Corentin (comics)

Corentin is a series of comics created by Belgian artist Paul Cuvelier (1923-1978). Influenced by Robinson Crusoe, Cuvelier created the character of Corentin Feldoë in 1943. The character first appeared in a series of watercolors that Cuvelier made for his own family. Hergé, convinced of the merit of these watercolors, commissioned Cuvelier to do a series of comic strips. Thus, Corentin first made its appearance in the periodical Tintin, on September 26, 1946.

Story

At the end of the 18th century, Corentin Feldoë, an orphan of Breton origin, decides to flee the house of his uncle, an inveterate drunkard who has been abusing him. Corentin runs off to sea, only to be shipwrecked onto a desert island. Corentin befriends a gorilla named Belzébuth and a tiger named Moloch, and subsequently befriends Kim, an Indian boy, and Sa-Skya, a beautiful princess.

Western-themed story

Seeing the need for a Western-themed comic in Tintin, editor Raymond Leblanc asked Cuvelier to shift the focus of Corentin in 1949. Cuvelier situated his new adventures in the Wild West but made their hero a grandson of the original Corentin.

External links

• (French) Paul Cuvelier: Corentin