Age: all ages
Pagination: 100 pages
Size: 230 x 163 mm
Binding: perfect binding
Language: French
Publication: September 2026
Free
ISBN: 978-2-38427-360-7 (printed book_French version)/ 978-2-38427-361-4 (ePub_French version)
Adapted from Joséphine Japy’s film of the same name, Qui brille au combat immerses us in the daily life of a family torn apart by Bertille’s rare illness, which went undiagnosed for a long time.
Through the intertwined perspectives of Gilles, an absent father who struggles to accept his daughter’s difference; Madeleine, who fights tirelessly, driven by unwavering maternal love; and Marion, who seeks her place in the shadow and light of her little sister, the story sheds light on the unique ways in which each character weather the storm.
Imbued with sensitive storytelling and luminous illustrations, this graphic novel chronicles an intimate struggle and shows how, amid uncertainty, bonds are redefined to create, together, a new balance.
We began developing Qui brille au combat in 2022 with Joséphine Japy and her co-writer Olivier Torres. From our very first discussions, Joséphine’s personal story prompted us to reflect deeply on our relationship with difference and the family dynamics that accompany it. What made this project unique was its perspective: that of siblings, a viewpoint rarely portrayed on screen. This film came to fruition thanks to the trust placed in us by Laurent Hassid and his teams at Canal+, as well as by Cécile Négrier, Marie de Lussigny, and the teams at France Télévisions, who supported this endeavor from the very beginning.
To extend the film’s reach beyond the cinema, we partnered with the Ipsen Foundation and numerous partners committed to supporting the families involved. The film was a critical success and was selected for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival as part of the Official Selection.
Today, we continue to support its distribution and keep its legacy alive through our work with partner organizations and foundations. We are convinced that this film is destined to stand the test of time and to continue the dialogue it has sparked with the public and affected families.
Antoine Playoust (Producer – www.cowboysagency.com)
Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. It is caused by a change in DNA, which serves as our body’s instruction manual. In affected children, this change can interfere with brain development. It can lead to delays in learning to walk, talk, or communicate. Some children speak very little or not at all, have lower muscle tone, tire more quickly, have trouble sleeping, and need help with daily activities. Every child is different: symptoms can vary in severity from person to person.
With appropriate guidance, medical care, rehabilitation, and plenty of support, they can progress at their own pace.
Eliane Reynold de Sérésin is an author and writer specializing in the humanities, art history, and cultural heritage. She has written several art books for young readers. She also works as a freelance editor and proofreader on various publishing projects and currently contributes to a newspaper specializing in inclusion and disability issues.
With his beautiful palette of sunny colors, his refined ornamentation, and his perfectly straight geometric compositions, Matthieu Méron has struck the perfect balance between classicism, Art Deco, and modern spontaneity.
Well-versed in both editorial illustration and comic books, he has a knack for capturing the right detail on the spot, which allows him to tackle any subject with ease during live drawing sessions.
Born in 1981 in Paris, Matthieu Méron decided at a very young age that he wanted to follow in Hergé’s footsteps when he grew up. Trained at the ESAA Duperré and later at the Illustration Studio of the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts, he works regularly for the press (Télérama, XXI, Bayard Presse, and La Revue Dessinée) and in the field of communications.
Website: www.matthieumeron.com
Agent: www.patricia-lucas.com
