,
published by Casterman, is well deserving of attention. With
attractive graphic work, this poetico-philosophical one-off
leads us into the meanders of human psychology, into the
realm where fleeting moments of happiness and regrets rub
shoulders. Calmly yet powerfully, this tale forces us to
reflect on ourselves, using rhythm and subtle fantasy miles
away from the cinematographic approach favoured by so many
contemporary graphic artists.
Vers l'Avenir (Belgium) |
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As everyone knows, there is no
better way to tell a tale of fantasy than by changing only
slightly the natural order of things - when ordinary things
are just a bit off centre but continue to progress almost
normally. Almost. Already well-known and appreciated as the
cartoonist of Le Vif
L'Express, Nicolas Vadot
has already had a go at graphic novels. We are referring to
Norbert l'Imaginaire
(three volumes) where he teamed up with the journalist and
cinema critic Olivier Guéret. They have got together again
to produce this serious but stylish tale; well put together,
with happy rhythm. This truly Belgian stroll through
Brussels, with many thoughtful touches ( 'the North Sea is
like music: you have to start when you’re a child, otherwise
you can't hear it') is perhaps a little on the tame side. Or
could it be modesty? At 80 there isn't generally much left
to hide!
Télémoustique (Belgium) |
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Great things were expected
of the duo Nicolas Vadot/Olivier Guéret after their
excellent trilogy, Norbert
l'Imaginaire (published
by Le Lombard) which ventured into a parallel world encased
in the brain and explaining the workings of our love-life.
We are not disappointed, quite the reverse!
80 Days, a
sensitive and touching tale of fatasy, demonstrates the
strange relationship which develops between an ailing
80-year-old and a young and beautiful young woman who acts
like his nursing carer. From the moment she takes charge of
him the old diabetic patient becomes younger by a year each
day: what on earth will happen at the end of these 80 days
of rejuvenation? The osmosis between the raw charcoal
drawings of Nicolas Vadot (who now lives in Canberra,
Australia, and whose style is less and less caricatural,
though in the first place this talented illustrator
specialised in political and humourous cartoons) and the
elliptical and efficient narrative of Olivier Guéret is
obvious : everything is thought out to surprise and move the
reader, never falling into the trap of superficial
sentimentality. This race against time is perfectly
orchestrated thanks to cunning flash-backs which take us
into the past of the central character, together with a
tasteful romantic and dreamlike atmosphere. Finally, let us
remark on the good use of full page frames which not only do
not detract from the easy readability of the story, but
which slot well into the whole work, bringing a note of
originality: a very successful album!
BDselection.com (France) |
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Vadot and Guéret, authors
of the well-received trilogy of
Norbert l'Imaginaire,
provide us now with an astonishing tale, both sensitive and
touching. They conduct us backwards through their
character's life, as he gets younger before our very eyes.
What can one do in such a situation? What will be the
outcome of this race against time over 80 days? Find out in
the book!
Departing from his graphic style of caricature and humour as
in the adventures of
Norbert l'Imaginaire,
Nicolas Vadot embarks on a more realistic style using an
interesting technique. In order to preserve his dynamic
pencil strokes, he has opted for an unfinished style. The
characters therefore remain as charcoal, seemingly
unfinished sketches. It is the colour which finalises the
drawing. The result is convincing.
Auracan.com (Belgium) |
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Just imagine getting a
year younger each day. For someone young, this does not
leave much time before returning to the foetal state. But
for an old man of eighty that leaves two and a half months
to go back gradually throughout his life to his infancy.
The starting point of the scenario of
80 Days is
none other than this unreal idea on which is built a fable
which owes more to a philosophical discourse than an attempt
at science-fiction. The journey backwards through time
described in this album takes a look at all that is lost
during a lifetime and which the principal character
rediscovers as he grows younger : feelings, emotions, the
art of living. The physical shortcomings and limitations of
the ageing process seem strangely to be more striking when
life is going backwards. This is a very well written album.
Both the dialogues and the narrative frames come over very
pleasantly. The authors have succeeded in exaggerating the
principal character. Edward, as he grows younger, wants to
grab life with both hands. His passions are magnified, his
senses enhanced by the foregone knowledge of the degrading
aspects of life's final phases. Certain symbolically
gigantic and nightmarish scenes are especially well rendered
(the recurring image of a car in flames propelled by
monorail, for instance).
From the graphic point of view, this one-off album is very
powerful. The mixture of thick pencil-drawings, roughly
finished, and computerised colouring, often criticised for
being wishy-washy, is used to good effect. On his website
Nicolas Vadot explains the conception of the album and lets
us in on his graphic standpoint :
‘After several fruitless attempts (direct colour, oil,
acrylics, ecoline, water-colours, reworked photocopies,
etc....) I decided on this pencil drawing technique,
creating a mixture of a very dirty medium (greasy pencilling)
and a very clean one (computerised images).’
The author is to be praised for his innovation as he manages
to get the best out of both techniques. The scribbled wooden
pencil strokes lend strength and intensity to the faces,
whereas some well thought-out effects such as reflections or
fading (page 20) can only be achieved with such precision by
computer. The album is also impressive in its degree of
light and the relevance of the city scenes.
80 Days
is a very high quality album, both in its writing and
graphic content. A thoughtful poem on old age and the
passage of time.
Krinein.com (France) |
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Vadot and Guéret have
produced a really good tale of tenderness and poetry. Life's
cycle is never-ending, from grandfather to grandson. The
drawing may seem a little off-putting to some, unfinished
even, with its colours which are sometimes aggressive on the
eye, but it suits the subject admirably and serves well this
universal dream of youth everlasting and recaptured.
Skynet.com (Belgium) |
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What a story! At first one
reads it straight through, and I must admit that it is a
long time since I read an album, glancing to see which page
I had reached. Then a bit later, assuredly, one feels
compelled to read it again, slowly, to get the full flavour
in all its subtleties! A must, to be read again and again!
bdpassion.fr (France) |
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nicolasvadot.com
