Zep is the pseudonym of Philippe Chappuis, a comic scrip creator from Switzerland, known for his series Titeuf, a popular character in French-speaking countries, and Tchô!, the associated Franco-Belgian magazine.
Chappuis' pseudonym derives from the first comic book magazine that he created at age twelve, named 'Zep' in honour of Led Zeppelin. His career began with jokes published in Spirou magazine in 1987, and the character 'Victor' which started appearing in 1988.
At first struggling to find publication, the series Titeuf was initially published in the fanzine Sauve qui peut ("Escape those who can") before it was noticed by Glénat executive Jean-Claude Camano. Zep joined Glénat in 1992, and first Titeuf book Dieu, le sexe et les bretelles (God, Sex And Suspenders) appeared in 1993. The following books have gradually won over a huge readership, outselling traditional French favourites such as Astérix and Lucky Luke. Today more than 20 million copies of Titeuf books have been sold worldwide and translated into 15 languages, including Chinese, Italian and German. In the UK, Titeuf appeared under the name Tootuff in The Dandy.