Sequel: Blueberry 1900 Blueberry (comics)

—giraud, on thoughts , intents blueberry 1900 in several comments made contemporary magazine interviews.


—giraud, 2008, in public reaction on blueberry 1900 not coming fruition.

a third spin-off series, coined blueberry 1900, conceived original creator giraud in early-1990s, intended bonafide sequel series. set, series title implied, in era of william mckinley presidency, not have featured 57-year old blueberry, adult son well, albeit in minor role. story line, intended encompass 5 books, take place around events surrounding assassination of president mckinley. pegged artwork french comic artist françois boucq whom giraud had met @ comic event in honor of lifelong friend jean-claude mézières, , concurrently discussed project with. actually, giraud had approached michel blanc-dumont, lyric art work jonathan cartland adored, project around 1993, still tentatively called blueberry 20 ans après (blueberry, 20 years later). blanc-dumont, despite being reciprocally admirer of giraud s art , aside being still invested in own western comic, thought project not suitable him, deeming script outline mœbiusienne taste, , had suggested boucq instead. boucq showed interest , enthusiastic project, , indeed embarked on production of pre-publication art studies, deemed cycle of 5 books much, managing negotiate down cycle of 3 books.

however, philippe charlier, son of late jean-michel charlier , proprietor of jmc aventures – foundation , legal copyright owner, set in 1990 specific intent safeguard creative integrity , legacy of father, both in spiritual commercial sense, had become dormant after failed experiment @ alpen publishers – , near enthusiastic boucq was. became increasingly alarmed , downright aghast when reading commentaries, giraud made in contemporary magazine interviews, clarifying intentions , premises proposed series of blueberry residing hopi tribe, meditating under influence of mind-expanding substances, while president mckinley levitating in white house due hopi spell. heir , steward of father s co-creations , legacy, being 50% co-owner of blueberry brand, still had unequivocal right veto , proposals regarding trademark blueberry , did not hesitate moment exercise prerogative in case, going far taking giraud court, resulting in project fell through. per horrified charlier jr. in contemporary statement, script unbelievably horrifying. effrontery, constructed out of implausible circumstances. in new [ok corral] story cycle, find totally passive blueberry, meditating, while president, enchanted indians, levitating in white house . indicated, though had given seal of approval in case, charlier jr., became wary , disapproving of giraud depicting former lieutenant passive loafer in ok corral story arc, aggravated point of view fact giraud not refrain himself including elements native-american mysticism in ok corral , dust – though not anywhere near extensive had apparently intended blueberry 1900.

philippe charlier, conservative nature father, had, unlike father, no patience whatsoever giraud s new age predilections (also serving additional rationale decision proceed alpen publishers in 1990, instead of les humanoïdes associés, renowned catalog of more adult, esoteric comics, of boucq , alejandro jodorowsky), particularly admitted fondness mind-expanding substances. (after father s death), testified in court, father had detested giraud s work mœbius , considered work treason . while philippe unable stop ok corral cycle, because of longest living survivor main series covenant giraud , charlier sr. had signed, able stop giraud in tracks in court blueberry 1900 because had never been presented giraud main series effort, rather brand expansion (notice legal difference), , on charlier jr. had veto rights. reinforced him favorable court ruling, charlier jr. therefore subsequently able veto giraud s 1999 scenario outline fort mescalero movie, feature blueberry in extensive substance-induced hallucinatory scenes, besides giraud s intention have jim cutlass series merge blueberry main series, due fact later volumes of series increasingly incorporated likewise scenes, arguing such merging indeed constitute brand extension.

how far giraud in thinking exemplified inclusion of art featuring blueberry hopi tribesmen, endowed caption in hopi towns , interior flyleaf illustration regular 1990 arizona love french book release, reprinted such, without caption, in last 1991 graphitti designs release, moebius #9. additionally, giraud had sneaked in blueberry 1900 elements (including floating washington dignitaries) in non-blueberry, native-american themed, short story words of chief seattle , saw english publication in epic s second blueberry book release, ballad coffin .

however, giraud s fascination shamanism went further that, when introduced jodorowsky – during failed dune-project – in 1974 writings of carlos castaneda, had written series of books describe training in shamanism, particularly group lineage descended toltecs. books, narrated in first person, related experiences under tutelage of yaqui man of knowledge named don juan matus. castaneda s writings made deep , everlasting impression on giraud, open native-mexican folk culture due 3 previous extended trips country (he had visited country third time in 1972, see giraud on carlos castaneda), , did influence art mœbius , particularly in regard dream sequences, though not quite able work in such influences in mainstream blueberry comic. yet, unbeknownst writer charlier, did sneak in castaneda elements in nez cassé . castaneda s influence reasserted in full in giraud s later life, having worked in elements more openly after charlier s death in geronimo l apache , becoming, indicated, major element blueberry 1900.

ramifications

boucq disappointed project falling through, disagreeing charlier jr. s assessment, quite contrary, depicting him old man, forced endow him special kind of dignity . yet, him turned out blessing in disguise eventually, became inspiration jodorowsky (co-creator of giraud s acclaimed incal series, , frequent boucq collaborator), co-create him own acclaimed western comic. fr:bouncer (published les humanoïdes associés). , fictional fort mescalero has resurfaced blueberry s first far west posting in 2007 prequel book apaches, aside fact of had envisioned project turned in 2004 blueberry movie. warming-up blueberry 1900, boucq , giraud had collaborated on native-american themed project when both contributed 1995 laissé pour mort , 500 pieces limited cd/portfolio release parisian-based publisher stardom, giraud s own publishing house/art gallery, ran @ time second wife isabelle. later, in 2008, giraud submitted blueberry-meets-bouncer contribution to 250 pieces limited bouncer portfolio short-lived publisher osidarta, aside providing foreword.

despite charlier jr. s vehement resistance, giraud himself seemed have never abandoned notion of doing blueberry 1900 evidenced in 2008 interview, when asked if ever return blueberry after had once stated in prior magazine interview done creation upon conclusion of ok corral story arc. looking @ it, stated giraud, realized wanted continue blueberry. not case if re-start cycle of 5 albums, because not think have energy left ten years of work. actually, want take idea of blueberry 1900 again, has realistic side, more crazy one: indians magical people, part of culture, , want stage collision between our world, through conquest of west, , world of indians resist. shown how events took place in strategic sense, wish plunge indian sociology, done in dances wolves, replacing our materialistic vision of world, , explaining clash of cultures took place. of course, there challenge in doing story way, because might possibly yank rug under feet of reader. still have rework script , page divisions, think take between 100 , 200 pages. giraud s death in 2012 ended notions of blueberry 1900 installment, , quite possibly further installment of main series well.