Prequel.2C intermezzo.2C and sequel Blueberry (comics)

1 prequel, intermezzo, , sequel

1.1 prequel: la jeunesse de blueberry (young blueberry)

1.1.1 change of artist
1.1.2 change of writer
1.1.3 second change of artist


1.2 intermezzo: marshal blueberry
1.3 sequel: blueberry 1900

1.3.1 ramifications

prequel, intermezzo, , sequel

a prequel series, la jeunesse de blueberry (young blueberry), , intermezzo series marshal blueberry have been published well, other artists , writers, famously william vance latter. despite dogged efforts on part of giraud, intended blueberry 1900 sequel did not come fruition extraneous reasons.

prequel: la jeunesse de blueberry (young blueberry)


—charlier, on conceiving young blueberry series.

a later created prequel series, dealt blueberry s years, during american civil war, relating how racist son of wealthy plantation owner turned yankee bugler , adventures after that. material first 3 albums, conceived original blueberry creators, published in 1968–1970 mass market paperback sized super pocket pilote series, in total 9 16-page short stories, 8 of them constituting 1 story-arc set in war. first short story, tonnerre sur la sierra ( thunder on sierra ), post-war stand-alone adventure set before events depicted in lost dutchman s mine . exception of first , last, double jeu ( double cross ), other shorts published in black , white.

in 1995, giraud contradicted charlier s birth account of la jeunesse divulging had created tonnerre sur la sierra story himself, before charlier came civil war approach, scripted first episode of la jeunesse de blueberry. resembled regular series episode, smaller. charlier subsequently presented me idea: 1 concerning civil war. found excellent idea; writing started right away.

giraud created la jeunesse art smaller digest size format in mind, , adopted therefore more loose, less convoluted art style allowed him create pages more quickly, applying revised technique tonnerre sur la sierra . additionally, these stories started experiment applying inks in pen – alongside brush had hitherto exclusively employed series – , technique perfect later on mœbius . while resulting spontaneous art worked out fine smaller sized pages of superpocket pilote, did suffer enlargement hereafter mentioned album releases, when compared larger, more detailed pages pilote main series on concurrently continued work. still, experience gained on la jeunesse shorts served him well, when had create jim cutlass in hurry decade later, utilizing similar technique.

the publication of la jeunesse de blueberry ( blueberry s secret ) in 1975, first album collect first 3 shorts of civil war story-arc, came surprise blueberry fans. having left blueberry on cliffhanger angel face , when giraud took extended leave of absence (see above), clamor new blueberry titles became such, publisher dargaud decided make move temporary stop-gap solution. book publication, original pages blown , giraud extended in width, rearranged, (re-)colored panels omitted in process fit standard album format of 46 pages, when discounting 2 disclaimer pages. while removal of individual panels regrettable graphic art point of view – it, besides missing art, broke integrity of giraud s designed page lay-outs, in 3000 mustangs – , entailed no consequences plot of shorts, save first one; in blueberry s secret in synopsis mentioned long sam had witnessed murder blueberry accused of , therefore able prove innocence, gunned down before able real murderer, in turn gunned down blueberry, leaving blueberry without recourse prove innocence. however, book publication, 2 panels showed real murderer being killed cut, causing discrepancy left readers, unfamiliar original publication, wondering why blueberry despondent, as, point of view, real killer still alive.

the releases of 2 follow-up collection albums, un yankee nommé blueberry ( yankee named blueberry ) , cavalier bleu ( blue coats ), 4 years later (in indication dargaud had not planned initially, if substantial editorial effort took in pre-computer era adapt original digest size standard sized comic book), turned out in equal measure stop-gap initiative. unable resolve royalties conflict, had dragged on 5 years, charlier , giraud turned on parent publisher, leaving greener pastures elsewhere , taking of charlier s co-creations them. sensing might potentially turn out costly defection, 2 young blueberry titles released make of fervor had surrounded return of blueberry nez cassé . dargaud indeed turned out costly affair 3 1979/80 titles last new titles able release fifteen years, missing out on period of time in blueberry reached pinnacle of popularity – seeing, besides new titles in main series, birth of 2 spin-off series – , though publishing rights of older book titles remained were. thunder on sierra short numbered 14 pages instead of 16, no editorial cutting necessary third book. apart editorial changes fit book format , creation of new covers 2 additional albums, giraud made use of opportunity recreate small number of panels replace had felt unhappy in hindsight, spread on 3 albums.

