Jean Giraud
Encyclopedia
Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (born 8 May 1938) is a French
comics artist
. Giraud has earned worldwide fame, not only under his own name but also under the pseudonym
Moebius, and to a lesser extent Gir, the latter appearing mostly in the form of a boxed signature at the bottom of the artist's paintings, for instance the volumes' covers.
Jean Giraud was born in Nogent-sur-Marne
, in the suburbs of Paris
, in 1938. At age 16, he began his only technical training at the Arts Appliqués.
, one of the leading comic artists in Europe of the time, and collaborated on an album of Jerry Spring
. In 1962 Giraud and writer Jean-Michel Charlier
started the comic strip Fort Navajo for Pilote
. It was a great hit and continued uninterrupted until 1974. The Lieutenant Blueberry character, created by Giraud and Charlier for Fort Navajo, quickly became its most popular character, and his adventures as told in the spin-off
Western serial Blueberry, are possibly Giraud's best known work in his native France before his later collaborations with Alejandro Jodorowsky
. Giraud's prestige in France – where comics are held in high artistic regard – is enormous; In 1988 Moebius was chosen, among 11 other winners of the prestigious Grand Prix
of the Angoulême Festival
, to illustrate a postage stamp set issued on the theme of communication.
Under the names Giraud and Gir, he also wrote numerous comics for other comic artists like Auclair
and Tardi.
The Moebius pseudonym, which Giraud came to use for his science fiction
and fantasy
work, was born in 1963. In a satire magazine called Hara-Kiri
, Moebius did 21 strips in 1963–64 and then disappeared for almost a decade. In 1975 Métal Hurlant
(a magazine which he co-created) brought it back and in 1981 he started his famous L'Incal
series in collaboration with Alejandro Jodorowsky
. Moebius' famous serial The Airtight Garage
and his groundbreaking Arzach
also began in Métal Hurlant.
Moebius has contributed storyboards and concept designs to numerous science fiction films. In 1982 he collaborated with director René Laloux
to create the science fiction
feature-length animated movie Les Maîtres du temps
(released in English as Time Masters) based on a novel by Stefan Wul
. In 1988 Moebius worked on the American
comic character The Silver Surfer
with Stan Lee
for a special two-part limited series. Giraud also happens to be a friend of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki
. From December 2004 to March 2005, the two of them shared an exhibition at La Monnaie in Paris
which showcased work by both artists. He even named his daughter Nausicaä from Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
.
Jean Giraud drew the first of the two-part last volume of the XIII series titled La Version Irlandaise (The Irish Version) from a script by Jean Van Hamme
, to accompany the second part by the regular team Jean Van Hamme
-William Vance
, Le dernier round (The Last Round). Both parts were published on the same date (13 November 2007).
genre, water colours.
The artist's working methods were also various and adaptable. Giraud's solo Blueberry works were sometimes criticized by fans of the series because the artist had dramatically changed the tone of the series as well as the graphic style. However, Blueberrys early success was also due to Giraud's innovations as he did not content himself with following earlier styles, an important aspect of his development as an artist.
To distinguish between work by Giraud and Moebius, Giraud uses a brush for his own work and a pen when he signs his work as Moebius. Giraud draws very quickly.
Jean Giraud has been active in the comics scene since the 1960s. Those works for which English translations have been published are noted as such; their respective pages describe this further.
:
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
comics artist
Comic book creator
A comic book creator is someone who creates a comic book or graphic novel.The production of a comic book by one of the major comic book companies in the U.S...
. Giraud has earned worldwide fame, not only under his own name but also under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Moebius, and to a lesser extent Gir, the latter appearing mostly in the form of a boxed signature at the bottom of the artist's paintings, for instance the volumes' covers.
Early life
Nogent-sur-Marne
Nogent-sur-Marne is a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris. Nogent-sur-Marne is a sous-préfecture of the Val-de-Marne département, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Marne.-History:...
, in the suburbs of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in 1938. At age 16, he began his only technical training at the Arts Appliqués.
Career
At 18, Giraud was drawing his own comic strip, "Frank et Jeremie" for the magazine Far West. In 1961, Giraud became an apprentice of JijéJijé
Jijé was a Belgian comics artist, best known for being a seminal artist on the Spirou et Fantasio strip and the creator of one of the first major European western strips, Jerry Spring.-Biography:Born Joseph Gillain in Gedinne, Namur, he completed various art studies Jijé (13 January 1914 – 20...
