Joann Sfar (; born 28 August 1971) is a French

comics artist A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary a ...

comic book creator developed specialized terminology. Some several attempts have been made to formalize and define the terminology of comics by authors such as Will Eisner, Scott McCloud, R. C. Harvey and Dylan Horrocks. Much of the terminology in English is ...

novelist A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living writing novels and other fiction, while others asp ...

, and film director.

Life and career

Sfar was born in

Nice Nice ( , ; Niçard dialect, Niçard: , classical norm, or , nonstandard, ; it, Nizza ; lij, Nissa; grc, Νίκαια; la, Nicaea) is the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes departments of France, department in France. The Nice urban unit, agg ...

, the son of

Lilou Lilou is a French female given name. It is rising in popularity in France, where it is ranked in the top 50 names given to baby girls. It is sometimes considered a diminutive of the name Lily or a combination of the names Lily and Louise. It may ...

, a pop singer, who died when he was three, and André Sfar, a lawyer well known for prosecuting

Neo-Nazis Neo-Nazism comprises the post–World War II militant, social, and political movements that seek to revive and reinstate Nazi ideology. Neo-Nazis employ their ideology to promote hatred and racial supremacy (often white supremacy), attack ...

. As a result of his mother's early death, Sfar was raised by his father and maternal grandfather, a military doctor of Ukrainian origin in the

Alsace-Lorraine Independent Brigade (France) The Alsace-Lorraine Independent Brigade (french: Brigade indépendente Alsace-Lorraine, or BIAL), usually known as the Alsace-Lorraine Brigade or sometimes as the ''Brigade Malraux'', was a French Forces of the Interior (FFI) unit that fought alon ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. Sfar's grandfather reportedly saved the right hand of the brigade's leader, novelist

André Malraux Georges André Malraux ( , ; 3 November 1901 – 23 November 1976) was a French novelist, art theorist, and Minister of Culture (France), minister of cultural affairs. Malraux's novel ''La Condition Humaine'' (Man's Fate) (1933) won the Prix Go ...

, for which he was awarded French citizenship. A wildly prolific artist, he is considered one of the most important artists of the new wave of Franco-Belgian comics, though he has rejected the assertion that he, along with artists like

Christophe Blain Christophe Blain (born 10 August 1970) is a French comic book author. Life and career Blain was born in Gennevilliers. He studied visual arts in Cherbourg and began drawing comics during his military service, first published by Albin Miche ...

Marjane Satrapi Marjane Satrapi (; fa, مرجان ساتراپی ; born 22 November 1969) is a French-Iranian graphic novelist, cartoonist, illustrator, film director, and children's book author. Her best-known works include the graphic novel ''Persepolis'' a ...

, and

Lewis Trondheim Lewis Trondheim (born Laurent Chabosy, , on 11 December 1964), is a French cartoonist and one of the founders (in 1990) of the independent publisher L'Association. Both his silent comic ''La Mouche'' and Kaput and Zösky have been made into animat ...

, sought to create an alternative scene or a new movement in comics. Many of his comics were published by

L'Association L'Association is a French publishing house located in Paris which publishes comic books. It was founded in May 1990 by Jean-Christophe Menu, Lewis Trondheim, David B., Mattt Konture, Patrice Killoffer, Stanislas, and Mokeït. L'Association ...

which was founded in 1990 by Jean-Christophe Menu and six other artists. He also worked with many of the group's main artists, e.g.

David B. Pierre-François "David" Beauchard (; born 9 February 1959), also known by the pen name David B., is a French comic book artist and writer, and one of the founders of . Biography After studying advertising at the Duperré School of Applied Arts i ...

and Lewis Trondheim. The ''

Donjon A keep (from the Middle English ''kype'') is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word ''keep'', but usually consider it to refer to large towers in ...

'' series, which he created with Trondheim, has a cult following in many countries. Some of his comics are inspired by his Jewish heritage. Sfar is the son of

Jew Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""T ...

ish parents (an Ashkenazi mother whose family was from

Ukraine Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inv ...

and a Sephardic father from

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

). He himself says that there is Ashkenazi humor in his ''Professeur Bell'' series (loosely based on

Joseph Bell Joseph Bell FRCSE (2 December 1837 – 4 October 1911) was a Scottish surgeon and lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh in the 19th century. He is best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Hol ...

), whereas '' Le chat du rabbin'' is clearly inspired by his Sephardic side. ''Les olives noires'' is a series about a Jewish child living in

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

at the time of

Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label= Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religiou ...

