Samaris

Samaris, originally published in French as Les Cités obscures: Les Murailles de Samaris in 1983, serves as the inaugural volume of the expansive Cités obscures series by writer Benoît Peeters and artist François Schuiten. The work emerged from the duo's fascination with architectural surrealism, urban planning, and the intersection of reality and fiction, drawing heavily from the stylistic influence of Belgian bande dessinée traditions. It follows the explorer Franz Bauer as he journeys to the titular city, creating a narrative that functions as both a mystery and a critique of idealized urban environments.

The visual identity of the book is defined by François Schuiten's meticulous, cross-hatched illustrations, which emphasize grandiose, impossible architecture and a haunting, labyrinthine aesthetic. Upon its initial release, the series garnered significant critical acclaim for its sophisticated blend of philosophy and visual storytelling, ultimately helping to define the graphic novel as a medium for literary experimentation. This 2017 IDW Publishing edition provides an accessible entry point to the series, preserving the intricate pen-and-ink artistry that cemented the work's reputation in European comics history.