, one of the leading comic artists in Europe of the time, and collaborated on an album of Jerry Spring
Jerry Spring
Jerry Spring is a Franco-Belgian Western comics series created by the Belgian comics creator Jijé. Originally published in Le Journal de Spirou, the series made its debut on March 4, 1954.-Bibliography:-Sources:* BDoubliées Footnotes...
. In 1962 Giraud and writer Jean-Michel Charlier
Jean-Michel Charlier
Jean-Michel Charlier was a Belgian script writer best known as a writer of realistic European comics. He was a co-founder of the famed European comics magazine Pilote.-Biography:...
started the comic strip Fort Navajo for Pilote
Pilote
thumb|Cover of the first Pilote teaser issue, #0.Pilote was a French comics periodical published from 1959 to 1989. Showcasing most of the major French or Belgian comics talents of its day the magazine introduced major series such as Astérix le Gaulois, Blueberry, Achille Talon, and Valérian et...
. It was a great hit and continued uninterrupted until 1974. The Lieutenant Blueberry character, created by Giraud and Charlier for Fort Navajo, quickly became its most popular character, and his adventures as told in the spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
Western serial Blueberry, are possibly Giraud's best known work in his native France before his later collaborations with Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
. Giraud's prestige in France – where comics are held in high artistic regard – is enormous; In 1988 Moebius was chosen, among 11 other winners of the prestigious Grand Prix
Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême
Every year, the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême is awarded during the Angoulême International Comics Festival to an author for his body of work and/or for his achievement in the evolution of comics....
of the Angoulême Festival
Angoulême International Comics Festival
The Angoulême International Comics Festival is the largest comics festival in Europe. It has occurred every year since 1974 in Angoulême, France, in the month of January.The four-day festival is notable for awarding several prestigious prizes in cartooning...
, to illustrate a postage stamp set issued on the theme of communication.
Under the names Giraud and Gir, he also wrote numerous comics for other comic artists like Auclair
Auclair
Auclair is a surname, and may refer to:* Jean Auclair , member of the National Assembly of France* Josée Auclair , Canadian explorer* JP Auclair , Canadian freestyle skier* Michel Auclair , French actor...
and Tardi.
The Moebius pseudonym, which Giraud came to use for his science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
work, was born in 1963. In a satire magazine called Hara-Kiri
Hara-Kiri (magazine)
In 1960, Georges Bernier, Cavanna and Fred Aristidès created the monthly satirical magazine Hara-Kiri. Hara Kiri Hebdo, its weekly counterpart, was first published in 1969....
, Moebius did 21 strips in 1963–64 and then disappeared for almost a decade. In 1975 Métal Hurlant
Métal Hurlant
Métal Hurlant is a French comics anthology of science fiction and horror comics stories, created in December 1974 by comics artists Jean Giraud and Philippe Druillet together with journalist-writer Jean-Pierre Dionnet and financial director Bernard Farkas.The four were collectively known as "Les...
(a magazine which he co-created) brought it back and in 1981 he started his famous L'Incal
The Incal
The Incal is a set of science fiction comic book series written in French by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by Moebius and others. The Incal takes place in, and introduced Jodorowsky's "Jodoverse", a fictional universe in which his science fiction comics take place.-List of main characters:*...
series in collaboration with Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Alejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
. Moebius' famous serial The Airtight Garage
Airtight Garage
The Airtight Garage of Jerry Cornelius is a lengthy comic strip work by the artist and writer Moebius...
and his groundbreaking Arzach
Arzach
Arzach is a comic book collection of four wordless short stories by artist/author Jean 'Moebius' Giraud, which were originally published in the French sci-fi/fantasy comics magazine Métal Hurlant. The stories follow Arzach, a silent warrior who rides a pterodactyl-like creature through a strange,...
also began in Métal Hurlant.
Moebius has contributed storyboards and concept designs to numerous science fiction films. In 1982 he collaborated with director René Laloux
René Laloux
René Laloux was a French animator and film director.-Biography:He was born in Paris in 1929 and went to art school to study painting. After some time working in advertising, he got a job in a psychiatric institution where he began experimenting in animation with the interns...
to create the science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
feature-length animated movie Les Maîtres du temps
Les Maîtres du temps
Les Maîtres du temps is a 1982 Franco-Hungarian animated science fiction feature film directed by René Laloux and designed by Mœbius. It is based on the 1958 science fiction novel L'Orphelin de Perdide by Stefan Wul...
