Roland Gos
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Roland Gos

Born in 1937 – Belgium

Topics :
  • Classical
  • Humor
  • Children's literature
  • Science fiction
  • Detective novel
  • Adventure
13 available pages
  • Classics
  • Mythic series
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A Former Soldier Who Made the Marcinelle School Laugh

Born in 1937 in Belgium, Roland Goossens, known as Gos, first pursued a career as a military officer for eleven years in the Belgian Navy, after working for a time as a movie projectionist and a printing apprentice. While serving in the navy, he published his first comic strip in a military magazine in 1961, before meeting Peyo, who entrusted him with lettering work. In 1965, he left the military to join the Peyo Studio, where he assisted the master on several episodes of Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs) and Benoît Brisefer. A scriptwriter before becoming an artist, Gos wrote several episodes of Jacky et Célestin (Jacky and Célestin) for François Walthéry, as well as the first two adventures of Natacha, hôtesse de l'air (Natacha, Flight Attendant). He even collaborated with Peyo on the conclusion of the final Spirou et Fantasio adventure by Franquin, Panade à Champignac (Panade in Champignac). In 1969, Maurice Tillieux asked him to take over the artwork for his series, Gil Jourdan. Gos illustrated four albums until the creator’s death in 1979, and even completed the detective’s final adventure, which had been left unfinished. In 1972, he launched his most personal creation, Le Scrameustache, featuring a good-natured alien cat with advanced technological powers, accompanied by the teenager Khéna in adventures blending science fiction, time travel, and humor. Since the mid-1980s, he has been assisted by his son Walt, while another of his sons, Benoît, handles the coloring of the comic books—truly a family affair. 

Gos is one of the last classics of the Belgian Marcinelle School: he was Peyo’s assistant and a close collaborator of Maurice Tillieux, André Franquin, and François Walthéry. This generation was able to write simple and moving stories aimed primarily at children but also appreciated by adults. The themes of the series Khéna and the Scrameustache (the original title) are worth noting: they are a celebration of diversity, tolerance, and peace.

Didier Pasamonik

Credits :

©Gos, Dupuis (banner)

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