Javier Ballester, who uses the pseudonym Montesol, was born in Barcelona in 1952. He started his career in <a href="/comics/underground.htm">underground comix</a>, developing his clear line style in magazines and publications such as Cairo, Makoki and Star. He was a member of El Rollo Enmascadero, and created comics such as 'Marcelo, el Hombre sin Pasado' and 'Don Vito'. During a trip to Paris in 1985, he joined Jean-Pierre Guillemot and took up painting. His work became quite famous and has been exhibited in several galleries.