Comicology: Euro Books

Well, when it rains - it pours, and that seems to be the order of the day in Comics or Graphic Novels Biz in India at present. Euro Books, the new-bies in the Biz, have come up with its next venture after Biggles, by introducing the not so famous Spirou and Fantasio characters to Indian Comics Fans. By the outset, it looked pretty impressive line-up containing 12 titles in the series, at a price of INR 199/- each.

Spirou and Fantasio characters may be new to Indian comic fans, but by far they aren't to the Franco-Belgian or European Comics Genre. In fact, the history of Spirou dates back to 1938, which is much before the more well-known characters to Indian Comic Fans like Lucky Luke (1946), and Asterix (1959), only overshadowed by the legacy of TinTin (which dates back to 1929).

Robert Velter (c) stripverhalen.net The series was originally created by Robert Velter (1909-1991). Spirou, an investigative journalist, was the main character, and later was teamed with his co-adventurer and fellow reporter Fantasio. The series was later brought into mainstream by André Franquin (1924-1997), who took over the reins in 1946 and revolutionized the comic form for the characters, and went on to add another famous character "Marsupilami", to the Spirou series. In fact the Marsupilami character was so famous that it had its own spin-off series created, and by far was instrumental in many mimic characters created all over the world. André Franquin (c) marsupilami.com

Indian comic fans cannot forget Kabish (a monkey with an ability to grow its tail) stories published in many children magazines across languages, which was a character influenced by Franquin's Marsupilami. Coming back to Spirou, it shares much of its characteristics with it cousins Asterix, Tin-Tin, etc. in terms of humorous storytelling and plot creation.

The unique attire of Spirou, red bellboy uniform, was initially conceived because he was introduced as a lift operator. But, he has retained the attire, even though the characterizations were re-written over the time, but has since become a trademark of Spirou series.

Franquin was known as a member of the elite club known as Gang of 4, along with Will, Jije, and Morris (Lucky Luke fame). Together they laid the foundation for what is came to be known as Marcilleni School, which often is considered in parallel with Ligne Claire (which has been discussed in detail on our Blake & Mortimer series review at Comicology) art-form spearheaded by the rival creator-artists from TinTin magazine.

Basically, they both are more common in nature, with the major difference being the representation. Marcilleni School tries to convey the impression of movement, while ligne claire tends to be more schematic, often relying on traditional way of picture arts with still images and scenes.

At one time Spirou series was so popular that Lucky Luke himself made his appearance as a Guest in 1946, in Spirou magazine. So, it could be safely said that it was the trend-setter for all the Franco-Belgian comics released later. It could be further said that Spirou and Fantasio are the only Comic series which is still in publication (with different writers, and artists), wherein Tin-Tin, Asterix, and Lucky Luke have been reduced to only reprints. A detailed bio of Spirou series could be read in the Wiki link.

While goggling for this blog facts, I came to know that Euro Books, is indeed a subsidiary of Egmont, who are known to Indian Comic Fans with their other publications, notably Phantom series. This explains how a relative newcomer could suddenly appear into the scene with big releases featuring famous comic characters.

So, it's good to see Egmont, under their new brand-name, Euro Books, bringing the Spirou and Fantasio to Indian comic fans. I have just started reading them and found them pretty interesting and humorous so far. Enjoy Reading !!!

Most of the European Comic Book Heroes known to South Indians, are basically the ones introduced by Lion/Muthu Comics from Prakash Publishers. I am no exception to the list. What we have in-store for this article is one of those unsung heroes of the Golden Age of European Comics.

There used to be times, when the Comic Hunger was burning hot inside, and the occasional releases of Muthu/Lion and Rani Comics were turning to be pretty less then what was required. I used to visit all the pavement book shops and second hand book stalls almost every day, trying my luck to find out the old editions with few rupees in my hand. But even then, I was little selective about choosing only Lion, Muthu, Thigil, Rani, and occasionally Poonthalir and Ratnabala. So, the world outside was almost unknown.

When Gotham Comics was launched, it gave me a chance to explore something out of this box. But, again it was limited only to American based comic heroes, and the European Golden Period still remained a treasure unrevealed to one and all.

Recently, I chanced upon a new initiative by a global company called EuroKids International, who has forayed in the Graphic Novels in India, by introducing few books under the Euro Books brand-name. They have two limited series editions, the first being Agastha Christies Novels in Comic form, which is not of international standards, and looks to have been aimed for the kids. But, the other one was real surprise, a 14 title series of Biggles, starring one of the famous European Comic heroes, Bigglesworth.

W.E.Johns
bigglesbooks.co.uk

W.E. JOHNS, the creator of this impressive air-pilot hero himself had served in British Air Force. His experience in many a battles, let him drive the scenario and chracterization for the Biggles character, which were originally released as Novels.

Francis Bergese (b. 1941), a French comic creator who has unique skills of bringing the air combat of planes in comic form with all realistic details, later took up the charge to give a comic form for the Johns’ british fictional hero.

