Circuit des Remparts and Zandvoort: Michel Vaillant celebrates heritage in 2025

In 2025, Michel Vaillant isn't taking his foot off the gas. The comic book hero created by Jean Graton in 1957 has revealed the location of his next sporting adventure. After competing in the Indianapolis 500 in the United States (Redemption, Season 2 Volume 13), the tireless driver will return to France for an urban event well-known to classic car enthusiasts: the Circuit des Remparts in Angoulême.

This 14th volume of the 2nd season will be available from September 26th and the cover has already been revealed. It shows Michel Vaillant negotiating one of the tight bends of the Angoulême circuit, apparently in front of a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa red. In the distance, we can see a Porsche 550 Spyders.

The Angoumoisin event was already included in the initial season of Michel Vaillant. In 1988, the album "Le défi des Remparts" took place in Angoulême and Michel Vaillant was to face a mysterious team, Les Quatre As. Nearly 40 years later, Michel Vaillant is still behind the wheel, but his business is in dire straits. His wife Françoise has just decided to stop Vaillante competition programs. Forced to play the role of salesman, Michel Vaillant is preparing to participate in the Circuit des remparts, in Angoulême, to present the brand-new Vaillante. But when the revolutionary vehicle is stolen – and its famous driver kidnapped – the routine operation turns into a dangerous road accident…

The poster for the 2025 Circuit des Remparts. © Graton

The 2025 Circuit des Remparts (this time for real) will be driven by Michel Vaillant. Scheduled for September 19-21, the 53rd edition has unveiled its poster, which depicts Michel Vaillant in front of Angoulême Cathedral.

“Jean Graton has always had a strong connection with drivers and motorsport in general, explains Jean-Louis Dauger, Director of the Michel Vaillant brand. And he had a sincere affection for the Circuit des Remparts, which had always welcomed him with the greatest friendship. Returning to Angoulême and associating our names once again is ultimately a tribute to this history and an opportunity for us to present the work of the Graton Foundation, to (re)discover Season 2, which brings new and modern elements to the adventures of Michel Vaillant, and to promote the positive values ​​he embodies.

Michel Vaillant isn't the only illustrious member of the Vaillant family to do the deed. Since the end of April, the founder of the Vaillante firm, Henri Vaillant (and Michel's father), has had his third and final Fan Box. This limited edition, titled "Victoires," created by Marc Bourgne and Claudio Stassi, includes a wash drawing and exclusive goodies.

As for the album, the action takes place in 1957. The fiery Henri Vaillant, against the advice of his wife Elisabeth, secretly prepares two cars for the Rally of Monte Carlo, which leads to his being left! Deciding to drive one of the two cars himself with Jean-Pierre, while the other will be driven by his partner Mansart and the young Michel, Henri will write the first letters of the great Vaillante saga. With its share of scheming enemies, incredible victories, but also heavy secrets emerging in this delicate post-war context...

 

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Finally, the Michel Vaillant Files continue their journey. Volume 18, focusing on the Zandvoort circuit, was recently published. A legendary track due to its presence on the calendar of the Formula 1 Between 1952 and 1985, Zandvoort returned to the forefront in 2021 with the return of F1. The clever mix of texts and comic strip excerpts is part of it, and this Dossier is all the more attractive as it includes a new short story, "Ghosts of the Past." And if the Dutch track was chosen as the theme of this Dossier, it is no coincidence. The Netherlands represents one of the most important markets for Michel Vaillant abroad. Even the comics are translated into Dutch!

 

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