dargaud considered three, original creator s, la jeunesse de blueberry book titles part of main series, until regained blueberry rights in late 1993, , such have therefore seen translations in of aforementioned languages well. apart expedited release of 2 additional la jeunesse titles, dargaud undertook subsequent action in attempt further profit upsurge in popularity of blueberry, releasing first six-volume blueberry integral edition of 1984. co-production french publisher fr:rombaldi, each of 6 volumes collected 4 titles of existing main series. rombaldi brought fold act intermediary in order negotiate separate license novedi have 4 novedi main series titles included in volumes 5 , 6, though dargaud performed copyright infraction making sure novedi not mentioned copyright holder in respective colophons. 3 la jeunesse titles collected in volume 6. in recognition assistance, rombaldi retained similar releases of 2 other dargaud western series, fr:jonathan cartland (see below) , fr:mac coy – each, blueberry, 1 of big 5 1970s franco-belgian realistic western comics – , combining of them in 1 overall, eleven-volume les géants du l ouest collection, promoted in contemporary advertisements.

the 1990 english language edition of these books catalan communications in comcat line, gave track of changes , presented left out panels in editorials in giraud himself presented clarifications choices made. in effect american readership first afforded clarification discrepancy in first book , editorial changes made, before european readers were, in editorials lofficier of releases. these first 3 books published in english. 3 american albums, again translated lofficier couple, also, unaltered , unedited, included in above-mentioned anthology collection graphitti designs. graphitti designs young blueberry anthology title differed others in not printed on high gloss paper, on matte paper in original comcat publications, indicating inclusion in graphitti moebius collection accounted , original print run of interior pages adjusted accordingly.

uncut anthologies have since been published in germany, denmark , norway publisher egmont , german subsidiary ehapa, volume 1 of massive 2006-2011 blueberry collection project, international effort collecting blueberry series in 1 integral, multi-volume anthology collection simultaneous release in these countries. of 2016 these releases stand out compressive blueberry release ever attempted, surpassing in scope similar efforts of parent publisher dargaud. stand-alone uncut anthologies of shorts, typically in black , white use made of original super pocket pilote source material instead of book versions, have been published in denmark (the above-mentioned 1990 edition), germany , croatia, albeit illegal 1 in latter case. none have seen day of light date in rest of world, including home country france.
in haste release 2 follow-up titles, in process having pay renegade giraud input, editorial office of dargaud made substantial editorial blunder. stated, 8 of 9 shorts constituted 1 long story-arc, dargaud placed chasse à l homme ( manhunt , fifth short in story-arc) penultimate 1 in book 3, causing awful continuity error. readers, not familiar original super pocket pilote publications, found facing baffling , inexplicable plot twist, aggravated publisher in unconvincing , confusing text captions tried explain discrepancy away, leaving uninitiated fans @ time erroneously suspecting not shorts being published. in publisher s defense however, should noted charlier had confusingly, unintentionally, given 2 of shorts identical title in french , not stretch of imagination assume editors believing 2 stories belonged each other. fortunately american readership, correct chronology, pursuant first correction in danish anthology earlier year, adhered in comcat releases. ironically, french themselves, indeed rest of europe, had wait until 1995 (the dutch beating french punch 1 year) before publisher, pursuant regaining blueberry rights, bothered correct chronology later reprint runs, after having allowed persevere 2 decades in numerous prior reprint runs language editions, danish , american editions excepted.
despite creators being entitled royalties, dargaud s ploy capitalize on upsurge in popularity of blueberry did not sit charlier, recognized was. in order vent displeasure, charlier again made use of exemption clause of syndication agency, , established temporary editions presses internationales (epi) imprint, under published small lieutenant blueberry pocket series of 3 outings in 1982, again using koralle s – in employ had been shortly before – infrastructure. making sure these 3 digit-sized releases technically , legally magazine releases, akin super pocket pilote source publications, shorts dargaud s 2 additional albums reprinted in series (oclc 474042925). shorts presented uncut, new coloring, featured redrawn panels giraud. ironically though, charlier failed correct chronology. drive home point, pockets contained charlier s 2 redbeard shorts, dargaud had employed similar ploy series, indeed had tanguy et laverdure matter. charlier licensed koralle follow suit establishing equally temporary gary publishing imprint identical publication in dutch. these among last known releases koralle, publisher in advanced state of becoming defunct. parent company axel springer allowed publications go through @ late stage, should considered token of goodwill in recognition of charlier s in smooth transition koralle novedi, these pockets saw no release in german home language, or in other matter. charlier concurrently farmed out license danish publisher interpresse (then novedi licensed blueberry publisher) publish blueberry shorts in jonah hex monthly magazine. dargaud @ time had license agreements competitors oberon , serieforlaget netherlands , denmark respectively.

change of artist


—wilson, 1984, on taking on young blueberry.


