Zep 2144570 189701199 2008-02-07T09:57:36Z Fram 390477 /* Awards */ Two more Angoulême awards (wins only) {{For|the lighter-than-air vehicle|Zeppelin}} {{Infobox Comics creator | name = Zep | image = | imagesize = | caption = | birthname = Philippe Chappuis | birthdate = {{birth date and age|1967|12|15}} | location = [[Geneva]], [[Switzerland]] | deathdate = | deathplace = | nationality = Swiss | area = artist, writer | alias = | notable works = ''[[Titeuf]]''<br/>''Victor'' | awards = [[#Awards|full list]] }} '''Zep''' (born [[December 15]], [[1967]]) is the [[pseudonym]] of '''Philippe Chappuis''', a [[comic book creator|comics creator]] from [[Switzerland]], known for his series ''[[Titeuf]]'', a popular character in French-speaking countries, and ''Tchô!'', the associated [[Franco-Belgian comics magazines|comics magazine]]. ==Biography== Chappuis' pseudonym derives from the first [[Bande dessinée|BD]] magazine he created at age twelve, named "Zep" in honour of [[Led Zeppelin]] (a fan of [[Bob Dylan]], references to his musical tastes are often found in his comics). His career began with gags published in the magazine ''[[Spirou (magazine)|Spirou]]'' in 1987, and the character ''Victor'' which started appearing in 1988.<small><ref name="lambiek zep">{{cite web | last = Lambiek Comiclopedia | title = Zep | url =http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm }}</ref></small> At first struggling to find publication, the series ''Titeuf'' was initially published in the [[fanzine]] ''Sauve qui peut'' (''"Escape those who can"'') before it was noticed by [[Glénat (publisher)|Glénat]] executive Jean-Claude Camano.<small><ref name="tv5">{{cite web | last = TV5Monde | title = Émission du 22 mars | url = http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/lemondedetv5/emission.php?id=55&mois_archives=2006-03|language=French }}</ref></small> Zep joined Glénat in 1992, and first ''Titeuf'' book ''Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles'' (''God, Sex And Suspenders'') appeared in 1993 and sold only a few thousand copies, but the following books have gradually won over a huge readership, outselling traditional French favorites such as ''[[Astérix]]'' and ''[[Lucky Luke]]''.<small><ref>{{cite web|last=Ratier|first=Gilles|url=http://www.acbd.fr/bilan/page/bilan-2006.html#5|title=ACBD bilan 2006: the new ''Titeuf'' had an initial run of 1,8 million copies in French alone, making it the best selling album of the year|publisher=ACBD.fr|accessdate=2007-02-08}}</ref></small> Today 11 million copies of the series have been sold, and the series is considered the greatest moneymaker in the French comics market.<small><ref name="9th">{{cite web | last = Castrillón|first=Marcos| publisher=Ninth Art | title = Beyond Borders - Not That Innocent | url =http://www.ninthart.com/display.php?article=719 }}</ref></small> ''Titeuf'' books been translated into 15 languages, including Chinese, Italian and German. In the UK, Titeuf appeared under the name ''[[Tootuff]]'' in ''[[The Dandy]]''. The name "Titeuf" ostensibly derives from French ''tête d'oeuf'' (egg-head), but it could also be the familiar, contracted and inverted ([[verlan]]) form of ''petite fête'' (little party). While adolescent fans of ''Titeuf'' are enamoured with the adventures, many parents have raised concerns about his unexpurgated curiosity with all things related to bodily functions.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} == Bibliography == [[Image:Titeuf-Guide-Zizi.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Cover of ''Le guide du zizi sexuel'' (2001)]] * ''Victor n’en rate pas une'', 1988 * ''Léon Coquillard'', scenario by [[Gilli]], 1990 * ''Kradok : Amanite Bunker'', scenario by [[Leglode]], 1991 * ''Les amours contrariées de Calin et Labelle'', 1995 * ''Les filles électriques'', 1997 * ''L’enfer des concerts'', 1999 * ''Mes héros de la Bande Dessinée'', 2001 * ''Le Guide du zizi sexuel'', scenario by [[Hélène Bruller]], 2001 * ''Les mini-justiciers'', scenario by Hélène Bruller, 2003 * ''Petite poésie des saisons'', 2005 * ''Découpé en tranches'', 2006 * ''Portraits de famille'', scenario by [[Benoît Mouchart]], 2006 * ''Titeuf'' # ''Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles'', 1993 # ''L’amour c’est pô propre'', 1993 # ''Ça épate les filles'', 1994 # ''C’est pô juste'', 1995 # ''Titeuf et le derrière des choses'', 1996 # ''Tchô, monde cruel'', 1997 # ''Le miracle de la vie'', 1998 # ''Lâchez-moi le slip'', 2000 # ''La loi du préau'', 2002 # ''Nadia se marie'', 2004 # ''Mes meilleurs copains'', 2006 * ''Captain Biceps'', art by [[Tébo]] # ''L'invincible'', 2004 # ''Le redoutable'', 2005 # ''L'invulnérable'', 2006 ==Awards== * 1993: Sierre Comics Festival Prix de l'humour <small><ref name="fr.jeun">{{cite web | last = France-Jeunes.net | title = Titeuf | url =http://www1.france-jeunes.net/lire-titeuf-10039.htm|language=French }}</ref></small> * 1995: Livres Hebdo Prix Jeunesse * 1996: [[Angoulême International Comics Festival|Angoulême Festival]], [[Angoulême_International_Comics_Festival_Prix_Jeunesse_9-12_ans#1990s|Alph Art jeunesse]], for ''C'est pô juste!'' <small><ref name="actuabd">{{cite web | last = ActuaBD | title = Titeuf : les secrets d’un triomphe | url =http://www.actuabd.com/spip.php?article4233|language=French }}</ref></small> * 1996: Sierre Comics Festival Prix du public * 2003: Angoulême Festival [[Angoulême International Comics Festival Prize Awarded by the Audience|Audience Award]] * 2004: [[Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême]] and Angoulême Festival [[Angoulême International Comics Festival Best promotional comic|Best promotional comic]] ==Sources== {{refbegin}} * [http://www.bdoubliees.com/journalspirou/auteurs6/zep.htm Zep publications in ''Spirou''] BDoubliées {{fr_icon}} * [http://www.bedetheque.com/auteur-155-BD-Zep.html Zep albums] Bedetheque {{fr_icon}} {{refend}} ;Footnotes {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm Zep biography] on Lambiek Comiclopedia * [http://www.zeporama.com/ Zep official site] {{fr_icon}} * [http://www.zepounet.com/ Zep site] on Glénat {{fr_icon}} * [http://www.tcho.fr/ ''Tchô'' official site] {{fr_icon}} [[Category:Swiss comics artists]] [[Category:Swiss comics writers]] [[de:Philippe Chappuis]] [[fr:Philippe Chappuis]] [[he:טיטוף]]