The Englishman walks towards a church building in the early evening. A french flag is hung from the side. Narration reads: "My friend, I have started to frequent one of the many popular societies situated here in Paris. It si called 'The society of the friends of the constitution'. Although everyone here calls it the JACOBIN CLUB." The polite English man does his very English thing of apologising meekly as various working class men walk past him. Narration: "Men from all sorts of backgrounds meet here to discuss politics." The man brushes himself off. But then is pushed around by another crowd- of working class women. He looks completely taken off guard. Narration: "There is also a club underneath where women are admitted and mount the tribune."

The man seems to continue to be out of his depth, as various Jacobins greet him with open arms, and one man kisses him on the cheek. Narration: "You would think an Englishman would not be welcomed in a place for French politics. But these Jacobins have invited me with enthusiasm." Three panels share close ups of three different Jacobins, all looking sentimental and emotional, as the narrator recounts their words: "The revolution welcomes all nations to its cause!" "All you need if you wish to join, is a virtuous heart and a love for the patrie!" "It matters not where you're from, you are our BROTHER!" The Englishman now awkwardly sits amongst the crowded club, which filled to the brim with enthusiastic Parisians shouting for their say, clapping and arguing. Narration: "I feel a little out of sorts amongst these Jacobins. They can be rather...EMOTIONAL."

Our little tour of 1791 Paris ends at the Jacobin club- it's a very....emotive place lol

#incorruptiblecomic #frenchhistory #frenchrevolution #jacobinclub

A long shot of the Palais Royale (still around to this very day in Paris!). Camille interrupts a happy scene of people drinking coffee and enjoying the July sunshine, with shouts of "Citizens!" Two people stare in curiosity as he runs closer, commentating on the hurried Camille: "Is that Monsieur Desmoulins? He looks agitated." A friend replies: "He's ALWAYS agitated." Camille runs right up to their table with a wild and frenzied expression. There are bags under his eyes, as if he hasn't slept. He spills a cup of coffee, but takes no heed to this as he shouts: "C-citizens! N-N-Necker!!" The people at the table look confused nad reply: "uhh...what?" Camille finds his words: "N-Necker has been banished!" The two people suddenly become more alert and worried: "BANISHED?!" "Does that mean the rumours are true after all?!" Camille doesn't reply, instead, standing up on a table and shouting: "My fellow Citizens!"

Camille stands on a table with a pistol in one hand. He looks determined as he begins a speech, and people gather around him: "THERE IS NO TIME TO LOSE!" A close up of the people watching, they look worried, taken in by Camille's urgency. He continues, putting one hand to his chest, the other holding the pistol in the air: "This very night all the Swiss and German Battalions will leave the Champ de Mars to MASSACRE us all! One resource is left; TO TAKE ARMS!" The people surrounding Camille begin to look as frenzied as he is. They shout: "Yes! To arms! To arms!!"

And here we come to very famous day in French history- Camille Desmoulins, fuelled by fear and anger, makes his famous speech in the Palais Royale- Aux armes, citoyens!
#incorruptiblecomic #history #webcomic #comic #frenchrevolution #camilledesmoulins

A close up of Robespierre looking ahead with determination. Narration: "The National Assembly's act of rebellion pays off." A long shot of Robespierre standing strong with hundreds of deputies behind him. Narration: "more and more deputies from the First and Second Estates join the commoners..." The King looks at the group with folded arms. He turns his head with reluctance. Narration: "...and the King finally agrees to the existence of the National Assembly. Although, this can't confirm that he's ready to serve the people's needs."

