André Balland gives Jean Gourmelin the opportunity to show his consistent skills by publishing several theme books. As a publisher he was renowned for his talent and daring: he published Roland Topor, Jacques Carelman and other atypical authors.
With his support, Jean Gourmelin becomes an independent artist with the publication of Pour tuer le temps and Le Hasard, which are not simply an assortment of drawings, but rare examples of graphic philosophical works.