François Gilson is born on the 16th of November, 1965, in à Arolsen, Germany. His father, who is in the army, is stationed there. It is in Liège, however, where he still lives, that he starts his career in comic strips with his friend Clarke (born on the very same day) by founding the fanzine CAFARD. This first attempt has an impressive result: the headmaster of their strict catholic school is not amused by their sarcastic sense of humour and uses this perfect excuse to throw them out.
At the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Liège, Gilson discovers that he hardly has any talent for drawing, but enjoys scriptwriting all the more. Patrick Pinchart, chief editor of Spirou at that time, encourages him to continue in that direction, and Marc Hardy, the illustrator from Liège of “Pierre Tombal”, gives him lots of advice.
In spite of the support from these two patrons, times are hard: Gilson works hard, contributes to the fanzine IMPAYABLE and teams up with Clarke to publish, in 1987, his first book “Rebecca – Bon anniversaire, Papy” with the small local publishing company Khani. He then does his military service, driving back and forth between Belgium and Germany every day in a mail truck.
His perseverance soon makes him the patented gagman in the protective shadows of SPIROU. In between numerous projects put on ice he works with Serge Carrère (“Carmela”), Wilbur Duquesnoy (“Comiques Strips”), Glem (“Non-Sense”), Guilhem Bec (“La Tribu des Épithètes”), Gos and Walt (“Les Galaxiens”), E 411 (“Hervé T. T.”) and even the eternally present Clarke for the small funny comic strips of “Africa Jim”.
In 1990 he creates “Garage Isidore”. His cooperation with Olis was decided upon after a unique experience: the illustrator, who didn’t know the first thing about mechanics, had some qualms about embarking on a series in which cars would appear rather prominently. Gilson solemnly assured him that he was an expert on the subject. As it happened, Olis’ car had just broken down. Gilson asked him to describe the symptoms and immediately diagnosed a problem with the clutch. The very first mechanic they consulted had to confirm this diagnosis, and Olis, totally convinced, accepted to illustrate a series developed by such an expert.
In 1995, Gilson links up once more with his friend Clarke for “Mélusine”, and is finally able to give free rein to this sacrilegious and enchanting eloquence of his, which scared off certain virtuous readers of CAFARD…
With Bercovici he then explores the realm of organised holiday trips with his disorienting “Cactus Club”.
Gilson currently prepares a realistic detective novel. Finally, he admits that he would love to fly. He has already jumped with a parachute, and has even done bungee jumping from a sixty-metre crane. Sounds like a new gag…
