“It’s the Holy Grail of comics”, this exceptional comic bookstore celebrates its 50th anniversary in Nancy

Founded in September 1974 in Nancy, “La Parenthese” is an institution in the north-east of France. Saturday November 9, 2024, this independent bookstore specializing in comics will celebrate its 50th anniversary. To celebrate its extraordinary longevity, several authors will be present for signings and surprises.

The Nancy bookstore resists the behemoths. In the north-east of France, “La Parenthese” is an essential reference for all fans of the genre. Wise advice, a warm welcome, an enormous variety of works, an exhibition room and memorable meetings with authors and designers. Saturday November 9, 2024, the bookstore will celebrate its 50th anniversary, a canonical age for an independent comics bookstore. From 3 p.m., Baru, Benou, Romain Dutreix, Thierry Martin, Jeff Pourquié, Thibaud de Rochebrune and Laetitia Coryn will be there for signings. Various activities will follow until 6 p.m. Then comes the time for surprises with a new book, offered to each person present at the event.

In the heart of Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle), 350m2 of comic strip, where you can find everything. From the underground to the Franco-Belgian line, including comics, graphic novels and comic-reports, among others. A few steps from “La Parenthesis”, for manga lovers, there is also an extension of the bookstore, “Atout Manga”, dedicated solely to this universe. “Cis the Holy Grail of comics, mangas and comics in eastern France. There are seven booksellers in total, including two at “Atout Manga”. It’s an honor for me to work here.”insists Nicolas Stefanov, bookseller and manager of “Atout Manga” for 19 years.

50 years of bookstore specializing in comics, it’s almost a first in France

Stéphane Godefroid, bookseller at “La Parenthese” for 17 years and publisher

Founded in September 1974 by Jacques Pierre, a comic-loving professor, and his partner at the time, Luce Vincent, “La Parenthese” resisted the giants of book sales. “50 years of bookstore specializing in comics is almost a first in France. The only other one that has already celebrated this anniversary is the Expérience bookstore, in Lyon. We are the second oldest in this very special profession. Jacques and Luce were two fans of fanzines (independent and non-professional publications). They wanted to highlight what no other store wanted to sell. Five decades later, their bookstore is still there”smiles Stéphane Godefroid, who took over the reins of this bookstore in 2007, with his partner, Mirko Claudot.

The key to such longevity? “There are several factors. The law on the single price of books made it possible to prevent large structures from sinking independent bookstores. We are part of a network of independent booksellers (Canal BD, which has 170 booksellers in France). I believe that being a customer of “La Parenthese” means being an activist and an actor in our existence. This bookstore belongs a little to each person who walks through the door. There are retired people who already came when they were students. We have an assumed subjectivity as a bookseller, which we try to share by remaining above all attentive to our customers. We do our best to meet their desires and needs.”summarizes Stéphane Godefroid, bookseller and publisher.

In this bookstore, we are diehards, a bit like Asterix

Nathalie Scarpa, bookseller at “La Parenthese” for around thirty years

Nathalie Scarpa has worked at “La Parenthese” for around thirty years. She has seen the comics market and reader profiles evolve. “A few decades ago, people who read comics came from a high socio-professional category, with a certain level of education, in general. Since then, comics have really become democratized. In this bookstore, we are diehards, a bit like Asterix. Against all odds, we will stay there.”laughs the bookseller. “In addition to new releases, we offer a large catalog, including small publishers, young authors and a very large collection of older titles. In places where profitability is a predominant factor, we only work on things that work “Here, we also allow projects considered unviable to exist.”, confirms Stéphane Godefroid.

The list is endless. Enki Bilal, Ptiluc, Zep, Thomas Von Kummant, Lorraine Baru, Boucq, Juillard, and even Tardi, among others, made the journey to Nancy for signing sessions and meetings with readers. Among the memorable moments, the recent signing session of Riad Sattouf, author of the highly successful comic book series, “The Arab of the Future”October 29, 2024. “Definitely the longest queue ever seen here”laughs Stéphane Godefroid. “But each era has its share of memories, wonderful clients, wonderful authors that we have been able to meet. I am thinking in particular of André Juillard, a master of comics (designer of “Blake and Mortimer” and “Cahier bleu”), who died this year. He was a great friend of the bookstore, he was kind, talented and discreet.”remembers the enthusiast.

We have a loyal clientele but also customers from all over France and abroad who come on a bit of a pilgrimage when they pass through the area.

Angel Adam, bookseller at “La Parenthese” for 8 years

On the menu for this 50th anniversary, signings, festive exchanges around a glass of locally brewed beer, but also a new book offered to each of those present. Booksellers have reviewed fifty works that are dear to them and several authors have made their contributions. “We are proud of this book and our history. Working here is a lot of work, a lot of packages to carry and put away, but it’s also great. Each of the booksellers has different tastes, customers sometimes recognize themselves more in the favorites of one or the other and relationships are created. We have a loyal clientele but also customers from all over France and abroad who come on a bit of a pilgrimage when they pass through the area.”concludes Angel Adam, who joined the team 8 years ago.

“La Parenthesis” is located at n°19 of the Cour des Arts, in Nancy, a stone’s throw from its little sister, “Atout Manga”, located at n°8 of the same courtyard.