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We barely step off one train when a giant image of another almost smacks us in the face. Outside the Gare du Midi station in the city of Brussels, we find ourselves staring at a gigantic black-and-white mural of Tintin clinging to the side of a speeding locomotive, his signature quiff swept back in the wind. Who better to welcome us to town than Brussels’ most famous citizen, cartoonist Hergé’s eternally youthful newspaper reporter with bad hair? But Tintin isn’t the only comic strip hero out and about in Belgium’s capital.
Since 1991, Bruxelles has been covering its walls with fantastic images by some of the country’s most celebrated graphic artists, which are part of the culture of Belgium. We surrender to the ninth art’s whimsy and tumble into the city’s comic strip route. Our version of an alternate universe!
Tintin Computes “The Calculus Affair”
After perhaps one too many lunchtime lambic beers on Grand‐Place in the centre of Brussels, we stroll down rue de l’Étuve to see Manneken‐Pis. On the facing wall, our beloved character Tintin reappears, this time in Sunday-comics colour. He’s running down a fire escape with his white fox terrier, Snowy, and his whisky-sipping buddy, Captain Haddock.
They’re out to free Professor Calculus, inventor of an ultrasonic weapon, from the nefarious clutches of Syldavian secret agents. Will they arrive in time? Or will the weapon fall into evil hands?
Ric Hochet Saves the Day (Again)
We’re casually ambling down rue du Bon Secours when we stumble into a crime scene. Journalist Ric Hochet swings from a failing gutter to rescue his girlfriend, Nadine, from a sinister, dagger-wielding villain entering her second-storey bedroom.
In front of the building below, her police inspector uncle’s hat and pipe fly off in astonishment as his poodle dances at Ric’s derring-do. We have no doubt that the hero from Tibet and André-Paul Duchâteau’s tongue-in-cheek adventure series will succeed. After all, Ric has made a habit of saving lives since 1955. He seems to be less versed in fashion, though, decked out in the same polo-neck sweater, black-and-white tweed jacket and raincoat for years.
Spirou Strolls Through the Place du Jeu de Balle
We never knew that Spirou was a bargain hunter! Why else would the bellhop-and-elevator-operator-
turned-international-sleuth subject himself to vendors’ entreaties at Brussels’ leading flea market in the Marolles district? We recognize him by the red uniform and spiky red locks peeking out from under his bellhop’s cap (what’s up with plucky Belgian world travellers and their haircuts?). Among the vendors in this mural, can you identify the portraits of the authors behind the tales of Spirou since his 1938 debut?
We’re not that great at it, but all’s not lost. Is that his sidekick Fantasio lounging in an armchair? Is the man with a flask in the background their inventor friend the Count of Champignac? Of one character we’re certain: Spirou’s pet squirrel, Spip, scampers front and centre.
Asterix and Pals Rout the Romans
History class was never this much fun than with these Brussels comic strip walls! Julius Caesar claimed he conquered all three parts of Gaul, but apparently no one told the Belgians (allegedly the fiercest of the Gauls). In a giddy panorama across two buildings on rue de la Buanderie, Asterix, his beefy buddy Obelix, his pup Dogmatix and assorted colourful villagers invade a Roman encampment with gusto. Asterix may be slight of frame, but he’s bolstered by magic potions from the druid Getafix. Obelix just loves a brawl. Forget the Ides of March, Caesar! You have Asterix to pacify! More than 350 million comic book sales and their own theme park later, Asterix and Obelix have conquered the world.
Lucky Luke Rides Again
John Wayne in his prime had nothing on Luke! After all, the comic book cowboy is faster on the draw than his own shadow. We quickly identify Luke’s recurring foils, the dastardly Dalton brothers, by their squinty eyes and matching moustaches.
The four dim-witted villains don’t stand a chance of a clean getaway from this bank robbery. Averell Dalton might get off lightly, since the biggest and most foolish of the gang swiped a ham and left the money behind. But Lucky Luke has them dead to rights anyway. Bang! Bang!
Why is Brussels known for comics?
How many comic paintings can you find in Brussels?
More than 80 monumental works now adorn the Belgian capital, transforming the streets of Brussels into an open-air art gallery covered with zany characters from Yoko Tsuno to the Smurfs. A must-see destination for enthusiasts of the ninth art!
In addition to those mentioned above, these are some of the most popular stops on the Bruxelles comic route:
- Le Passage — rue du Marché au Charbon
- Thorgal by Grzegorz Rosinski & Jean Van Hamme — Place Anneessens
- Victor Sackville — also on rue du Marché au Charbon
- Smurfs — Putterie
- Broussaille — also on rue du Marché au Charbon
- Kinky & Cosy — rue des Bogards
- Léonard — rue des Capucins
- Quick & Flupke — rue Notre-Seigneur
- Blake & Mortimer — rue du Temple
- Titeuf — boulevard Emile Bockstael in the neighbourhood of Laeken
- Néron — place Saint-Géry
Where is the comic strip museum in Brussels?
For a completely immersive experience during your trip to Brussels, visit the Centre Belge de la bande dessinée, a magnificent Art Nouveau that holds over 4200 m² of fascinating exhibitions focusing on the history of Belgian comic strips through original plates, unpublished documents and 3D reconstructions. A library with a wealth of over 3000 albums awaits!
Note: entry is free with the Brussels Card.
Our tips for making the most of a Brussels street art and comic book walk
- Download the official Comic Strip Trail map from Visit Brussels before your visit to plan your route effectively or take a Comic Book Route guided tours from the Belgian Comic Strip Center to learn fascinating stories behind each artwork.
- Combine your mural hunt with visits to local cafés displaying original comic artwork and memorabilia.
- Plan your visit during September’s Comic Strip Festival to experience special exhibitions and meet artists.
- For more than 30 years, the comic book specialist Le Dépôt has been offering new and old books, as well as comic book-related merchandise. Lose yourself in the shelves to find that rare gem, or ask the sales staff for advice; they know their catalogues like the back of their hands.
