French Students Judge Military Comics for National Award | BD Prize 2026
Lavelanet, France – For the second time in three years, the Defense Class of Collège Victor Hugo has been selected to serve as a national jury for the Ministry of the Armed Forces’ “Prix Jeunesse des Galons de la BD” (Young People’s Award of the BD Gallons), a prize recognizing comic books addressing military life, contemporary conflicts, and the history of defense.
The students will evaluate three graphic novels: Les Cheveux d’Edith by Fabienne Blanchut, Catherine Locandro, and Dawid; Quand la nuit tombe, Mylaine by Marion Achart and Toni Glamés; and Petit théâtre des opérations by Monsieur le Chien and Julien Hervieux. The award, established in 2021, aims to transmit the memory and values of military engagement to students through the medium of comics.
Loïc Ginières, the class’s teacher, emphasized the educational value of the project. “In resonance with the partnership with the 1st RCP of Pamiers, this prize allows us to humanize the narrative of war,” he said. “It offers students a concrete vision of engagement, complementing the exchanges with the paratroopers of the regiment.”
The selection process will be multi-disciplinary, incorporating civic education, language skills, and artistic and cultural education. Students will analyze the narratives, historical context, and artistic styles of the nominated works, developing critical thinking and argumentation skills in preparation for the oral component of the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB), the French national junior high school diploma. The project will involve reading and analyzing the selected comics at the school’s CDI (Centre de Documentation et d’Information), followed by critical workshops focusing on visual storytelling and historical context.
The Ministry of the Armed Forces’ “Classes de Défense” initiative, established through partnerships between schools and military units, aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of defense issues and military careers. According to the Ministry, the program fosters civic values and engagement. The Collège Victor Hugo’s Defense Class maintains a partnership with the 1st RCP of Pamiers.
Earlier this year, students from the Defense Class participated in an immersive day at the Camp de Canjuers in the Haut-Var region, where they learned about the camp’s operations, the diversity of military professions, and core military values such as civic engagement, respect for authority, solidarity, and equality. They also experienced a military ration and participated in an obstacle course.
The winning graphic novel will be announced at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of the Armed Forces in the spring of 2026.