Image caption Jean Giraud with one of his designs in Poitiers, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

His 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.