A four handed creation, under a unique trade-name - Dupuy & Berbérian -, who have, for over twenty years, offered an unusual configuration in comics: that of an almost fusional relationship between two all round authors, who work together throughout the whole creation process, but don't adhere to the traditional opposition of story/ picture within their working duo. By awarding the 2008 Angoulême Grand Prize to Dupuy & Berbérian, the Grand Prize Academy not only underlines an original dual entity, but also an intense and extremely personal major creation. Through the fertile artistic dialogue, that over the last two decades has founded the very heart of their joint identity, Dupuy & Berberian, amid humour and introspection, irony and sensitivity, lightness and ultra modern solitude, have offered an amusing and remarkably true chronicle of modern life, like no one before.

Charles Berbérian born 28th May 1959 in Bagdad, Iraq, spent most of his youth in Lebanon. As for Philippe Dupuy, he was born in Sainte-Adresse (Seine Maritime), on December 15th 1960. Both started their artistic journey at the beginning of the eighties creating strips and short stories for fanzines (nonprofessional publications produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon). They first met whilst working for the amateur magazine P.L.G.P.P.U.R (« Plein la gueule pour pas un rond ») rapidly choosing to work together, co-signing their creations, hence their two names becoming inseparable. Their first short stories from the era will be published at a later date in the «Les héros ne meurent jamais» (1991 Association) volume.

Dupuy & Berbérian started with the magazine, Fluide Glacial, as soon as 1984, in particular with « Le Journal d'Henriette », the chronicle of an ugly, self conscious teenager's moods and observations, setting, right from the start, the subtle tones of what will become their trade mark; a bittersweet tenderness. Over the years, seven volumes of Henriette's soul searching are published. In 1985, Dupuy & Berbérian publish an endearing one-shot called "Petit Peintre", with Magic Strip editions.

In 1990, after various illustration (such as the Chantal Thomas portfolio), press (Je Bouquine, Mikado) and communication (pour Canal + in particular) work, the tandem brings to life Monsieur Jean, a slightly odd, day-dreamy thirty year old, who's urban adventures and love life portrays a discretely autobiographic chronicle and a wonderful reflection of the era. Eight books, dedicated to this character's pilgrimages, are published over a fifteen-year period.

Recognised and admired by the new independent comics generation, of which they are in many respects, the forerunners, Dupuy & Berbérian create together in 1994 a remarkable auto fiction, "Le Journal d'un album", a true logbook of a comic creation. Over the years they will also create several travellers guides for large cities (New York, Barcelona, Lisbon, Tangiers, Istanbul), published by Cornélius. In 2005, this same editor published the comic book « Hanté » by Philippe Dupuy alone, which was included in the official selection at Angoulême.

 

In addition to their success in the world of comics, Dupuy & Berbérian are also known for their profuse work as illustrators, mainly for press and publishers. In 2008, Dupuis will publish their latest work, «Un peu avant la fortune», created with Jean-Claude Denis, in the "Aire Libre" collection.