![Picture](/uploads/4/1/7/2/41720621/9774713.jpg?1414545954)
Who is Jean Giraud, Gir or Moebius?
They would be the outlets of a man gifted with pen and imagination beyond the earthly realms of time and space. A channel from which imagination flowed, from the simple to the outlandish depths of created realities. Jean Giraud, also known as Gir or Moebius was one man who pushed graphic novels to their extremes, and through his pen we saw an evolution of imagination. Influence to many and once considered the Pope of comics, Giraud helped to revolutionize the small publishing world and pushed adult comics into the spotlight in North America as well as Europe.
Let's take a brief look at the birth of the alter ego Moebius:
At the passing of Jean Giraud in 2012, some admirers have said that we lost not one but two great artists. This speaks to the imagination that flowed from Jean Giraud’s pen. Giraud was born in Paris where his love for drawing began and would soon become his life's purpose. He himself would describe drawing as more of a companion than a hobby. At an early age Giraud had the drive and discipline to create comic strips for small western themed magazines, which would lead to his first job and into a technical school where he would begin to hone his craft. This didn’t last long as he found himself in Mexico leaving behind art school and exposing him to a place that would expand and deeply influence his imagination, the open spaces of the mystical Mexican deserts.
He accredits these Mexican landscapes to be a huge influence on his art and often they find their way into many of his works, whether they were the western romping grounds of his famous Blueberry character or science fiction fantasy worlds like that of Arrzak. It is here that the birth of Moebius takes place.
![Picture](/uploads/4/1/7/2/41720621/1889286.jpg?212)
Moebius would be the outlet for the fantastical worlds that comic westerns like Blueberry could not contain. Blueberry, was one of his first big hits, was as western and by all accounts a Franco-belgium or bande desinee style of comic...even though its about a rugged American civil war vet who plays by his own rules. With Blueberry we begin to see a stray from the style of clean-cut, do-gooder type protagonist to a character motivated by his own intentions and carried out in his own unique way. Blueberry would continue to be a mainstay in the comic book world even to today.
It’s during his time working on Blueberry that Giraud speaks of his imagination bursting with science fiction fantasy and needing an outlet for these ideas…thank god he found an outlet. Moebius would become that outlet for Giraud. Moebius along with other twisted yet undeniably creative/genius minds eventually found each other and pushed the comic book realms into places we see and take for granted today. Metal Hurlant brought this world of erotic, adult fantasy science fiction to the forefront of European comic culture which was soon discovered and brought to America and renamed Heavy Metal magazine. With the success of the Metal Hurlant/Heavy Metal, spawning a movie by the same name and inspiring movies and artist alike with the rugged cyberpunk style seen in movies such as Alien and even Starwars.
It’s during his time working on Blueberry that Giraud speaks of his imagination bursting with science fiction fantasy and needing an outlet for these ideas…thank god he found an outlet. Moebius would become that outlet for Giraud. Moebius along with other twisted yet undeniably creative/genius minds eventually found each other and pushed the comic book realms into places we see and take for granted today. Metal Hurlant brought this world of erotic, adult fantasy science fiction to the forefront of European comic culture which was soon discovered and brought to America and renamed Heavy Metal magazine. With the success of the Metal Hurlant/Heavy Metal, spawning a movie by the same name and inspiring movies and artist alike with the rugged cyberpunk style seen in movies such as Alien and even Starwars.
Moebius is credited as providing costume design and inspirations for characters in movies such as Alien 1979 (the space suits to be specific) Tron 1982, Willow 1986, the Abyss 1989, and most recently the Fifth Element 1997.
One glimpse at these images and it’s clear to see the influence of Moebius and his ability to create deep and fantastical worlds with an intricate confidence.
One glimpse at these images and it’s clear to see the influence of Moebius and his ability to create deep and fantastical worlds with an intricate confidence.