Vica

Vica is one of the most controversial French comic artists of the 1930s and 1940s. Because of his Nazi-sympathies, inspired by his anti-Communist past, his work has often been ignored, but it is definitely worth mentioning here. Vica was a lieutenant in the Tsarist Army in Russia who had to flee to France after the Bolshevik revolution. He often went by the name André Vickovic, claiming he was born in Lithuania in 1911. His pseudonym, Vica, is short for his real Russian name: Vikenty. To complicate matters, Vica also used this nickname for the main character in his comics.

His first graphic endeavor most likely was a series of publicity pamphlets made for a company called Banania in 1935. In the same year, he started publishing his comic books: 'Les Aventures de Vica', 'Vica au Pôle Nord', 'Vica au Fond d'un Volcan', 'Vica Scaphandrier' and 'Poum Plum'. In 1936, 'Les Extraordinaires Aventures de Bib et Bob Chez les Gangsters' appeared in the Paris-Soir Dimanche. He continued the adventures of Vica at publisher Théophraste Renaudot from 1940 until 1942. In 1940, working with the artist Ringard, Vica created 'Le Rêve Merveilleux de Madame Cinq Tonnes chez les Mammouths', also in 1940. In 1943, Vica created 'Le Fantôme de la Tour Eiffel' for the Nazi newspaper Le Téméraire.

Vica's political ideas became especially transparent in three albums: 'Vica au Paradis de l'U.R.R.S.', 'Vica Contre le Service Secret Anglais' and 'Vica Contre l'Oncle Sam'. These publications established Vica's reputation as a racist. It is said that, after the War, he spent some time in prison in Fresnes. After 1945, only three Vica albums are known: 'Pousse-Tout et Passe-Partout', under the pseudonym Tim; and 'Le Cirque Mitou' and 'Le Corbeau et le Renard', which he signed VK. Despite his indefensible ideologies, Vica's work is notable for its engaging graphic style.