Spirou (magazine)

The magazine Spirou (originally Journal de Spirou ) is a weekly Franco-Belgian comics magazine. It has been published since 1938 by Les Éditions Dupuis. The name is derived from the Walloon word for squirrel that also means rogue, rascal.

The magazine Spirou was for decades the most important Belgian comic Tintin in addition to magazine and was instrumental in the development of the French- Belgian comics since the mid-20th century. While all other major French- Belgian comic magazines of the 1950s and 1960s have disappeared from the market, Spirou exists even after more than 70 years today. His former significance, however, has largely lost the somewhat dated magazine.

History

In 1936, the publisher Jean Dupuis decided to bring a comic magazine for young audiences on the market. Model was the comic magazine Le journal de Mickey, which was very successful with the publication of American comic strips since 1934. With the realization of this project Dupuis instructed his sons Paul and Charles.

The first issue was published on 21 April 1938 and after a few months, on 27 October 1938 followed by the name Robbedoes an offshoot of the magazine in Flemish. Initially published one - according to the concept of Le journal de Mickey - mostly translated versions of American comics like Superman, Red Ryder and Brick Bradford, but there was from the start and own productions. On behalf of the editors of the French artist Robert Velter had (Rob - Vel ) as the eponymous title character of the magazine created the young bellboy Spirou. Started already in the first edition - in addition to Spirou - also the number Tif et Tondu ( Harry and disk) by Fernand Dineur, which was continued into the 1990s by various illustrators and copywriters and was regularly represented in the magazine.

Aided by the supply problems during the Second World War, the American comics were replaced in the early 1940s gradually by French and Belgian productions. In September 1943, Dupuis had to stop the magazine at the insistence of the German occupiers. In December 1943, but the editors could still bring out a 160seitigen Almanac 1944. Immediately after the liberation of Belgium by the Allies ( September 1944 ) Spirou be announced on 5 October 1944, a 20-page special edition with the reader back. With the on October 12, 1944 appearing first regular issue of the weekly publication was resumed.

After the Second World War, the magazine was - together with Tintin to churn out young French and Belgian comic book artist. Many today internationally recognized comic creators have started their careers in Spirou. Foremost among these are especially the representatives of the so-called École Marcinelle, namely Jijé, André Franquin, Morris, Willy Maltaite, Peyo, Eddy Paape, Maurice Tillieux, Jean Roba, Derib, Victor Hubinon and many others.

In the early 1950s found themselves in Spirou magazine produced exclusively for the personal contributions. In addition to comics and gag strips were games, quizzes and puzzles pages on the solid parts of the magazine. There were also text posts about specific policy areas ( sports, cars, stamps, etc.), short novels and editorial contributions.

First editor of the magazine was - in addition to the publisher's son Charles Dupuis - Jean Doisy. Yvan Delporte in 1955 became his successor. Charles Dupuis also retired in the aftermath of the magazine to focus exclusively on the rapidly increasingly important albums publication of the comic series in the publishing house Dupuis can. Under Delporte, who remained until 1968 editor, the magazine enjoyed its heyday. Under his successors ( Thierry Martens, Alain de Kuyssche, Philippe Vandooren, Patrick Pinchart, Thierry and Olivier Van Tinlot Vaerenbergh ) began a gradual decline. Since the mid- 1980s also Spirou had with an ever- diminishing interest of its main target group ( young readers 9-16 years ) to fight at weekly comic magazines. In contrast to the decades of Tintin competitors but it was able to hold up to the present on the market. However, the weekly circulation of Spirou has dropped to approximately 100,000 copies.

As a result of the described development also had in September 2005 the Flemish edition Robbedoes after more than 3500 numbers are set.

Data to the magazine

The magazine was published from the beginning of a week. Initially it had 16 pages. During the Second World War, the scope has been temporarily reduced to only 8 pages. From 1944 Spirou then grew gradually again. In 2007, the magazine has a circumference of 68 pages. Over the years, Spirou has also undergone several format changes. The initial large size of 40 cm by 28 cm was also reduced during the war to 20 cm by 28 cm. These more manageable size was maintained with minor changes. The current issues have a format of 20.5 cm to 28.5 cm.

