Spirou

Spirou is a Belgian comic character and the title of one of Europe’s longest-running Franco-Belgian comic séries. Created in 1938 by the artist Rob Velter, who signed his work as Rob, Spirou first appeared in the weekly magazine Le Journal de Spirou, published by Dupuis. The character is a cheerful young bellboy who, with the intrepid reporter Fantasio, embarks on globe-spanning adventures that blend humor, science fiction, and mystery.

The early Spirou stories in Le Journal de Spirou evolved into a flagship album series. In 1946 the work was taken over by André Franquin, whose distinctive art and storytelling helped define the postwar style of European comics. Franquin expanded the cast, introduced Marsupilami, and raised the series to international prominence. His run is often cited as a high point in the tradition of the ligne claire, though his work retained a lively, expressive energy.

After Franquin’s departure, the series continued under several artists, notably Jean-Claude Fournier and later Tome and Janry, who produced numerous new adventures while maintaining the spirit of the originals. The stories have been published in many languages and collected in albums, expanding Spirou’s audience beyond its Belgian origins.

A key element of the franchise is Marsupilami, a fictional creature created by Franquin that became a recurring and beloved part of many Spirou et Fantasio adventures. The magazine Le Journal de Spirou remains closely associated with the character and its stories, and Dupuis continues to publish new Spirou et Fantasio albums, preserving the series as a foundational pillar of European comics.