Jan

8

An Interview with Ivan Brun, French Komikero

Filed Under Comics Artists, Video Blogs | 6 Comments

Ivan Brun is a French comics writer and artist who has created comic books like Otaku, Lowlife, and his newest book, “No Comment“. Ivan’s stories are often quite realistically brutal while drawn in a very cartoony style, intensifying drama through the stark contrast.

“No Comment” is appropriate as the stories are told wordless, relying completely on Ivan’s skill as a storyteller. And Ivan is an incredibly good storyteller, opting to keep things simple and easy to read through the use of the 12 panel grid all throughout.

But what I find remarkable about Ivan’s work is the unmistakable Filipino quality to his art. The first time I saw one of his drawings was a few years ago. It was a drawing that depicted a typical Filipino scene of people jampacked and sweating inside an FX van with a busted aircon.

Although based in Lyon, France, Ivan makes frequent trips to the Philippines to visit a relative in Palawan. He passed by San Pablo City last January 2 to attend a concert, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet with Ivan and interview him for this site.

I actually met Ivan previously, some two years ago, when he went to San Pablo to meet with me and the Komikeros. That makes him a bonafide member of the Komikero Artists’s Group. We didn’t have much chance to talk back then as it was a hectic time. I’m glad to have had the chance to really hang out with the guy this time around.

Turns out he’s pretty cool, and very passionate about telling stories that matter to him in a medium that he loves doing.


Interview with Ivan Brun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-CfphtF0ec

Stripburger by Ivan Brun
http://www.ljudmila.org/stripcore/warburger/ivan.htm
(Check out the Pinoy jeepneys!)

Ivan Brun Interview Part 1 (French)
Ivan Brun Interview Part 2 (French)

Comments

6 Responses to “An Interview with Ivan Brun, French Komikero”

  1. dennis villegas on January 9th, 2009 8:16 am

    These French comics creators are some of the best in the world. They may not be popular in mainstream America, but in Europe, they are the most popular. Ivan Brun is a very talented creator. I like his work a lot. Another French I really like is Guy Delisle who produced the award-winning “Pyongyang”, comics docu.

  2. Joe on January 9th, 2009 11:16 pm

    I’d never come across this artist before, Gerry, but his work looks fascinating. Always great to be exposed to good new writing, thanks.

  3. Adrian on January 10th, 2009 12:46 am

    I was fortunate to have met Ivan last week. I was able to see his book and it does look great. But he didn’t let me see some of the… er, “action” pages.

    It was a pleasure buying him a shot of espresso.

  4. Gerry Alanguilan on January 10th, 2009 7:01 am

    Kasi Adrian you look like a little boy. He thought you might not be old enough to see them. he.he.

  5. johnny on January 11th, 2009 4:21 pm

    Ahaay, si fafah IVAN!!!!

    ….tsk, sayang, ‘di ko siya na-meet uli….

  6. mojacko on January 12th, 2009 5:25 pm

    mukhang manga yung style, especially the eyes