In Surprise Surprise, Didier Axterdam moves from the observational approach of Indiscrétions into tightly constructed erotic fiction. Grégory, a handsome and confident young man, accepts a date with the attractive Lisa, only to discover that she and another woman have devised an elaborate trap to punish him for his previous behaviour towards women.

The resulting BDSM scenario turns conventional assumptions about sexual power upside down. Grégory’s confidence rapidly gives way to complete physical vulnerability as Lisa and her accomplice take control. Axterdam uses the situation to explore domination, submission and role reversal through a highly physical visual style.

His loose, energetic black-ink drawing is particularly effective at conveying movement and tension. Bodies are frequently caught in exaggerated poses, while restraint itself becomes a source of visual drama. Although more deliberately scripted than Indiscrétions, the book shares Axterdam’s fascination with the body under pressure and his preference for a raw, spontaneous-looking line.

We have included the first thirty or so pages from Surprise Surprise – for the rest you will need to buy the book.

Surprise Surprise was published by Éditions Dynamite in its Petit Pétard collection.