{{Short description|Swiss comic book creator}} {{Infobox comics creator | image = SM8 1852m.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Zep in 2015 | birth_name = Philippe Chappuis | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|12|15}} | birth_place = Onex, Switzerland | death_date = | death_place = | nationality = Swiss | area = artist, writer | alias = | notable works = ''Titeuf''<br/>''Victor'' | awards = full list }} '''Philippe Chappuis''' (born December 15, 1967), better known by his pen name '''Zep''', is a Francophone Swiss cartoonist and illustrator. Zep is mostly known for his comics series ''Titeuf'' which he created in 1992, and has become since one of the most popular children's comics in French-speaking countries. He also founded the associated Franco-Belgian comics magazine ''Tchô!''.
==Biography== Philippe Chappuis was born on December 15, 1967, in the city of Onex on the outskirts of Geneva in Switzerland; he is the son of a policeman and a clothes designer.<ref name="lexpress">{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.lexpress.fr/culture/livre/zep-le-chatelain-genevois_1737554.html |title=Zep, le châtelain genevois |last=Bisson |first=Julien |date=December 2, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |publisher=L'Express}}</ref><ref name="europe1">{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.europe1.fr/culture/zep-javais-envie-de-raconter-des-histoires-qui-ne-sont-pas-de-lordre-de-lenfance-2874515 |title=Zep : "J'avais envie de raconter des histoires qui ne sont pas de l'ordre de l'enfance" |date=October 16, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |publisher=Europe 1}}</ref><ref name="lemonde">{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/bande-dessinee/article/2016/10/09/zep-j-ai-failli-arreter-la-bande-dessinee_5010612_4420272.html |title=Zep : « J’ai failli arrêter la bande dessinée » |last=Krémer |first=Pascale |date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |publisher=Le Monde}}</ref> As a child, he was an avid reader of Franco-Belgian comics or ''bande dessinée'', and dreamed of becoming a professional cartoonist.<ref name="europe1" /> At the age of 12, he took the artist name "Zep" as a nod to English rock band Led Zeppelin.<ref name="lexpress" /><ref name="europe1" /> As a teenager, he studied decorative arts in Geneva.<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/zep-amis-revent-dune-ecole-bande-dessinee-geneve |title=Zep et ses amis rêvent d’une école de la bande dessinée à Genève |date=October 30, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2023 |publisher=Le Temps}}</ref>
Zep's career as cartoonist began with the creation of the character Victor, whose comics were published in a weekly women's magazine<ref name="lemonde" /> and then in Belgian children's comic magazine ''Spirou'' in 1987.<ref name="lambiek">{{cite web | last = Lambiek Comiclopedia | title = Zep | url =http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm }}</ref> Zep also drew comics for several fanzines.<ref name="lemonde" /> In the Catholic monthly Vie, he drew the satirical comic ''Les Amours Contrariées de Calin & Labelle''. .<ref name="lambiek"/>
In the early 1990s, Zep created the comic series ''Titeuf'' inspired by memories of his own childhood.<ref name="lemonde" /> At first struggling to find publication, the series was initially published in the fanzine ''Sauve qui peut'' before it was noticed by Glénat executive Jean-Claude Camano.<ref name="tv5">{{cite web | last = TV5Monde | title = Émission du 22 mars | url = http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/lemondedetv5/emission.php?id=55&mois_archives=2006-03 | language = fr | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031440/http://www.tv5.org/TV5Site/lemondedetv5/emission.php?id=55&mois_archives=2006-03 | archive-date = 2007-09-30 }}</ref> Zep joined Glénat in 1992, and the first ''Titeuf'' album, ''Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles'' (''God, Sex And Suspenders'') was published in 1993. It sold only a few thousand copies, but the following books have gradually won over a huge readership, outselling traditional French favorites such as ''Astérix'' and ''Lucky Luke''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ratier|first=Gilles|url=http://www.acbd.fr/bilan/page/bilan-2006.html#5|title=ACBD bilan 2006: the new ''Titeuf'' had an initial run of 1,8 million copies in French alone, making it the best selling album of the year|publisher=ACBD.fr|access-date=2007-02-08 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070305183020/http://www.acbd.fr/bilan/page/bilan-2006.html#5 |archive-date = 2007-03-05}}</ref> More than 23 million copies of the series have been sold, and the series is considered the greatest moneymaker in the French comics market.<ref name="lemonde" /><ref name="9th">{{cite web | last = Castrillón|first=Marcos| publisher=Ninth Art | title = Beyond Borders – Not That Innocent | url =http://www.ninthart.com/display.php?article=719 }}</ref> ''Titeuf'' books have been translated into 15 languages, including Chinese, Italian and German. In the UK, Titeuf appeared under the name ''Tootuff'' in ''The Dandy''. The comics has been adapted into an animated series and a feature-length film, directed by Zep.
