Comic strip classics

Franco-Belgian comics are mainly French-language strips published by French and/or Belgian publishers.

After 1945, the weeklies Spirou and Tintin engaged in stimulating competition. Under the leadership of Hergé, the latter published realistic series intended to be serious and educational. Its heroes include Blake and Mortimer (created by Edgar P. Jacobs), Corentin (Paul Cuvelier), Barelli (Bob De Moor), Michel Vaillant (Jean Graton) and Ric Hochet (Tibet and Duchâteau). Under the influence of its editor-in-chief, Yvan Delporte, Spirou showed greater graphic imagination. Jerry Spring (created by Jijé), Tif et Tondu (Will and Rosy), Lucky Luke (Morris), Gil Jourdan (Tillieux), Boule et Bill (Roba), Johan et Pirlouit et les Schtroumpfs (Peyo) and Gaston Lagaffe (Franquin) are just some of the iconic characters.