—charlier, 1985, in france-soir, reassuring blueberry fans.


—giraud, 1988, on getting protégé on way established blueberry artist.

after angel face completed in 1974, giraud took extended leave of absence blueberry, because wanted further explore , develop moebius alter ego, work produced such being published in métal hurlant magazine, in process revolutionizing franco-belgian world of bandes dessinées. having ended angel face on cliffhanger, giraud s return blueberry 5 years later broken nose became media event of considerable proportions , demand blueberry reached all-time high. creators decided revisit young blueberry adventures well, had ended run in super pocket pilote. however, giraud near able take on yet major series himself, still working on incal series moebius, besides having embarked on blueberry again.

there had been additional, more prosaic reason decision so. after giraud had finished la dernière carte he, having been invested throughout of adult life in new age beliefs , practices (which included use of mind-expanding substances), had left tahiti join commune of mystic jean-paul appel-guéry, latter had set there. after stay of 2 years, giraud moved united states in late 1984 , set shop firstly in santa monica, , subsequently in venice , woodland hills, california. in era work published marvel/epic market. publisher novedi feared, not entirely unjustified – release lag between 2 books had increased eighteen months 3 years – , endangered publication regularity of main series, , resurrecting, or more accurately, creating young blueberry series, back-up strategy had in mind. novedi had solid reasons so, new blueberry title in particular period of time enjoyed (all-language) european first print run of 500.000 copies – discounting later reprint run – , european standards respectable print run.

publisher , creators subsequently embarked on search suitable artist take on task. fate intervened when giraud, before departure tahiti, discovered work of still unknown ex-pat colin wilson new zealand, publishing science fiction comic series dans l ombre du soleil – wilson did both writing , art – french circus comic magazine, featured character raël (also first story title) shared stunning resemblance blueberry. wilson huge giraud fan himself , had modeled raël character after western hero had created new zealand fanzine strips, , in turn modeled after blueberry. ironically in hindsight, original black & white la jeunesse de blueberry shorts introduced wilson blueberry super pilote pocket issues had somehow found way new zealand, country without comic tradition speak of, according wilson. admiration franco-belgian bande dessinée artists, giraud in particular, became in 1980 driving force wilson try luck such in europe, aside fact native country did not afford opportunities become 1 professionally. drawings of giraud convinced me leave new zealand , wilson reiterated in 1986, if s european comics wanted part of . comic artist françois corteggiani brought wilson attention of giraud sending him few pages of raël comic, , in turn brought them attention of co-worker charlier (or vice-versa sources not in concordance each other).

unaware work brought attention of idol , co-worker, corteggiani arranged wilson s first face-to-face meeting them in september 1983 in paris. have discussion giraud, chance! , said delighted, non-french speaking wilson, s why said yes françois corteggiani . own surprise, wilson asked if interested take on new young blueberry series. after having accepted, developed close , warm working relationship charlier, , wilson/gale couple befriended both him , wife christine, household visits , forth. charlier couple not helped friends (neither of them french-speaking , staying on tourist visa in amsterdam @ time) settle firstly in brussels, belgium, , subsequently in provence, france, practical work details well, wilson later recalled, janet , tremendously lucky, charlier in many respects of kind uncle us. did not make fuss anything. stuck out neck me involving me, virtually unknown young artist, in success series. know tough nails publishers. fortunate though, negotiated on our behalf well, , profited deals struck. wilson signed 5 albums. corteggiani himself yet leave mark on la jeunesse de blueberry series later on. wilson became second, , last charlier artist, after giraud, whom author provided script pages in timely fashion, once receiving page overnighted kuwait author on documentary assignment, keep artist working.

