Jean Graton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jean Graton |
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Graton in 1983
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| Born | 10 August 1923 Nantes, France |
| Died | 21 January 2021 (aged 97) Brussels, Belgium |
| Nationality | French |
| Area(s) | Artist, writer |
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Notable works
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Michel Vaillant |
| Awards | List |
Jean Graton (born August 10, 1923 – died January 21, 2021) was a French comic book artist and writer. He was famous for creating the character Michel Vaillant and the popular comic series about him, which started in 1957.
Contents
About Jean Graton's Life
Jean Graton was born in Nantes, France, in 1923. In 1947, he moved to Brussels, Belgium. There, he worked for companies that made animation and advertising.
In 1952, he started working for Spirou magazine. For Spirou, he drew stories for a series called Belles Histoires de l'Oncle Paul. Graton really wanted to create his own characters and stories. So, he got a job at Tintin magazine.
Starting in 1953, he began publishing his own stories in Tintin. Many of these short comics were about sports and cars. In 1957, a collection of these stories was published as an album called Ca c'est du sport!.
Creating Michel Vaillant
In 1957, Jean Graton created his most famous character, Michel Vaillant. Short comics about Michel Vaillant were published in Tintin magazine and quickly became very popular. By 1959, a full comic album about Michel Vaillant was released.
Graton also created other comic series. In 1966, he worked with his wife, Francine, to create the Les Labourdet series. This series was published in Chez Nous magazine from 1967 to 1970. In 1972, he created Julie Wood, another character who first starred in her own series. Later, Julie Wood also appeared in the Michel Vaillant series.
In 1982, Jean Graton and his son, Philippe Graton, started their own publishing company called Graton Editeur. In 1995, they launched the Dossiers Michel Vaillant series. Each album in this series focused on a famous race car driver. In 2000, they created the Palmarès Inedit series. This series included comics Graton drew in the 1950s and 1960s, like the Labourdet series, and also comics that had never been published before.
Retirement and Legacy
In 2004, when he was 80 years old, Jean Graton decided to retire from drawing. His son, Philippe Graton, and the Studio Graton (which Jean Graton created) continue his work today.
Jean Graton passed away in Brussels, Belgium, on January 21, 2021, at the age of 97.
Graton's Drawing Style
Jean Graton's comics became very popular because they were incredibly realistic. His works, especially the Michel Vaillant series, often featured real people, actual race car drivers, real teams, famous races, and real places.
Graton is known as an amazing artist for drawing cars and motorsports. His descriptions of places, race tracks, and cars in his series were always very detailed and accurate. Graton would take many notes, draw illustrations, and take photographs of the car-related events he attended. He loved cars and racing. Later, his son Philippe, who also loves photography, helped him with this work.
His Love for Motorsports
Jean Graton's passion for motorsports began when he was a child. As an adult, he went to many Formula One and other motorsport races. Famous drivers recognized him and his work. His comic series even inspired some drivers to choose a career in racing!
Awards and Honors
Jean Graton received several awards for his amazing work:
- In 1986, at the Morzine Avoriaz BD Festival, he won the "Le sport: Une œuvre, un Auteur" award. This means "Sport: A work, an author."
- In 1989, at the Belgian Bande Dessinée Festival, he received a "prix spécial d'exception pour l'ensemble de son œuvre." This was a special prize for all of his work.
- In 2004, at the 19th Automobile Festival, he was given the "Grand Prix de l'Art" award, which means "Grand Prize of Art."
- In 2005, Belgium named him "Chevalier de l'Ordre de Léopold." This is a high honor, like being knighted.
