Albert Uderzo

Alberto Aleandro Uderzo was born on 25 April 1927 and went on to become one of the most recognized figures in European comics history. A French artist of Italian heritage, he built a career spanning decades and more than a thousand individual issues across a range of titles, working variously as artist, colorist, inker, letterer, and writer.

Uderzo is best known for co-creating the beloved Astérix series alongside writer René Goscinny, a partnership that produced one of the most enduring franchises in the medium. Set in an irreverent, anachronism-filled version of ancient Gaul, Astérix showcased Uderzo's gift for expressive, kinetic cartooning — a style capable of conveying slapstick chaos and warm character comedy in equal measure. The two collaborators also worked together on Oumpah-pah, demonstrating that their creative rapport extended well beyond their signature creation.

Following Goscinny's death, Uderzo took on scripting responsibilities for Astérix in addition to his artistic duties, continuing the series largely on his own for many years. He retired in September 2011, though the franchise he helped build continued under new creative stewards. Uderzo died on 24 March 2020, leaving behind a body of work that shaped the expectations of generations of European readers and helped establish the bande dessinée as a genuinely international art form.