Subj:  Foreign Comics
Date:  97-01-06 11:56:19 EST
From:  [C--ix--e] at [aol.com]


>From Reuters:

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuter) - Belgian comic-strip artist Andre Franquin, best
known for his cartoon character Gaston Lagaffe which he created for the
magazine Spirou, has died at the age of 73, Belgian radio and television said
Sunday. 

Franquin, whose work spanned 50 years, had been spending the New Year with
relations in the South of France when he died, they reported. 

*****

In addition to Gaston (his most popular character) Franquin also created
Marsupilami, who might be familiar to Americans from the animated bumpers and
his brief Saturday morning appearances about 3 years ago. Franquin was an
immensely well known and influential cartoonist in the French speaking
world--his loose, energetic style was a staple of Spirou and became was even
more imitated than Herge's.

The cartooning world has lost one of its true giants.

And speaking of foreign comics, this Saturday, 1/11, at 3 p.m. there will be
a panel discussion at Thread Waxing Space (476 Broadway, 2nd floor.) This is
being held in conjuction with an exhibit of European comics sponsored by the
Angouleme International Comics Festival and the French Embassy. The panel
will be moderated by Kim Thompson, and particpants include Art Spiegelman,
Chris Ware, Peter Kuper, Howard Cruse, Gaetano Liberatore, Joost Swarte,
Cosey, and Andre Juillard. 

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