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The eyewear maker who makes the city dance
Twenty years ago, two comic book enthusiasts still believed in the power of paper. In the heart of Nice, Xavier Ollivrin and Paul Di Battista took over a comic book store that was on the verge of bankruptcy. Two decades later, BDFugue is a cult favorite for anyone who loves to read between the panels. From the beginning, they envisioned a place where you could browse, chat, and have a coffee. A place to spend time, not just to buy. "We're not elitist; we want to introduce people. If we start to be elitist about comics, we've got it all wrong." A warm welcome has remained their driving force, as has the desire to offer comics for all ages and all styles.
The choice is demanding: "There are 5,200 new releases per year. It's a challenge." You have to read, sort, organize, and guide. The bookstore has grown with the times. The graphic novel has taken off, the readership has become more feminine, and manga has exploded. "A real roller coaster! It was through cartoons that many discovered paper manga." A valuable bridge that BDFugue continues to nurture by guiding younger readers toward other stories.
While Asterix remains the undisputed bestseller across all generations, Xavier has his own classics: Taniguchi's A Distant Neighborhood , Blain and Jancovici's The World Without End , and Riad Sattouf's The Arab of the Future . Three powerful stories, at the crossroads of the personal and the political, that demonstrate just how comics have developed a true language of reality. BDFugue is also a playground for collectors: posters, mugs, plush toys, keychains, resin or metal figurines (Tintin, Blacksad, Naruto…), and even gashapon and pop culture CDs. Despite tight margins and a large inventory to manage, the bookstore is holding its own. "What we sell here, we don't sell online. We share it."
Events, author meet-and-greets, themed displays: the team is constantly coming up with new ideas to maintain a strong connection with the public. On September 13th, BDFugue celebrated its 20th anniversary with a drawing contest, a quiz, and a few surprises. In October, they will host Franck Biancarelli for the release of Green Witch Village (Le Lombard).
31 rue d'Angleterre, Nice
