Moebius, as Jean Giraud, one of France’s leading comics artists, was known, has died in Paris at the age of 73 after a long illness.

Jean Giraud drew for more than 50 years, under various names, but was most widely known as Moebius.

Moebius was popular in the US and Japan, working with legend Stan Lee and manga artists, as well as in his homeland.

Jean Giraud also worked on design concepts and storyboards for a number of top science fiction films, including Alien, Tron, The Abyss and The Fifth Element.

Moebius, as Jean Giraud, one of France's leading comics artists, was known, has died in Paris at the age of 73 after a long illness

The artist trained at art school and turned to comics after working as an illustrator in the advertising and fashion industries.

Jean Giraud’s best known work in his native country was probably the Lieutenant Blueberry character but he also worked on the Silver Surfer with Stan Lee.

The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art staged a major Giraud retrospective in 2010.