'La Vengeance' (2024).
David Wautier is a Belgian children's book writer and illustrator. He drew short stories and travel diary comics for Capsule Cosmique, while debuting as a graphic novelist in 2024, with the western comics 'La Vengeance' (2024) and 'Le Tempête' (2024). Wautier is particularly notable for his lavish and atmospheric background art.
Early life and career
David Wautier was born in 1980 in Nivelles (Nijvel), where he also grew up. During his youth, he enjoyed John Ford western movies and also devoured comics in this genre, like Morris' 'Lucky Luke', Jean Giraud's 'Blueberry' and Derib's 'Yakari' and 'Buddy Longway'. Another favorite were the 'Spirou et Fantasio' comics by André Franquin. Wautier studied illustration at the Institut Saint-Luc in Brussels. One of his earliest graphic assignments was making a poster for a theatrical play, while he also won awards for his work. Later Wautier lived in the Brussels suburb of Ixelles, before settling down in Saint-Giles (Sint-Gillis).
In his professional life, David Wautier gained notability as a children's book writer and illustrator. In the series 'Histoires Comme ça' (Alice Jeunesse), he published the books 'Paul Chasseur d'Ogres' and 'Herbert et la Machine' (2003), followed by 'L'Étape du Tour de France' (Fureur de Lire, 2021) and 'Montre-Toi, Montagne!' (Le Diplodocus, 2022). Wautier is also active as a singer, guitarist and pianist. Together with a drummer and designer, nicknamed Abdel de Bruxelles, he created the musical project 'The Musician, The Dancer and the Bird'.
'Monte-toi, Montagne' (2022).
Comics
Wautier's earliest comics ran in the monthly children's magazine Capsule Cosmique as short stories. In 2012, he presented his mountaineering activities in a comic strip-style diary. Wautier has also posted graphic work on his blog.
In 2024, Wautier released the western comic book 'La Vengeance' (Anspach, 2024). The plot follows a cattle owner whose wife is raped and murdered. Out for revenge, he sells his farm and tries to track down his killers. Since he can't leave his children behind, he takes them with him, even though they are not equipped to go on such a long and dangerous journey. All the action is set in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. Wautier never visited the USA, but researched his project with the use of maps. A few months later, he released a pantomime children's comic book, 'La Tempête' (Le Diplodocus, 2024), of which the plot revolves around a family that crosses the Far West, while a storm is coming.
Recognition
In 2000, David Wautier was selected for an exposition at the Comics Festival of Knokke-Heist, while winning the 2001 “Coup du Coeur” at a comics festival of Ganshoren. In 2002, his poster for the week of the Children's Book was selected for an exhibition at the Brussels Book Fair.
'La Tempête' (2024).