Word has spread that French comics creator and writer Pierre Christin has passed away at the age of 86. A well known author of Bandes Dessinées, he’s known for Valérian and Laureline and is the recipient of numerous awards.

Born in 1938, Christin studied political science and became a professor of French literature at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

His first comic, Le Rhum du Punch, was published in Pilote magazine in 1966. He then returned to France and became part of the faculty of University of Bordeaux. There he created Valérian and Laureline for Pilote.

Beyond numerous comics, Christin also wrote screenplays and novels.

He was award numerous honors at the Angoulême International Comics Festival including Best French Author, Library Readers Award, Tournesol Award, and in 2019 the Angoulême International Comics Festival René Goscinny award.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.