Shovel has published this year the second volume of the series "Amborie" which is called "Un collier pour parler."  The first episode has caused quite a stir even up till the Mainland France.  How far are we since the series "Invincibles," the famous thriller cartoon in black and white?  The cartoonist is getting a real kick with "Amborie" whilst the readers are enjoying themselves.  Interview.       

Runweb: Shovel can you introduce yourself?  A small bio express...

Shovel: I was born in the 40s, which is quite visible in my drawings.  Otherwise, I make a few forays into the 70s, especially in my courtyard with the beautiful motorcycles.  Seriously, I have always had a small pencil in hand.  I studied the fine art.  But, I have especially learnt from the following cartoonists: Frazetta, Moebius, Vatine and Loisel... 

I made a first attempt with the series "Les Invincibles" published in three volumes.  It was for a rather narrow readership.  It gained little success.  My editor was confident and he felt that I would be able to complete an album annually within due date.  Here starts the adventure of the "Amborie," a series of six volumes.  The script has already been written.            

It's been over a decade since you lived in Réunion Island now, so was it a crush to land here or?

Initially, it was some of my friends who have invited us, my wife and me.  Secondly, I love the big game fishing and hunting.  Réunion Island has all the characteristics for fishing.  As for hunting, Africa is not very far.  Rather than coming every year and go back and forth, we decided to settle down.  I opened a tattoos and piercing shop.       

Why all of your comics occur in Réunion Island or in the area of the Indian Ocean? 

"Les Invincibles" take place in Réunion Island and in Madagascar.  For "Amborie," I needed an island which did not result from a drift of plate's tectonics, a compulsory element to fit to the script.  Réunion Island was ideal.  I do not have a cosmopolitan mind, people like love I love the wind.  The landscapes of Réunion Island is gorgeous, it would be useless to look for somewhere else to write the script.   

It's an entire world along with a lexicon which is invented in "Amborie," so what are your sources of inspiration?

Everything is invented in "Amborie," it's a compulsory effort when we promise adventures to people. An epic universe must have measurement, currency, religion, political movement and so on...that are completely new.  I inspire myself from the northern and central Europe of the medieval era.  I also work according to my desires and memories of places which I liked.  

If the two series are completely different, there is however, a common thing, humour...

Humour can be placed everywhere.  Tragic events keep on cropping in one's life, so the best way is to have a good laugh.  An epic comic whereof humour is featured does not decompartmentalize the style.  In the "Lord of the rings," the charisma of the dwarf is funny, but he can also be touched as during his encounter with the Queen of the Elves.  I like to keep this detached aspect in my albums.  It's my goal to make people relax.          

What is your method of working?

I work all the time.  In front of the TV or elsewhere, I nick everything that is beautiful in sketches.  The only way to progress is to be courageous and work hard.  There is neither hidden secret nor Star Academy for cartoon.  One must know that the readers are used to beautiful pictures and they become hard to please as well as the publisher.  You should be extremely good and most importantly work hard.  One is constantly learning when one is a cartoonist.     

Your press conference is expected as soon as your second volume "Amborie" is published, can you give us a brief overview?

The readers have read the 1^st volume whilst looking forward to the next one.  I am optimist.  When volume 2 was published, new readers discover the series and they come to the dedication session along with their two volumes.  I am being called upon in the Mainland France as well where I'll celebrate the Angouleme festival.  I'll then go to Brussels, drop by the Somme, my native town, Amiens and Abbeville.    

How do the Mainland French readers view your comics?  Is it a plus that you come from Réunion Island or they don't care?

It's well known that those who come from far away have a sort of aura.  But I am a good ambassador of Réunion Island, in the sense that I have never let anyone tread on my toes.  The young Réunionese are great comics readers, they know that it's exemplary to sign in a major publishing house.  What I mean is that anything is feasible, even in Réunion Island.  It is not worth leaving, one can stay in the island, provided ones work hard, there is no secret.         

What are your plans?

When I was preparing for the second volume of "Amborie," I've applied at the Soleil Productions, the VIP edition, a major publishing house which has published "La Geste des Chevaliers Dragons" and a series drawn by Varanda and scripted by Ange, some big names.  I sent a spontaneous folder to take part in the series.  I was received a month later.  We met at Angouleme where I presented the volume 1 of "Amborie."  We soon get along very well.  I made an attempt from a script of 10 pages coupled with scenes of fighting and equipments.  They were seduced by my drawings.  I signed for an album.  Drawing beautiful ladies and dragons do not really please me.  As far as my plans are concerned, there are of course, the follow-up of "Amborie."