Paul Gillon

Paul Gillon was a French comics artist best known for his long-running newspaper strip *13 rue de l'Espoir* and his science fiction and erotic series. Born in Paris on 11 May 1926, he initially pursued interests in fashion, theater, and cinema before falling into comics by chance. He began his career at the magazine *Vaillant*, where he continued the existing series *Lynx Blanc* and created *Fils de Chine* and *Cormoran*. From 1959 to 1972, he drew *13 rue de l'Espoir* for *France Soir* and also contributed to *Journal de Mickey*. With writer Jean-Claude Forest, he co-created the cosmic opera *Les naufragés du temps* (published in English as *Lost in Time*). For the adult magazine *L'Écho des savanes*, he produced the erotic series *La Survivante* and *Jéhanne*. Gillon's style ranged from clean, expressive ligne claire to detailed, atmospheric work suited to both adventure and sensuality. He died in Amiens on 21 May 2011. In 1982, he received the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême, the highest honor at the Angoulême International Comics Festival. His catalog credits him as artist, writer, and colorist on 84 issues, with his most-remembered works including *Les naufragés du temps*, *La Survivante*, and *Jeanne d'Arc*.