A long shot of Camille staring intensely at a pamphlet, Parisians piled around him at their cafe table, arguing with each other in a mix of excitement and worry and anger. Narration: "Cautious Parisians are weary of the good news. The King has shown too much resistance to changes that could determine whether they live or STARVE." 4 panels run parallel to each other, showing Robespierre in one set of panels, and Camille in the other. Both are anxious about things to come, although they show it in their wildly different personalities. They write to each other- Camille scribbling furiously in a letter, Robespierre writing thoughtfully as he adjusts his glasses. In the next panels, both men are outdoors- Camille in Paris, and Robespierre in Versailles. Camille stares anxiously at a troupe of Swiss soldiers. Robespierre exchanges glances with some gossiping aristocrats. Narration: "Anxiety spreads alongside continued hunger, and questions. If the King HAS accepted the National Assembly, why does he continue to order soldiers into Paris, as if there's to be battle? Why are soldiers who have sided with protesters still being kept in prison? Is the King planning on using the troops to stop the Assembly by force? Is he starving Parisians on purpose?"

the panel opens to a wide image of Jaques Necker, stood in the dark of evening, he is holding a loaf of bread. Narration: "And then, on July 11th, the people's concerns are validated. Jaques Necker is the King's finance minister, and a hero to the common people. He's pushed for reform for years, and donates bread to those in need. ...The King dismisses and BANISHES him from France." The next panel opens to to daylight. A man is hurridly giving news to Robespierre. In the next panel, someone else is giving news to a shocked Camille. Narration: "The dismissal takes place on a Saturday evening- the King hopes Sunday will slow the news. But word travels fast." A panel shows Camille running through the streets of Paris. The next panel closes in on his angered nad worried face. The next panel closes in on his wild eyes. Narration: And to dismiss someone like Necker. For Camille, and his fellow Parisians, this can only mean one thing."

France finally comes to a breaking point- a mixture of bad choices/resistance on the part of the King, rumours, violence and starvation create a powder keg of a situation...
#frenchrevolution #camilledesmoulins #incorruptiblecomic #history

A deputy holds out a hand to a defiant looking King Louis, with the bacdrop of Versailles behind them. Narration: "Matters begin to heat up at the Estates-General too. After six weeks of no progress, the Third Estate deputies decide to take matters into their own hands. They rename themselves the *National Assembly*- an assembly no longer representing separate Estates, but all the people of France together, as EQUALS. They invite the Nobles nad Clergy to join them in this bold new political system, but intend to begin making decisions on the future of their country immediately- no matter if the elites choose to join them or not.

King Louis lowers his head with a hard stare. Narration: "Still, the King is resistant." The next panel shows some guards at a gate, stopping Third Estate deputies from getting inside. Narration: "He makes his own bold gesture, and closes access to the hall where the National Assembly have been meeting." The deputies look both angered and motivated. They move in a wave of black uniforms out of the panel. Narration: "The deputies will not be deterred. They find a new area within the palace to continue their business...a tennis court." The next panels show a long shot of a tennis (ish, tennis didn't exist back then!) court, two nobles are playing a game with each other. One of the nobles glances away from the ball for just a moment, and is shocked to see hundreds of deputies dressed in black walking towards him.

Jean Sylvain Bailly, the current leader of the new National Assembly, solemnly raises a hand- many hands are raised behind his. Robespierre has a hand raised too, his eyes full of hope and inspiration. Narration: "It's here that the National Assembly decide to take an OATH. In this act of solidarity and defiance, the deputies share a promise." A wide open panel shows Robespierre on one side in his deputy outfit, Camille Desmoulins on the other in his ordinary clothes. They look on with determination to the center of the panel- the Bourbon flag is being grasped by the plain-clothed hands of the Third Estate deputies. Narration: "They will never separate, until the CONSTITUTION OF THE REALM is drawn up and fixed upon solid foundations. A constitution that will protect the freedom and rights of all citizens. For the first time, the common people of France begin to dream of a future made together, a dream made on their own terms."

The deputies of the Third Estate begin to take matters into their own hands...and the every day people of France won't be far behind them🔥
#frenchrevolution #history #webcomic #incorruptiblecomic

Camille clasps his friends hands as he speaks passionately: "The Estates-General will give us the new world we have always dreamed of having!" Robespierre smiles down at his friends hands. He looks at Camille with sentiment: "My friend, I am very glad to see you here." Robespierre looks to one side, smiling apprehensively and tapping a stimming finger on the table. He says: "I have always felt so...out of place. Especially in the last few months, during my election as deputy."

