French artist, a cartoonist and illustrator widely acknowledged as being one of the major modern day influences in the visual arts field. He attended the School of Applied Arts and in 1954, wrote and drew his first western strip “Frank & Jeremie,” thereby launching a career as a prominent western illustrator.
After being discharged from the army in 1960, Giraud worked as assistant to the famous Belgian artist Joseph Gillain (“Jije”) on his Jerry Spring western series, and later as an illustrator for a series of encyclopedia-like books for Hachette. It is at that time that Giraud created the signature of “Moebius” which he used to sign dark humored comic strips in the satirical magazine Hara-Kiri.
In 1963, Giraud met writer Jean-Michel Charlier and, together they created the character of Lieutenant Blueberry for the weekly magazine Pilote. Eventually, this became one of the most celebrated western epics in the world of comics. The Blueberry saga now contains 24 books, and two spin-off series (12 volumes). In the late 1960s, he began illustrating a line of French science-fiction books and magazines. Eventually, this led to the “return” of Moebius as a full-fledged comics artist. In 1975, Giraud co-founded the magazine Métal Hurlant.
Moebius’ impact on the worlds of comic art and science-fiction has been enormous. His influence spread to America with the creation of the magazine Heavy Metal, 1977, which translated and reprinted his stories and later issued three books devoted to his works. In the 1980s, a new American collection of his comics work were published, mostly through the Marvel Comics Group. More recently, Dark Horse Comics, Caliber Press and Mojo Press began reprinting his works in yet one more series of new editions. His latest graphic novels, “The Man from the Ciguri,” a sequel to “The Airtight Garage,” and “The Madwoman of the Sacred-Heart” (written by Jodorowsky), were released in 1996 by Dark Horse Comics. A collection of erotic illustrations, “Angel Claw,” was released by NBM.
Giraud is also regarded as one of Europe’s top commercial artists. His works comprise numerous book and magazine covers, as well as many advertising campaigns. His original artwork has been exhibited in France, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Italy, Mexico and the United States. In 1985, he was decorated with the “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” (the highest French decoration for cultural and artistic achievements). A postage stamp honoring him and bearing one of his designs was issued by the French government in 1988.
Giraud married on 7 October 1967 and divorced on 5 December 1994. He made a second marriage on 13 May 1995.
He died of cancer on 10 March 2012 at age 73 in Paris.
Français(texte par Didier Geslain)
Le lieutenant Blueberry et L’incal, célèbres personnages de la bande dessinée sont orphelins. Leur créateur, Jean Giraud, dit Moebius, ou Gir, l’un des monuments de la B.D. mondiale, est décédé samedi, des suites d’un lymphome.
Il avait commencé à dessiner ses premiers dessins de mode et de publicité à 18 ans, avant de collaborer à des magazines comme Fripounet et Marisette. Après ce fut Spirou puis Pilote. Les aventures du Lieutenant Blueberry étaient nées, plantées dans les décors de l’Ouest sauvage.
En 1973, en désaccord avec la politique éditoriale de Pilote, il claque la porte et collabore à l’Echo des Savanes et à Métal Hurlant.
Mais Moebius, c’était aussi et même surtout pour admirateurs, un chaman féru de fantastique et de science-fiction : c’est d’ailleurs pour signer les premières illustrations d’une série de magazines et de livres sur la SF, à la fin des années 60, qu’il créera ce pseudonyme, le substituant à ses prénom et nom de naissance.
C’est sous ce nom d’emprunt qu’il a réalisé la série L’Incal, être mystérieux et double – l’Incal Lumière et l’Incal Noir – aux pouvoirs surpuissants mais pas maléfiques, sur un scénario du tarologue et réalisateur chilien Alexandro Jodorowsky.
“J’ai deux pôles, deux gestes. Quand je suis dans la peau de Moebius, je dessine en état de transe, j’essaye d’échapper à mon moi”, expliquait-il à l’AFP à l’occasion de la rétrospective organisée par la Fondation Cartier en octobre 2010.
Il est aussi l’auteur d’une autobiographie : Giraud Moebius, histoire de mon double aux Éditions No 1.

Link to Wikipedia biography