Spip (comics character)
| Spip | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Dupuis (Belgium) |
| First appearance | Spirou et Fantasio |
| Created by | Rob-Vel |
Spip is a fictional Eurasian red squirrel and a main character in the Belgian comic strip Spirou et Fantasio. He is Spirou's pet and was the first recurring supporting character in the series.
The character made its debut in the second Spirou story, L'Héritage de Bill Money (Bill Money's Heritage, 1939) by Rob-Vel. Spirou saves him from the mad and sadistic Sosthène Silly in the story, but otherwise the animal remained a mere anecdotal character. It wasn't until Jijé took over the series that Spip became one of the main cast members and even gained the ability to talk, although humans don't understand it. When André Franquin took over the series he introduced the Marsupilami, a character who'd somewhat steal the spotlight away from Spip in many stories. But when Franquin quit drawing Spirou he licensed the Marsupilami for personal use, thus making Spip once again more prominent in the new Spirou stories by different creators.
Spip is saved by Spirou in Rob-Vel's and Jijé's first joint adventure L'Héritage de Bill Money (The Inheritance of Bill Money, 1938), and from then on he stands by his master's side. Under Rob-vel his presence is just visual, occasionally serving to gnaw ropes that bind his master, or adding to a comical detail. It is under Jijé's authorship he gains the capacity to speak through "thought balloons" (similar to Snoopy and Garfield). From this point he is given to state his opinion on any situation, often in a comical manner, and his communications appear to be understood.
Under André Franquin's authorship, Spirou and Fantasio lose the ability to understand Spip, and when the Marsupilami joins the family, he also loses a great deal of attention but gains the perspective to feel ignored and underappreciated. In the shadow of his extraordinary fellow pet, he is less influential, although there are exceptions. In La corne de rhinoceros, he saves his friends from an angry elephant, earning him the title "king of creation". Near the end of this era, in QRN sur Bretzelburg, he is allowed to shine.
...
Wikipedia