The original groundbreaking French Valerian comic series (titled Valerian and Laureline), was published by Les Éditions Dargaud and was created by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières.
You can check out the cover of the Valerian comic in the gallery viewer below along with an introductory letter from Besson himself.
The comics inspired a generation of artists, writers, and filmmakers, running for 43 years across 23 volumes.
Valerian has more in mind than a professional relationship with his partner, blatantly chasing after her with propositions of romance.