Chott
Artist and resistant, Pierre Mouchot, aka Chott, created his own publishing house in 1946 and, with the help of Marcel Navarro, invented Fantax, a brave, strong and loyal hero, like the American super-heroes who were his model. This was one criticism; its violence was another.
Published for 3 years, the Fantax mag was adored by young French readers.
Other publications appeared: Big-Bill, P'tit Gars…
But in 1949, Chott soon understood the foreseeable consequences of the new law and he scuppered Fantax at the height of its success.
In 1954, the days of trials and constant justification began.
After being acquitted several times, Chott was judged once again. In March 1959, the committee, citing article 2, judged that ‘the scenes of violence are of a nature as to present vices and brutalities in a favourable light to young readers.’
This time, his competitors became involved, criticizing his ‘hard-line attitude’.
Acquitted on July 7, 1959, Chott was deeply affected by the commercial and legal pressure and resigned from the house.
But this episode marked the last time anyone resorted to article 2, which has never again been cited against a publisher to this day.