Henri Cosquer and Thierry Felix had the joy of witnessing the printing of the first pages of the comic book The Cosquer Cave, the secret sanctuary of the Calanques.
This is the conclusion of an adventure spanning nearly 30 years that unfolded before the eyes of a few fortunate ones at the Caractère printing plant in Marseille. With a certain emotion, Henri Cosquer, known as « Bearded », the discoverer of the cave, and Thierry Felix, co-writer of the comic book, prehistorian, and Bearded’s diving companion, attended this event alongside their publisher Nicolas Barraqué, Christophe Madrolle, regional councilor and President of the Sea Commission, as well as their close ones. Unfortunately, Dominique Sérafini, the artist and co-writer of the comic, could not be present.
A highly anticipated moment
In a few minutes, the press operator starts the machine, and the first sheets come out, stacking one by one at breakneck speed! While watching the printing of what will be the cover of this comic, Henri Cosquer confides: « We did it! It took a lot of time, but it’s finally here! » Thierry Felix, also very happy with this result, declares:« it’s moving; today we see the culmination of this long project. It took us a lot of time to gather all the conditions and create this comic. The result is magnificent. I am extremely happy for Henri« . For their publisher, Nicolas Barraqué,the smile and emotion of Henri seeing his adventure come out of the machine is the greatest thanks we can receive in this laborious project that reflects what he experienced« .
The story of a discovery
This story, you are very likely familiar with it, and you may have had the chance to discover the replica of the cave that opened in June 2022 at the Villa Méditerranée, in Marseille ! This comic book illustrates the incredible adventure Henri Cosquer experienced from discovering the chasm to observing the first prehistoric traces. But that’s not all! It also immerses you in the calanques of Marseille, taking you back in time to the last ice age to retrace the sequence of events leading to this unexpected and prodigious discovery. »This comic reflects my way of being and living as best as possible, reveals Bearded, it aims to share the story of those men and women who lived in these caves so long ago and left behind traces of their art!«
Edited in Hyères and printed in Marseille, this comic made in Provence will be released on May 17. On this occasion, Henri Cosquer, Thierry Felix, and Dominique Sérafini will be present at its inauguration at the heart of the Villa Méditerranée, in Marseille.