Francis Bergese
stripverhalen.net

It is said that Bergese, was so much interested in flying and exploring, that he once had his license suspended at the age of 17. No wonder he eventually turned up to re-live his first-love in form of the Comics. His first chance to draw for a comics was when Jean-Michel Charlier (famous for the Blueberry series) asked him to take the reins for Buck Danny, a series Charlier had co-founded along with Victor Hubinen. Buck Danny being an Aviation Hero himself, gave a chance for Bergese to try his hands artistic visualisation in paper-form, which went a long way in establishing his great work later for Biggles.

Biggles Single Vol. Edition 13
Chappal Wadi | ISBN: 978-81-286-1316-6 |

Biggles Single Vol. Edition 14
Spitfire Parade | ISBN: 978-81-286-1475-0 |

The storylines are full of history, with plots developed pre and post World War scenarios, with some dealing with the treasures which went missing during the wars, which adds all the more delight to the comic fans.

Pierre Clostermann, a french flying ace himself, says this in one of his prefaces of Biggles titles:

"In England, for more than half a century, Biggles has delighted the young and old alike. Having become the national symbol for courage, initiative, selfishness and gallantry, he travels through history and time true to himself. Noble in his acts and motivations, Biggles can be twenty years old in 1916 in the Royal Flying Corps and twenty five years old in 1940 in the Royal Air Force. There's nothing unusual about this - creative license is allowed in comic strips. Francis Bergese's Scenarios, Illustration and Colours means we get to see the all the forms of flying objects you could only read on books."

Bergese artwork inside Biggles Graphic Novel - 1

Bergese artwork inside Biggles Graphic Novel - 2

Pierre also adds this this about Francis Bergese:

"The episodes experienced by Biggles and the members of the squadron are perfectly creditable. This authenticity is reinforced by the exceptional quality of the drawings, the precision of the planes, the combat maneuvers and the perfect reconstitution of the scenes. With Francis Bergese's Buck Danny, we were used to drawings of airplanes, which "fly" - and the artists capable of doing this are few and far between in the world. With the Spitfire Parade, I am more than ever a diehard fan of Francis Bergese."

Here is the complete list of Biggles titles released by EuroBooks in India (All in 2007). All these titles were originally released in French on a year-on-year basis, which were later translated and released in UK by Red Fox as English editions. So no wonder Euro Books has made sure that they chose from the second lot, to save them of translation duties.

#	Title	Story	Artist	Original Title (French)
1.	Yellow Swan	Francis Bergèse	Francis Bergèse	Le cygne jaune (1990)
2.	The Pirates of the South Pole	Francis Bergèse	Francis Bergèse	Les pirates du pole sud (1991)
3.	Spitfire Parade	Francis Bergèse	Francis Bergèse	Le bal des Spitfire (1992)
4.	The Flight of the Wallenstein	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	Le vol du Wallenstein (1994)
5.	Squadron Biggles	Francis Bergèse	Francis Bergèse	Squadron Biggles (1994)
6.	The Last Zeppelin	Francis Bergèse	Francis Bergèse	Le dernier Zeppelin (1995)
7.	The 13th Tooth Of The Devil	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	La 13ème dent du diable (1997)
8.	The Wotan Sword	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	L'épée de Wotan (1998)
9.	Deadly Snow	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	Neiges mortelles (1999)
10.	The Lost Oasis - 1	Michel Oleffe	Frank Leclercq	L'oasis perdue – 1 (2000)
11.	The Lost Oasis – 2	Michel Oleffe	Frank Leclercq	L'oasis perdue – 2 (2001)
12.	Fire in Provence - 1	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	Feu sur la Provence – 1 (2003)
13.	Fire in Provence - 2	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	Feu sur la Provence – 2 (2004)
14.	Chappal Wadi	Michel Oleffe	Eric Loutte	Chappal Wadi (2006)

While Bergese has worked on the majority of the titles, drawn and scripted by himself, there were also sizeable titles scripted by Michel Oleffe, with Eric Loutte and Frank Leclercq donning the artist duties on and off. But, it should be noted that they chose to base the characters layout in line with how Bergese had envisioned them previously, may be as an homage to the legendary creator.

Eventhough, the great Comic Hunters ERB and Viswa of Chennai, say that they do posses some Biggles comics of Old ages obtained from Second Hand book shops, I wasn't fortunate enough to behold them so far. Thus far these instalments from Euro Books are the only ones which are in my collection. I hope some other publishing company in India, dig-in and bring the other titles available of this unsung hero from Franco Belgian Era. Overall, Biggles series seems to be one for the collectors and comics fans, and thanks to EuroKids for bringing this hero to limelight in India.

Unfortunately, the Euro Book site doesn't have any information about these books, so the best way to get them would be to reach the chain bookstore like Landmark, Odyssey, or Higginbothams. Each of the 14 Titles run a lengthy 48 pages, and the are priced at INR 199. They also have 4 Hard-Bound Compilations containing 3 stories each priced at INR 450/-. The remaining two editions has to be picked from the singles lot. A Little heavily priced, but compared to their original European price, and the quality of the papers and binding, its a good buy, and a good addition to your classic collection. If you are interested in exploring further, The complete list of Biggles, could be found here.

As always, please leave your comments about this article down below, which will keep me going.

UPDATE (02/09): A new post which reviews the latest Biggles titles released by UK based CineBook, and available in India, is published at Comicology. Read that over here.