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- French-Belgian comics are considered a respected art form in France and Belgium, deeply ingrained in the culture and on par with Hollywood celebrities.
- The modern bande dessinée movement originated from 19th century caricatures and evolved to focus on culture and establish a connection with readers.
- Hergé’s iconic comic series The Adventures of Tintin became the catalyst for the modern BD movement, bringing together French and Belgian cultures through colorful characters and adventurous storytelling.
of comics Although the media is quite valued in countless countries as an alternative method of storytelling, France and Belgium He became particularly well known for his deep respect for comics. While most blockbusters in the United States come from publishers like Marvel and DC, Japanese manga has become a major part of the culture, with countless volumes released each year. However, French and Belgian comics are a completely different topic, as the French and Belgians consider this comic to be a respectable art form.
Bande dessinée (abbreviated as BD) is a specific branch of comics originating from France and Belgium. The region’s most notable works include Hergé’s classic adventure comics. The Adventures of Tintin and Peyo’s iconic fantasy series smurf.
Unlike most comics around the world, these stories became known as part of the French-Belgian identity. This has made the timeless character deeply ingrained in French and Belgian culture, making him as famous as Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. In fact, in his 2022, Belgium has added some of its most notable comics to its official passport, to honor how important these characters are to the French-Belgian identity.
French and Belgian comics have their origins in satire.
An important thing to note about modern French and Belgian comics is that the concept of bande dessinée is quite modern. The 20th century was when the movement to establish manga as the “ninth art” began in earnest. However, it didn’t suddenly appear out of thin air. According to Comics Crash Course, the origins of his modern BD movement can be traced back to his 19th century satirical magazines such as: La caricature. These early cartoons served as a means for journalists and writers to mock political events during the reign of Louis-Philippe I. Louis-Philippe I had a strong dislike for the way he was portrayed. Although political satire was eventually banned by the king, artists found ways to use the medium of illustration to satirize other aspects of modern life, eventually turning to culture. This is where the concept of modern BD comics was born, as culture became the main attraction to establish a connection with readers.
Hergé and Tintin sparked the modern bande dessinée movement
Although the term “bande dessinée” did not appear until the mid-20th century, Hergé and his iconic comic series The Adventures of Tintin It is often credited with being the first big spark in the modern BD movement. The first strips featuring this character appeared in newspapers from his 1929, and then his own series began in the 1940s. Matthew Screech explains in his 2005 book: Masters of the Ninth Art: Bande Dessinée and Franco-Belgian Identity that Tintin It called on the people of France and Belgium to unite.Share language, history, culture, current events, and even geographyThis established the medium of comics as the primary source for exploring French and Belgian life through colorful characters and exciting adventures that celebrated French and Belgian culture.
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Artists follow Tintin’s example and create bande dessinée
Following the success of Tintin, more creators began to follow Hergé’s example and create their own comics that provided insight into Franco-Belgian culture.comics Spirou & Fantasio It is a unique twist on the adventure series and its spin-off gaston It provided a more realistic scenario of accident-prone workers in office spaces and connected with readers through its relatability. asterix It became France’s largest comic book, humorously depicting the history of France and Gaul during the Roman Empire.flat smurf It was a unique take on fantasy, with a lovable blue character fighting off the evil Gargamel. In fact, the beloved Smurfs characters were so popular that they expanded beyond France and Belgium and became a global icon. This widespread comics movement due to Franco-Belgian connections gave rise to the concept of the band his dessinée and, as a whole, united the French and Belgian people through their love of these artistic stories.
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Bande dessinée continues to thrive today
What’s surprising about today’s French and Belgian comics is that the modern BD movement never truly ended. In fact, it’s more powerful than ever.characters of The Adventures of Tintin, asterix and smurf is more popular than ever, rivaling Mickey Mouse in fame in the United States, with statues, amusement parks, and passports dedicated to him. Many are still in print today. Spirou & Fantasio, gaston, smurf, asterix Many companies have continued to be successful well into the 20th century. Some have even found their way to the silver screen. asterix He is currently part of a series that has several sequels, with the latest installment scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2023. Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom. The festival, which celebrates the culture between the French and Belgian peoples, is considered by critics to be the region’s “ninth art” because of its ability to connect with fans from both countries.
No matter where fans read them, comics will always be present in modern culture. Iconic characters like Spider-Man, Superman, and Goku will continue to enjoy success around the world as long as fans continue to read their stories. However, the amount of respect France and Belgium Interest in the media is amazing as they continue to see comics It is seen as more than just a means of entertainment, it is a cultural phenomenon that helps connect the two countries and celebrates their shared culture in a meaningful way.
Source: Comics Crash Course, Matthew Screech