(released in English as Time Masters) based on a novel by Stefan Wul
Stefan Wul
Stefan Wul was the nom de plume of French science fiction writer Pierre Pairault . He was a dental surgeon, but science fiction was his real passion. Most of his books reflect that, showing a deep knowledge of scientific data...
. In 1988 Moebius worked on the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comic character The Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
with Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
for a special two-part limited series. Giraud also happens to be a friend of filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki
Hayao Miyazaki
is a Japanese manga artist and prominent film director and animator of many popular anime feature films. Through a career that has spanned nearly fifty years, Miyazaki has attained international acclaim as a maker of animated feature films and, along with Isao Takahata, co-founded Studio Ghibli,...
. From December 2004 to March 2005, the two of them shared an exhibition at La Monnaie in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
which showcased work by both artists. He even named his daughter Nausicaä from Miyazaki's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaä (character)
is a fictional character from the science fiction manga series Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, created by Hayao Miyazaki, and the anime film by the same name, which was directed by Miyazaki...
.
Jean Giraud drew the first of the two-part last volume of the XIII series titled La Version Irlandaise (The Irish Version) from a script by Jean Van Hamme
Jean Van Hamme
Jean Van Hamme is a Belgian novelist and comic book writer. He has written scripts for a number of Belgian/French comic series, including Histoire sans héros, Thorgal, XIII and Largo Winch.-Early years:...
, to accompany the second part by the regular team Jean Van Hamme
Jean Van Hamme
Jean Van Hamme is a Belgian novelist and comic book writer. He has written scripts for a number of Belgian/French comic series, including Histoire sans héros, Thorgal, XIII and Largo Winch.-Early years:...
-William Vance
William Vance
William Vance, the pen name of William van Cutsem, born 8 September 1935, is a Belgian comics artist widely known throughout a long career for his distinctive style and work in Franco-Belgian comics.- Biography :...
, Le dernier round (The Last Round). Both parts were published on the same date (13 November 2007).
Style
His graphic style can change dramatically and adapt to the style and the tone of the series. It ranges from the extreme realism of the beginning of his career as in the Aventures du lieutenant Blueberry, started in 1963, to dream-like nature in more recent works. He has drawn etchings, white and black illustrations, work in colour of the ligne claireLigne claire
Ligne claire is a style of drawing pioneered by Hergé, the Belgian creator of The Adventures of Tintin. It uses clear strong lines of uniform importance. Artists working in it do not use hatching, while contrast is downplayed as well...
genre, water colours.
The artist's working methods were also various and adaptable. Giraud's solo Blueberry works were sometimes criticized by fans of the series because the artist had dramatically changed the tone of the series as well as the graphic style. However, Blueberrys early success was also due to Giraud's innovations as he did not content himself with following earlier styles, an important aspect of his development as an artist.
To distinguish between work by Giraud and Moebius, Giraud uses a brush for his own work and a pen when he signs his work as Moebius. Giraud draws very quickly.
Comics
As Jean Giraud
- Blueberry (29 volumes, English translation, 1965 - ), artist (all vol), writer vol 25-29
- Jim Cutlass (7 volumes, 1979–1999), artist vol. 1, writer vol 2-7
- XIII (volume 18, La Version irlandaise in 2007), artist
- Marshall Blueberry (3 volumes, 2000), writer
- Le Cristal Majeur (3 volumes, 1986–1990), writer (artist: Bati), Paris: Dargaud
As Moebius
- Le Bandard fou (English translation, 1975), writer & artist
- ArzachArzachArzach is a comic book collection of four wordless short stories by artist/author Jean 'Moebius' Giraud, which were originally published in the French sci-fi/fantasy comics magazine Métal Hurlant. The stories follow Arzach, a silent warrior who rides a pterodactyl-like creature through a strange,...
(English translation, 1976), writer & artist - The Long TomorrowThe Long Tomorrow"The Long Tomorrow" is the title of a short story comic written by Dan O'Bannon in 1975, and illustrated by Moebius. In his introduction to the French hardcover graphic story collection "The Long Tomorrow", Moebius wrote:...
(Originally in English, 1976), artist - L'Homme est-il bon? (English translation, 1977), writer & artist
- Le Garage HermétiqueAirtight GarageThe Airtight Garage of Jerry Cornelius is a lengthy comic strip work by the artist and writer Moebius...