after short apprenticeship (during produced blueberry study art) fine tune art style, close of giraud, in order have move closer of giraud, embarked fervor on project first outing les démons du missouri ( missouri demons ), became rationale young blueberry adventures become spin-off series onto own. working 7 days week ten twelve hours, wilson produced 5 6 pages month, using combination of pen , brush inks, idol had done jeunesse stories , had become inspiration wilson abandon rotring technical utensils had used in new-zealand.

as had in 1980 when giraud working on la longue marche assistant (see below), rumors abounded in tight-knit bande dessinée community giraud intended abandon blueberry. time around however, , unlike 1980, rumors found way outside world, causing anxiety in fan community. despite publisher s standing policy of releasing comics directly in album format, decided have les démons du missouri pre-published in newspaper france-soir, 1 of largest newspapers in france @ time, in effort counteract growing disquiet. first blueberry insofar daily newspapers concerned, black & white publication began @ start of 1985, wilson feeding newspaper half-pages went along. first half-page accompanied editorial charlier, in tried allay fears of fans (see quotebox). format measure repeated in 1987 wilson s second outing, terreur sur le kansas ( terror on kansas ), same newspaper, abandoned afterwards when wilson had become established blueberry artist himself. france-soir saw 2 half-pages (1b , 2a) terreur sur le kansas published not incorporated in album, released later year, print technical reasons (see blueberry biography in regard).

despite initial trepidations of fans, wilson s blueberrys favorably received, achieving print run numbers approximating of main series, seeing translations in many languages, english being glaring 1 of few exceptions of 2017. wilson has divulged novedi released first album in first french printing of 150.000 copies (novedi had taken on publication france well) , dutch first printing of 50.000 copies, huge step initial french 12.000 copy release raël album. french edition however, sold out in matter of weeks, , additional 20.000 copies followed suit in hurry. compared main series, first printing conservative french edition , ample dutch edition. had positive side-effect on science fiction series dans l ombre du soleil, saw german, dutch , danish translations after had embarked on blueberry. wilson though, had abandon series in 1989, having added 2 more titles, because blueberry demanded attention , energy, aside fact more successful 1 far, allowing couple move provence. not fans relieved, wilson had trepidations alleviated when met fans face-to-face first time @ several comic convention book signings after release of first album, grateful gracious reception , acceptance of blueberry, though of them concurrently , emphatically expressed relieve giraud continue artist main series.

while wilson working on terreur sur le kansas , asked giraud, had shortly returned europe, finish on le bout de la piste well, pressed time, preparing leave california had set shop. wilson did part of inking of le bout de la piste , while girlfriend janet gale, had followed him new zealand, took on coloring. giraud himself assigned task, being impressed work had done on fiancé s album. gale relative novice, started coloring on fiancé s dans l ombre du soleil series, having been unable find legitimate employment in europe due visa status. continue color future husband s blueberry books, several albums other artists released novedi. giraud himself moment wilson took on series no longer involved creatively, aside giving young colleague advise, did receive small inventor s fee per title, himself had coined it.

while several european countries (including outliers iceland , turkey) had, no post-original creators title – discounting newspaper serialization of first 2 wilson titles – has seen serialized comic magazine pre-publication in france/french-belgium itself, titles instead directly released books. time 1990 le raid infernal released however, virtually every other country had followed suit due demise of serialized magazine format.

like parent publisher dargaud, publisher novedi considered young blueberry books part of main series @ first until 1990, before instituted separate spin-off series, practical reason of wanting avoid further pollution of release numbering , chronology. dargaud s stance adhered in other european countries, among others in spain regular blueberry publisher grijalbo/ediciones junior released 1988-1996 las aventuras del teniente blueberry eight-volume integral collection, encompassing hitherto released blueberry albums, including of wilson. dargaud had previous les géants du l ouest collection, spanish had separately negotiate licenses koralle , novedi blueberry releases, unlike dargaud release, these publishers dutifully mentioned copyright holders in colophons of respective volumes. wilson s terreur sur le kansas became first album released separate la jeunesse series title in 1987, indicated on cover. therefore not dargaud took initiative move, rather novedi, due fact dargaud had lost publishing rights new blueberry titles, missing out on first five, successful, titles of new series explained. dargaud did adopt format, once these rights had returned them in late 1993.

