Chantal Montellier

Chantal Montellier, born August 1, 1947, in Bouthéon near Saint-Étienne, France, is a pioneering French comics creator, editorial cartoonist, novelist, and painter. She is best known as the first female editorial cartoonist in France, breaking ground for women in the comic book industry. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Saint-Étienne, she began her career as a painter before transitioning to comics in the 1970s. Her signature style blends stark, expressive linework with a satirical, often dystopian edge, tackling social and political themes. She is closely associated with the influential French comics magazine *Métal Hurlant* and the storytelling anthology *(À Suivre)*, where her work gained prominence. Among her notable co-creations is the series *Odile et les crocodiles*, and she is credited on titles such as *Shelter* and *1996*. Her later life saw her continue as a novelist and painter, with her comics work spanning from 1977 to 2023. Montellier's legacy is that of a trailblazer who expanded the role of women in French comics, and she has received recognition for her contributions, including major awards that underscore her impact on the medium.