| Zep | |
|---|---|
| Born | Philippe Chappuis December 15, 1967 Geneva, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Area(s) | artist, writer |
| Notable works | Titeuf Victor |
| Awards | full list |
Zep (born December 15, 1967) is the pseudonym of Philippe Chappuis, a comics creator from Switzerland, known for his series Titeuf, a popular character in French-speaking countries, and Tchô!, the associated comics magazine.
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Chappuis' pseudonym derives from the first BD magazine he created at age twelve, named "Zep" in honour of Led Zeppelin (a fan of Bob Dylan, references to his musical tastes are often found in his comics). His career began with gags published in the magazine Spirou in 1987, and the character Victor which started appearing in 1988.[1]
At first struggling to find publication, the series Titeuf was initially published in the fanzine Sauve qui peut ("Escape those who can") before it was noticed by Glénat executive Jean-Claude Camano.[2] Zep joined Glénat in 1992, and first Titeuf book Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles (God, Sex And Suspenders) appeared in 1993 and sold only a few thousand copies, but the following books have gradually won over a huge readership, outselling traditional French favorites such as Astérix and Lucky Luke.[3] Today 11 million copies of the series have been sold, and the series is considered the greatest moneymaker in the French comics market.[4] Titeuf books have been translated into 15 languages, including Chinese, Italian and German. In the UK, Titeuf appeared under the name Tootuff in The Dandy.
The name "Titeuf" ostensibly derives from French tête d'oeuf (egg-head), but it could also be the familiar, contracted and inverted (verlan) form of petite fête (little party).
While adolescent fans of Titeuf are enamoured with the adventures, some parents have raised concerns about his unexpurgated curiosity with all things related to bodily functions.