For nearly seventy years, children have been growing up with the adventures of Spike & Suzy (originally Suske & Wiske). The first comic about this courageous boy and his stubborn friend was published on November 19, 1945, in the Flemish newspaper De Nieuwe Standaard (The New Standard). Using clever cliff-hangers, artist Willy Vandersteen managed to keep his readers on the edge of their seats on a daily basis.
The first comic with Spike & Suzy : Suzy’s brother Rikki is replaced by Spike. (The New Standard, 19 December 1945)
Spike isn´t little Suzy´s first companion. Vandersteen drew the little girl for the first time in March 1945, be it accompanied by her older brother Rikki. The artist isn´t happy about his work and in the next adventure he introduces Spike. The boy lives on the island of Amoras, where Suzy has travelled together with her aunt Sidonia in Professor Barabas´ Teletime machine. Barabas has provided the comic with many amazing themes as a result of this extremely desirable invention of his. Spike and Suzy become friends and aunt Sidonia takes him to the twentieth century with her as her adopted son. Ever since, the two kids are inseparable.
Over the years, Willy Vandersteen introduces some more memorable characters such as the awkward but vain Ambrose (1946) and the exceptionally strong Jethro (1953), who, after having been frozen for thousands of years, has never been able to master contemporary grammar. Likeable villains also make repeat appearances, such as the sly duo Snoeffel and Gaffel (since 1960) and small hothead Krimson (since 1962).
Popular style
Willibrord Jan Frans Maria Vandersteen is born in 1913 in the working-class neighbourhood of Seefhoek, in the city of Antwerp. His father is an ornament maker and Willy would have followed in his footsteps, had it not been for the Second World War. He learns about a foreign phenomenon and also beloved pastime of American soldiers: comics.
Vandersteen starts to draw as well and already during the war his talent is recognised. He is hired as a cartoonist at The New Standard newspaper. His drawing style is casual and catching and his texts are unrefined and funny. When, in 1948, famous cartoonist Hergé -creator of Tintin- asks Vandersteen to draw comics for him, this is subject to the following condition: Vandersteen must refine his rough drawing style and his Antwerp working-class accent and matching sense of humour.
Spike and Lambik are playing chess
In 1946, the Spike & Suzy newspaper comic strips are bundled together into one volume titled: On the island of Amoras. If you look at this book now, you won´t notice anything strange about the characters. This is because the classic series (number 1 to 66) has been reissued and with that it has also been largely drawn again. The Flemish texts have been replaced by correct Standard Dutch and the original black-and-white drawings have had colour added to them. The update of the old editions explains the odd numbering of the series, which can be found on the back of each volume: the first comic starts with number 67.
Spike & Suzy chess game
All in all, the comic´s characters have undergone a true transformation over the years. Spike & Suzy have not only grown taller and got a more modern wardrobe; their physical shape has become more refined as well. Suzy´s typical egg-shaped head, for example, used to look like a comical pear… The original looks of the main characters have not completely been lost though. In 2004, publishing house Lecturama –publisher of the Spike & Suzy collected works- brought a limited edition chess game to market. This collector´s item consists of heavy tin chess pieces representing famous characters from the comic books.
Spike & Suzy chess game
The pieces have been designed according to the classic drawing style and they make up two opposing parties. The white side is manned by our heroes, with Spike and Suzy as king and queen, Ambrose and Sidonia as bishops, Jethro as rook and Barabas as knight. They are taking on the villains on the black side with Krimson and the Black Madam as king and queen.
2015 is going to be an important anniversary year for Spike and Suzy. If you want to celebrate the seventieth birthday of our forever-young cartoon heroes already, then come and have a look at them at the Chessmen Museum.
You must be logged in to post a comment.