David B.

David B. (born Pierre-François Beauchard in 1959) is a French comics artist and writer, considered one of the most influential figures in contemporary graphic literature. Best known for his autobiographical masterwork *Epileptic* (L'Ascension du haut mal, 1996-2003), he co-founded the pioneering alternative comics publisher L'Association in 1990. His work is characterized by stark black-and-white imagery, intricate symbolic patterns, and deeply personal explorations of family trauma, particularly his brother's epilepsy. David B.'s distinctive visual style draws from mythology, folklore, and dreams, creating haunting psychological landscapes. His other notable works include *Babel* and *The Armed Garden*. He has profoundly shaped the French and international graphic novel movement.