catalan communications had planned publish missouri demons , terror on kansas , , beyond in english well, additions young blueberry series in comcat line 1991 onward (alongside hermann s comanche western incidentally, favorite of wilson), indicated on covers of 3 original ones published in 1989-1990. former had in effect received isbn number. publication came naught however, due near concurrent, otherwise coincidental, demises of both novedi , catalan communications in late 1989 , 1990 respectively.

jean-michel charlier , colin wilson

4: les démons du missouri (novedi, 1985/09, isbn 2803900262)—missouri demons (comcat comics, january 1991, isbn 0874161096; canceled)
5: terreur sur le kansas (novedi, 1987/10, isbn 2803900467)—terror on kansas (comcat comics, 1991, canceled)
6: le raid infernal (novedi, 1990/03, isbn 2803900645)

change of writer

while charlier s death in july 1989 did not cause succession problems main series explained, did not held true jeunesse series both charlier s heir, philippe charlier, , publisher considered wilson of unexperienced novice take on writing of major series himself, or himself had later put it, doubt if raël or mantell accounted @ dargaud [sic.] in regard . however, search replacement charlier, turned out rather tall order, none of established names in franco-belgian comic world found willing fill shoes of legendary charlier, whereas non-established names rejected pretty same reasons why wilson not considered replacement. then, in order break gridlock, wilson suggested françois corteggiani replacement, deeming logical , assumed corteggiani admirer of charlier. corteggiani had been 1 of lesser names in franco-belgian comic world, having predominantly written couple of short-lived humorous comic series , 1 realistic series, heavily godfather trilogy inspired mafia saga de silence et de sang – had abandoned in 1986 after 2 volumes, take on again ten years later, piggybacking on newfound notoriety blueberry writer. however, both critical , commercial success have eluded corteggiani, , time approached novedi , philippe charlier, had suspended own career bande dessinée artist, instead becoming tenured script writer french disney studios. credit, corteggiani refused @ first, same reason more established colleagues had done previously, conceded on insistence of wilson. wilson had personal reasons so, corteggiani personal friend of wilson-couple, aside practical reason living in vicinity of wilson-couple @ time. when non-french speaking wilson couple first arrived in europe, met corteggiani @ comic festival in lucca, italy. corteggiani took shining on newcomers , took them under wing. corteggiani, using vast franco-belgian comic world social network, introduced wilson publisher glénat, resulting in first european comic series dans l ombre du soleil, in process negotiating on behalf of friend. , related, corteggiani who, while keeping tabs on work of friend, introduced wilson s work blueberry creators. wilson reasoned suggesting cortegianni major series, return favor had provided him few years earlier, getting friend s bande dessinée career on track. actually, , wilson had started own thunderhawks comic series before charlier died, aviation comic set shortly after first world war in american south-west, had take backseat due fact blueberry series took precedence.

corteggiani s first order of business finish on script le raid infernal halfway completed charlier @ time of death. did satisfaction of parties involved, including wilson, , corteggiani retained jeunesse writer ever since.

the publication of wilson s fourth album la poursuite impitoyable in 1992 surprisingly still under novedi imprint, on year after publishing house had ceased exist. can explained fact wilson signed 5 albums novedi, , official receivers of defunct publisher wanted revenues legal , financial finalization of bankruptcy. album therefore became posthumous novedi release. legal issues apparently resolved time of publication of fifth wilson album, trois hommes pour atlanta 1 year later, released novedi s successor alpen publishers, becoming jeunesse title able release, before lost publication rights dargaud in late 1993.

françois corteggiani , colin wilson

7: la poursuite impitoyable (novedi, 1992/01, isbn 2803900734)
8: trois hommes pour atlanta (alpen publishers, 1993/06, oclc 413528824)
9: le prix du sang (dargaud, 1994/10, isbn 2205042823)

second change of artist


—giraud, 2005, opining on quality of la jeunesse de blueberry blanc-dumont , corteggiani.

