François Le Bescond is preparing to leave Dargaud, the French publishing house, after 37 years of service. His departure is scheduled for the end of April 2027. During a transition period, he will continue to oversee the company’s authors and maintain editorial responsibility for Lucky Luke, one of Dargaud’s most iconic comic series. Pauline Mermet has been appointed editorial director, a role she has held since September 7, 2026. Mermet joined Dargaud in 2010 and has worked with notable authors such as Marion Montaigne and Mathieu Burniat. She also launched the Charivari label in 2025, which publishes around ten comics annually, covering a wide range of genres and audiences. François Le Bescond joined Dargaud in 1989 and played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s contemporary catalog. His ongoing involvement with Lucky Luke is particularly significant, as the character of Morris, the series’ central figure, celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026. A series of events and publications are planned to mark this milestone, including the upcoming release of Saint Lucky Luke, the next volume in the regular series, scheduled for November 6. Dargaud, founded in 1936, continues to be driven by major comic series such as Lucky Luke, Blueberry, Valérian, Blacksad, and XIII, as well as graphic novels, documentaries, and youth-oriented content. However, the company is experiencing a decline in the comics market, with a reported turnover drop from 40.6 to 33.6 million euros, a decrease of 17.3%. For the fiscal year, Dargaud reported an operating loss of about 245,000 euros, compared to a slight profit one year earlier. Despite this, the company remained profitable in 2025 with a net profit of 4.4 million euros, partly due to a positive financial result of 4.7 million euros. Other industry developments include the appointment of Arnaud Labory as director of the press service of Albin Michel, a major French publisher. Hachette Livre, one of the largest publishing groups in France, has begun reorganizing its international governance starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Éditions du Félin has launched a new collection. The National Syndicate of Publishing (SNE) has renewed its board of administration for 2026–2027, and the ANEL has also updated its leadership. Other notable events include the centenary celebration of Éditions Dangles, the launch of a new salary grid for the publishing industry, and the appointment of Valentin Bouvet as director of operations at Editis. The use of artificial intelligence in the novel C’était ça ou mourir by Thélyson Orélien has sparked discussions within the industry. Additionally, the death of Maggie Doyle, who directed the foreign literature of Éditions Robert Laffont for over 20 years, and the passing of several other notable figures in literature and publishing have been reported. There have also been developments in the publishing landscape in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, where bookstores and publishers are advocating for policy changes and support.