(The Airtight Garage, English translation, 1976–1980), writer & artist - Les Yeux du Chat (1978), artist
- Tueur de monde (1979), writer & artist
- l'IncalThe IncalThe Incal is a set of science fiction comic book series written in French by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by Moebius and others. The Incal takes place in, and introduced Jodorowsky's "Jodoverse", a fictional universe in which his science fiction comics take place.-List of main characters:*...
(The Incal, 6 volumes, English translation, 1981–1988), artist - Les Maîtres du tempsLes Maîtres du tempsLes Maîtres du temps is a 1982 Franco-Hungarian animated science fiction feature film directed by René Laloux and designed by Mœbius. It is based on the 1958 science fiction novel L'Orphelin de Perdide by Stefan Wul...
(1982), artist - Venise céleste (1984), writer & artist
- Le Monde d'EdenaLe Monde d'Edena"Le Monde d'Edena" is a series of graphic novels by French artist Moebius. It was inspired by a portfolio Moebius made for the French car manufacturer Citroën, called "The Star", in 1983....
(1985–2001), writer & artist - Altor (7 volumes, 1986 - ), writer
- Silver SurferSilver SurferThe Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
: Parable (Originally in English, 1988–1989), artist - Escale sur Pharagonescia (1989), writer & artist
- Les Vacances du Major (1992), writer & artist
- Le Coeur couronné (The Crowned Heart, English translation, 1992), artist
- Les Histoires de Monsieur Mouche (1994), artist
- Griffes d'Ange (1994), artist
- Little NemoLittle Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, known in Japan as simply Nemo, is a 1989 animated film directed by Masami Hata and William T. Hurtz. Loosely based on the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, the film went through a lengthy development process with a number of screenwriters...
(1994), writer - Ballades (1 volume, 1995), artist
- Après l'Incal (2000 - ), artist
- IcareIcarus-Space and astronomy:* Icarus , on the Moon* Icarus , a planetary science journal* 1566 Icarus, an asteroid* IKAROS, a interplanetary unmanned spacecraft...
(2005), writer - Halo Graphic NovelHalo Graphic NovelThe Halo Graphic Novel is the first graphic novel adaptation of the science fiction video game Halo, published by Marvel Comics in partnership with Bungie Studios...
(Originally in English, 2006), artist
Collected editions
Various comics have been collected into trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- The Collected Fantasies of Jean Giraud (1987–1994):
- Moebius 0 - The Horny Goof & Other Underground Stories (72 pages, Dark HorseDark Horse ComicsDark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
, 1990, ISBN 1878574167) - Moebius ½ - The Early Moebius & Other Humorous Stories (Graphitti Designs, 1992, ISBN 0936211288)
- Moebius 1 - Upon A Star (72 pages, MarvelMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
/EpicEpic ComicsEpic Comics was a creator-owned imprint of Marvel Comics started in 1982, lasting through the mid-1990s, and being briefly revived on a small scale in the mid-2000s.- Origins :...
, 1987, ISBN 0871352788) - Moebius 2 – Arzach & Other Fantasy Stories (72 pages, TitanTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, ISBN 1852860456, Marvel/Epic, 1987) - Moebius 3 - The Airtight Garage (120 pages, Titan, ISBN 1852860464, Marvel/Epic, 1987)
- Moebius 4 - The Long Tomorrow & Other Science Fiction Stories (70 pages, Marvel/Epic, 1987, ISBN 0871352818)
- Moebius 5 - The Gardens of Aedena (72 pages, Titan, ISBN 1852860472, Marvel/Epic, 1988, ISBN 0871352826)
- Moebius 6 - Pharagonesia & Other Strange Stories (72 pages, Titan, ISBN 1852860480, Marvel/Epic, 1988)
- Moebius 7 - The Goddess (88 pages, Marvel/Epic, 1990, ISBN 0871357143)
- Moebius 8 - Mississippi River (64 pages, Marvel/Epic, 1991, ISBN 0871357151)
- Moebius 9 - Stel (Marvel/Epic, 1994)
- Moebius One - Limited-Signed Edition, Hardcover (266 pages, Graphitti Designs, 1988, ISBN 0936211105)
Film
- AlienAlien (film)Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
(1979) - The Time MastersLes Maîtres du tempsLes Maîtres du temps is a 1982 Franco-Hungarian animated science fiction feature film directed by René Laloux and designed by Mœbius. It is based on the 1958 science fiction novel L'Orphelin de Perdide by Stefan Wul...
