A new Marsupilami adventure will be released to celebrate the anniversary. “The Humboldt Animal” by artist Flix is set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic.
The marsupilami belongs to the monotreme family, weighs up to 35 kilograms and prefers to eat piranhas
In 1952, André Franquin created an unforgettable cartoon character: the Marsupilami. The marsupial from the Palumbian jungle had amazing strength, a long tail and an insatiable appetite. First it appeared as a friend and companion of the famous Belgian comic duo Spirou and Fantasio, in 1987 began its solo adventure.
The comics about the Marsupilami became a great success, just like the animated series, which was well received in Germany over five seasons between 2000 and 2012 on the private broadcaster Super RTL. Many who were young in those years will never forget the series' brightly colored opening credits with the catchy theme song.
< p>In the new comic, the Marsupilami is discovered in an old expedition box by Alexander von Humboldt
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary, a new adventure with the lovable creature is now appearing: In “The Humboldt Animal”, the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was the first to discover the Marsupilami on his famous trip to South America. The animal finally made its way to Berlin in the 1930s as part of the Humboldt Collection.
From “Faust” to the Marsupilami
The Berlin artist Flix, whose real name is Felix Görmann, is responsible for the new comic and has made a name for himself with humorous comic adaptations of classics such as “Faust”. In 2018 he was the first German artist to take on the Franco-Belgian comic classic Spirou and created “Spirou in Berlin”, which was a great success in Germany, France and Belgium.
Yes back then he would have loved to have drawn the Marsupilami, he reported in an interview with Deutsche Welle in 2018. But that was not possible for copyright reasons. “I think that's a shame because I always liked the Marsupilami,” said Flix at the time.
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Berlin as a comic world
“Spirou in Berlin”
It's a small sensation: a German artist is allowed to redraw the Franco-Belgian comic classic “Spirou & Fantasio”. Cartoonist Flix could hardly believe his luck when he received the request three and a half years ago. He skilfully places the characters in gloomy East Berlin shortly before the fall of the Wall. He lends humor and seriousness to the adventurous history of the GDR in equal measure.
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Berlin as a comic world
“The Ducks in Germany”
Berlin is very popular with comic artists from abroad. Scrooge McDuck and his nephews pay a visit to the capital in “The Countess's Legacy” from the book “The Ducks in Germany” (Egmont Comic Collection). In it, artist Jan Gulbransson sends the duck family on a treasure hunt. Comic heroes like Batman and Superman have also been to the Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin as a comic world
“Zwille” homeless in Kreuzberg
Comic artist Gerhard Seyfried takes part in his latest “Zwille” comic (Westend Verlag) puts the current Berlin in a nutshell. His trademark, an anarchist little man with a round face and a ball of black hair, lives with his friend McÖko in the last squat in Berlin-Kreuzberg. When the police also evacuate their home, they both end up on the street.
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Berlin as a comic world
“Tour de Berlin”
Abrax, Brabax and Califax – in short, the Abrafaxe (Mosaik Verlag) – embark on a wild tour through Berlin in the 1990s. They were penned by the German comic artist Lona Rietschel (1933 – 2017). On their trip to the capital, the three goblin-like characters experience numerous adventures, for example in the yellow subway that is so characteristic of Berlin. Pure metropolitan madness…
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Berlin as a comic world < h2>“Berlin 2.0”
The artists Alberto Madrigal and Mathilde Ramadier also tell of the very real Berlin madness of today. In “Berlin 2.0” (Futuropolis) they describe the attraction Germany's capital has on the international creative scene. The story is about the Parisian literature student Margot, who leads a life between euphoria and disappointment in her adopted home of Berlin.
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Berlin as a comic world
“Emil and the detectives”
Isabel Kreitz (Dressler Verlag) shows that Erich Kästner's world-famous children's book “Emil and the Detectives” can also be excellently told as a comic. The illustrator has taken on the classic with great attention to detail for the story, but also for the setting. Here Emil Tischbein, his friend Gustav and a horde of children chase the villain Grundeis through the streets of Berlin.
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Berlin as a comic world
“Berlin – Divided City”
Using the example of five people, the comic “Berlin – Divided City” (Avant-Verlag) documents the years of the Berlin Wall and reunification. The artists Susanne Buddenburg and Thomas Henseler draw on real biographies and describe how families were torn apart and GDR refugees persecuted. But also how it felt when the Wall fell on November 9, 1989.
The opportunity has now arisen. The Belgian comic publisher Dupuis, which holds the rights to Spirou and Marsupilami, actually wanted another Spirou volume from the artist, according to Flix. “I would still like to do that,” the artist is quoted as saying in Carlsen-Verlag's press material on the current Marsupilami comic. “But I had this idea for a Marsupilami adventure.”
A Story for All Ages
The Dupuis publishing house liked this idea, Flix continues: “I think they liked the approach that I wanted to 'historicize' the character, i.e. bring it into the real world.” That, Flix continues, also makes the character interesting for an older audience. “A children's comic becomes an all-ages title.”
Felix Görmann aka Flix received for his work etc. the Max and Moritz Prize and the PENG! Prize. His works have been translated into nine languages.
That's why Flix was also able to include many allusions, so-called “Easter Eggs”, in the comic that an older audience understands: For example, a Berlin red light bar is called “Unter der Laterne”, after the famous song by Marlene Dietrich. Also featured is the famous comic artist Art Spiegelmann, who achieved world fame with his Holocaust comic “Maus”. In his comic, the Nazis visit the “Spiegelmann” tailor's shop,” explains Flix. “The fact that the tailor's son will one day become one of the most famous comic artists in the western world and what story he tells is probably clear to everyone.”
You want to be friends with the Marsupilami
Flix is not the first to bring the Marsupilami into the real world. In 2021 the first volume of the two-part series “Marsupilami: The Beast” was published – in it the scenario writer Zidrou and illustrator Frank Pé tell the “true” story of the Palumbian Jungle dweller who is captured and then sold by animal traders to 1950s Belgium.
Also at Carlsen: “Marsupilami: The Beast” by Zidrou and Frank Pé
However, Flix does not see the Marsupilami as a beast. “It's a character you want to be friends with from the word go. He has a very clear compass of what's right and what's wrong. And, most importantly, a huge dose of humor.” That's why he describes the marsupial as a “lighthouse in dark times.”
“The Humboldt Animal” will be published by Carlsen-Verlag on August 2, 2022. A special limited edition will be released on October 25th this year.