Jean-Louis Tripp published his first comics strips at 19 years old in Métal Hurlant. His first album, Le Bœuf n’était pas mode (in collaboration with Marc Barcelo) was published in 1978, then was the Futuropolis's period, from 1982 to 1985. At the same time, he started the publication of Jacques Gallard's adventures (4 volumes) Parfum d’Afrique, Soviet Zigzag (Angoulême 1987's media award) Zoulou Blues (Angoulême 1988's public award) et Afrikaans Baazart. In 1989, he stopped his comics production in order to engage himself in different artistic activities : painting, sculpture, furnitures and mosaic fresco. He came back to drawing though his books for children (Milan), the illustration (Flammarion, Presse Pocket, Milan, Elle, Autrement) et story-boards. In 2002, he draws the one of the Tronchet's movie, le Nouveau Jean-Claude, and the adaptation in comics Pizza Warrior (Drugstore). IN 2003, he went to Quevec to teach comics at Quebec University and draws Paroles d’Anges (Glénat). He lives in Montréal and, from 2006 to 2014, co-signed Magasin général with Régis Loisel (Editions Casterman).

Since 2015, he is sharing his time between Les Corbières and Montréal.