Dossier 'BD' : Hermann Huppen

The art of Comanche drawings.


Hermann Huppen, born in 1938 in Bévercé, Belgium, is the comic book artist who gave life to Comanche, along with Greg as writer. He is behind the drawings of the ten first comanche albums. After that, he leaves the series and focuses in other famous series of his own: Jeremiah.

Comanche and Blueberry appeared in the French-Belgian market at the same era in the early 70's and both are some of the best all-time western comics ever published.


The series describes the life of Comanche, owner of the 666 ranch along with old 'Ten Gallons', trying to barely survive. One day 'Red Dust' emerges and associates with both. Their true personality will be clarified in the course of the eventful episodes of this western. 


What makes it different from other previous westerns is that despite the lone cowboy character appears in Comanche, (reflected in Red Dust, a man troubled by his past that slowly turns into a hero), Hermann and Greg try to offer a greater diversity and complexity of themes.


In Comanche, not only the main characters (as main starring Red Dust) are of transcendental importance, but the environment - 666 Ranch and the city of Greenstone Falls - goes far beyond the mere environment becoming its development and evolution  theme in itself to be developped as the series progresses. The rest of the main characters are designed to bring something new and surprising to the reader: from comanche (a woman), owner of 666 and who names the series, to Toby "Face Sombre" (a black cowboy) - even the more traditional Clem "Tenderfoot" or Ten Gallons, which would be in some way the classic counterpoint of the young inexperienced and the grouchy veteran.


To sum up, a gem to be read and a unique experience to discover this series that is part of the best western comics ever written. Don't miss it.

Add  Ons: The tribute to Jean Giraud by Hermann Huppen


Tribute to Moebius: Kurdy rencontre Blueberry © Hermann Huppen

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