Dargaud Announces Expanded Blacksad Universe & Deluxe Editions for 2025 Anniversary
Paris, France – Dargaud is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido’s critically acclaimed Blacksad detective series with a robust publishing program slated for Quarter 4 of 2025.The initiative includes deluxe, oversized editions of the core series alongside a new spin-off exploring the origins of fan-favorite character, Weekly.
The six-volume Blacksad series will be re-released in a large 28 x 36.5 centimeter hardcover format,featuring new covers utilizing a graphic approach centered on each title’s dominant color (black,white,red,blue,yellow,etc.) and incorporating the American Blacksad logo. Each album will include reproductions of original color plates and watercolor roughs,accompanied by commentary from artist juanjo Guarnido and a redesigned layout. Volumes 6 and 7 will be bundled as a single 184-page edition. Individual albums will retail for €35, while the combined Volume 6 & 7 edition will be priced at €45.
Expanding the Blacksad universe, Dargaud will launch Blacksad Stories, a spin-off series beginning with Blacksad Stories 1: Weekly. This new series delves into the backstory of Weekly, the resourceful reporter who serves as Blacksad’s trusted ally. The inaugural volume, penned by Juan Díaz Canales and illustrated by Italian artist Giovanni Rigano, answers the question: “How does Dustin grow into the famous Reporter Weekly?” The story follows Dustin, a weasel living in New York with his grandmother Chana, as he navigates a challenging assignment involving Pastor Lubansky and a surprising venture into the funeral industry.
Rigano, a graduate of the Disney Academy in Italy, brings a wealth of experience to the project, having contributed to popular series such as Monster Allergy, W.I.T.C.H., pirates of the Caribbean, and various Disney properties. His previous work in translation includes Artemis Fowl and The Shock of the Seven Seas.Rigano’s established skill in depicting animals, honed through his Disney work, is especially well-suited to the anthropomorphic world of Blacksad.He is also currently illustrating the third installment of the Greenwood animal strip series, which is slated for translation by Silvester.
