In Pictures: Valerian creators Pierre Christin and Jean Claude Mezieres in London

Paul Gravett, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières. Photo: Dean Simons

Paul Gravett, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières. Photo: Dean Simons

Last month, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières were in London, at the Institut Francais, for an event titled Valerian & Laureline Disclosed. Chaired by comics expert Paul Gravett, the Valerian creators were full of life and were happy to rib each other in a way that some longstanding collaborators often aren’t!

The event was of course in part prompted by the recent debut of director Luc Besson’s Valerian on the big screen, which many of the attendees also saw as part of the event, at the Lumiere. This was only the third time the creators had seen the big-screen version of their creation – the first time, we’re told, was rather nerve-wracking as it was just them and Luc Besson in the audience!

The event proved a good mix of “usual” comics fans plus a number of French language “locals” made up the audience. Thanks to Cinebook, publishers of Valerian in English, downthetubes Richard Sheaf was at the event and took a few snaps – as well as getting one of his Valerian books signed, of course!

• For those of you who missed this rare event, you can listen to proceedings here and here as podcasts thanks to Institut Francais

• You can buy the Valerian books from all good bookshops and online retailers, including amazon.co.uk (using this link helps support downthetubes)

Paul Gravett, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières on stage at the Institut Francais Photo: Richard Sheaf

Paul Gravett, Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières on stage at the Institut Francais Photo: Richard Sheaf

Jean-Claude Mézières' stamp designs. Photo: Richard Sheaf

Jean-Claude Mézières’ stamp designs. Photo: Richard Sheaf

While Valerian was also turned into an anime series, the creators told the audience they weren't fans. Photo: Richard Sheaf

While Valerian was also turned into an anime series, the creators told the audience they weren’t fans. Photo: Richard Sheaf

After event signing. Photo: Richard Sheaf

After event signing. Photo: Richard Sheaf

Valerian book, signed. Photo: Richard Sheaf

Photo: Richard Sheaf

The Institut Francais Graphic Novel Library. And you thought you had a lot of comics.... Photo: Richard Sheaf

The Institut Francais Graphic Novel Library. And you thought you had a lot of comics…. Photo: Richard Sheaf

 

 



Categories: Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events

Tags: , , , , , ,

Discover more from downthetubes.net

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading