Jean-Paul Gabilliet

Jean-Paul Gabilliet is a Professor in North American Studies at the University of Bordeaux Montaigne, specializing in the cultural history of comic art, popular culture, and transnational media. He holds roles as a member of the 11th section of the CNU, the Scientific Council of the Institute of the Americas, and editorial boards for Comicalités and American Culture. His research focuses on the intersection of comics, graphic novels, and North American cultural identity, with notable work on R. Crumb, Astérix reception, and transnational comic circulation.

Key research interests include:

• Cultural and commercial exchanges between Franco-Belgian and American comic traditions
• Historical evolution of comic art from early 20th-century 'funnies' to modern graphic novels
• Comic censorship and regulatory frameworks
• Fan culture and collector networks

Recent work examines radio adaptations of comics (1940s New York), transnational comic distribution dynamics, and the legitimization of comics as an art form through festivals like Angoulême. His publications blend historical analysis with close textual study, often comparing Franco-American cultural practices.

Current academic activities include organizing conferences on comic studies (e.g., 2025 Surf Studies symposium) and maintaining digital resources like the American Culture blog. He has advised no formally listed students but contributes to scholarly networks through editorial roles and conference participation.