Magie noire

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"Magie Noire" ("Black Magic") is a very artisiticly designed cartoon of the Ivorian painter and author Gilbert G. Groud. It deals with the dangers of black magic in Africa.

The story is about a father who is married to several women. His favorite wife Zoé has only one child. In order to proceed in sorcery and earn a position of higher power he is required to sacrifice this last son. The child is sacrificed in the world of ghosts. In the real world he falls very sick, is throwing up every day. The mother, who is not into Black Magic, takes the child to a hospital. The doctors can not find out what is wrong. Still the situation of the child worsens.

The pictures are imposing and aesthetic. They were drawn by hand with ink. Unfortunately the story is a little confusing; it can be hard sometimes to follow the plot. The mood is sad and dark which can also be seen in the pictures that are painted in green and brown. Pictures showing the real world are suddenly painted in bright colors. This contrast shows the difference between the real world and the frightening, dangerous world of ghosts.

Groud himself is since 1985 a Christian but comes from a family that practised sorcery. His point of view is a very critical one.