Philippe Druillet
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Philippe Druillet (born June 28 1944) is a French comic book artist and writer.
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[edit] Biography
Druillet was born in Toulouse, but spent his youth in Spain, returning to France in 1952 after the death of his father. A science fiction and comics fan, Philippe worked as a photographer after graduating from high school, drawing only for his own pleasure.
His first book appeared in 1966. Entitled Le Mystère des abîmes ("The Mystery of the Abyss"), it introduced his recurring hero Lone Sloane and science-fiction themes partially inspired by his favourite writers, H.P. Lovecraft and A.E. van Vogt. Later Druillet created book covers for republications of Lovecraft's work, as well as numerous movie posters.
Druillet's Lone Sloane saga grew steadily more flamboyant in Pilote as he pursued innovations including bold page designs and computer-generated images. His backdrops of gigantic structures inspired by Art Nouveau, Indian temples and Gothic cathedrals earned him the nickname of "space architect". Six tales about Sloane's exploits were collected in Six Voyages of Lone Sloane in 1972, hailed by many as his masterpiece. Sloane was also the hero of the graphic novel Delirius (1973), drawn by Druillet and written by Jacques Lob.
In 1973 Druillet produced Vuzz for the magazine Phénix and in 1975 he and several other noted European comics talents formed Les Humanoïdes Associés to publish Métal Hurlant. This magazine was to be a vehicle for his finest stories, and showcases a steadily evolution in his graphical skills. His stories of this period include La Nuit ("The Night") (1975), the Moorcock's Elric-inspired Yragaël (1974) and Nosferatu (1978). In 1976 he worked as a designer on the film, Sorcerer, directed by William Friedkin.
In 1980 Druillet produced Salammbô, a comic-book trilogy based upon Flaubert's proto-heroic fantasy novel Salammbô.
Other than his activities as a cartoonist and illustrator, he is also interested in Rock opera, painting, sculpture and Digital Art.
[edit] Awards
- 1972: European SF award for Comics for Lone Sloane at the first Eurocon in Trieste, Italy [1]
- 1976: Grand Prix de la Science Fiction Française, Special Prize for Urm le Fou[2]
- 1990: ESFS Hall of Fame (best artist) at the 1990 Eurocon in Fayence, France [3]
- 1996: Grand Prix National des Arts Graphiques, France
