This month, Titan will spy on three Caesar spies, author Jean Pierre Pecau and artist Max von Fafner, in a complete omnibus format. Originally released as Lespion des Cesar between 2020 and 2022 by French publisher Delcote. It offers a visual treat for readers who enjoy gorgeously rendered battle scenes and political intrigue.
Caesar’s spy follows a warrior called Cox, a former girl slave who ends up serving the ambitious young general Caesar as his troubleshooter. With each mission, Coax wants to get closer to the venge he seeks, regardless of the outcome.
Pekau and von Fafner are not completely unknown names for English readers. Pecau is a prolific French author of historic comics, whose longest series, The Secret History (L’Histoire Secret verse) (Igor Kordey), was released in English by Archaia Imprint of Boom Studios in the 2010s, and released 20 Now-37 albums on the Omnibus Format. Von Fafner is based in Serbia and has a long career in French comics, previously in installments for Pekau and the ongoing anthology history series L’Homme de L’Année (Man of the Year) and Delcourt installments. In English, Von Fafner is best known for his contributions to the intertwining of the Savage Sword of Conan Anthology series published by Titan, and AWA & Futurific Studios, written by Joshua Lak Kim and Ciara Ni Chuirc.
Beat told the pair about their partnership, the story of Caesar’s spy, and their potential future.
Dean Simons: How did the two of them first meet and decide to cooperate with this project?
Max von Fafner: We had worked together for about four years before, so there were three major historical projects behind it. Caesar’s spy was the best result of our collaboration as an already established creative team.
DS: How did the girl’s idea of serving General Caesar come to be? And why this period before his ascension?
Jean Pierre Pecau: The war between the Romans and Gaul is like our modern war, and it is often thought to be completely wrong. Caesar had Gaur for his troops, spies, translators and ambassadors. In the story, the hero’s coaxial axis holds a heavy secret. He is cursed by God for what he did in the past – we only discover at the end.
DS: The story weaves Roman politics with coaxial motivations. How much research needed and how easily did the concept fall?
JPP: When Caesar began his conquest, the Gaul and the Romans knew each other well. Coax himself was familiar with Rome and its customs, and even had friends who settled there. It would be wrong to believe that the ancient world was compartmentalized. Around the Mediterranean basin, people traveled, settled everywhere, and knew each other well.
DS: Max, what was your approach by designing the characters for Coax? Did you have any specific instructions for working? Did you have a lot of visual research in the series?
MVF: I already had extensive experience working with ancient Roman subjects. For the coaxial, I have done extensive research and based it on the great Garrick Leader and the historical figures of Warrior Verssingetrix.
DS: Comics have many elements that make many artists hech – dense crowds, battlefield sequences, horses, etc. Did you find them difficult?
MVF: I’ve listed the elements I want to do in a complete list. I love challenges and complicated scenes and plots. My love for comics and storytelling has guided me from a childhood.
DS: Max, working on Caesar’s Spy/L’Spyion de César, did you immediately influence getting a job portraying Conan for John Arcudi in 2024? Are you a Conan fan?
MVF: Oh yeah, I’m a huge Conan fan and I agree that Caesar’s spy has probably led my talent to the forefront. Interestingly, the writers and editors I worked with chose me whenever I needed to have a complicated, epic, historical theme with the typical heroes who free slaves or fight for freedom. I really don’t know why, but I’m happy that it is.
DS: The series was originally released as three albums between 2020 and 2022. To what extent did that period affect how both of you normally work, cooperate and influence the overall direction of the story?
JPP: To be honest, we weren’t in the same country, so everything was done online, so I don’t remember Covid that affected our work. Perhaps, on the contrary, we had more time to work in peace!
MVF: Caesar’s spy and Coax helped me a lot during that period. Personally, it was a very difficult time and I lost a lot at the time. Coax inspired me with his strength and determination.
DS: Personally and personally, how strong is the historic Bande Dessinée appealing to you?
JPP: It is true that in France there is a lot of interest in history, not just comic books. History books and historical novels sell very well. why is that? I don’t know the answer. However, it should be noted that most of these stories are about World War II.
DS: Finally, seeing Coax’s personal quest for revenge somewhat fulfilled, the character appears to be away from Caesar and has no purpose. Do you want to continue with the Coax story? Where does he think about everything he has done? Is there any continuation of the work?
JPP: At first glance, Coax’s adventure seems to be over, but it is true that he had planned a sequel to his adventure until Caesar’s death. Probably someday!
Caesar’s spy comes out from all good comic shops and bookstores
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