Jean-Claude M�zi�res and Pierre Christin created Valerian in 1967 after working in the USA together, one as a cowboy, the other a teacher. While Valerian is M�zi�res' only comic series, he has worked as an illustrator in many other areas, including designs and sets for The Fifth Element, and he was awarded the Grand Prix du festival d'Angoul�me in 1984. Christin also works in collaboration with other artists such as Tardi and Bilal and writes novels and film scripts.