15 replies to this topic

[Doug Nye]

Albert Uderzo - writer of the wonderful ’Asterix the Gaul’ books so brilliantly illustrated by his co-conspirator Rene Goscinny - has died, aged 92. As well as producing those superb comic books Italian-born Uderzo was a great Ferrari fan, his collection over time including 288GTO, F40, F50, the J-C Andruet 308 and even both a 512M and a 365P2 sports-prototype... A star player...

DCN

[Graham Gauld]

Yes, Doug, very sad. He was a nice guy. Met him about 20 years ago when he still had the 512M . We were at Mas du Clos , Pierre Bardinon's circuit where Albert was happily whisking pals round the circuit at this Ferrari Club of France social event. I will never forget when we were having a conversation a little girl came up and stood beside us. Uderzo paused in his reply, turned to the little girl and said " Are you waiting for me ? " she shyly nodded and said " oui " so as I walked away down the paddock I saw him squat down and start an animated conversation with her. A few years later at the Moroso circuit in Florida during the Cavallino Classic Ed Leslie turned up with Uderzo's 512M to race so the car is still alive and well in the USA

[jtremlett]

You've got that the wrong way round Doug.  Uderzo was the illustrator and Goscinny was the writer.  After Goscinny's death, Uderzo wrote them as well.

[Graham Gauld]

Was just about to say that.   Albert was the artist.

[Michael Ferner]

Thirded - yep, Uderzo drew ‘em.

And yes, that's a sad day - a great man, I recall how I couldn't wait to learn how to read because I wanted to read the comics, as well as looking at those funny guys with the big noses.

[nexfast]

He was also the first illustrator of another famous series, at least in the francophone world: "Tanguy et Laverdure", two courageous French fighter pilots. Seems in English they were called "Flying Furies" and appeared in a magazine called Lion (according to Wikipedia which I know is not a popular source in this forum).

[Duc-Man]

Sad news for many that grew up with his Asterix comics, like me.

 

Didn't he also own some special bodied one off Ferraris? I remember a 512 BB Uderzo mentioned somewhere.

[Henk Vasmel]

Don't forget several motor racing references in the Asterix stories. I have to look them up, but remember Le Mans, Schumacher etc. And the next to last episode which is pure Mille Miglia, but that was after Uderzo's days, though based on his heritage.

[Mallory Dan]

He was also the first illustrator of another famous series, at least in the francophone world: "Tanguy et Laverdure", two courageous French fighter pilots. Seems in English they were called "Flying Furies" and appeared in a magazine called Lion (according to Wikipedia which I know is not a popular source in this forum).

That series was shown in Britain as "The Aeronauts", brilliant it was too. Guy Laverdure and Michel Tanguy (I'm amazed I recall their names after nearly 50 years!) were Mirage Fighter pilots, and got up to various aviation adventures in France and its colonies. Some great footage of them flying, also various other French and other Air Forces planes. One was blond and a bit of a joker, the other more suave and a ladies man! Superb stuff

[nexfast]

Quite possible they called Laverdure, "Guy" , in the Bristish Version . In French his first name was Ernest.

[GTMRacer]

Asterix the Gaul books were what started me and many of my peers off on a lifetime of reading, sad to here but a life well lived, he only stopped in 2011, at a youthful 83.

I like to think he must of fallen in the magic potion like Obelix!

Edited by GTMRacer, 24 March 2020 - 22:10.

[Jack-the-Lad]

He was a wonderful talent and a great Ferrari enthusiast. I wish I had met him.

[wolf sun]

R.I.P. Albert.

 

Thank you for all the happy days spent reading your wonderful bandes dessinées.

[ReWind]

I never expected to see an Albert Uderzo thread on TNF. I just wonder why there is no Kenny Rogers thread. At least he had a racing team named after him and even a racing car named after one of his songs (both by his pal C.K. Spurlock).

 

Reason for editing: Spelling.

Edited by ReWind, 26 March 2020 - 14:36.

[Michael Ferner]

True, but Rogers had nothing to do with that. Spurlock was promoting shows with KR at the time, and used his team to promote his own business.

[ReWind]

That's why I phrased it the way I did.