I don’t know about other people, but for me Belgium is always a bit of the forgotten country of Western Europe. That does a disservice to what is a beautiful country and one that has given the world a lot of great things, and at least one terrible thing. There is one area though where Belgians are absolute world-beaters. No one does better comic books! Most people in the English-speaking world probably only know of Tintin and The Smurfs, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout Europe and especially in the French-speaking parts, there is a whole host of long running comic series and artists coming out of Belgium. One of the best and most famous of these comic book artists was André Franquin, usually known by just his last name.
Franquin was responsible for two of the biggest comic book series coming out of Belgium in the 20th century, Spirou et Fantasio which he inherited but ran for 20 years, and Gaston which was his own creation. Where Spirou et Fantasio was somewhat in a similar vein to Tintin, but with more fun and fantastical elements, Gaston had more of a slapstick element and was quite simply the funniest and most imaginative comic strip ever created!
But while Gaston and, to a lesser degree, Spirou are masterpieces, they are definitely not neglected, at least in Europe. But Franquin also created a third strip that is less well known, but unlike any comic I’ve ever seen. In the late seventies, after a second nervous breakdown, he started drawing a series of strips that were eventually released under the title Idées Noires (Dark Ideas). This was definitely not a cartoon for kids. All drawn in pure black ink, it shot against some of Franquin’s favourite targets; capital punishment, christianity, the military, corruption, big business, authority and hunters. It also dealt with suicide, illness, class systems and the like. Despite all those heavy and depressing themes, Idées Noires was marvellously and bitingly funny!
Sandals
There’s a bit much text to translate here, but the dialog is basically the (Jesus?) character who is about to be crucified repeatedly asking the toolman whether he could carry his cross for a stretch because he’s having problems with his sandals, e.g. a pebble stuck in it, the latch coming off, etc. Only for the toolman to realise, once they’ve reached the top of the mount, that the crucifee is not wearing any sandals at all. Well I’m sure I’m taking all the fun out of it through that quick overview, so when I have a moment I’ll translate it properly. Meanwhile here’s another one with less dialog.
True Love
The last panel says, “It’s idiotic. I can never stop myself when I have the munchies”
Franquin has always been famous for the incredible level of detail he put in his drawings. While this works great in his colour comics, the detailed drawings of city and office life in Gaston are astonishing, this approach really helps making the most out of the one-colour panels in Idées Noire.
Death Penalty
“The law states: Each person who kills another person will get beheaded. Executioner, do your duty.”
“All done, a good deed is done”
“Sorry, but the law states : Each person who kills another person…”
I could really copy the whole book into here. There is not a single panel that isn’t brilliant! Ok, just a couple more…
Attack
“Chaaarge!”
“Did anyone hear what he just said?”, “Not me…”, “It’s hard to hear his voice over that noise…”, “Best get out of here”, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts raining any moment…”
I will not freeze to death
“Hopeless now. I know”
“I’m going to freeze to death here…. and probably….”
“quite close to civilisation. I just need to get to the top of that hill…”
“But yes! Lights! The lights of a town!”, “No my dear, you will not freeze to death.”
Luckily the book has never gone out of print and is still available in European bookshops or online at Amazon or the like.
Dancing Brick 