(1982) - TronTron-Film:*Tron , a franchise that began in 1982 with the Walt Disney Pictures film Tron** Tron , a 1982 science fiction film by Disney, starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan, Dan Shor and David Warner...
(1982) - Masters of the UniverseMasters of the Universe (film)Masters of the Universe is a 1987 science-fiction fantasy film based on the toy line by the same name. The movie stars Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor...
(1987) - WillowWillow (film)Willow is a 1988 American fantasy film directed by Ron Howard and produced/co-written by George Lucas. Warwick Davis stars in the film, as well as Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Patricia Hayes...
(1988) - The AbyssThe AbyssThe Abyss is a 1989 science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. It stars Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Michael Biehn. The original musical score was composed by Alan Silvestri...
(1989) - Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, known in Japan as simply Nemo, is a 1989 animated film directed by Masami Hata and William T. Hurtz. Loosely based on the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, the film went through a lengthy development process with a number of screenwriters...
- The Fifth ElementThe Fifth ElementThe Fifth Element is a 1997 French science fiction film directed, co-written, and based on a story by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich...
(1997) - The production design for the film was developed by French comics creators Jean Giraud (Moebius) and Jean-Claude MézièresJean-Claude MézièresJean-Claude Mézières is a French comic strip artist and illustrator. Born and raised in Paris, he was introduced to drawing by his older brother and influenced by comics artists such as Hergé, Andre Franquin and Morris and later by Jijé and Jack Davis...
and is detailed in a DVD/Blu-ray special feature. - The Jodorowsky Constellation (1994) - He talks about his collaboration with Alexandro Jodorowsky on the mega film project DuneDuneIn physical geography, a dune is a hill of sand built by wind. Dunes occur in different forms and sizes, formed by interaction with the wind. Most kinds of dunes are longer on the windward side where the sand is pushed up the dune and have a shorter "slip face" in the lee of the wind...
and on the comic strip the IncalThe IncalThe Incal is a set of science fiction comic book series written in French by Alejandro Jodorowsky and illustrated by Moebius and others. The Incal takes place in, and introduced Jodorowsky's "Jodoverse", a fictional universe in which his science fiction comics take place.-List of main characters:*...
. During the psycho-genealogical session that concludes the film, he also impersonates the father of the filmmaker Louis MouchetLouis mouchet- Biography :Louis Mouchet studied history and literature at the University of Geneva and graduated from London International Film School in 1983.He has directed mainly documentaries, along with shorts, music videos and corporate films for international companies and organizations.- Filmography :*...
. - Mister Gir & Mike S. Blueberry (1999) - A documentary portrait by Canadian filmmaker Damian PettigrewDamian PettigrewDamian Pettigrew is a Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, author, and multimedia artist, best known for his cinematic portraits of Balthus and Federico Fellini...
produced by the Centre National de la Bande Dessinée in AngoulêmeAngoulême-Main sights:In place of its ancient fortifications, Angoulême is encircled by boulevards above the old city walls, known as the Remparts, from which fine views may be obtained in all directions. Within the town the streets are often narrow. Apart from the cathedral and the hôtel de ville, the...
, France. Giraud does numerous sketches and watercolors of his most famous creation, Blueberry, travels to Saint Malo for the celebrated comic-book festival, visits his Paris editor DargaudDargaudLes Éditions Dargaud is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics series, headquartered in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. It was founded in 1943 by Georges Dargaud.Initially, Dargaud published novels for women...
, and in the film's last sequence, does a spontaneous life-size portrait in real time of GeronimoGeronimoGeronimo was a prominent Native American leader of the Chiricahua Apache who fought against Mexico and the United States for their expansion into Apache tribal lands for several decades during the Apache Wars. Allegedly, "Geronimo" was the name given to him during a Mexican incident...
on a huge sheet of glass using a felt-tipped pen. - Fellini: I'm a Born LiarFellini: I'm a Born LiarFellini: I'm a Born Liar is a 2002 French documentary film written and directed by Damian Pettigrew.Based on Federico Fellini's last confessions filmed by Pettigrew in Rome in 1991 and 1992 , the film eschews straightforward biography to highlight the Italian director's unorthodox working...