A metaphorical image of Robespierre standing at a podium, and hand raised in hope. He outpours from his mouth his utopian dream of equality and liberty. But the dream physically dissipates around his on-lookers, who seem displeased at such ideas and roll their eyes. Robespierre (in a narration bubble): "It became more evident than ever before how little many of my peers in Artois care for the hopes of the common people...or myself." Back to reality, and Camille and Robespierre look at each other with contentedness. Robespierre says: "But here I am tonight, amongst all these excellent deputies. Everyone has such form patriotism, so willing to fight for our future. We all share the same vision." Robespierre leans on his hand thoughtfully: "I believe I have finally found a place where I truly belong." Camille replies eagerly: "I couldn't agree more, my friend!"

Perhaps Maximilien has finally found a place where he can fit in with like-minded friends....Any guesses how long will that last for? 💀
#incorruptiblecomic #history #comic #graphicnovel #historycomic #frenchrevolution #robespierre

Camille rolls his eyes in judgement as he talks of his dad: "F0father lives his comfortable, unenlightened life over in...ugh...GUISE. He knows nothing of the things I've seen in Paris. P-people queue in the streets, w-waiting for bread that never comes." Camille continues to complain anxiously, amongst a red and blueish background of starving and pleading Parisians. "Those lucky enough to buy some can b-barely afford it, such has been the price rises. They work and starve all at once. Is it any w-womder that the people feel so much anger towards the rich?"

Camille stares ahead, lent forward, his eyes are wild with fatigue and anger and fear. On the other side of the panel, Robespierre looks fearful and put off. They both frame a dead hand laid in blood. Camille continues: "Did you hear of the f-factory riot in April? The guards tried to stop the p-protestors anger with force. There were many deaths that day." Camille gives a look of desperation: "But what else could the people do but riot?" He lowers his head hopelessly. "They have nothing left. No money. N-no food." Robespierre reponds with wide fearful eyes: "I had read about the riots in a pamphlet. I was unsure how much of it was true. There seemed to be much exaggeration around the owner who caused the anger." Camille responds by hastily thumping a fist on the table: "Exaggeration or not, the people are STARVING! And I must be the one to share THEIR truth."

Camille and Robespierre exchange intense glances. Camille says: "And Paris is f-full of soldiers from the royal army at the moment. Rumour has it they are here to p-partake in a COUP that will starve and kill all of us." He leans back in his chair, waving away contradictions in his theory carelessly: "P-people say it is only a rumour. I have been told the army is only here to keep order during protests, or some n-nonsense. B-but no one truly believes that." Camille leans back on the table, giving his old friend a weary, angered stare of warning- it seems to be effective in working Robespierre up. : "The people are ready for change, Maximilien. REAL change. But those in power know this. They are not going to give up what they have easily." Robespierre stands up with wide, passionate eyes and clasos Camille's hands, whose eyes are filled with tears. Robespierre says: "No matter the truth, Camille, I promise as a deputy that I will do all I can to protect the people!" Camille responds: " I know you will, M-maxime! Your integrity is t-truly inspiring!"

In my experience, many ppl don't seem to realise that there was a lot of violence and anxiety preceding 'The Terror'- it started even before the revolution had begun, and that should probably be contemplated when we talk about the high emotions that followed from this.
#incorruptiblecomic #history

Robespierre meekly raises a finger as he goes to make a point: "But if we go back to your question. It is my opinion that we should, considering the-" He is interrupted by his disinterested debator, he stands up to charismatically make his own point: "WE MUST COMPROMISE WITH THE SECOND ESTATE!" Robespierre turns around, as he hears a familiar voice behind him enquire: "M-maximilien?" Robespierre's face lights up as he sees his old school friend: "Camille!" Camille responds with wide open arms: "M-my old friend! How are you?"

