Comic from Cadet Revue (1936).
Alain Saint-Ogan, the son of a newspaper editor, started his career in 1913, when some of his drawings were published for the first time. He served in World War I, and became a cartoonist and newspaperman after his return. In 1925 he created the comic strip 'Zig et Puce', for the French weekly Dimanche Illustré. It was an instant success.
'Princesse Irmine' (Dimanche Illustré, 31 July 1938).
This series featured also a penguin called Alfred, whose character became a popular mascot, which was even taken by aviator Charles Lindbergh in his famous plane Spirit of St-Louis, when he was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. "The Alfred" is now the most coveted prize given at the French Angoulême comic festival. In the 1950s, the series 'Zig et Puce' was taken over by Greg. In the 1920s and 1930s 'Zig et Puce' was translated in Dutch as 'Van Ted en Minet' (in the Dutch magazine Zonneland) and 'Loetje and Loutje' (in Flemish magazines), but in the 1950s they were renamed 'Kees en Klaas' in the Dutch translation for Tintin magazine.
'Zig et Puce'.
Saint-Ogan continued with a number of other comic features, such as 'Mitou et Toti', 'Prosper l'Ours', 'Monsieur Poche' and 'Touitoui'. Apart from creating comics, Saint-Ogan wrote, illustrated and became the editor of children's magazine Benjamin in 1941.
'Zig et Puce'.
Saint-Ogan was also the main illustrator and editor-in-chief of the magazine Cadet-Revue, that appeared in the 1930s. For this magazine, he created among others 'Jakitou Ministre'. During World War II he was active in the Resistance, and afterwards he went on to host a radio show and became a TV producer, as well as a writer of several novels and two memoires. He retired from his activities during the 1960s, and died in 1974.
Alain Saint-Ogan is widely recognized as the artist who gave a fresh impetus to French comics, introducing an art-deco look which has inspired countless artists, including the famous Hergé. He also influenced André Franquin, René Goscinny, Marc Sleen, Joost Swarte and Albert Uderzo.
In 1967, Saint-Ogan was the first cartoonist ever to be honored by having his effigy coined on a medal.
'Nizette et Robinet' (Baby Journal #17, 1948).
'Le Génial M. Poche'.