A comic book titled L'Histoire du capitalisme français has been published by Éditions Les Arènes as part of their Economix collection. The book aims to explore the origins of French capitalism, focusing on the Champagne fairs of Troyes in the Aube department. The work was created by Christian Chavagneux, a journalist for the independent media outlet Alternatives économiques, and Enzo, a pseudonym used by another journalist from the same outlet. One of the co-authors is a doctoral student in economics, while the other is an illustrator. The comic examines the rise of capitalism in medieval Europe, with a particular emphasis on the role of the Champagne fairs. According to Chavagneux, most economists recognize two major centers of capitalism in 12th-century Europe: textile producers in Flanders and spice producers in the East. Between these two, the Champagne region played a crucial role in connecting trade routes. However, Chavagneux noted that the emergence of the Champagne fairs as a central hub of European and global capitalism was not a natural or spontaneous development but the result of deliberate political and economic strategies. The authors explain how the Champagne fairs became a model of early capitalist logic. The Counts of Champagne, a powerful local ruling family, provided a legal framework that gave merchants confidence in conducting business. This legal support created a sense of "physical, legal, and financial security" for market transactions. The collaboration between private merchants and the political authority of the Counts helped shape the early structures of French capitalism. In cases of disputes, courts were available, and the Counts ensured financial security by enforcing contracts and, when necessary, using soldiers to recover debts. The authors chose the comic book format to make the complex topic of economic history more engaging and accessible. They wanted to avoid the dense, academic tone often found in economic texts. Instead, they aimed to tell the story of French capitalism through characters and narratives that highlight its evolution over time. By using visual storytelling, the book seeks to make the history of capitalism more relatable to a broader audience.