Barbarella creator dies

Jean-Claude Forest, who created the provocative sci-fi comic strip character Barbarella and designed sets for the '60s movie starring Jane Fonda, passed away December 30, 1998 at the age of 68. Forest created the seductive 41st century adventurer in 1962 originally appearing in V Magazine. The cult favorite Roger Vadim-directed movie released in June 1968, "Barbarella," secured her place in fandom history. Barbarella has had a great influence on popular media inspiring artists like modern fashion designers, the '80s pop group Duran Duran (their name is from a character in the film), modern comic strip heroines and computerized femme fatales like Lara Croft. Toronto, Canada-based animation studio NELVANA is currently developing Forest's creation into an animated television series. "Jean-Claude Forest created a modern-day Candide in Barbarella," said Michael Hirsh, Co-CEO of NELVANA Limited. "His humor and wit, combined with comedic sexual fantasy, gave birth to our idea of the modern-day heroine."