. Like ''Le chat du rabbin'', the series contains a lot of historical and theological information. His main influences are

Fred Fred may refer to: People * Fred (name), including a list of people and characters with the name Mononym * Fred (cartoonist) (1931–2013), pen name of Fred Othon Aristidès, French * Fred (footballer, born 1949) (1949–2022), Frederico Rod ...

and

André Franquin André Franquin (; 3 January 1924 – 5 January 1997) was an influential Belgian comics artist, whose best-known creations are '' Gaston'' and ''Marsupilami''. He also produced the ''Spirou et Fantasio'' comic strip from 1946 to 1968, a period s ...

, as well as Marc Chagall,

Chaïm Soutine Chaïm Soutine (13 January 1893 – 9 August 1943) was a Belarusian painter who made a major contribution to the expressionist movement while living and working in Paris. Inspired by classic painting in the European tradition, exemplified by the ...

Will Eisner William Erwin Eisner (March 6, 1917 – January 3, 2005) was an American cartoonist, writer, and entrepreneur. He was one of the earliest cartoonists to work in the American comic book industry, and his series '' The Spirit'' (1940–1952) was no ...

Hugo Pratt Ugo Eugenio Prat, better known as Hugo Pratt (15 June 1927 – 20 August 1995), was an Italian comic book creator who was known for combining strong storytelling with extensive historical research on works such as ''Corto Maltese''. He was ind ...

and John Buscema. From 2009 to 2010, Sfar wrote and directed '' Gainsbourg: Vie Héroïque'', a biopic of the illustrious French songwriter and singer, of whom Sfar is a self-confessed fanatic. The film, which draws substantially on Sfar's abilities as a comic book artist through its extensive use of fantasy artwork, animation and puppetry, was released in 2010 to general critical acclaim. Sfar's book ''L’Eternel'' has been adapted for a live-action drama entitled ''Monsters’ Shrink'' by Canal plus''.''

Partial bibliography

In English

*''Klezmer: Tales of the Wild East'',

First Second Books First Second Books is an American publisher of graphic novels. An imprint of Roaring Brook Press, part of Holtzbrinck Publishers, First Second publishes fiction, biographies, personal memoirs, history, visual essays, and comics journalism. It al ...

, New York, 2006. *''Vampire Loves'',

, New York, 2006. *''Sardine in Outer Space'', 6 volumes, with Emmanuel Guibert, First Second Books, New York, 2006–2008. *''The Professor's Daughter'', with Emmanuel Guibert, First Second Books, New York, 2007. *'' The Rabbi's Cat'', Pantheon, 2007. *''The Rabbi's Cat 2'', Pantheon, 2008. *', First Second Books, New York, 2008. * ''

Dungeon A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Dungeons are generally associated with medieval castles, though their association with torture probably belongs more to the Renaissance period. An oubliette (from ...

'' (since 1998, with

and collective) *''The Little Prince'' (Comic Adaptation), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York, 2010. *''Pascin'', Uncivilized Books, 2016.

In French

* ''Petrus Barbygère'' (with Pierre Dubois, scenario) **''L'elficologue'' (1996, Delcourt, ) **''Le croquemitaine d'écume'' (1997, Delcourt, ) * ''Les Potamoks'' (with José-Luis Munuera, art) **1. ''Terra Incognita'' (1996, Delcourt, ) **2. ''Les fontaines rouges'' (1996, Delcourt, ) **3. ''Nous et le désert'' (1997, Delcourt, ) * ''La Fille du professeur'' (1997, with Emmanuel Guibert (art), Dupuis, ) **Published in English by

as ''The Professor's Daughter'' (2007), * ''

