Cartoon Fans Mourn The Passing Of ‘Asterix’ Cartoonist And Co-Creator Albert Uderzo
“The master.” “A genius.” “My gateway drug to beautiful European comics.”
The death of Albert Uderzo, aged 92, has prompted an outpouring of tributes, both verbal and visual. The French illustrator and writer, who suffered a heart attack in his sleep, commanded a huge influence in France and Europe — and a cult following elsewhere — through his work on Asterix.
Uderzo co-created the comic about plucky Gaulish warriors with writer René Goscinny in 1959, and illustrated it for half a century. He also took over writing duties after Goscinny’s death in 1977. The series has sold more than 380 million copies in over 100 languages, and spawned a franchise that continues to produce animated films to this day. Uderzo also worked on plenty of other projects besides.
Artists and writers have taken to social media to honor the man. Here is a selection of tributes:
Rafael Albuquerque, comic book artist (American Vampire):
Sad to hear about the passing of master Albert Uderzo. Believe it or not, one of my biggest influences in comics. Asterix was the first comic i’ve read, from my aunt’s bookshelf. With him I learnt about expression more than anyone. Merci maître! pic.twitter.com/S4uJgXx0ZB
— Rafael Albuquerque (@rafaalbuquerque) March 24, 2020
Mark Millar, comic book writer (Kick-Ass):
RIP Albert Uderzo, my gateway drug to beautiful European comics. I just bought this two weeks ago for my office. The Master! pic.twitter.com/wRmiECwGip
— Mark Millar (@mrmarkmillar) March 24, 2020
Riad Satouf, comic book artist (The Arab of the Future):
Au revoir Albert Uderzo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PWUACajjHv
— Riad Sattouf (@RiadSattouf) March 24, 2020
Enrico Marini, comic book artist (The Scorpion):
UDERZO est mort, vive UDERZO! 🖤 C’était simplement un génie. Avec ses dessins il m’a fait rêver et rire comme aucun autre dessinateur. Et j‘ai toujours eu une tendresse particulière pour son personnage Oumpah Pah. RIP Albert Uderzo pic.twitter.com/Pj87YX6hOx
— Enrico Marini (@Marini_Comics) March 24, 2020
Zep, comic book artist (Titeuf):
Jochen Gerner, comic book artist:
Benjamin Lacombe, author and illustrator:
Un des plus grands dessinateurs s’en est allé
Je ne compte plus le nombre de fois où j’ai relu ces merveilleux albums depuis tout petit.
Merci pour tout Mr Uderzo
Albert Uderzo 1927-2020#rip #uderzo #idefix #triste #benjaminlacombe pic.twitter.com/ihpx3KyJwK— benjamin lacombe (@BENLACOMBE) March 24, 2020
Journalist Oliver Kamm, whose mother Anthea Bell famously translated the Asterix books into English:
I am deeply sad at this news. Uderzo was a cartoonist of genius, whose skills perfectly combined with those of the brilliant René Goscinny. Though not an English speaker like Goscinny (a keen Anglophile), Uderzo had gracious appreciation of the Asterix translations of my mother. https://t.co/Kfi50aYjNS
— Oliver Kamm (@OliverKamm) March 24, 2020
Chris Addison, comedian:
Waaagh! Albert Uderzo has died. Oh, man. I think very few people's work will ever give me the amount of pleasure his has ever since I was very young. One of my greatest culinary regrets is that I'll never get to eat wild boar the way he drew them for Asterix. Chapeau, monsieur.
— Chris Addison (@mrchrisaddison) March 24, 2020
