Jidéhem

Jidéhem (real name: Jean De Mesmaeker, born December 13, 1935, in Etterbeek, Belgium, died July 10, 2017) was a Belgian comics artist best known for his work on the series Sophie.

Jidéhem began his career in the comics industry in 1954, working as an assistant to André Franquin on the Spirou et Fantasio series. He contributed significantly to the backgrounds and gags of Franquin's stories, particularly during the period featuring the character Gaston Lagaffe. His contributions, however, were often uncredited.

In 1964, Jidéhem created his own series, Sophie, which was published in Spirou magazine. Sophie is a humorous adventure series featuring a young girl with a mechanical genius father and her mischievous robot, Starter. The series was known for its gentle humor and detailed artwork, reflecting Jidéhem's background in architectural drawing. He continued to write and draw Sophie for several decades, establishing a dedicated following.

Beyond Sophie, Jidéhem also worked on other comics projects, including the Starter spin-off series and occasional contributions to Spirou et Fantasio after Franquin's departure. He is considered an important figure in the Franco-Belgian comics tradition and his work is recognized for its artistic quality and enduring appeal.