BAR2 - Lot 18

BAR2 JOE BAR TEAM Volume 1, Vents d'Ouest, 1990 Cover design produced in 1990, also used for the 1998 Fnac comic-book trail. Signed. India ink and white gouache on paper 28.5 × 38.5 cm (11.22 × 15.16 in.) This large drawing, never published, was intended to illustrate the cover of Volume 1. Yet, despite its superb workmanship, and the humor that emanates from it - the look that the motorized cop gives the Joe Bar owner is delicious - despite all that, this drawing was not selected. But for what curious reason? "I understand why you might ask. Because, basically, this drawing sums up the content of the album. If I didn't include it, it's because I had a problem with my conscience. As I explained in my comments on the third panel of La Bourre, there's something rather shocking about showing bikers tugging at each other in built-up areas. And even though it's only a comic strip, it could have given readers the impression that I was endorsing this kind of practice, or worse, that I was condoning it. And beyond that, what led me to disqualify this cover design was that I felt it focused too much on the bike and not enough on the psychology of the characters. In short, it was a false good idea. And that explains why there are no motorcycles on the final cover, just my four lascars, helmeted and gloved, looking determined and striding towards their mounts, ready to do battle. After all, that was more than enough to convey the spirit of the album, which focuses more on the personalities of the intrepid bikers - or failed riders - than on action and mechanics. But I have to admit that I really liked the drawing presented here, and had to force myself to discard it."