Astérios, le Minotaure #1

Astérios, le Minotaure, published by Éditions du Seuil, is a graphic novel series that reinterprets the Greek myth of the Minotaur through a contemporary artistic lens. Created by French cartoonist Marcel Béalu, the work aims to humanize the creature by focusing on his isolation and internal conflict rather than the traditional monstrous depictions found in classical antiquity. The first issue serves as the introductory volume of a multi-part exploration of the labyrinthine nature of the protagonist’s existence.

The design and visual language of the series are characterized by a minimalist, haunting illustrative style that prioritizes atmosphere over intricate detail. By stripping away the epic scale often associated with mythological retellings, the work focuses on the psychological depth of the Minotaur, presenting him as a tragic, misunderstood figure. It was received by literary critics as a poignant meditation on loneliness and the limitations of human (and non-human) empathy, garnering praise for its narrative restraint.