Pilot, author, and screenwriter Frédéric Zumbiehl has been working for several years on the comic books “Team Rafale,” “Les Aventures de Buck Danny,” and “Les Chevaliers du ciel Tanguy et Laverdure.” He agreed to answer our questions.
Hello Frédéric, after a career as a fighter pilot, what inspired you to become an author and comic book writer specializing in aviation?
I’ve always loved reading! So the desire to write came naturally to me. I started by writing my first thriller about climate weapons and psychic powers, “Titan.” Then, by chance, I met the boss of Altipresse, Richard Delahaye, who commissioned me to write my first book of true stories, “Pilotes de l’aéronavale” (Naval Aviation Pilots), which was quite successful in the aviation world. Then I met Alexandre Paringaux, the boss of Zéphyr Éditions, who wanted to launch a comic book about the Rafale fighter jet—and that’s how Team Rafale came about. The rest followed naturally, leading to Buck Danny and Tanguy et Laverdure, as well as other aviation series at Zéphyr and a few books at Altipresse (Pilotes de chasse, Pilotes de l’extrême) and several thrillers at M+ Éditions.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges in writing a comic book about aviation?
Realism and credibility, because the readership is made up of aviation enthusiasts—there are a lot of pilots, especially fighter pilots. So there’s no room for error!
How does your experience as a pilot help you with the scriptwriting?
Realism in aerial combat—especially distances, angles, techniques—knowledge of equipment, the very specific language that is used…
Of all the characters you’ve created, which one do you feel closest to? And why?
Tom Nolan, the hero of “Team Rafale,” for the creations! I also have a soft spot for Sonny Tuckson from “Buck Danny,” even though I didn’t create him (the original writer, Jean-Michel Charlier, is his dad!). He’s as funny as he is endearing!
Which contexts and eras are you most familiar with?
I really love history! As a result, I prefer the “Buck Danny Classic” series, which revisits the early years, from 1945 to the 1960s. And in my opinion, the 1950s and 1960s were the richest years for aviation.
What place does Dassault Aviation have in your world—your favorite aircraft, for example?
The Rafale is the iconic aircraft in my “Team Rafale” series, but I must admit that I also really like the Mirage 2000-5 from “Tanguy et Laverdure”! That said, for me, the Mirage IIIC is the most iconic French jet fighter.
What are your next projects?
I have just finished the script for the latest “Buck Danny Classic,” in collaboration with Frédéric Marniquet, co-writer on this series. I’m currently working on my “Team Rafale” series (No. 18). Next, I’ll move on to the next “Buck Danny” (main series), then a new “Tanguy et Laverdure,” co-written with Patrice Buendia.