In 1998, he was one of the founders of children's comic magazine ''Tchô!'', featuring Titeuf as its mascot, and with Zep as the lead editor.<ref name="LeTempsTcho">{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/societe/jai-appris-dessiner |title=«J'ai appris à dessiner!» |last=Herbez |first=Ariel |date=August 23, 2008|access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=Le Temps}}</ref> ''Tchô!'' featured comics from various authors, including series authored by Zep such as ''Titeuf'', ''Les Chronokids'' (with artists Stan & Vince) and ''Captain Biceps'' (with artist Tébo), the latter of which was adapted into an animated series.
With cartoonist and illustrator Hélène Bruller, Zep co-authored sex education manual ''Le guide du zizi sexuel'' featuring illustrations with characters from ''Titeuf''.<ref name="LeTempsBruller">{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/culture/helene-bruller-femme-bulles |title=Hélène Bruller, femme de bulles |last=Chardon |first=Elisabeth |date=January 22, 2005 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=Le Temps}}</ref> Zep and Bruller also co-authored the children's book ''Les Minijusticiers'' which was adapted into an animated series.<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/tech/quand-les-scenaristes-des-minijusticiers-se-dechirent_AN-201812280008.html |title=Quand les scénaristes des Minijusticiers se déchirent |last=Henni |first=Jamal |date=December 28, 2018 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=BFM TV}}</ref>
In 2004, Zep was the recipient of the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême, a lifetime achievement award which is one of the most prestigious in Franco-Belgian comics, making Zep the first Swiss author to receive the award.<ref name="lexpress" />
In 2006, Zep authored ''Découpé en tranches'', an autobiographical graphic novel in the form of short stories in which the author details various aspects of his life.
In 2009, he authored the adult comic album ''Happy Sex'', a compilation of humorous stories about sexuality. It was followed in 2010 by ''Happy Girls'' and ''Happy Rock'' which were re-editions of ''Les filles électriques'' and ''L'enfer des concerts'' respectively, originally released in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.actuabd.com/Happy-Zep |title=Happy Zep |last=Pasamonik |first=Didier |date=April 25, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |work=Actua BD |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202014556/https://www.actuabd.com/Happy-Zep |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2014, Zep released the comic album ''Happy Parents'' about parenthood, and in 2019 ''Happy Sex 2'' as a follow-up to ''Happy Sex''.
In the 2010s, Zep released graphic novels such as ''Une histoire d'hommes'' (2013), ''Un bruit étrange et beau'' (2016) and ''The End'' (2018), which were received by some critics as works outside of children's comics that cover mature themes, in an art style that has been described as more "realistic" than his previous works.<ref name="lemonde" /><ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/culture/arbres-murmurent-loreille-zep |title=Les arbres murmurent à l’oreille de Zep |last=Duplan |first=Antoine |date=July 24, 2018 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=Le Temps}}</ref>
Himself a hobbyist guitar player who has played for a number of Swiss bands,<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/bande-dessinee/visuel/2018/01/26/dans-l-atelier-de-zep_5247369_4420272.html |title=Dans l'atelier de Zep |last=Potet |first=Frédéric |date=January 26, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |publisher=Le Monde}}</ref> Zep also designed album covers for Jean-Jacques Goldman (''Chanson pour les pieds'', 2001),<ref name="lambiek" /> Bill Deraime (''Bouge encore'', 2008),<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://musique.rfi.fr/blues/20080716-bill-deraime-une-renaissance-spirituelle |title=Bill Deraime, une renaissance spirituelle |last=Lemancel |first=Anne-Laure |date=July 16, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Radio France Internationale}}</ref> Henri Dès (''Casse-pieds'', 2013)<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.tdg.ch/zep-dessine-une-pochette-pour-henri-des-716315382834 |title=Zep dessine une pochette pour Henri Dès |date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Tribune de Genève}}</ref> and Renaud (''Les mômes et les enfants d’abord'', 2019),<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/people/musique/zep-renaud-est-vraiment-un-personnage-de-bande-dessinee_AN-201911290016.html |title=Zep: "Renaud est vraiment un personnage de bande dessinée" |last=Lachasse |first=Jérôme |date=November 29, 2019 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=BFM TV}}</ref> for whom he also directed the music video for Renaud's song "Les animals".<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.lematin.ch/story/zep-realise-et-s-invite-dans-le-nouveau-clip-de-renaud-555151975971 |title=Zep réalise et s'invite dans le nouveau clip de Renaud |last=Pralong |first=Michel |date=November 13, 2019 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Le Matin}}</ref>
