If you are visiting Belgium discover Brussels’ Comic Strip Route and experience a colourful adventure.
The history of comics in Europe is intrinsically tied to Belgium. Along with France, with whom they have a long connection, Belgians are among the most significant comic book creators, whose work significantly contributed to the growth of European comics. Despite having distinctly different features, comics from Belgium’s two main linguistic groups and geographical areas—Wallonia, which speaks French, and Flanders, which speaks Dutch—continue to influence one another and interact in Brussels and the major editors’ bilingual publishing tradition.
Comics are regarded as “an integral part of Belgian culture” and are among the few arts in which Belgium has had a lasting and global influence in the 20th century. Heroes like Tintin, Asterix, Lucky Luke, Gaston, and the Smurfs, as well as artists like Herge, Uderzo, and Goscinny, are Belgian and have ties to Brussels’ cultural past.
Brussel’s Comic Strip Route
The city of Brussels has been making a determined effort to adorn its walls with well-known Belgian comic book characters since the 1990s. There are currently more than 80 of these murals around the city’s Historical Centre, as well as in the more remote areas of the city and the nearby neighbourhoods of Les Marolles, Sainte-Catherine, Laeken, and Haren.
Your quest for murals will not only take you on a tour of the city’s most important landmarks but also introduce you to a world of vivid colours, intense feelings, and life-changing experiences. You will be overcome with nostalgia because the majority of you have most likely read the tales of one of these well-known heroes when you were younger.
You can discover the murals by following the different itineraries on the website visit.brussels. The website suggests different itineraries for each region of Brussels. Among them the easiest paths are the ones in the Historical Centre and Sainte-Catherine.
This article features sixteen of the more well-known murals that you should definitely see. These murals can be readily combined and are located along the two simplest paths (Sainte-Catherine and the Historical Centre). They definitely will add something unique to your visit to Brussels.
At the end of the article, you could find a map with a suggested route to the sixteen murals.
Sainte-Catherine Route
Despite lacking any significant attractions, the Sainte-Catherine district close to the historic core is well-liked by tourists because of its concept shops and culinary offerings. Nonetheless, it continues to have a true neighbourhood atmosphere and is a well-liked spot for residents of the city.
Cubitus
The white, tubby dog, is the lifelong creation of Walloon cartoonist Dupa. Cubitus has the ability to speak and enjoys delicious cuisine. He is also forced to test his master’s inventions, Semaphore, against his will. In this mural, Cubitus has taken the position of the Manneken Piss, who seems to be quite displeased that his grandeur has been taken. (Rue de Flandre, 119 1000 Brussels)
The Angel
This sorrowful angel is part of the artist Yslaire’s graphic novel series. The series, XXe ciel.com, portrays the twentieth century in a progressive yet dismal manner. Yslaire is a cartoonist who dares to try out many formats and media. (Rue des Chartreux, 19 1000 Brussels)
Lucky Luke
Introducing the famous cowboy who can shoot faster than his shadow is unnecessary. Morris’s Lucky Luke is one of the most recognisable figures in popular culture. His mural of him witnessing the Daltons rob a bank is large and eye-catching, despite not being in the city centre. (Rue de la Buanderie, 47 1000 Brussels)
Asterix & Obelix
Though it is located in a schoolyard, the mural of two more well-known characters, Asterix and Obelix, by Goscinny & Uderzo, is visible from the street. Obelix, Asterix’s best buddy, and every other resident of the small Gaulish village are drawn along with him. (Rue de la Buanderie, 33 1000 Brussels)
Ducobu
The naughty Ducobu is another well-known Belgian comic book character for kids. His escapades have also been made into a number of popular films. The constant goal of Zidrou’s creation is to enrage Professor Latouche and come up with exciting new ways to defraud his classmate Leonie. Indeed, it is really appropriate that his mural is situated in a schoolyard. The drawings of Ducobu were created by Godi. (Rue des Six Jetons, 25 1000 Brussels)
Nero
The mural of Nero is located just outside the building of the old Saint-Gery market. Marc Sleen invented the antihero Nero. Despite not being as well-known outside of Belgium, he is one of the most identifiable Belgian comic book characters. He is depicted along with all of the primary heroes from the comic book strip series The Adventures of Nero. He is shown at the top of the mural with his signature bow tie. (Place Saint-Gery, 20 1000 Brussels)
Historical Centre Route
Brussels’ Historical Centre is undoubtedly very interesting, even though it lacks some of the major attractions and size of other well-known European cities. During your walk in quest of murals you will come across some of the most characteristic sights such as the Manneken Pis, the Grand Place, the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert and the Cathedral.
