The Butcher of Paris

The Butcher of Paris

This is a horrible story… all the worse for it being true. There is a fad over the last few years to encapsulate serial killers in popular culture. I’m sure we can all say we’ve either watched or heard of recent TV series or movie based on the crimes of notable murderers. For many these heinous acts do hold a level of fascination. I will admit I’ve watched a few documentaries, and a few of films that dramatize the events. Although these are “good” stories, I think recent adaptations have steered too closely to glorifying the horror. Desensitisation to these things is a very slippery slope for society. You never know who is out there and what they are capable of.

For example, I’m going to relay a tale as I encountered it within my life: A university friend came round to my student accommodation to work on a project. They mocked me for being so untidy (my room was always a chaotic and dismal state). I said, “if cleanliness is next to godliness, neatness is next to neurotic.”. They laughed and agreed. As if struck by recollection, the launched into this story.

My friend grew up in rural Gloucestershire. His family lived in the same village for generations, his whole family lived in about a five-mile radius. As you can expect, in such a village everyone knew everyone else. His grandparents had several allotments, and happily lent their tools to other local hobbyists. His grandparents were very proud and particular about these tool sheds and would endlessly complain if the tools weren’t returned timely. My friend was always told about the time his grandfather lent some tools to a neighbour who never gave them back. It became a family joke. The dreaded spade thief might strike again.

After his grandparents passed away, he was helping his father with all their affairs. They were emptying one of these tool sheds when they found a small notebook. Thumbing through it they realised it was a log of all people who had borrowed equipment from his grandparents: outlining what was borrowed, who borrowed it, and dates in and out. Underlined in red was an incomplete entry… a spade and tree saw, Fredrick West, 1972.

What am I reading? The Butcher of Paris, 2019, Issues 1-5. Written by Stephanie Phillips, illustrated by Dean Kotz.

What’s it about? 1944, Paris. The city is griped by the Gestapo, but perhaps a deeper evil haunt the streets. Attending to a house fire in 21 Rue le Sueur, the remains of twenty three people are found in basement of Dr Marcel Petiot. This monster is wanted by both the gendarmes and the S.S.

What’s good about it? Where I think some other recent adaptations of killers focus on the murderer themselves, this leans on the hunt for the criminal and the impact of their crimes. Also, as this is based on a true story, we know the outcome. Petiot was trialled and sentence to public execution by guillotine for the murder of twenty-seven confirmed victims. Although due to Petiot’s modus operandi as posing as a member of the French resistance, luring desperate Jews and other fugitives into his apparent with the promise of safe passage through the occupied city, it is estimated the true figure is between 60 and 200.

Stephanie Phillips does not shy away from the shear evilness of this act. You can few the repulsion of this man seeing war as his opportunity to sate his blood lust. At no point in the story do you feel anything but hatred towards this killer or the Nazi officers, which is the correct response.

Kotz’ art is scratchy, busy, and angular. It feels almost akin to a courtroom sketch artist. I love it! It feels unique and add a creepy surreal layer to the story.

What did I struggle with? I’ve read other war comics and other crime comics, and they are a bit more… comic-booky?

The story is intriguing, and I love the art, but I wouldn’t say this is very exciting. It lacks the mystery element of a proper crime story. The matter of “who done it” is resolved almost immediately. “Why done it” isn’t overly explored either, because seemingly Petiot did it because he could, he was just an evil and delusional monster. “How done it” isn’t shown, but the aftermath leaves no ambiguity.

Comparing this to other crime or war comics I’ve read, this is a little bit too much of a pure retelling. I’d like a bit more flare. The composition of subjects in the art make it feel realistic. There are no wild framing or panelling choices. overall, it doesn’t feel dramatic. There are a couple of exceptions: Petiot disappearing into a shadow, a close pan on a draw of needles, a pistol being levelled.

Would I recommend? Maybe – I think it is a piece of history that needs telling. Especially how, during the horrors of a war, how a city can become so demoralised or so fatigued that a mass murderer could hold so little gravity in the public consciousness. That as a concept should be highlighted, when in today’s high stress super connected lifestyle, this burnout could become more prevalent and lead to more acceptance of extremist behaviour. If you are interested in a social study and a history lesson, yes absolutely. As a comic? As a horror story? As a war story? As a crime story? Not overly.

This comic feels closer to a thesis.