Over the years, Spirou changed his name several times:

  • In 1938 the magazine was introduced under the title le Journal de Spirou.
  • 1947, the name was shortened to Spirou.
  • 1988 renamed Spirou Magaziiiine ( with 4 " i" )
  • 1993 re- reduction to Spirou
  • Since January 2006 the official name of the magazine Spirou Hebdo is ( from French ' Hebdomadaire ' to German weekly magazine ).

Important issues (timeline)

  • April 21, 1938 ( No. 1): The first issue of Spirou in the format of 28 cm by 40 cm. Only half of the 16 sites is colored.
  • December 1, 1943 ( Almanac 1940): 160seitige special issue after the regular magazine his appearance at the insistence of the German occupying power (temporarily) had set.
  • December 7, 1946 ( Almanac 1947): First Spirou story of Franquin ( The tank ); first Lucky Luke (Arizona, 1880); first drawn by Eddy Paape Valhardi ( Sur le rail). This historic album is a coveted collector's item.
  • January 2, 1947 ( No. 455 ): First Buck Danny after a scenario by Jean -Michel Charlier and drawn by Victor Hubinon.
  • January 31, 1952 ( No. 720): first appearance of the Marsupilami in Spirou and Fantasio story.
  • September 11, 1952 ( No. 752 ): First Johan and Peewit by Peyo.
  • March 4, 1954 ( No. 829 ): First Jerry Spring Jijé.
  • September 20, 1956 ( No. 962): First Adventures of Gil Jourdan ( Jeff Jordan ) drawn and written by Maurice Tillieux.
  • February 28, 1957 ( No. 985 ): First appearance of Franquin's Gaston Lagaffe.
  • June 13, 1957 ( ID 1000 ): For the anniversary number Franquin had a thousand heads of Spirou ( and Gaston ) Drawn, a work that had cost him three months.
  • March 13, 1958 ( number 1039 ): First Adventures of Old Nick ( Nick vieux ) and the pirate Black Beard ( barbenoire ) by Marcel Remacle.
  • July 2, 1959 ( number 1107 ): First appearance of the Smurfs out of Johan and Peewit.
  • December 24, 1959 ( number 1132 ): Boule et Bill by Jean Roba.
  • April 12, 1961 ( number 1204): First appearance of the convict Bobo by Paul Deliège and Maurice Rosy.
  • February 26, 1970 ( number 1663 ): First Adventures of Natasha by François Walthéry.
  • September 24, 1970 ( number 1693): Roger Leloup presents Yoko Tsuno.
  • August 12, 1978 ( number 2000 )
  • October 27, 1983 ( number 2376 ): First appearance of Jojo by Paul Geerts
  • October 11, 1995 ( number 3000 )
  • April 22, 1998 ( No. 3132 ): Special issue on the 60th anniversary of the magazine. The Jubilee edition was dated April 22, 2038 and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the magazine.

Known series

Many well-known comic series have been and are printed in the magazine. inter alia

  • Spirou and Fantasio
  • Gaston Lagaffe
  • Jerry Spring
  • Valhardi
  • Lucky Luke
  • Johan and Peewit ( Johan et Pirlouit )
  • The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs )
  • Jeff Jordan ( Gil Jourdan )
  • Harry and plate ( Tif et Tondu )
  • Yoko Tsuno
  • Jojo
  • Benni Bärenstark ( Benoît Brisefer )
  • Buck Danny
  • The Little Spirou
  • Boule & Bill
  • Natasha
  • Billy the Cat
  • Jackie Kottwitz ( Jerome K. Jerome Bloche )
  • The Blue Boys ( Les Bleues Tuniques )
  • Titeuf
Tintin (magazine) Jean-Michel Charlier Le Petit Spirou Natacha (comics) Les Tuniques Bleues
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