Jacques Tardi, a renowned French comic artist, was born on August 30, 1946, in the charming city of Valence, Drôme. This talented individual, often referred to simply as Tardi, embarked on his artistic journey after graduating from the prestigious École nationale des beaux-arts de Lyon and the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs in Paris.
Tardi's comic career began in 1969, when he was just 23 years old, by illustrating short stories for the esteemed Franco-Belgian comics magazine Pilote. Initially, he worked alongside prominent writers Jean Giraud and Serge de Beketch, before creating his own political fiction story, Rumeur sur le Rouergue, from a scenario by Pierre Christin in 1972.
Tardi's work has been widely acclaimed, and many of his books have been published in English by Fantagraphics Books, with the expertise of co-founder Kim Thompson in editing and translation.
In 2013, Tardi was nominated as a Chevalier in France's prestigious Legion of Honour, the country's highest distinction. However, he declined this honor, stating that he preferred to "remain a free man and not be held hostage by any power whatsoever."
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