Ric Hochet
Tibet (drawings) and Andre-Paul Duchateau (writing) created Ric Hochet, a reporter for the Paris-based newspaper La Rafale. Ric takes enormous risks to see a criminal punished because he has a strong sense of justice. In the mural, he protects Nadine, his love interest, from a villain brandishing a big knife. Ric’s close buddy, Commissaire Sigismond Bourdon, is also there to assist. (Rue de Bon Secours, 4 1000 Brussels)
Victor Sackville
During World War I, Victor Sackville works as a spy for the King of England. His goal is to thwart the enemy’s intentions, and he is typically a gentleman with impeccable attire. Francis Carin, a Belgian artist, created the elaborate and detailed drawings. The writers of the comic were Francois Riviere and Gabrielle Borile. (Rue du Marche au Charbon, 60 1000 Brussels)
Broussaille
In 1991, this vibrant mural was the first to be made in Brussels. Frank Pe, a local artist, created Broussaille by using his hero’s stories to illustrate his own life and recollections. It is arguably one of the city’s most well-known, easily accessible, and aesthetically pleasing murals. (Rue du Marche au Charbon, 41 1000 Brussels)
Le Passage
Just a few metres from the Broussaille is the Le Passage mural. Τhe comic work The Obscure Cities by Francois Schuiten and Benoit Peeters offers their outlook on the future. Two parallel realities coexist in this future. These are the worlds of Brusel and Brussels, Earth and counter-Earth. A passage between these two worlds is most likely depicted in the painting. (Rue du Marche au Charbon, 19 1000 Brussels)
Tintin
Near the Manneken Pis, a mural depicts Tintin, perhaps the most well-known of the Belgian comic strip heroes. In a scene from the book The Calculus Affair, Tintin, created by Georges Prosper Remi (better known as Herge), runs down a staircase with his dog Milou (Snowy) and his pal Captain Haddock. (Rue de l’Etuve, 37 1000 Brussels)
Olivier Rameau
The 1960s saw the creation of Olivier Rameau’s universe, which is one of flower power. Olivier protects the friendly kingdom of Reverose (Pink Dreams) from numerous dangers with the help of the compassionate solicitor Mr. Pertinent and the breathtakingly beautiful Colombe Tiredaile. This dreamlike world was the creation of cartoonist Dany and writer Greg. (Rue du Chene, 9 1000 Brussels)
XIII
The character of XIII, a secret operative, has complete amnesia. ΧΙΙΙ quickly learns that he may have been involved in President William Sheridan’s murder. He attempts to recover his memories and learn the real truth about the president’s assassination. He gradually discovers more about himself, even though his memory does not come back. ΧΙΙΙ is the creation of writer Jean Van Hamme and artist William Vance. (Rue Philippe de Champagne, 31 1000 Brussels)
Young Albert
French-speaking cartoonist Yves Chaland is considered one of the most influential artists in the field. When you consider the small body of work he produced, as he was killed in a car accident at the age of 33, the importance of his style becomes even more apparent. This mural depicts the mischievous hero Albert, who grows up in Brussels after the end of World War II. (Rue des Alexiens, 49 1000 Brussels)
The Scorpion
The mural of The Scorpion is located near the Cathedral. The narrative of Scoprion transports us to the second part of the eighteenth century in Rome. Cardinal Trebaldi makes the papacy-based decision to restore the nine families’ authority. On his path to becoming pope, Trebaldi is opposed by Armando Catalano, also known as The Scorpion, an opponent who deals in holy relics. Desberg wrote the narrative, while Swiss artist Marini made the exquisite pictures. (Treurenberg, 16 1000 Brussels)
Gaston Lagaffe
Andre Franquin’s well-known comedic character Gaston Lagaffe makes another of his thoughtless errors when his yo-yo lands on a bystander’s head. In much of Europe, Gaston is highly well-liked, particularly in Belgium and France. (Rue de l’Ecuyer, 11 1000 Brussels)
Comics Art Museum
The Comics Art Museum is the ideal place to visit after your walk in quest of the comic strip murals. The museum features numerous internationally renowned artists and honours the Belgian passion for comic strips. The museum has three levels. Nonetheless, the most well-liked exhibition features the well-known comic book characters, ranging from Tintin to the Smurfs.
The several steps involved in making a comic strip are the subject of other exhibits. There are many examples of early concepts, drawings, and finished publications in the museum. Nearly 8,000 plates featuring original drawings by prominent artists are also kept at the museum and make the visit here a unique experience. (Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Bruxelles; comicscenter.net)
A colourful adventure
If you follow the Brussels’ Comic Strip Route and look for the murals, you will discover a world of emotions and experience a colourful adventure. The impressive designs, the colours, the stories they hide, and also the memories and emotions they evoke in you according to your own experiences are sure to impress you. So if you are visiting Brussels, do not fail to look for these colourful surprises that await you where you least expect them.
