Belgian comic and manga publisher Yves Schlirf dies at the helm of Kana and Dargaud

Passing of an influential publishing director

Belgian comics editor Yves Schlirf died on Saturday, 12 September 2026, publishing houses Dargaud and Kana announced in a joint press release on Sunday. Schlirf, who chose never to disclose his exact age, worked across the comic book sector for approximately 50 years. At the time of his death, he held multiple leadership positions, serving as general director of Dargaud for Belgium, editorial director of Dargaud Benelux, and head of Éditions Blake et Mortimer. Dargaud confirmed the news to the Belgian press agency Belga on Sunday following the joint statement. Across five decades, Schlirf became a central figure in European graphic literature, guiding prominent Franco-Belgian releases and establishing Japanese manga across French-speaking markets.

Introducing Japanese manga to francophone readers

Schlirf transformed French-language graphic publishing by founding Kana in 1996 as a specialized manga imprint within Dargaud. The initiative followed several exploratory trips to Japan, where Schlirf evaluated the Japanese comic market and negotiated distribution licenses for European readers. Under his editorial direction, Kana published French translations of international bestsellers including Naruto, Saint Seiya, Détective Conan, Slam Dunk, Hunter X Hunter, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. The catalog established manga as a permanent commercial pillar across France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Dargaud and Kana credited his success to a strong understanding of popular series and an insatiable curiosity that shaped reading habits across multiple generations.

Bookstore origins and Franco-Belgian classics

Schlirf began his career in Brussels as a bookseller, opening Schlirfbook in 1972 as one of the capital's first specialized comic bookstores. After gaining early professional experience at publisher Dupuis, he joined Dargaud to collaborate directly with leading writers and artists. Schlirf served as the editor of the successful thriller series XIII, created during the 1980s by writer Jean Van Hamme. As editorial director of Dargaud Benelux, he guided prominent titles including Pin-Up by Yann and Berthet, Murena by Dufaux and Delaby, Le Scorpion by Desberg and Marini, and La Complainte des landes perdues by Dufaux and Rosinski. His management also included modern commercial hits such as Les Vieux Fourneaux, Le Loup en slip, and Undertaker.

Stewardship of Blake and Mortimer and creator tributes

Schlirf oversaw the legacy of the Blake et Mortimer franchise, originally created in 1946 by Edgar P. Jacobs. Following the creator's death in 1987, Schlirf revived and directed the series by organizing multiple teams of writers and illustrators to maintain editorial continuity.

Yves Schlirf was still preparing an anniversary album for the 80th anniversary of Blake and Mortimer centered on secondary characters of the series.

His death prompted widespread tributes across social media from cartoonists, screenwriters, colorists, and booksellers. Italian comic creator Enrico Marini referred to him as the best of editors, while Belgian publisher Nicolas Anspach described him as a creative monument. Belgian author Romain Renard stated that a dizzying section of comic book history had disappeared with Schlirf's passing.