Cartoonist Marcel Uderzo Dies at 87
French cartoonist Marcel Uderzo, known for his work on,"Tanguy et Laverdure" and "Asterix," has died in Évreux at the age of 87. He passed away on January 24, 2021.
Cartoonist Marcel Uderzo passed away in Évreux on January 24, 2021, at the age of 87. Born on December 20, 1933, in Clichy-sous-Bois, Uderzo was a notable figure in the French comic book industry.
Of Italian descent, Uderzo began his career in comics in 1964, honing his skills independently while working in his father's instrument workshop. He collaborated with his elder brother, Albert Uderzo, dedicating a year to part-time work from home to develop his drawing abilities on "Tanguy et Laverdure" and "Asterix."
In 1966, Éditions Dargaud hired Uderzo part-time to create visual materials for "Asterix" merchandise, including wallpaper and children's bedroom illustrations. From 1981 to 1985, he focused on his first personal projects, completing three albums of "Les Aventures de Mathias," along with "Le Tambour magique," "Le Masque iroquois," and "Les Dieux du lac." His primary collaborator during this period was writer Michel Clatigny.
Uderzo also produced two albums based on Gérard de Villiers' "Les brigades mondaines" novels, using the pseudonym "Cristini" after his mother's surname. Throughout his career, Marcel Uderzo created approximately 30 albums and various advertisements, leaving a significant mark on French comics, often working alongside his more famous brother, Albert.