Zep

Infobox Comics creator
name = Zep


imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Philippe Chappuis
birthdate = birth date and age|1967|12|15
location = Geneva, Switzerland
deathdate =
deathplace =
nationality = Swiss
area = artist, writer
alias =
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.

Biography

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.cite web | last = Lambiek Comiclopedia | title = Zep | url =http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm ]

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.cite web | last = TV5Monde | title = Émission du 22 mars | url = http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/lemondedetv5/emission.php?id=55&mois_archives=2006-03|language=French ] 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". [cite web|last=Ratier|first=Gilles|url=http://www.acbd.fr/bilan/page/bilan-2006.html#5|title=ACBD bilan 2006: the new "Titeuf" had an initial run of 1,8 million copies in French alone, making it the best selling album of the year|publisher=ACBD.fr|accessdate=2007-02-08] Today 11 million copies of the series have been sold, and the series is considered the greatest moneymaker in the French comics market.cite web | last = Castrillón|first=Marcos| publisher=Ninth Art | title = Beyond Borders - Not That Innocent | url =http://www.ninthart.com/display.php?article=719 ] "Titeuf" books 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, many parents have raised concerns about his unexpurgated curiosity with all things related to bodily functions.Fact|date=March 2007

Bibliography

* "Victor n’en rate pas une", 1988
* "Léon Coquillard", scenario by Gilli, 1990
* "Kradok : Amanite Bunker", scenario by Leglode, 1991
* "Les amours contrariées de Calin et Labelle", 1995
* "Les filles électriques", 1997
* "L’enfer des concerts", 1999
* "Mes héros de la Bande Dessinée", 2001
* "Le Guide du zizi sexuel", scenario by Hélène Bruller, 2001
* "Les mini-justiciers", scenario by Hélène Bruller, 2003

* "Petite poésie des saisons", 2005
* "Découpé en tranches", 2006
* "Portraits de famille", scenario by Benoît Mouchart, 2006

* "Titeuf"
# "Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles", 1993
# "L’amour c’est pô propre", 1993
# "Ça épate les filles", 1994
# "C’est pô juste", 1995
# "Titeuf et le derrière des choses", 1996
# "Tchô, monde cruel", 1997
# "Le miracle de la vie", 1998
# "Lâchez-moi le slip", 2000
# "La loi du préau", 2002
# "Nadia se marie", 2004
# "Mes meilleurs copains", 2006

* "Captain Biceps", art by Tébo
# "L'invincible", 2004
# "Le redoutable", 2005
# "L'invulnérable", 2006

Awards

* 1993: Sierre Comics Festival Prix de l'humour cite web | last = France-Jeunes.net | title = Titeuf | url =http://www1.france-jeunes.net/lire-titeuf-10039.htm|language=French ]
* 1995: Livres Hebdo Prix Jeunesse
* 1996: Angoulême Festival, Alph Art jeunesse, for "C'est pô juste!" cite web | last = ActuaBD | title = Titeuf : les secrets d’un triomphe | url =http://www.actuabd.com/spip.php?article4233|language=French ]
* 1996: Sierre Comics Festival Prix du public
* 2003: Angoulême Festival Audience Award
* 2004: Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême and Angoulême Festival Best promotional comic

ources

* [http://www.bdoubliees.com/journalspirou/auteurs6/zep.htm Zep publications in "Spirou"] BDoubliées fr_icon
* [http://www.bedetheque.com/auteur-155-BD-Zep.html Zep albums] Bedetheque fr_icon;Footnotes

External links

* [http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm Zep biography] on Lambiek Comiclopedia
* [http://www.zeporama.com/ Zep official site] fr_icon
* [http://www.zepounet.com/ Zep site] on Glénat fr_icon
* [http://www.tcho.fr/ "Tchô" official site] fr_icon