The French critics association ACBD has selected Romain Bertrand and Jean Dietard’s The Road to Anahuac as the winner of the year’s top prize, the 2026 Criticism Grand Prix. The author and his publisher Delcourt will officially receive the award at the Association of Graphic and Plastic Artists (ADAGP) in Paris on March 21st. 2026.
ACBD says the following about this book (translated by DeepL):
“Romain Bertrand and Jean Dietard have released one of the most accomplished and relevant comics of 2025. In The Road of Anahuac, they revisit the pivotal period of the Spanish conquest of Central America by Cortes. They follow indigenous priests who dedicated their lives to compiling manuscripts detailing their culture. In doing so, they explore fascinating questions: How did forced evangelism replace Aztec culture? Why did it happen so dramatically in such a short period of time?
“For an authentic and thoroughly researched story about the creation of this cultural canon, Jean Dytard devised a comic book style inspired by the hieroglyphics and symbols used by indigenous peoples to codify their writing. They are subtly conveyed throughout the information-packed pages. guides the eye, yet remains easy to read and has a style similar to Ligne Claire (Clear Lines). This important work speaks eloquently about our times, where the desire for cultural recovery still drives many geopolitical efforts.
The book is currently not yet available in English, but an international award will help an English publisher acquire the rights. The translated synopsis of The Paths of Anahuac is as follows:
“Bernardino de Sahagun, a Franciscan priest who arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, lamented the systematic destruction of indigenous culture by the conquistadors. He set out to write a monumental collection of transcribed Aztec memories. Antonio Valeriano, an indigenous boy born after the conquest, helped him with his work and in the process rediscovered his own culture’s heritage…”
The Path of Anahuac triumphs over graphic novels that deal with genres and themes such as musings on love and sexuality (Nine Antico, Detachment by Dargaud), the transformative path of music (Jean-Christophe Duvenay and Edouard Coeur, Soli de Gloria by Dupuis), and apocalyptic eco-science fiction (Silent Jenny, Matthew Babret). 619/Rue de Sèvres), The Dangers of Becoming an Online Influencer (Sangliers, by Lisa Blumen, L’employé.e du Moi). To see a sample of the finalists, check here.
The winner of last year’s ACBD Grand Prix de la Critique was “Deux filles nues” (tr. “Nudes of Two Girls”) by Luz, published by Alban Michel. Although not guaranteed, the winner of the Grand Critics Award may also win the Fauve d’Or for Angoulême. This happened in the case of Luz’s graphic novel. Unfortunately, the award was also canceled due to the cancellation of the festival, but the authors can take courage from this award.
In previous years, the formal awards ceremony was held during the Angoulême Festival in late January. Unfortunately, the festival has been cancelled, but ACBD has previously announced its intention to boycott in solidarity with creators fighting for change.
The Association of Critics and Journalists (ACBD) is an association of critics and journalists covering comics in the Francophone world. Founded in 1984, its membership includes media professionals primarily from France, Switzerland, Belgium and Canada. They give out five awards each year for children’s comics, English-origin comics, Asian comics, and Quebecois (French-Canadian) comics. The Grand Prix de la Critique is the oldest and highest award of the association, dating back to its founding. Awards are determined by multiple votes by ACBD’s full membership.
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