(Immagine © Isabelle Franciosa)
Alex Alice, born in 1974 and raised in southern France, is a renowned cartoonist and artist, usually working in France and occasionally in the U.S. During his travels in Europe, he discovered an innate love for Roman and Medieval ruins.
This newly discovered fascination for past epochs was the main source of inspiration behind his art, starting with the gloomy medieval setting of the esoteric thriller “The Third Testament” (Panini Comics, 1997-2003, written together with Xavier Dorison) to the primordial and mythological world of “Siegfried” (Panini Comics, 2007-2011), an interpretation of the Nordic saga of the great dragon slayer.
His interests range from cinema to animation, from painting to illustration (he won two Spectrum Fantastic Art awards for his covers), up to fine arts and sculpture. In 2015, he held an exhibition of sculptures depicting Siegfried, along with the French sculptor Christophe Charbonnel.
His “Siegfried” was later turned into a video performance with Wagner’s music, accompaneid by the Orchestre National de Lyon.
Today, his latest series is probably his most personal work. “The Castle in the Stars” (published in Italy by Mondadori) was inspired by Jules Verne and 19th century romanticism and creates an aquatic world of adventures and wonders, which has enchanted both adult and young readers. A special exhibition dedicated to this series was held in 2017 by the International Comic Festival of Angoulême, showing 70 original artworks along with costumes, props and models. His works have been translated in 19 languages.
Alex Alice is the Angoulême Guest of Honour at Lucca Comics & Games 2019.
(Translated by S.S.M.L. Pisa)
