Hana and Taru

Hana and Taru

Deep in an ancient forest, young Taru feels like a misfit among her tribe of hunter-warriors. As she tries to make her mark in the adult world, she finds herself marginalized as much for her naïveté as for her radical ideas, which are dismissed by her mother and peers as nonsense. She is responsible for watching a prisoner—Hana, a young human with a mysterious past who has been captured by Taru's own tribe. Hana provides Taru with both solace and an opportunity to find her own way. When Taru's village is once again attacked by giant rampaging forest beasts, the unlikely pair will work together to try to understand the uncontrollable and deadly force that threatens them. What is causing the beasts to rampage? And how can they be stopped? This ecological fantasy tale by writer Leo Schilling and cartoonist Motteux unravels an exciting fantasy tale about finding your own purpose and a responsible balance with nature. Léo Schilling is a French comic book writer born in 1991 in Narbonne, a region rich in vineyards, culture, and storytelling traditions that deeply influenced his creative path. He studied at the École européenne supérieure de l’image in Angoulême, graduating from the comics program. Alongside his artistic training, he worked extensively with children as an education assistant and youth animator—experiences he considers essential to shaping his narratives. His debut graphic novel, Hana et Taru, illustrated by Motteux, explores themes of friendship, identity, and the wild unpredictability of nature. Motteux is a French illustrator born in 1993 in Normandy, where his love for drawing took root early in childhood. He honed his craft at a comics-focused art school and developed a distinctive style shaped by a wide range of influences, including manga, animation, video games, and traditional bande dessinée. His work often features lush natural environments, which he renders with both precision and emotional depth. Before stepping into the world of graphic novels, Motteux contributed to youth publications like J’aime lire and Image Doc, and worked in visual development for animation and advertising at Mikros Image. Hana et Taru, created with writer Léo Schilling, marks his debut in long-form comics.