André Franquin (French: [fʁɑ̃kɛ̃]; 3 January 1924 – 5 January 1997) was an influential Belgian comics artist, whose best known creations are Gaston and Marsupilami. He also produced the Spirou et Fantasio comic strip from 1947 to 1969, a period seen by many as the series' golden age.