The 9th Art

Belguim is known for a lot of things: Beer, Chocolate, Waffles, Frites (ok, the last is incorrectly attributed to the French but I will cover that in the next post).  What I didn't know until I was recently researching our trip to Brussels was that they are very well known as the capital of the 9th Art - Comics.  In fact, many consider Belgium the home of the comic strip.  Having given the world the Smurfs, Tin-Tin, Asterix and Obelix, I might have to agree.

In 1989, The Belgian Comic Book Center was opened (which we visited yesterday) and offered visitors a place to see the art and marketing behind some of the most famous comics in Europe.  Two years later, a commision was formed between the Brussels government and the Comic Book Center to embellish the empty walls that dotted the city and remind people about Belgium's role in the comic trade.  Today, there are over 50 comics depicted on walls all over the city, most located inside the city center (called the pentagon) and Brussels provides a detailed map and route of the murals at its information centers.  Of course, we picked one up and spent a couple of hours each day searching them out in between eating, drinking and our other sightseeing duties.  I have compiled a selection of some of my favorites...

"Broussaille"

This is the very first mural painted in July 1991.

"Victor Sackville"

"Tin-Tin"

"Ric Hochet"

"The Angel"

"Nero"

"Asterix and Obelix"

"Lucky Luke"

"Nick's Dream"

"Cori the Ship Boy"

"Cubitus"

The furry dog takes the Manneqen Pis's place and the Manneqen doesn't seem too pleased.

And we can't forget the comic statues that pop up at the top of stairs...