The Valerian and Laureline series, written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières (may he rest in peace), is a notable example of a Franco-Belgian science fiction comic with a significant impact. It takes readers to Galaxity, the center of the thriving Terran Galactic Empire in the twenty-eighth century.
We meet Valerian and Laureline, devoted Spatio-Temporall (SST) agents, within this futuristic megalopolis. They have the responsibility of defending humanity as they travel over time and space in interstellar travel.
During a dark era, galaxies, which were formerly Earthly cities, have transformed into a cosmic powerhouse. With the goal of defending Galaxity’s interests, the SST agents travel throughout time and space.
They cannot go back in time and change what has already happened. EST restrictions. Unknown civilizations are helped, planetary disputes are resolved, historical experiments are taken part in, and Valerian and Laureline travel to undiscovered planets to represent Galaxity.
The October Faction Comic Reading Order
More astonishingly, they refuse to intervene in catastrophic occurrences like the 1986 nuclear explosion that reshaped the surface and composition of Earth.
But they also help the EST superintendent stop this approaching apocalypse, which completely rewrites the destiny of Galaxity. Sadly, though, this audacious time travel also erases the future of their world.
Valerian Graphic Novel Order:
The series Is divided into two cycles: The Temporal Cycle and The Spatial Cycle, which determine the Valerian and Laureline reading order. The contrast between these compelling story arcs is emphasized by a suggested reading order.
I. The Temporal Cycle
Each of these books intertwines with the saga of Galaxity. It’s imperative to immerse yourself in them in sequential order for the full experience.
- Bad Dreams (collected in Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 1)
- The City of Shifting Waters
- Empire of a Thousand Planets
- Ambassador of the Shadows
You’ll want to read both parts of this story together for the full picture.
- Châtelet Station, Destination Cassiopeia
- Brooklyn Line, Terminus Cosmos
This story’s split into two parts. You gotta read them together for the full experience.
- The Ghosts of Inverloch
- The Wrath of Hypsis
At that moment, things take a twist for Valerian and Laureline. They lose something important and now they’re on a mission to find their way back home.
- On the Frontiers
- The Circles of Power
- In Uncertain Times
- At the Edge of the Great Void
- The Order of the Stones
- The Time Opener
II. The Spatial Cycle
You can dive into each of these books on its own, in any order you fancy. It’s totally up to you!
- The Land Without Stars
- Welcome to Alflolol
- Birds of the Master
- On the False Earths
- Heroes of the Equinox
- The Living Weapons
- Hostages of the Ultralum
- Orphan of the Stars
As part of the Spatial Cycle, there are 7 short stories gathered in ‘Across the Pathways of Space’ in France. Unfortunately, they haven’t been put together in English yet.
- The Great Collector
- The Cogs of Uxgloa
- Tsirillitis the Asteroid
- The Sad Planet
- Funny Specimens
- The Fflumgluff of Friendship
- Triumph of Technology
III. Hors-Series
Exploring Hors-Series, we find that The Time Opener wraps up the main plot while Memories from the Futures and The Future is Waiting are the series’ outlier additions. These add-ons serve ardent fans by providing post-scripts and short stories that enhance Valerian and Laureline’s previous adventures.
- The Future is Waiting
Valerian and Laureline Graphic Novel Order:
For those who prefer reading Valerian and Laureline in the order they were published, here’s the scoop
- The City of Shifting Waters
- Empire of a Thousand Planets
- The Land Without Stars
- Welcome to Alflolol
- Birds of the Master
- Ambassador of the Shadows
- On the False Earths
- Heroes of the Equinox
- Châtelet Station, Destination Cassiopeia
- Brooklyn Line, Terminus Cosmos
- The Ghosts of Inverloch
- The Wrath of Hypsis
- On the Frontiers
- The Living Weapons
- The Circles of Power
- Hostages of the Ultralum
- Orphan of the Stars
- In Uncertain Times
- At the Edge of the Great Void
- The Order of the Stones
- The Time Opener
- Memories from the Futures
- The Future is Waiting
Valerian and Laureline Hardcover collection
At a major event in 2017-2018, the respected British publisher Cinebook Limited presented a special box set entitled “Valerian: The Complete Collection.” This collection includes seven large books, each containing three or four stories.
These books are unique because they feature colorful images, glossy paper and a size of 220mm × 290mm.
This captures the essence of Valérian and Laureline’s interesting series, combining complex stories, time travel adventures and space travel. It has become a masterpiece in the world of comics, especially in the science fiction genre.
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 1
Collects Bad dreams, The City of Shifting Waters, Empire of a Thousand Planets
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 2
Collects The Land Without Stars, Welcome to Alflolol, Birds of the Master
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 3
Collects Ambassador of the Shadows, On False Earths, Heroes of the Equinox
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 4
Collects Chatelet Station – Destination Cassiopeia, Brooklyn line – Terminus Cosmos, The Ghost of Inverloch, The Wrath of Hypsis
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 5
Collects On the Frontiers, The Living Weapons, The Circles of Power
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 6
Collects Hostages of Ultralum, Orphan of the Stars, In Uncertain Times
- Valerian: The Complete Collection Volume 7
Collects At the Edge of the Great Void, The Order of the Stones, The Time Opener