Robespierre stands up to embrace his friend: "Such a pleasure to see you here!" Camille responds: Tr-truly! It has been too long! And n-now, look at you!" They sit back down at their cafe table. Camille is full of energy in comparison to his quiet and calm friend. "A DEPUTY for the third estate. Y-you are surely ecstatic. You have the future of france in your hands." Robespierre replies with a composed smile as he sips his coffee: "Oh, I don't know about that..." His eyes light up and he bares a inspired expression as he continues: "But, I am honoured to represent the people of Artois. I hope I am able to serve them well." Camille gives a knowing smile and leans forward: "You are as n-noble as ever, my friend. Certainly m-more so than those who hold such a title in the second estate." Robespierre responds, his eyes averted to the table, although he is contented: "And what of you, Camille? How is your writing going?"

Camille bursts suddenly into a dramatic pose, as if he's about to faint, saying loudly: "OH! It has been ab-bysmal! Just terrible!" Robespierre looks only mildly concerned, although he responds sincerely: "Goodness." Camille lowers himself to the table and looks up at his friend with big pleading eyes, saying: "Maxime, I am p-practically destitute. I can hardly make ends meet." He rolls over so his back is on the table, continuing with his bleeding heart story: "And of course, in order to pursue my work, I must go to dinner with all the most important people. It l-leaves me with no money. It is frightful, Maxime." Camille pauses in his drama piece, and looks over at Robespierre, muttering casually: "By the way, I did tell the host of this cafe that you would pay for my coffee, if you please." Robespierre responds with equal casualness: "...certainly." Camille folds his arms and rolls his eyes with spite: "And of course, FATHER offers me n-no support. He doesn't understand how important any of this is." Robespierre enquires: "How important the estates-general is?" to which Camille retorts back loudly: "No. How important it is to be a WRITER."

Two old school friends reunite ❤️
Irl, we don't know whether Robespierre and Camille were esp close friends pre-revolution. We *do* know that Camille *was* this dramatic. You should read his letters, they're very funny.
#frenchrevolution #history 🗃️ #robespierre #camilledesmoulins #incorruptiblecomic

A huge crowd of hundreds of deputies march along the streets of Versailles, all dressed in black. A narration box says: "In their black uniforms, they look starkly out of place against the rich and pompous attires of the First and Second Estates." In the foreground of a panel, a Bishop marches with a self important look on his face. A speech bubble protrudes from the large crowd that's watching: "Ugh. Look at that. Do y-you see that?" The bishop turns his head, and notices a young agitated man in the crowd, who continues to talk loudly: "A BISHOP m-marching with the FIRST estate? Does he not w-wish to stand beside the p-people he serves?"

A close up of the loud commentator. He is Camille Desmoulins. He has long black messy hair that stands out against the wigs and shorter hair that's still in fashion pre-revolution. He looks decidedly critical of the bishop. "What a d-disgrace. They should take p-pride in standing with the third estate. SHAMEFUL. HOW DARE THEY-" A man standing next to Camille gives him a shove with his elbow, and says: "Can you PLEASE lower your voice? Some of us want to watch the procession." Camille retorts back: "W-where is your patriotic spirit?! How could I p-possibly be quiet during such a m-momentous event!" The other man rolls his eyes in response. Camille spots Robespierre amongst the crowd of Third Estate Deputies. He looks surprised, and exclaims "Robespierre!" with a lit up face.

Camille waves his hands excitedly, trying to get Robespierre's attention- who doesn't notice him from so far away. He shouts: "Robespierre! HELLO! It's ME! Camille Desmoulins! DE ROBESPIERRE! Maximilien de Robespierre!" Camille excitedly turns to the man he was just arguing with, pointing at the crowd. The man looks unimpressed in comparison. Camille says with delight: "I know him! I KNOW him! We w-went to school together-" Camille turns back to the crowd and shouts so loudly that it makes the man next to him flinch: "ROBESPIERRE!!" Robespierre continues on in the procession, his old school friend in the background, arguing with the man next to him, who shouts out: "WILL YOU SHUT UP?!" Camille shouts back: "I will NOT shut up! This is the g-greatest day of my life and I am going to ENJOY it!" Robespierre lowers his glasses to take in the sight before him- the modest deputies of the third estate stand before the grand large gates of the Versailles palace.

