11 - Franquin

Franquin ANDRÉ FRANQUIN SPIROU AND FANTASIO Dupuis Original illustration for a title banner on the cover of *Journal de Spirou* No. 1027, December 19, 1957. India ink, blue pencil, and white gouache on paper 17.9 × 15.3 cm (7.05 × 6.02 in.) When André Franquin created this illustration for a “Christmas Special” issue of the Journal de Spirou in 1957, Charles Dupuis realized just how lucky he was. He had had a falling out with his star writer, who, in retaliation, had gone on to create a new series at Le Lombard, *Modeste et Pompon*. The artist was then at the height of his powers, and since he had not stopped working on the Spirou series, he also provided much of the magazine’s “vitality,” creating numerous illustrations and “footer cartoons.” Determined to win back his artist, Charles Dupuis eventually succeeded, so to speak, “by wearing him down.” Most importantly, in February 1957, a new character appeared whom Franquin (initially assisted by Jidéhem) wanted to develop further: a certain Gaston Lagaffe. In this drawing, where a compass rose is brought to life by the magazine’s four best-known characters, Franquin had the idea of having them spin around a Christmas tree topper. The fun lies in the gag and in every stroke of a drawing that was, after all, created on the spot—what’s known as a “cul de lampe.” Pure genius. No less shrewd than anyone else, Charles Dupuis continued to benefit from Franquin’s talent for a few more years…