The Whale Library: Volume 0

Judith Vanistendael is the daughter of acclaimed Brussels poet and essayist Geert Van Istendael. Judith chose to express her art via bande dessinée, a form she studied at the Sint-Lukas Institute in Belgium. With publisher Le Lombard she has created several graphic novels which have met with critical success, including "David, les femmes et la mort" ("When David Lost His Voice," SelfMadeHero) and "Les Deux vies de Pénélope" ("The Two Lives of Penelope," Europe Comics). Most recently she illustrated the poetic fable "La Baleine bibliothèque" (Le Lombard; "The Whale Library," Europe Comics), alongside scriptwriter Zidrou.

Zidrou (Benoît Drousie) was born in 1962 in Brussels. Starting out as a teacher, he began writing books and songs for children in the early '90s. In 1991, he met the illustrator Godi with whom he created "L'Elève Ducobu" (Le Lombard; "Ducoboo," Cinebook). And thus his career as a comics writer began! He created numerous series for children and teenagers, from "Crannibales" to "Tamara" and "Sac à Puces," all with Dupuis, as well as "Scott Zombi," published by Casterman. Zidrou also took over the series "La Ribambelle" (Dargaud). With Dargaud as well, he is the author of the more realistic but no less sensitive "La Peau de l'ours" ("Bearskin," Europe Comics), "Le Client" ("The Client," Europe Comics), "Lydie" (Europe Comics in English), "Les Folies Bergère" (Europe Comics in English), "La Mondaine" ("Vice Squad," Europe Comics), and "Les 3 Fruits." In 2015, Zidrou was back in fine form with three new titles published by Dargaud, across multiple genres: "Bouffon," with Francis Porcel; a new family series called "Les Beaux Étés," with Jordi Lafebre ("Glorious Summers," Europe Comics); and, in collaboration with Philippe Berthet, a thriller set in the deepest and darkest regions of Australia, "Le Crime qui est le tien" ("A Hell of an Innocent," Europe Comics). More recently, he has also completed the "African Trilogy" with artist Raphaël Beuchot (Le Lombard/Europe Comics), including "Le Montreur d'histoires" ("Once Upon a Time in Africa"), "Tourne-disque" ("Record Player") and "Un tout petit bout d'elles" ("A Little Piece of Her"), as well as rebooting the classic thriller series "Ric Hochet" alongside artist Simon Van Liemt (Le Lombard; Europe Comics in English). In 2017, he embarked on yet another new series with José Homs, the fantastic adventure saga "Shi" (Dargaud; Europe Comics in English) stretching across two centuries in England, and his bibliography grew further with the publication of the wonderfully surreal "Natures mortes" (Dargaud; "The Muse," Europe Comics). One of the most prolific comics scriptwriters of our time, his work continues to surprise and delight with each new creation.