Who is that mouthy young man arguing for no reason in the crowd? Why, it's Camille Desmoulins! He doesn't shut up for the next 5 years or so lol And eventually...unfortunately...it will cost him big time 💀
#camilledesmoulins #frenchrevolution #robespierre #incorruptiblecomic #history

Here's Chapter 2 of Incorrutible. Time for Revolution 🔥
Can you imagine going through your life assuming you would NEVER be allowed to have a say in politics, and then suddenly, at only 30 yrs old, getting the chance for that??
#incorruptiblecomic #robespierre #frenchrevolution #history

Robespierre looks on from far away at a group of people, who seem to be sharing a joke he couldn't ever understand. His expression seems blank and cold. His narration continues: "They think I am rebellious. That I do not care for others." The next panel shares a close up of Robespierre, he looks anxious. "But the truth is, I care deeply." Robespierre closes his book. He looks around his bedroom quietly. "I want to provide for my beloved brother and sister. I want the unfortunate to be given the same opportunities of education that I was given by kind hearted patrons."

Robespierre smiles to himself, as his inner world is finally shown in full bloom. An idealistic utopian world takes up the page. Theres plenty of food, and nature seems to be at the heart of everything. children are being educated, and farm workers- old, young, disabled and abled, men and women, black and white, help each other as equals. "What if we lived in a world where everyone was treated equally? Where everyone had access to education? Where all people are free. Where we are willing to work and live together, sharing out the rewards of our labour with the unfortunate." A panel takes Robespierre back to reality, he sighs with discontent. "But...how can I possibly help to build such a world?" The last narration box looms over a close up of an announcement 'letter' from the King- he is going to call an 'Estates-General'. The box reads: "I am after all, only one lawyer. Living out his quiet, provincial life..."

The last pages of chapter 1- what can one lawyer do to bring about change? Not vm when democracy doesn't exist...but, hey, maybe a certain Estates-General will change that? 👀
I hope you enjoy the next chapter~ Pls follow #incorruptiblecomic for another thread with the next chapter 💜

In the Place de la Revolution, a crowd has gathered to watch an execution. The French flag falls cross the page. Narration reads: "10 Thermidor. Twenty two 'traitors of the revolution' are marched through the streets of Paris towards their punishment- execution by guillotine." Stood behind guards are ordinary people, looking over the shoulders of National Guards. Some of the faces look upset, others angry. Narration reads: "However, not everyone in the on looking crowd can agree on whether the accused are traitors to their cause or not. No one can even agree on what they want from the revolution."

A small man is carried to a group of surprised and worried looking guards. The colours are muted, to indicate the past. A narration box reads: "Only the day before, Guards refused to imprison the so-called leader of these traitors" Back to the present, a close up of the crowds fee, stepping over a disused pamphlet. Narration reads: "But, this same person is supposedly the mastermind behind all the horrors currently playing out in the revolution...Or this is what the pamphlets would at least have their readers believe." A young man with long brown hair walks beside a smaller man in a wig with glasses, whose face is bandaged up and soaked in blood. Narration reads: "And yet, the monster presented in the papers is not monstrous enough to not have friends. They march beside him, concerned, loyal. And also on their way to death."

Here is Chapter 1 of 'Incorruptible', my on going wecomic exploring Maximilien Robespierre and many aspects of the French Revolution.
I hope you find Robespierre's story just as strange, inspiring, challenging and facisnating as I have!
#FrenchRevolution #robespierre #history 🗃️ #incorruptiblecomic