Maurice De Bevere, a prominent and celebrated Belgian cartoonist, comics artist, and illustrator, left an indelible mark on the world of visual storytelling. He is widely recognized and revered for his creation of the legendary comic series, Lucky Luke, which follows the adventures of a rugged and charismatic gunslinger as he navigates the lawless and unforgiving terrain of the American Wild West.
Morris's life story began on December 1, 1923, in Kortrijk, Belgium, where his early years were characterized by a profound fascination with the art of drawing.
Morris's professional journey commenced following his academic pursuits, as he entered the realm of the Compagnie Belge d'Actualités (CBA),a renowned animation studio, where he had the privilege of collaborating with like-minded artistic talents, including the esteemed Peyo, André Franquin, and Eddy Paape.
Morris, the renowned comic book creator, initiated the development of a remarkable character in 1946, specifically designing Lucky Luke for the esteemed Franco-Belgian comics magazine, Spirou, which is published by the reputable Dupuis. Lucky Luke is a singular cowboy, wandering the vast expanse of the Wild West, extending a helping hand to those in need, and relying on the unwavering loyalty of his faithful equine companion, Jolly Jumper.
The inaugural adventure of this iconic character, "Arizona 1880", was first published in the esteemed L'Almanach Spirou 1947, which was released on December 7, 1946.
Morris, a pioneering artist, rose to prominence within the esteemed magazine, assuming a pivotal role within the esteemed publication's creative landscape. His association with Jijé, André Franquin, and Will led to the formation of the renowned La bande des quatre, a collective of four artists who shared a studio in Waterloo, thereby fostering a profound and enduring friendship as well as a fruitful artistic partnership.
It was in the year 1948 that a trio of esteemed comic artists, comprising Morris, Jijé, and Franquin, embarked on a transatlantic journey to the United States, where they would spend several years, with Morris opting to extend his stay for a period of six years.
During this prolonged sojourn, Morris had the opportunity to cross paths with a pair of influential figures in the comic book industry, namely Jack Davis and Harvey Kurtzman, with whom he played a pivotal role in the founding of the iconic Mad magazine at EC Comics.
Furthermore, Morris's time in the United States also provided him with the chance to meet and form a lasting bond with René Goscinny, a renowned French comic artist and writer, with whom he would go on to develop a remarkably successful and enduring creative partnership.
Renowned French writer, René Goscinny, made a profound impact on the world of comics, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that would be cherished for generations to come. Between the years of 1955 and his untimely passing in 1977, Goscinny penned every single Lucky Luke story, his remarkable creativity and wit weaving a narrative that has become an integral part of European comic book heritage.
His partnership with illustrator Jean-Michel Charlier resulted in the conception of some of the most iconic and beloved comic series in Europe, with Lucky Luke and Asterix being two of the most notable and enduring creations to emerge from their collaborative efforts.