'' (since 1998, with

and collective) * ''Le petit monde du Golem'' (1998, L'Association, ) * ''Troll'' (with Olivier Boiscommun, art) **3. ''Mille et un ennuis'' (1999, Delcourt, ) * ''Professeur Bell'' (from #3, with Hervé Tanquerelle, art) **1. ''Le mexicain à deux têtes'' (1999, Delcourt, ) **2. ''Les poupées de Jérusalem'' (2000, Delcourt, ) **3. ''Le cargo du Roi Singe'' (2002, Delcourt, ) **4. ''Promenade des Anglaises'' (2003, Delcourt, ) **5. ''L'Irlande à bicyclette'' (2006, Delcourt, ) * ''Urani'' (2000, with David B, Dargaud, ) * ''Grand Vampire'' **1. ''Cupidon s'en fout'' (2001, Delcourt, ) **2. ''Mortelles en tête'' (2002, Delcourt, ) **3. ''Transatlantique en solitaire'' (2002, Delcourt, ) **4. ''Quai des brunes'' (2003, Delcourt, ) ***Books 1-4 published in English as ''Vampire Loves'' (2006, First Second, ) **5. ''La Communauté des magiciens'' (2004, Delcourt, ) **6. ''Le peuple est un Golem'' (2005, Delcourt, ) * ''Les olives noires'' (with Emmanuel Guibert, art) **1. ''Pourquoi cette nuit est-elle différente des autres nuits?'' (2001, Dupuis, ) **2. ''Adam Harishon'' (2002, Dupuis, ) **3. ''Tu ne mangeras pas le chevreau dans le lait de sa mère'' (2003, Dupuis, ) * ''Le chat du rabbin'' **1. ''La Bar-Mitsva'' (2002, Dargaud, ) **2. ''Le Malka des Lions'' (2002, Dargaud, ) **3. ''L'exode'' (2003, Dargaud, ) ***Books 1-3 published in English as ''The Rabbi's Cat'' (2005, Pantheon, ) **4. ''Le Paradis Terrestre'' (2005, Dargaud, ) **5. ''Jérusalem d'Afrique'' (2006, Dargaud, ) ***Books 4-5 published in English as ''The Rabbi's Cat 2'' (2008, Pantheon, ) **6. ''Tu n'auras pas d'autre dieu que moi'' (2015, Dargaud, ) * ''Klezmer'' **1. ''Conquête de l'Est'' (2005, Gallimard, ) **2. ''Bon anniversaire Scylla'' (2006, Gallimard, ) **3. ''Tous des voleurs!'' (2007, Gallimard, ) **4. ''Trapèze volant!'' (2012, Gallimard ) **5. ''Kishinev-des-fous'' (2014, Gallimard ) * ''Chagall en Russie'' **1. ''Première partie'' (2010, Gallimard ) **2. ''Seconde partie'' (2011, Gallimard )

Filmography

Novels

*''L'éternel'' (2013, Albin Michel, ) *'' Le Plus Grand Philosophe de France'' (2014, Albin Michel, )

Awards

*1998: Award for First Comic Book and René Goscinny Award at the

Angoulême International Comics Festival The Angoulême International Comics Festival (french: Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême) is the second largest comics festival in Europe after the Lucca Comics & Games in Italy, and the third biggest in the world after ...

, France *2000: Nominated for Best Comic Book and for the Youth Award (9 to 12 years) at the Angoulême International Comics Festival **Nominated for the Best Long Comic Strip at the Haxtur Awards

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

**Nominated for Best International Writer at the

Max & Moritz Prizes The Max & Moritz Prize is a prize for comic books, comic strips, and other similar materials which has been awarded at each of the biennial International Comics Shows of Erlangen since 1984. It is open to all material published in Germany. 1984 ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

*2001: Nominated for Best Scenario and for the Humour Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival *2002: Nominated for Best Artwork and the Canal BD Award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival *2003: Oecumenic Jury Award and Polish award at the Angoulême International Comics Festival **Nominated for Best Comic Book, for the Canal BD Award, and for the

Prix de la critique The Prix de la critique is a prize awarded by the Association des Critiques et des journalistes de Bande Dessinée to the best comic album released for a year in France. Previously, from 1984 to 2003, it was called ''Prix Bloody Mary'' and awarded ...

at the Angoulême International Comics Festival *2004:

Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême The Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême is a lifetime achievement award given annually during the Angoulême International Comics Festival to a comics author. Although not a monetary award, it is considered the most prestigious award in Franco-Be ...

: 30th anniversary prize, France ** Award for Best Youth Album (7 to 8 years) at the Angoulême International Comics Festival **Best International Series at the

Prix Saint-Michel The Prix Saint-Michel is a series of comic awards presented by the city of Brussels, with a focus on Franco-Belgian comics. They were first awarded in 1971, and although often said to be the oldest European comics awards, they are actually the s ...

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

**Nominated for Best Series at the Angoulême International Comics Festival **Best International Writer at the

*2005: Nominated for Best Artwork at the Angoulême International Comics Festival *2006: Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material at the Eisner Awards,

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

**Nominated for the

Audience Award An audience award is typically an award at a film festival (or some other type of cultural festival or similar competition) which is selected by the audience attending the festival, rather than by the festival jury or a group of critics. Example ...

and for Best Series at the Angoulême International Comics Festival *2007: Sproing Award, for Best Foreign translated material, ''Rabbinerens katt'' (''Le chat du rabbin''),

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the ...

**Nominated for Outstanding Series at the

Ignatz Awards The Ignatz Awards recognize outstanding achievements in comics and cartooning by small press creators or creator-owned projects published by larger publishers. They have been awarded each year at the Small Press Expo since 1997, only skipping a ...

, United States

References

Joann Sfar albums
Bedetheque Footnotes