Franco-Belgian comics

Franco-Belgian comics are comics that are made for Belgian and French readers. These countries have a long tradition in comics and comic books. There they are known as BDs, an abbreviation of bandes dessinées. This means drawn strips in French. Many other European comics, especially Italian comics, are strongly influenced by Franco-Belgian comics. In Europe, the French language is spoken not only in France but also by about 40% of the population of Belgium and about 20% of the population of Switzerland.

Notable comics

While hundreds of comic series have been made in the Franco-Belgian group, some are more notable than others. Most of those listed are aimed at younger readers:

• XIII by William Vance and Jean Van Hamme
• Adèle Blanc-Sec by Jacques Tardi
• Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
• Barbe Rouge by Jean-Michel Charlier, Victor Hubinon and others
• Bécassine by Jacqueline Rivière and Joseph Pinchon
• Blake and Mortimer by E.P. Jacobs
• Blueberry by Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud
• Boule and Bill by Jean Roba
• Les Cités Obscures by François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters
• Gaston by André Franquin
• Incal by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jean Giraud
• Jerry Spring by Jijé
• Jommeke by Jef Nys (originally made in Dutch)
• Kiekeboe by Merho (originally made in Dutch)
• Largo Winch by Philippe Francq and Jean Van Hamme
• Lucky Luke by Morris and René Goscinny
• Marsupilami by André Franquin
• Michel Vaillant by Jean Graton
• Nero by Marc Sleen (originally made in Dutch)
• Rahan by Roger Lecureux
• The Smurfs by Peyo
• Spike and Suzy (Dutch: Suske & Wiske) by Willy Vandersteen (originally made in Dutch)
• Spirou et Fantasio by André Franquin, Jijé and others
• Tanguy et Laverdure by Jean-Michel Charlier, Jijé and others
• Thorgal by Grzegorz Rosiński and Jean Van Hamme
• The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé
• Titeuf by Zep
• Les Tuniques Bleues by Willy Lambil and Raoul Cauvin
• Valérian and Laureline by Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre Christin