Frode Øverli
Encyclopedia
Frode Øverli is a Norwegian comic strip
cartoonist
, considered one of the most successful in Scandinavia
.
of The Phantom
became a regular feature in the Norwegian publication of the Phantom serial comic book
. At that time, Frode was still a student, but dedicated much of his time to write.
Two years later, he was a regular cartoonist for the recently launched humour magazine Pyton
, notable for its gratuitous toilet humour. In the beginning he illustrated stories written by authors Dag E. Kolstad, John Kåre Raake, and later Bjørn Ousland. However, he eventually resigned to write his own material, as it was limited what the others could write for him. The best known comic strips from his Pyton period are Deep Shit Junkies, a comic about a heavy metal band, and Birger-Egil, about a pair of siamese twins with completely different personalities.
In 1996 he decided to start working on his own, and eventually split with Pyton. He created a strip first titled A-laget, about three soccer supporters, but the concept evolved into what became the strip Pondus
, one of Scandinavia's most successful comic strips of all time. Along with Pondus, he also created two other comics series, Riskhospitalet (The Risk Hospital - a wordplay on the name of prominent Norwegian hospital, Rikshospitalet
(National Hospital)), but Øverli discontinued this series when Pondus gained unexpected popularity. In 2000 he began creating the single panel cartoon
Rutetid (a pun on "transportation schedule" and "time for a panel"), published in Pondus and other publications.
Øverli has received the Norwegian Sproing Award
twice; in 1998 following the first Pondus album, Alt for Norge (All for Norway, named after Harald V's royal motto
) and in 2003 for the Pondus Christmas album Pondus Julespesial. In 2006 he received the prestigious Swedish Adamson Award
.
In addition to his cartoon work, Øverli has provided illustrations for several books. He currently lives on the Norwegian west-coast island Sotra
.
Footnotes
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
, considered one of the most successful in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
.
Biography
He began his career in 1984 when his parodiesParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of The Phantom
The Phantom
The Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is...
became a regular feature in the Norwegian publication of the Phantom serial comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
. At that time, Frode was still a student, but dedicated much of his time to write.
Two years later, he was a regular cartoonist for the recently launched humour magazine Pyton
Pyton
Pyton was a Norwegian comic book series which was produced by the company Gevion, and afterwards Bladkompaniet, between the years 1986 until 1996...
, notable for its gratuitous toilet humour. In the beginning he illustrated stories written by authors Dag E. Kolstad, John Kåre Raake, and later Bjørn Ousland. However, he eventually resigned to write his own material, as it was limited what the others could write for him. The best known comic strips from his Pyton period are Deep Shit Junkies, a comic about a heavy metal band, and Birger-Egil, about a pair of siamese twins with completely different personalities.
In 1996 he decided to start working on his own, and eventually split with Pyton. He created a strip first titled A-laget, about three soccer supporters, but the concept evolved into what became the strip Pondus
Pondus
Pondus is a comic strip created by the Norwegian cartoonist Frode Øverli. Since its start in 1994, it has become one of the most successful comic strips in Scandinavia...
, one of Scandinavia's most successful comic strips of all time. Along with Pondus, he also created two other comics series, Riskhospitalet (The Risk Hospital - a wordplay on the name of prominent Norwegian hospital, Rikshospitalet
Rikshospitalet
Rikshospitalet is located in Oslo, Norway. From January 1, 2009, the hospital is part of Oslo University Hospital....
(National Hospital)), but Øverli discontinued this series when Pondus gained unexpected popularity. In 2000 he began creating the single panel cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
Rutetid (a pun on "transportation schedule" and "time for a panel"), published in Pondus and other publications.
Øverli has received the Norwegian Sproing Award
Sproing Award
The Sproing Award is awarded by Norsk Tegneserieforum , an organisation to promote interest and understanding for comics in Norway. Since 1987, the award has been presented for the Best Norwegian Strips, a comic strip or comic book by a Norwegian, and Best Translated Strips, an international comic...
twice; in 1998 following the first Pondus album, Alt for Norge (All for Norway, named after Harald V's royal motto
Royal mottos of Norwegian monarchs
The Royal mottos or valgspråk/valspråk of the Norwegian monarchs are an old tradition. Most regents of Norway have used either a personal motto or alternatively the motto of his dynasty. The tradition of using a royal motto in other monarchies is that it most often stays the same within one dynasty...
) and in 2003 for the Pondus Christmas album Pondus Julespesial. In 2006 he received the prestigious Swedish Adamson Award
Adamson Awards
Adamson Awards is a Swedish award awarded to notable cartoonists, named after the famous Swedish comic strip "Adamson" .They have been presented by the Swedish Academy of Comic Art at the annual Gothenburg Book Fair since 1965...
.
In addition to his cartoon work, Øverli has provided illustrations for several books. He currently lives on the Norwegian west-coast island Sotra
Sotra
Sotra is the name of an archipelago in Hordaland, Norway, just west of Bergen. The largest island is Store Sotra, while the second-largest and most populated is Litlesotra. The latter and part of Store Sotra are part of Fjell, while southern Sotra is part of Sund. Roughly 25,000 people live on Sotra...
.
Comic strips
| Series | Years | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| The Deep Shit Junkies | c.1989-1996 | Pyton |
| Birger-Egil | c.1992-1996 | Pyton |
| Pondus Pondus Pondus is a comic strip created by the Norwegian cartoonist Frode Øverli. Since its start in 1994, it has become one of the most successful comic strips in Scandinavia... |
1995–present | Pondus |
| Jubben & Toxi | 1996–1999 | Bellona Magasin |
| Riskhospitalet | 1997–2000 | Geek |
| Rutetid | 2000–present | Pondus |
Norwegian volumes
| Series | Year | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pondus | |||
| 1. Første omgang | 2001 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250945514 |
| 2. Andre omgang | 2002 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250947886 |
| 3. Hat trick | 2003 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250949552 |
| 4. Flat firer | 2004 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250952049 |
| 5. Fem rette | 2005 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250954092 |
| 6. 0-6 | 2006 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250955927 |
| 7. Sju lange og sju breie | 2007 | Egmont | ISBN 9788242931320 |
| 8. 8. Divisjon | 2008 | Egmont | ISBN 9788242936974 |
| 9. Nummer 9 | 2009 | Egmont | ISBN 9788242940599 |
| Riskhospitalet | 2004 | Schibsted | ISBN 8250951417 |
French volumes
| Series | Year | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pondus | |||
| 1. Première mi-temps | 2005 | Odin | ISBN 2913167470 |
| 2. Seconde mi-temps | 2006 | Odin | ISBN 2913167500 |
Awards
- 1998: Sproing AwardSproing AwardThe Sproing Award is awarded by Norsk Tegneserieforum , an organisation to promote interest and understanding for comics in Norway. Since 1987, the award has been presented for the Best Norwegian Strips, a comic strip or comic book by a Norwegian, and Best Translated Strips, an international comic...
, for Pondus, Alt for Norge - 2003: Sproing Award, for Pondus, Julespesial
- 2006: Adamson AwardAdamson AwardsAdamson Awards is a Swedish award awarded to notable cartoonists, named after the famous Swedish comic strip "Adamson" .They have been presented by the Swedish Academy of Comic Art at the annual Gothenburg Book Fair since 1965...
, for Pondus
Sources
- Frode Øverli and Pondus dossier Avistegnernes hus
Footnotes
External links
- Frode Øverli biography on Lambiek Comiclopedia
- Pondus official site
- Pondus fan site