Comic books based on 'Inspector Gadget', published by Editions Greantori.
Bruno Bianchi was a French animator, animated TV director and producer, whose career began in the French small press comics scene. Most of his comics at the time were signed with the pseudonym B.Burn's. During the 1980s, he worked as a director, producer and graphic designer for the animation studio DIC Entertainment, where his biggest hit was the humorous spy series 'Inspector Gadget' (1983-1986). Later, Bianchi also worked for Saban Entertainment and SIP. In 2008, he established his own animation studio, Gingko Animation.
Early life and career
Bruno Bianchi was born in 1955 in Chartres, 90 kilometers southwest of Paris. In high school, he teamed up with his friend Philippe Pitaud to create the comic fanzine BD-SIGHT. He later studied at the University Institute of Technology (IUT) in Tours, where he became a well-known figure with his lanky appearance, British sense of humor and trademark Solex moped. As an artist, he was self-taught. After his studies, in 1977, Bianchi joined the animation department of Jean Chalopin's DIC (Diffusion Information Communication).
Early comic art by Bruno Bianchi.
Small press comics
In his spare time, Bianchi became active in the Tours scene of comic fanzines, assuming the pen name B.Burn's. Together with his DIC colleagues Philippe Bouchet (Manchu), Jean Barbaud and Marie-Pierre Journet, additionally joined by their friend Patrick Lavaud, Bianchi launched Basket Bitume, a juvenile zine mixing science fiction, vague political undertones and lowbrow humor. Its mascot was a rather obscene goat with protruding udders. In January 1979, Basket Bitume won a "Saucisson Smith" Award at the Angoulême Comics Festival. Due to an error, the prize was shared with the P.L.G.P.P.U.R. fanzine of Philippe Morin et Pierre-Marie Jamet. Again with Philippe Pitaud, he subsequently released the self-published comic book 'Même l'Enfer est Irrespirable' ("Even Hell Is Unbearable", 1982)
'Même L'Enfer Est Irrespirable'.
DIC Entertainment
An employee of DIC Entertainment since 1977, Bruno Bianchi worked on several classic animated cartoons series of the 1980s. By the end of the 1970s, DIC founder Jean Chalopin signed deals with several Japanese animation studios, expanding his company to the international market. During their heyday, the team divided its time between Paris, Los Angeles and Japan. As an animation director, Bianchi worked on TV series like 'Cro et Bronto' (1980), the educational show 'Archibald le Magichien' ("Archibald the Magic Dog", 1980-1981) and their breakthrough hit 'Ulysses 31' (1981-1982), a science fiction series based on Homer's ancient Greek epic 'Odyssey'. Part of the golden team of Chalopin-Deyriès-Bianchi, he is credited as a producer, director and graphic designer on TV series like 'Rainbow Brite' (1984), 'Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats' (1984-1986, based on George Gately's comic strip of the same name), 'Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors' (1985), 'M.A.S.K.' (1985) and 'Popples' (1986).
Inspector Gadget
Together with DIC founder Jean Chalopin and Andy Heyward, Bianchi created the series he is best known for, 'Inspector Gadget' (1983-1986). DIC staple Bernard Deyriès was a character designer on the series. Modelled largely after Bianchi himself, Inspector Gadget is a cyborg policeman who fights the evil organization M.A.D, headed by the mysterious Dr. Claw, who always remains offscreen, except for his iron-gloved right arm. Gadget is equipped with numerous gadgets which would help him solve his cases, if he wasn't so extraordinarily clumsy. Usually his niece Penny and her dog Brain bring all his missions to a good end, although Gadget gets the credits, prompting Chief Quimby to constantly recruit him again.
Thematically, 'Inspector Gadget' borrowed a lot from the spy comedy 'Get Smart' and the Inspector Clouseau character in the 'Pink Panther' franchise. The animated TV series went into development in 1981, and a pilot episode was made the following year. Bill White was an animator and James Craig a storyboard artist for the show. Between 1983 and 1986, two seasons were broadcast with high ratings all over the planet. The show is particularly remembered for the catchy theme song by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban. 'Inspector Gadget' has been adapted into comics (created by Bill Titcombe and Dave Windett, among other people), video games, TV specials, animated feature films and two live-action films. Robb Bihun worked as a storyboard artist on the 1999 live-action movie 'Inspector Gadget'.
Comic based on the 'Inspector Gadget' episode 'Monster Lake' (artist unknown).
Saban and SIP Entertainment
From the second half of the 1980s until the early 2000s, Bianchi worked on several cartoon series for other studios, notably Saban Entertainment and S.I.P. Animation. He has production and director's credits on 'Diplodo' (1987), 'Beverly Hills Teens' (1987), 'Iznogoud' (based on Jean Tabary's comic strip, 1996-1997), 'Princess Sissi' (1997), 'Gadget and the Gadgetinis' (2003) and 'W.I.T.C.H.' (2004-2006), among several other series. Other comics-related animated projects Bianchi contributed to were series based on Paul Cuvelier's 'Les Voyages de Corentin' (1993), Greg's 'Achille Talon' ('Walter Melon', 1997) and Frank Margerin 's 'Manu' (1990-1997).
Final years and death
In 2008, SIP Animation closed down and Bianchi established his own animation studio, Gingko Animation. One of their projects was a TV adaptation of the comic series 'Georges et Moi', by Antoine Ozanam and Maroin Eluasti, which was eventually scrapped. Bruno Bianchi continued to work through his own Ginkgo Animation studio until his death from cancer in December 2011. He was only 56 years old.
Bruno Bianchi (with glasses) and Jean Barbaud, working at DIC Entertainment.
Bruno Bianchi tribute at comixtrip.fr