(2002) - Giraud conceived the poster for the documentary's 2003 North American release and appears in the DVD bonus extras of the French version. - BlueberryBlueberry (film)Blueberry is a 2004 French film directed by Jan Kounen. It is an adaptation of the Franco-Belgian comic book series Blueberry, illustrated by Jean Giraud and scripted by Jean-Michel Charlier. The film starred Vincent Cassel as the title character along with Michael Madsen and Juliette Lewis...
(2004) - On the DVD extras Giraud talks about the comic, the film etc., dressed in period costume, apparently having done a cameo role in the film. At IMDB, Giraud is credited as a writer and uncredited actor in the film. - Thru the Moebius StripThru the Moebius StripThru the Moebius Strip was a Hongkong produced 3D-CGI feature film, made in mainland China.-Plot:The story is about the coming of age of a 14 year old boy who grew up refusing to accept the loss of his father...
(2005) - Giraud worked on Alejandro JodorowskyAlejandro JodorowskyAlejandro Jodorowsky Prullansky, known as Alejandro Jodorowsky, is a Chilean filmmaker, playwright, actor, author, comic book writer and spiritual guru...
's film adaptation of DuneDune (novel)Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, published in 1965. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel...
which was never completed. - Giraud's artwork for the Dan O'BannonDan O'BannonDaniel Thomas "Dan" O'Bannon was an American motion picture screenwriter, director and occasional actor, usually in the science fiction and horror genres.-Early life and career:...
short story comic "The Long TomorrowThe Long Tomorrow"The Long Tomorrow" is the title of a short story comic written by Dan O'Bannon in 1975, and illustrated by Moebius. In his introduction to the French hardcover graphic story collection "The Long Tomorrow", Moebius wrote:...
" was a key visual reference for Blade RunnerBlade RunnerBlade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
. - Giraud represented the jury of the Paris Storyboard Contest 2005 (Concours SOPADIN - Société Parisienne des Images Nouvelles) and awarded the two young artists and filmmakers "K-Michel ParandiK-Michel ParandiK-Michel Parandi, , is a New York based film director, screenwriter and advertising writer known as a concept oriented Creative Director....
" (Kay Parandi) & "Jean François Guillon" for their work on the futuristic and experimental film "Minuit 14". Jean Giraud was assisted on this by the notorious French director "Gerard Krawczyk" (Taxi, Fanfan la tulipe). - George LucasGeorge LucasGeorge Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
used one of Giraud's designs for the Imperial Probe Droid in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackStar Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackStar Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan...
. Lucas's later Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
films also share many visual characteristics with Giraud's work, particularly the depiction of the city-planet CoruscantCoruscantCoruscant is a planet in the fictional Star Wars universe. It first appeared onscreen in the 1997 Special Edition of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, but was first mentioned in Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel Heir to the Empire...
. - Giraud also shared "Story by" credit on the animated film Little Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in SlumberlandLittle Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, known in Japan as simply Nemo, is a 1989 animated film directed by Masami Hata and William T. Hurtz. Loosely based on the comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, the film went through a lengthy development process with a number of screenwriters...
. - Strange frameStrange frameStrange Frame is a film by musician Shelley Doty and filmmaker GB Hajim. It began in 1999 when they decided to collaborate on a project using their individual talents and their passion for science fiction especially that of John Varley and Shinichiro Watanabe.They agreed that some of the...
(2009) - Métamoebius (2010) - Documentary portrait of Giraud-Moebius directed by Damian PettigrewDamian PettigrewDamian Pettigrew is a Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, author, and multimedia artist, best known for his cinematic portraits of Balthus and Federico Fellini...
and co-written by Jean Giraud for the major retrospective held at the Fondation Cartier for Contemporary Art in Paris.
Video games
- Fade to BlackFade to Black (video game)Fade to Black is an action-adventure game released in 1995 by Delphine Software International. Directed and designed by Paul Cuisset, it is the sequel to his previous game, Flashback .The game was released for DOS and PlayStation; planned Nintendo 64 and Sega Saturn versions...
cover art (1995) - Panzer DragoonPanzer Dragoonis a rail shooter video game released for the Sega Saturn in 1995; and later released on PC, PlayStation 2, and as a bonus in its sequel Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox...
