L’Étoile des loups graphic novel explores human-wolf coexistence

The new graphic novel “L’Étoile des loups,” created by naturalist Pierre Rigaux and illustrator Sly2, examines the tense relationship between humans and wolves in the Alps. Published by Tana Éditions, the black-and-white work follows Yan, a young shepherd, and Annah, a market gardener, as they navigate life in the mountains.

The narrative shifts from an idyllic summer setting to a moral dilemma when a wolf pack attacks a flock, fulfilling a local prophecy. The story highlights the conflict between biodiversity conservation and agricultural interests, particularly following recent regulatory changes that transitioned the wolf from a “strictly protected” species to a “protected” one, allowing for increased culling.

Through an immersive approach, the book avoids simple answers, instead focusing on the complexities of an ecosystem where human livelihoods and wild species must share the same territory.