mct16:
Most of Franquin's output from the 1950s and 60s are considered to be him at his best
That's good to know. It is odd how
almost all Franquin's work has managed to miss being translated in to English despite being very highly thought of on the continent. Perhaps there's an essential belgian-ness (should such a word exist) about them that discourages publishers from taking the books on - maybe Quick & Flupke suffer from the same perceived provinciality?
mct16:
The only one I, and many actual critics, dislike is "Panade à Champignac"
I think I've read this in a *cough* 'samizdat' edition. I quite enjoyed it in the same way I like Picaros - there's what I interpret as an underlying bitterness. Against what, I don't know, but the taste of it is there.
mct16:
The only real problem is that it is a sequel to "Spirou and the Heirs" in which the Marsupilami was introduced, so really you should read that one first.
I've struggled with Indian sites before so I need to balance the inevitable hair-loss battling through these sites bring me against waiting for Cinebook to work on the (and the inevitable hair-loss those years will bring)...
mct16:
"Franquin's Last Laugh" is based on his "Idées noires"
I recall seeing some of these years and years ago in, I think, The Comics Journal. I think I prefer the French title because of the double meaning.
jock123:
And in other news, Spirou is getting a 75th anniversary exhibition at the Belgian Comic Strip Centre in Brussels…
I went to the BCSC about ten years ago - I still have the tin the Tintin chocolates came in. The museum wasn't especially English-friendly but it was still very impressive as both a location and a collection of art. I wasn't brave enough to try the Brasserie but, to bring this almost full-circle, I see they have a '
Gaston Lagaffe' menu...
George