14 - Fournier

Fournier JEAN-CLAUDE FOURNIER SPIROU AND FANTASIO L'Ankou (Vol. 27), Dupuis 1977 Original artwork no. 5, first published in *Le Journal de Spirou* no. 2001 on August 19, 1976. Signed. India ink on paper 36.5 × 49.5 cm (14.37 × 19.49 in.) *L'Ankou* is undoubtedly the album in which Fournier truly takes control of his destiny as Spirou’s new artist. In it, he highlights his Breton roots and his fondness for regional fantasy legends. His impeccable artwork, the good-natured charm of his characters, the lively dialogue, and the fast-paced action ultimately free the series from the daunting burden of having to succeed Franquin. Fournier does his successors an immeasurable service here! Another contribution from Fournier: his political commentary—particularly his environmental stance against a nuclear power plant that had just been built. Gone are the metaphorical allusions of *The Dictator* and the mushroom cloud, or of *QRN* in *Bretzelburg*: here it is the Ankou himself, “the servant of death,” who comes to warn our heroes of imminent danger. Naturally, he will not be heeded: our era is wary of legends… Didier Pasamonik This Spirou adventure is my favorite: I took immense pleasure in creating it because it’s a tribute to my grandmother, a remarkable Breton storyteller. I had a lot of fun contrasting Fantasio’s positivism with the mythical figure of the Ankou. This panel depicts their first encounter, where you immediately grasp my intention to subtly intertwine the nuclear threat with the concept of death… It’s an album I’m very proud of, even though it caused me quite a few problems… But that’s another story. Jean-Claude Fournier