Alain Saint-Ogan
| Alain Saint-Ogan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alain Marie Joseph Paul Louis Fernand Lefebvre Saint-Ogan August 7, 1895 Colombes, France |
| Died | June 22, 1974 (aged 78) Paris, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Area(s) | Writer, Artist |
Notable works | Zig et Puce Monsieur Poche |
Alain Saint-Ogan (French: [sɛ̃.t‿ɔ.ɡɑ̃]; August 7, 1895 – June 22, 1974) was a French comics author and artist.
Biography
In 1925, he created the well-known comic strip Zig et Puce (Zig and Flea), which initially appeared in the Dimanche Illustré (Sunday Illustrated), the weekly youth supplement of the French daily newspaper, l'Excelsior.[1]
Among his other comic strips: Mitou et Toti (Mitou and Toti), Prosper l'ours (Prosper the Bear, started in 1933), Monsieur Poche (Mr. Pocket, started in 1934), and Touitoui. In the 1940s, he edited a children's magazine, Benjamin, for which he created the comic strip Troc et Boum (Troc and Boom).
Zig et Puce enjoyed a revival in 1963, when it was taken over by Greg.[2] After World War II, Alain Saint-Ogan also created a daily cartoon for the front page of the Parisien libéré, hosted a radio program, produced television programs and wrote several books, including two memoirs. Shortly before his death in 1974, he was named the honorary president of the first Angoulême International Comics Festival. For a period, the prize for best comic book was named "Alfred" after his creation.[1]
His work included themes of pro-colonialism ideas. When the French Communist party opposed the Exposition Coloniale of 1931, he contributed to the parody of their newspaper, essentially mocking their anti-imperialist views and showing strong support for the colonial discourse of the Exposition. His comics were used to stir up interest among the young for the Exposition and to support the French colonial effort in the effort to ensure its continuation.[3]
His work contains imagery supporting colonialism and anti-semitism. The story line where Zig and Puce visited the Exposition Coloniale contains racial stereotypes such as portraying Africans as cannibals, continuing the racial stereotype that Africans are just 'big children', having them appear dumb by speaking only in pidgin French, and drawing them with physical stereotypes that French held about Africans (huge lips, very dark skin, etc.).
References
- ^ a b Lambiek Comiclopedia. "Alain Saint-Ogan".
- ^ Lambiek Comiclopedia. "Greg".
- ^ McKinney, Mark (2014-11-14). "French Colonial Exhibitions in Comics".
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External links
- Alain Saint-Ogan biography on Lambiek Comiclopedia
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