== Personal life == Zep was previously married to French illustrator and comic artist Hélène Bruller, with whom he co-authored the children's comic ''Les Minijusticiers'' and sex education book ''Le guide du zizi sexuel''.<ref name="LeTempsBruller" /><ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.lematin.ch/story/le-guide-du-zizi-sexuel-depoussiere-745900868166 |title=Le Guide du zizi sexuel dépoussiéré |last=Pralong |first=Michel |date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Le Matin}}</ref> He later married Swiss writer Mélanie Chappuis.<ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/culture/melanie-chappuis-jai-parfois-limpression-faire-acte-justice |title=Mélanie Chappuis: «J’ai parfois l’impression de faire acte de justice» |date=November 26, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Le Temps}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |lang=fr |url=https://www.tdg.ch/lecrivaine-romande-cultive-une-melancolie-joyeuse-694399598173 |title=L’écrivaine romande cultive une mélancolie joyeuse |last=Rieder |first=Caroline|date=October 18, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2023 |work=Tribune de Genève}}</ref>
== Bibliography == <!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|right|230px|Cover of ''Le guide du zizi sexuel'' (2001) --> * ''Victor n’en rate pas une'', 1988 * ''Léon Coquillard'', scenario by Gilli, 1990 * ''Kradok : Amanite Bunker'', scenario by Leglode, 1991 * ''Les amours contrariées de Calin et Labelle'', 1995 * ''Les filles électriques'', 1997 * ''L’enfer des concerts'', 1999 * ''Mes héros de la Bande Dessinée'', 2001 * ''Le Guide du zizi sexuel'', scenario by {{ill|Hélène Bruller|fr}}, 2001 * ''Les mini-justiciers'' (The Minimighty Kids), scenario by Hélène Bruller, 2003 * ''Petite poésie des saisons'', 2005 * ''Découpé en tranches'', 2006 * ''Portraits de famille'', scenario by Benoît Mouchart, 2006 * ''Titeuf'' # ''Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles'', 1993 # ''L’amour c’est pô propre'', 1993 # ''Ça épate les filles'', 1994 # ''C’est pô juste'', 1995 # ''Titeuf et le derrière des choses'', 1996 # ''Tchô, monde cruel'', 1997 # ''Le miracle de la vie'', 1998 # ''Lâchez-moi le slip'', 2000 # ''La loi du préau'', 2002 # ''Nadia se marie'', 2004 # ''Mes meilleurs copains'', 2006 # ''Le sens de la vie'', 2008 # ''À la folie'', 2012 # ''Bienvenue en adolescence'', 2015 # ''À fond le slip'', 2017 # ''Petite poésie des saisons'', 2019 # ''La grande aventure'', 2021 * ''Captain Biceps'', art by Tébo # ''L'invincible'', 2004 # ''Le redoutable'', 2005 # ''L'invulnérable'', 2006 * ''Les Chronokids'', art by Stan & Vince (6 tomes, 2008-2018) * ''Happy Books'' # ''Happy Sex'', 2009 # ''Happy Girls'', 2010 # ''Happy Rock'', 2010 # ''Happy Parents'', 2014 # ''Happy Sex 2'', 2019 * ''Une histoire d'hommes'', 2013 * ''What a wonderful world'' (2 tomes, 2015-2016) * ''Esmera'', art by Vince * ''Un bruit étrange et beau'', 2016 * ''The End'', 2018 * ''Ce que nous sommes'', 2022
==Awards== * 1993: Sierre Comics Festival Prix de l'humour<ref>{{cite web | last = France-Jeunes.net | title = Titeuf | url = https://france-jeunes.net/livres/titeuf/ | language = fr | access-date = 2007-07-03 | archive-date = | archive-url = | url-status = live }}</ref> * 1995: Livres Hebdo Prix Jeunesse * 1996: Angoulême Festival, Alph Art jeunesse, for ''C'est pô juste!''<ref>{{cite web | last = ActuaBD | title = Titeuf : les secrets d’un triomphe | url = http://www.actuabd.com/spip.php?article4233 | language = fr | access-date = 2007-07-03 | archive-date = 2007-09-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930180754/http://www.actuabd.com/spip.php?article4233 | url-status = dead }}</ref> * 1996: Sierre Comics Festival Prix du public * 2003: Angoulême Festival Audience Award * 2004: Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême and Angoulême Festival Best promotional comic * 2007: Prix Canal J for best youth comic for ''Titeuf''<ref name=CanalJ>{{cite web |title=Titeuf – "Le Sens de la vie", Prix CANAL J 2009 du Meilleur Album Jeunesse |url=http://www.bdzoom.com/spip.php?article3844 |publisher=BDZoom |language=fr |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=8 May 2009}}</ref> * 2009: Prix Canal J for ''Titeuf''<ref name=CanalJ/>
==Notes== {{reflist}}
==Sources== {{refbegin}} * [http://www.bdoubliees.com/journalspirou/auteurs6/zep.htm Zep publications in ''Spirou''] BDoubliées {{in lang|fr}} * [http://www.bedetheque.com/auteur-155-BD-Zep.html Zep albums] Bedetheque {{in lang|fr}} {{refend}}
==External links== * [http://lambiek.net/artists/z/zep.htm Zep biography] on Lambiek Comiclopedia * [http://www.zepounet.com/ Zep site] on Glénat {{in lang|fr}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Swiss comics artists Category:Swiss comics writers Category:Swiss children's writers Category:Swiss children's book illustrators Category:Swiss erotic artists Category:Swiss graphic novelists Category:Swiss satirical comics artists Category:20th-century Swiss illustrators Category:21st-century Swiss illustrators Category:Swiss guitarists Category:Swiss album-cover and concert-poster artists Category:Swiss magazine founders Category:Music video directors Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême winners Category:Pseudonymous comics artists