Spirou (magazine)

Spirou magazine is a Belgian comics magazine. First published April 21, 1938 as "Le Journal de Spirou", it was an eight page weekly comics magazine composed a mixture of short stories and gags, serial comics, and a handful of American comics.cite web | last = Lambiek| title = Spirou magazine | url = http://lambiek.net/magazines/spirou.htm ]

History

In 1936, the experienced publisher Jean Dupuis put his sons Paul and the 19 year old Charles in charge of a new magazine aimed at the juvenile market.cite web | last = BDparadisio| title = Le Journal Spirou a 60 ans| url = http://www.bdparadisio.com/spirou.htm fr_icon] The intent was to compete with the Francophone Disney magazine "Le journal de Mickey" which had been on the market since 1934.cite web | last = Carlsen Comics| title = Belgisk albumkonge død | url = http://www.carlsen.dk/comics/avisforside.asp?ID=397 da_icon] cite web | last = JDM-outducks.org| title = JDM-21 Octobre 1934 | url = http://fr.outducks.org/jdmlesite/21-10-1934.htm fr_icon] In the beginning, it was a large format magazine, available only in French and only in Wallonia. It introduced two new comics, the eponymous "Spirou" drawn by the young Frenchman Rob-Vel, and "Les Aventures de Tif" (later to become "Tif et Tondu") drawn by Fernand Dineur, and printed American comics such as "Superman", "Red Ryder" and "Brick Bradford". Few months later, the Dutch edition named "Robbedoes" appeared as well, on October 27, 1938.cite web | last = 6Bears.com| title = Spirou a des cheveux blancs | url = http://www.6bears.com/spirou.html fr_icon] Gradually, the American comics and reprints were replaced by new, European productions, and by the 50s, nearly all the content was made especially for the magazine. Charles Dupuis remained editor-in-chief of the magazine until 1955 when he appointed Yvan Delporte to that position, so he could himself focus on his increasing interest in the publication of the magazine's series' albums. The Smurfs by Peyo made their debut in the October 23, 1958 edition. The Dupuis family eventually sold its publishing interests in 1985.

Since the magazine's beginning, several noted European comics creators have been involved, namely Jijé, André Franquin, Morris, Will (the founding members of the "Marcinelle school"), Peyo, Eddy Paape, Maurice Tillieux, Roger Leloup, Roba, Derib, Raoul Cauvin, and many others.

Format

The target audience is between 9 and 16 years, although the magazine appeals to many adults as well. Over the years, "Spirou" has undergone a few format changes and gradually became thicker, eventually averaging 68 pages. It was distributed in most French and Dutch speaking countries, and for some years, editions in other languages appeared as well (notably in Spain and Portugal). Magazines are also reissued as quarterly books, gathering thirteen consecutive magazines in one binding. 288 of those have been published as of September 2006.

A few pages, apart from the comics and the advertising, are always put aside for text contents and interaction with the readers (games, letters, jokes, etc.). Often a general theme is used to give the magazine some unity instead of being just a collection of unrelated comics, and this also gets reflected in the layout.

Along with "Tintin" magazine (founded in 1946), it was considered the home of the Franco-Belgian comics school until the seventies, when its importance declined. Still in publication, Spirou sells some 100,000 copies every week. "Robbedoes" was eventually shelved in September 2005, after more than 3500 weekly publications.

Title

*On April 21 1938, the magazine is created under the name "Le journal de Spirou".
*On May 1 1947, it is renamed "Spirou".
*On October 5 1988, it is renamed "Spirou Magaziiiine"
*On January 12 1994, it is named again "Spirou".
*On January 25 2006, it became "Spirou HeBDo".
*On April 16 2008, it became again "Spirou".

ources

* [http://bdoubliees.com/journalspirou/index.html Dossier and issue index of "Spirou"] BDoubliées fr_icon;Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.spirou.com Spirou official magazine site] fr icon
* [http://www.dupuis.com/servlet/jpecat?pgm=ENH_SENG&lang=UK Dupuis official site]
* [http://perso.orange.fr/tout.spirou/index.htm Tout Spirou (fansite)] fr icon
* [http://lambiek.net/magazines/spirou.htm Spirou comic magazine] on Lambiek Comiclopedia
* [http://www.6bears.com/spirou.html 6 Bears.Com, Spirou magazine] article fr icon