We are on record with saying that the English language translation of the final volume of Riad Sattouf’s epic Arab of the Future would “never” come out after the original publisher of the series cancelled it several years ago (due, we presume, to declining sales).  We are happy to say that we have now been proved wrong! – and by Fantagraphics no less, who have picked up the torch to at last carry this work over the finish line.  Not only that, what we assumed was the “final” volume will actually be published in two parts, of which this is the first.  So, long suffering readers of this series may now rejoice*!  

We last left off when Riad's father had absconded to his home in Syria with Riad's youngest brother, Fadi – much to his mother's distress. Now we find Riad starting the new year at high school, with hormones surging and imagination running wild – but also with a burgeoning art talent through which he begins to find status and hints of redemption...

*(Readers who are new to this series, on the other hand, may have some work to do in order to put together a set of the first four volumes at a reasonable price, as some are now out of print.  We're going to do our part and see if we can dig some out and post here on the site, so check back in a bit for those...)