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 comic scene. He is best known as the co-creator of the globally popular animated TV series 'Inspector Gadget' (1983-1986). At DiC Entertainment, Saban Entertainment and SIP Entertainment he worked on various other children's animated TV series until he established his own cartoon studio Gingko Animation (2008).
Early comic art by Bruno Bianchi.
Early life and career
Bruno Bianchi was born in 1955 in Chartres, 90 kilometers south west of Paris. He studied at the Brassart art school in Tours, after which he joined the animation department of DiC Entertainment in 1977, where he worked alongside Philippe Bouchet (Manchu), Jean Barbaud and Marie-Pierre Journet. The four artists, joined by their friend Patrick Lavaud, also ventured into the world of comic fanzines. They launched Basket Bitume, for which they won the "Saucisson Smith" award at the 1979 Angoulême Comics Festival. With Philippe Pitaud, Bianchi also published the comic book fanzine BD-SIGHT and the comic book 'Même l'Enfer est Irrespirable' when he was still in school. For his comic artwork, Bianchi generally used the pen name B.Burn's. At DiC, Bianchi participated as a director in projects like 'Cro et Bronto' (1980), the educational TV series 'Archibald le Magichien' ("Archibald the Magic Dog", 1980-1981) and their breakthrough series 'Ulysses 31' (1981-1982), based on Greek mythology.
'Même L'Enfer Est Irrespirable'.
Inspector Gadget
Together with DiC founder Jean Chalopin and Andy Heyward, Bianchi created his best known series 'Inspector Gadget' (1983-1986). Inspector Gadget is a cyborg who fights against the evil organization M.A.D., headed by the mysterious Dr. Claw. He is equipped with numerous gadgets which would help him solve his cases, if it weren't for the fact that he is extraordinarily clumsy. Usually his niece Penny and her dog Brain bring all his missions to a good end. Thematically, 'Inspector Gadget' borrowed a lot from the spy comedies 'Get Smart' and Inspector Clouseau in the 'Pink Panther' franchise. The animated TV series went into development in 1981, and a pilot episode was made in the following year. Bill White was an animator and James Craig a storyboard artist on the show. Between 1983 and 1986, two seasons were broadcast with high ratings all over the planet. The show is also remembered for the catchy theme song by Shuki Levy and Haim Saban. 'Inspector Gadget' has been adapted into comics (among others by Bill Titcombe and Dave Windett), 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'.
Final years
From the 1980s until the early 2000s, Bianchi has worked on several other cartoon series, not only for DiC, but also for Saban Entertainment and S.I.P. Animation. He has production, art and director's credits on 'Rainbow Brite' (1984), 'Heathcliff' (1984-1986) (based on George Gately's comic strip of the same name), 'Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors' (1985), 'MASK' (1985), 'Popples' (1986), 'Diplodo' (1987), 'Beverly Hills Teens' (1987), 'Iznogoud' (based on Jean Tabary's comic strip, 1996-1997), 'Princess Sissi' (1997) and 'Gadget and the Gadgetinis' (2003) and 'W.I.T.C.H.' (2004-2006). Bianchi also contributed to 'Les Voyages de Corentin' (1993), a TV adaptation of Paul Cuvelier's comic series 'Corentin', produced 'Achille Talon' ('Walter Melon', 1997), based on Greg's comic series of the same name, and directed episodes of 'Manu' (1990-1997), based on Frank Margerin 's comic series 'Manu'.
Bruno Bianchi continued to work through his own studio, Ginkgo Animation, from 2008 until his death in December 2011.
Comic based on the 'Inspector Gadget' episode 'Monster Lake' (artist unknown).