Sirius

Max Mayeu has worked under a variety of pseudonyms, such as Marco and Badour, but he is best known as Sirius. He studied law, while at the same time he illustrated for several student magazines. He then became a humorous illustrator for La Libre Belgique and La Dernière Heure. In 1938, he created his first comic, 'Bouldadar' in Le Patriote Illustré. The series was later continued in Bravo! (under the name 'Polochon'), La Libre Junior and Pistolin. At the same time, he joined Spirou magazine, where he took on a more realistic style with the action series 'L'Épervier Bleu'. Due to censorship, this series was discontinued in 1953, and didn't return until 20 years later.

He created the humorous 'Caramel et Romulus' for L'Espiègle au Grand Coeur, Spirou's supplement during the War. At the same time, he produced 'Célestin Virgule' in Le Moustique and 'Fred Morgan' in OK Guerre et Aventure. After the War, Sirius focused on historical comics, starting with the biography of 'Godefroid de Bouillon' for Spirou. In 1953, he began the long-running 'Les Timour' series, based on an idea of Xavier Snoeck. Every episode of this saga explores another period in history with always another member of the Timour dynasty. Sirius continued this series until his retirement in 1992.

From 1957 to 1958 he succeeded Uderzo and Goscinny on 'Luc Junior' in La Libre Junior. In the 1970s, he drew 'Simon le Danseur' in Spirou, and he revived the 'Épervier Bleu' series along with Jean-Marie Brouyère. He also joined Pilote in 1972, creating the old sailor 'Pemberton'. Max Mayeu spent his final years sailing his boat near Alicante in Spain. He died on 1 May, 1997.