(1995) - Pilgrim: Faith as a Weapon (1998)
- An arcade and bar based on Giraud's work, called The Airtight Garage, was one of the original main attractions at the MetreonMetreonThe Metreon is a shopping center located in downtown San Francisco at the corner of 4th Street and Mission Street. It is a four-story 350,000 square foot building built over the corner of the underground Moscone Center convention center...
in San Francisco when the complex opened in 1999. It included three original games: Quaternia, a first-person shooterFirst-person shooterFirst-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
networked between terminals and based on the concept of "junctors" from Major Fatal and The Airtight Garage; a virtual realityVirtual realityVirtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
bumper cars game about mining asteroids; and Hyperbowl, an obstacle course bowling game incorporating very little overtly Moebius imagery. The arcade was closed and reopened as "Portal One", retaining much of the Moebius-based decor and Hyperbowl but eliminating the other originals in favor of more common arcade games.
Awards
- 1973: Shazam Award, Best Foreign Comic Series, for Lieutenant Blueberry
- 1975: Yellow Kid Award, Lucca, Italy, Best Foreign Artist
- 1977: Angoulême International Comics FestivalAngoulême International Comics FestivalThe Angoulême International Comics Festival is the largest comics festival in Europe. It has occurred every year since 1974 in Angoulême, France, in the month of January.The four-day festival is notable for awarding several prestigious prizes in cartooning...
Best French Artist - 1979: Adamson AwardAdamson AwardsAdamson Awards is a Swedish award awarded to notable cartoonists, named after the famous Swedish comic strip "Adamson" .They have been presented by the Swedish Academy of Comic Art at the annual Gothenburg Book Fair since 1965...
, for Lieutenant Blueberry etc. - 1980: Yellow Kid Award, Lucca, Italy, Best Foreign Author
- 1980: Grand Prix de la Science Fiction Française, Special Prize, for Major Fatal
- 1981: Angoulême International Comics Festival Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême
- 1985: Angoulême International Comics Festival Grand Prix for the graphic arts
- 1986: Inkpot Award
- 1988: Harvey AwardHarvey AwardThe Harvey Awards, named for writer-artist Harvey Kurtzman and founded by Gary Groth, President of the publisher Fantagraphics, are given for achievement in comic books. The Harveys were created as part of a successor to the Kirby Awards which were discontinued after 1987.The Harvey Awards are...
, Best American Edition of Foreign Material, for Moebius album series - 1989: Eisner AwardEisner AwardThe Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
, Best Finite Series, for Silver Surfer - 1989: Harvey Award, Best American Edition of Foreign Material, for Incal
- 1991: Eisner Award, Best Single Issue, for ConcreteConcrete (comics)Concrete is a comic book series created and written by Paul Chadwick and published by Dark Horse Comics. His first appearance is Dark Horse Presents #1...
- 1991: Harvey Award, Best American Edition of Foreign Material, for Lieutenant Blueberry
- 1997: Designated finalist for induction into the Harvey Award Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1989, inducted in 1997
- 1997: World Fantasy Award: Artist category
- 1998: Included in the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame
- 2000: Max & Moritz PrizesMax & Moritz PrizesThe Max & Moritz Prize is a prize for comic books, comic strips, and other similar materials which has been awarded at each of the biennial International Comics Shows of Erlangen since 1984...
, Special Prize for outstanding life’s work - 2001: Haxtur AwardHaxtur AwardThe Haxtur Award is a Spanish award for comics published in Spain. It is awarded annually at the Salón Internacional del Cómic del Principado de Asturias ....
Best Long Comic Strip, for The Crowned Heart
Further reading
- Erik Svane, Martin Surmann, Alain Ledoux, Martin Jurgeit, Gerhard Förster, Horst Berner: "Blueberry und der europäische Western-Comic" (2003, Zack-Dossier 1; BerlinBerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
: MosaikMosaikMosaik is a German comic book. First published in December 1955, it is the longest-running German monthly comic book and the only one originating in East Germany that still exists. Mosaik also appeared in other countries and other languages...
, ISBN 3-932667-59-X)
External links
- Twists of Fate on France magazine
- Jean Giraud profile on Artfacts
- Giraud on bpip.com
- Jean Giraud on LambiekLambiekLambiek is a comic book store and art gallery in Amsterdam, founded in 1968 by Kees Kousemaker .It has held exhibitions of art by comic creators, including Robert Crumb, Daniel Clowes, Erik Kriek, André Franquin, Tanino Liberatore and Chris Ware...
Comiclopedia - Moebius Redux biographical documentary.
- Moebius on contours-art.de
- Moebius Interview - Jean Giraud - The eternal traveler.