Lit Influence of French Comics on Star Wars

I am finding out more and more about the influence French comics from the 70s and early 80s had on the original trilogy (and even the prequels). If you want to know what I mean, watch this:

I think that the comics of creators like Moebius, Mezieres and Druillet must have had an influence on Lucas and the designers Star Wars. Some of the resemblances in that clip are simply too close to be a mere accident.

Do you agree? Do you maybe have more examples?

 

I know that European comics had a big influence on both the plot and art of Dark Empire.

 

Moebius did some early concept work on Willow. Lucas was clearly a fan. I'm not sure what if any of his work made it to final design in that film, though.

 

If you want to check out Valerian and Laureline, Cinebooks have translated Volumes 1-10.

 

This is where it gets spooky: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bE3yJzTpoFA/SasutjzT5cI/AAAAAAAAAGM/9hAuadregso/s320/cushing.jpg

 

The Dark Horse Droids comics take a lot of stylistic inspiration from Franco/Belgian humour comics, especially Ian Gibson's art in the Rebellion arc.

 

Oh, wow.

French-language comics are my childhood, but for whatever reason most of those I read weren't science fiction heavy - Blake et Mortimer, and Thorgal, are the only ones I can think of that were, and even then sci-fi was only one of the many genres they drew on.

I'm going to have to track down those other ones now...

 

You want to look at these guys:

http://www.cinebook.co.uk/coming_soon.php?osCsid=df6e3b1993904e4d6396a9f85c82ba2b

 

I should point out that the Heir to the Empire comic adaptation was illustrated by the French graphic novel artists Olivier Vatine and Fred Blanchard. I absolutely love their style, though most galleries of their work contain a great deal of nudity, so I can't link them here. But you can see their HttE work in the pages linked here.

It also bears noting that Nelvana's work on the Star Wars Holiday Special and Droids cartoons was greatly influenced by Moebius. A deliberate homage, according to commentary by one of the artists, Kevin Davies (here).

 

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Thanks for the links! Good stuff.

 

Oh, that's really interesting. I didn't know that Star Wars was inspired by so many comics.(I just knew about the Jack Kirby's Fourth World).
Thorgal is the only french comic that i ever read, but i'm gonna look foward these sci-fi comics too.

 

As you enjoyed Thorgal, check out XIII, Largo Winch, Western, Wayne Shelton and Lady S - they're all written by Jean Van Hamme who also did Thorgal.

 

Thank you
I will definitively check this

 

Bear in mind there's about 50-60 albums there if you check them all!

Use Cinebook for translated editions too.

 

I am looking forward to the Valerian film. The first teaser trailer is on YouTube now. They are taking a huge risk to release it at this time against a resurrected Star Wars franchise. I hope it doesn't go the way of John Carter.

I have read some of the comics in the past. They helped me when I was learning French.

 

I really liked the look of the trailer - very much Luc Beeson with no restraints. If they can keep the distinctive style, it should be enough to make it stand out.

 

I understand some people are concerned about the casting. I haven't seen the leads in other works, so I can't comment.

My own concern is about commercialisation: this is going to be the most expensive French film ever made and, to recoup that money, the production company is obviously going to have to do all they can to make sure this film appeals in major markets like the USA and China. To do so, I hope they don't turn it into a generic action film that loses its distinctive "Frenchness".

 

Sad this thread has had so few updates.

Nevertheless, I am a bit disillusioned with the Valerian film based on what I have seen from the preview materials. The second trailer was very gun-heavy and the official site indicates the film is a more militaristic take on the story: "Mister" Valerian is now "Major" Valerian and instead of Galaxity's Spatio-Temporal Bureau, he seems to be a member of the military. The third trailer was a little less gun-centric though but I wish it were more faithful to the comics. Depending on what I hear over the next month, I may or may not see it when it screens at the cinema.

 

I'm interested in Valerian due to its supposed influence on so much. It looks cool, c'mon. So whether it is akin will have to be seen though obviously. I'm not at all familiar with the source material so it'll be a real treat.

 

Yeah, I respect people concerned about the original source material, but all I really care about is if it's as fun as The Fifth Element.

And heck, even if it isn't, the visuals alone are probably worth it. I wish more sci-fi blockbusters had the guts to look this eye-poppingly outlandish. (Coming back to the main topic, there's actually a whole can of worms to open up here in regards to the PT, though honestly I'm not sure if the main topic is even a real thing or not).

 

Well, it was a European who drew it

 

I'd read or watch "Jodorowsky's Star Wars"

I mean, it'd probably make almost 0 sense and traumatize any child who witnessed it, but I'm sure it'd be entertaining.

 

The Fifth Element was cool! Visually it looks awesome so I'll check it out but I'll really have no clue as to how it stays true to the source material and that isn't a concern really. All I want is a good movie.

 

I'm guessing this does not involve Tintin, right?

 

In-depth interview with Besson here: http://deadline.com/2017/05/valerian-luc-besson-stx-europacorp-disruptors-interview-news-1202092174/