françois corteggiani , michel blanc-dumont

10: la solution pinkerton (dargaud, 1998/11, isbn 2205045180)
11: la piste des maudits (dargaud, 2000/01, isbn 2205048511)
12: dernier train pour washington (dargaud, 2001/11, isbn 2205051741)
13: il faut tuer lincoln (dargaud, 2003/05, isbn 2205052012)
14: le boucher de cincinnati (dargaud, 2005/09, isbn 2205053744)
15: la sirene de vera-cruz (dargaud, 2006/10 isbn 2205055267)
16: 100 dollars pour mourir (dargaud, 2007/09, isbn 9782205056594)
17: le sentier des larmes (dargaud, 2008/11, isbn 9782205058444)
18: 1276 âmes (dargaud, 2009/09, isbn 9782205061444)
19: redemption (dargaud, 2010/09, isbn 9782205063226)
20: gettysburg (dargaud, 2012/05, isbn 9782205066548)
21: le convoi des bannis (dargaud, 2015/12, isbn 9782205067781)

no post-original creators editions have seen day of light in english language of 2016, but, source series, young blueberry spin-off series did see translations in numerous languages, 3 titles original creators , wilson outings specifically, appreciatively less subsequent releases. latter amply exemplified corteggiani/blanc-dumont versions, not favorably received – unlike wilson versions, first 3 outings notably received, in no small part due fact still being written co-creator charlier – indicated steadily diminishing popularity; had volume 12 still seen first-print run of 100.000 copies in france in 2001, 2015 number had dwindled 40.000 (which in france approaching cut-off point standard comic album being economically viable become published) when volume 21 released, aside fact several publishers had foregone publication of these book titles in countries altogether. of 2016, spin-off series corteggiani , blanc-dumont remains published in french, spanish, german, dutch, danish , italian, far cry 2 dozen languages main series had once been published in.

intermezzo: marshal blueberry


—vance, 1996, on experiences working on marshal blueberry.

this spin-off series second attempt, time alpen publishers, further capitalize on huge popularity both main, , wilson s blueberry series enjoyed @ time. written co-creator giraud, series set around events depicted in lost dutchman s mine , dealt scrupulous gun runners arming apaches, thereby instigating uprising. chosen publisher art work william vance, accomplished belgian comic artist in own right , renowned xiii comic series. vance, whom giraud had virtually no dealings in person, drew first 2 outings in series, declined afterwards continue, partly because required finish album in 4 months (in europe, 1 year typical mean complete comic book of 48 pages, not exceeds time span in recent decades) , unaccustomed giraud s style script writer. additionally, though first book sold 100.000 copies (while respectable, relatively modest compared contemporary print runs of 2 other series, being printed in numbers @ least double that), fans received book mixed feelings vance s style radical departure tastes of giraud. part of reasons why wilson s work young blueberry favorably received , partly reason why blanc-dumont s not. while conceding found vance s particular style seductive artificial – having been pleased first album, less second – , giraud himself disappointed , hurt defection of professional established vance reasons of aesthetics , integrity, wanted series executed 1 artist, deeming defection disastrous series. unresolved story cycle lingered in limbo 7 years, before giraud in person found fr:michel rouge – style closer – willing finish cycle.

that rouge s style resembled of giraud, hardly surprise, rouge not stranger blueberry. twenty years earlier, when rouge still quite unknown , aspiring comic artist, giraud took him on apprentice , had him ink pages 15–35 of la longue marche in 1980 – thereby doing aspiring artist jijé had done him 2 decades before that. @ time gave rise rumor giraud planning abandon co-creation , rouge groomed take on series. though rumor, there nuanced morsel of truth in it, rouge clarified 2 decades later, no, did not want abandon blueberry, rather sought support , perhaps opportunity create books, ones doing [mister blueberry]. @ time, playing notion of doing parallel series. though not blueberry, rouge did take on other famed contemporary franco-belgian western comic series, hermann s comanche. unfortunately, rouge not able regain popularity series once enjoyed, when still penciled hermann, , series suspended indefinitely after rouge had added 5 titles series. rouge s words notwithstanding though, , while has never acted upon in earnest, giraud did later admit there temptations in period of time.

originally intended become full-fledged series, 3 marshal blueberry titles have remained outings in series, though have seen several foreign language publications. although not in france itself, several european countries have seen serialized magazine pre-publication of first 2 titles. third 2000 title though, invariably directly released in book format virtually countries. no english language editions released. incidentally, in 2013 giraud returned favor vance had provided co-creation, when took on art work of volume 18 xiii series, , has seen english translations.

jean giraud , william vance, page layout rené follet

1: sur ordre de washington (alpen publishers, 1991/11, isbn 2731609885)
2: mission sherman (alpen publishers, 1993/06, oclc 801093625)

jean giraud , michel rouge

3: frontière sanglante (dargaud, 2000/06, isbn 2205042777)

sequel: blueberry 1900


—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.