Since the 1960s, the development of comics has been significantly influenced by a group of pioneering individuals and publications in France and Belgium. These creators were inspired by the culture of film clubs and included figures such as Pierre Couperie, Francis Lacassin, Claude Moliterni, Maurice Horn, André Leborgne, Jacques Glénat, Numa Sadoul, François Rivière, and Henri Filippini. They played a key role in shaping early comics scholarship through publications like Giff-Wiff, Phénix, and Les Cahiers de la bande dessinée. One of the most notable works from this period is Histoire de la bande dessinée - Une histoire des histoires en images de la préhistoire à nos jours by Gérard Blanchard, published by Marabout Université in the early 1970s. This book traces the evolution of comics from prehistoric times through historical artifacts like the Trajan column and the Bayeux tapestry. During this time, there was a strong push to establish comics as a legitimate field of study, leading to the creation of comprehensive works such as L'Encyclopédie de la bande dessinée (1974, unfinished) by Claude Moliterni, Histoire mondiale de la bande dessinée (1990), and Le Larousse de la BD. However, these early efforts were not without flaws. For instance, the 1975 Que sais-je? volume on comics failed to include the rich world of Japanese manga, a limitation that was not unique to that publication. As the field of comics research has matured, scholars such as Benoît Peeters, Thierry Groensteen, Thierry Smolderen, Christelle Pissavy-Yvernault, Bertrand Pissavy-Yvernault, and Philippe Goddin have built upon this foundation, drawing from extensive archival material to provide more nuanced and detailed analyses. Despite these advances, certain aspects of comics history, such as popular imagery like Épinal images, remain underexplored. The traditional narrative that begins the history of comics with Rodolphe Töpffer, often regarded as its first theorist, has also come under scrutiny. This long-held perspective, known as "doxa," has largely gone unchallenged until more recent scholarship. A new book under discussion starts with Töpffer, highlighting the emergence of "a new language" in comics and referencing a range of figures, including Goethe, who praised the Swiss artist, as well as lesser-known names like Cham, Gustave Doré, Wilhelm Busch, Charles H. Ross, Marie Duval, and Christophe. It also acknowledges the contributions of publishers like Charles Philipon, Gabriel Aubert, and Pierre-Jules Hetzel. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the "adventurers of the first panels" to the counter-culture of the 1960s, the "Belgian miracle," superheroes, manga, and the "ballad of fumetti" in Italian comics. Supported by serious academic sources, it offers a comprehensive overview of the global evolution of comics. The true strength of the book lies in its illustrations, created by Daniel Casanave, who not only depicts the characters and styles of the artists mentioned but also integrates his own artistic style. The inclusion of "family trees" helps contextualize the history, making it more accessible and less overwhelming. While the work may have its imperfections, it serves as an excellent introduction to the "ninth art," a term often used to describe comics. The book is suitable for both connoisseurs and newcomers, offering a wealth of portraits, anecdotes, and insights into what is often referred to as "pop culture." Discussions about the book can be found in a podcast featuring Daniel Casanave and Benoist Simmat.