Dreams pass through our minds but live in other worlds
Saturday March 10th 2012, 3:35 pmI saw the very sad news today that Jean Giraud has died. Most of us know him and his tremendous work by the name Moebius. This saddens me greatly that we no longer have him. But his visionary dreamscapes will live on forever in explorations of other realities.
I consider him one of my greatest influences, as I’m sure a lot of artists do. His work is highly revered around the world by many of his peers, or anyone that knows really great art when they see it. Some of my earliest exposure to his work was some of his science fiction works when I was a young boy, but what truly won me over for a lifetime was his work on Blueberry. Probably thee finest comics tales of the old west ever produced. Moebius was a true master and innovator of line, texture, and use of palettes. His work has impacted comics in so many ways its impossible to follow all of the roots. In my humble opinion, his art has affected our understanding of modern comics to the same level as Jack Kirby influence.
I had the amazing good fortune to meet him many years ago in San Diego, and lucked out that he was willing to draw a sketch in a copy of one of the Blueberry volumes I had packed to travel with me just in hopes that I’d make it to see him. Nervous that I’d actually get to meet him, I barely made it before the line was cut off. I will never forget that experience, totally geeked-out giddy.
A short time ago Wendy and I did a european signing tour, and one of the stops was Paris. And just down the street from our hotel was a gallery that happened to be showing Moebius original art of his Arzach works, and a few other things. Getting to see the work up close like that was exhilarating beyond words. There were complete pages that were small or single panel images that were enormous in size, but somehow he made them fit into the final printed page with the other panels through some sort of production voodoo. Getting this glimpse behind his process was pure joy.
His books should be on the shelf of every comics reader, no excuses.
He’ll be sorely missed. I think I’ll be reading some Moebius stories tonight.
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Sad news indeed. My first reading experience with Silver Surfer was Moebius Silver Surfer/Parable – which is iconic. May Mr Giraud rest in peace.
Comment by Pam 03.10.12 @ 9:51 pmYes, and his work will remain legendary. I don’t think any of us working today can hold a candle to what he was capable of. I’ve got the original printing of that Silver Surfer hardcover. Actually, I have every piece of work of his that has been printed in English, including the recently published premium oversized book of The Incal. Just amazing stuff.
Comment by jhw3 03.10.12 @ 10:07 pmHey there Pam
That is such a great book. If you don’t already have his other foreign works, I suggest tracking them down, many are available in english. All truly fantastic.
[…] J.H. Williams III: “I consider him one of my greatest influences, as I’m sure a lot of artists do. His work is highly revered around the world by many of his peers, or anyone that knows really great art when they see it. Some of my earliest exposure to his work was some of his science fiction works when I was a young boy, but what truly won me over for a lifetime was his work on Blueberry. Probably thee finest comics tales of the old west ever produced. Moebius was a true master and innovator of line, texture, and use of palettes. His work has impacted comics in so many ways its impossible to follow all of the roots. In my humble opinion, his art has affected our understanding of modern comics to the same level as Jack Kirby influence.” […]
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He was an absolute legend. Loved his designs for TRon, as well as his designs for A L I E N and Fifth Element. Have pre-ordered my Silver Surfer Parable Premiere HC and can’t wait for that to come out. RIP Jean.
Comment by Alex 03.10.12 @ 9:11 pm