Cabu

Cabu (real name Jean Cabut, born January 13, 1938, Châlons-en-Champagne, France) is a French comic strip artist and carticaturist.

He started out studying art at the École Estienne in Paris and his drawings were first published by 1954 in a local newspaper. The Algerian War forced him to be conscripted in Army for over two years, where his talent was used in the army magazine "Bled" and in Paris-Match. His time in the army caused him to become a strident anti-militarist and adopt a slightly anarchistic view of society.

In 1960, after he left the Army, he became one of the founders of Hara-Kiri magazine. In the 70s and 80s, he became a very popular artist, collaborating for a time with the children's TV programme, Récré A2). He continued working in political caricature for Charlie Hebdo and Le Canard enchaîné.

His popular characters include "Le Grand Duduche" and "adjudant Kronenbourg", and especially "Mon Beauf". "So spot-on was this caricature of an average, racist, sexist, vulgar, ordinary Frenchman that the word 'beauf' (short for "beau-frêre" i.e. brother-in-law) has slipped into ordinary use." (This is controversial, and missing a reference. Need a review.)

Cabu is also the father of French singer and songwriter Mano Solo

In February 2006 one of his cartoons depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad appeared in Charlie Hebdo, causing much controversy.

From September 2006 to January 2007, an exhibition entitled "Cabu and Paris" has been organized by Hôtel de Ville, Paris.

Partial bibliography

*"Le grand Duduche" series :
** "Le grand Duduche" - (1972) Dargaud
** "Il lui faudrait une bonne guerre !.." - (1987) Dargaud
** "Les aventures de madame Pompidou" - Square
** "L'ennemi intérieur" - (1973) éd. du Square et Dargaud
** "Le grand Duduche en vacances" - (1974) éd. du Square
** "Passe ton bac, après on verra !" - (1980) éd. du Rond Point
** "Maraboud'ficelle", scénario de William Leymergie - (1980) Dargaud
** "À bas la mode !" - (1981) Dargaud
** "Le Grand Duduche et la fille du proviseur" - (1982) Dargaud
*"Le journal de Catherine" - (1970) - éd du Square
*"Mon beauf" - (1976) éd du Square
*"Catherine saute au Paf" - (1978) éd du Square
*"Inspecteur la bavure" - (1981) Albin Michel
*"Le Gros blond avec sa chemise noire" - (1988) Albin Michel
*"À consommer avec modération" - (1989) Albin Michel
*"Mort aux vieux !" - (1989) Albin Michel
*"Cabu au Canard Enchaîné" - (1989) Albin Michel
*"Tonton la-terreur" - (1991) Albin Michel
*"Adieu Tonton" - (1992) Albin Michel
*"Les Abrutis sont parmi nous" - (1992) Albin Michel
*"Responsables mais pas coupables !" - (1993) Albin Michel
*"Secrets d'État" - (1994) Albin Michel
*"Les Aventure épatantes de Jacques Chirac" - (1996) Albin Michel
*"Vas-y Jospin !" - (1999) Albin Michel
*"À gauche toute !" - (2000) Albin Michel