Albert Uderzo

Albert Uderzo is world famous as the co-creator of 'Astérix the Gaul' (1959), which he developed with scriptwriter René Goscinny. Despite its francophone references and sometimes near untranslatable puns, 'Astérix' is one of the most surprising international success stories in comics. 'Astérix' managed to appeal both to children as well as adults with its humoristic stories, verbal wordplay and many allusions to both Gaulish-Roman culture as well as other historical and cultural events. The tiny but invincible Gaulish warrior has become one of the best-selling European comics in the world, alongside Hergé's 'Tintin' and Morris and Goscinny's 'Lucky Luke'. Uderzo's talent for funny characterizations, expressive action and beautiful and atmospheric scenery gave the series its visual identity. It remains both his as well as Goscinny's signature work and masterpiece. However, Uderzo also created other long-running series which are better known in Continental Europe than elsewhere in the world, such as the humoristic pirate series 'Jehan Pistolet' (1952-1956) and the brawny Native American 'Oumpah-Pah' (1958-1962), both scripted by Goscinny. Uderzo was also the original artist of Jean-Michel Charlier's aviation duo 'Tanguy et Laverdure' (1959).

Text (c) Lambiek

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