The Exploits of Quick and Flupke (1930-1941): Hergé’s Lesser-Known Comic Masterpiece

The Exploits of Quick and Flupke: When you hear the name Hergé, your mind likely conjures images of the intrepid reporter Tintin and his loyal canine companion, Snowy. Hergé’s “The Adventures of Tintin” remains one of the world’s most iconic and beloved comic series. However, within Hergé’s impressive body of work lies another gem often overlooked—the mischievous duo Quick and Flupke.

A Brief Introduction to Quick and Flupke

“Quick and Flupke,” originally titled “Quick et Flupke, gamins de Bruxelles” (Quick and Flupke, urchins of Brussels), was a comic series by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Serialized weekly from January 1930 to 1940 in “Le Petit Vingtième,” the children’s supplement of the conservative Belgian newspaper “Le Vingtième Siècle” (The Twentieth Century), this series ran parallel to Hergé’s more famous “The Adventures of Tintin.” It continued for another year in “Le Soir Jeunesse” until 1941.

The series’ heart revolves around two young troublemakers, Quick and Flupke, who call Brussels their home. Their everyday adventures are characterized by youthful exuberance, mischief, and constant clashes with a local policeman.

The Origins of Quick and Flupke

To understand the birth of Quick and Flupke, we must delve into Hergé’s early career. Hergé was appointed as the editor of a children’s supplement, “Le Petit Vingtième,” which was part of “Le Vingtième Siècle.” This newspaper, known for its Catholic solid and fascist messages, provided a platform for Hergé’s first attempts at comics.

Hergé initially illustrated “L’Extraordinaire Aventure de Flup, Nénesse, Poussette et Cochonnet” (The Extraordinary Adventures of Flup, Nénesse, Poussette, and Cochonnet), a comic strip created by one of the paper’s sports columnists. This story follows the escapades of two boys, one of their younger sisters, and her inflatable rubber pig.

However, Hergé yearned to create his comic strip. He was inspired by new techniques in comics, particularly the systematic use of speech bubbles, which he discovered in American comics like George McManus’s “Bringing Up Father,” George Herriman’s “Krazy Kat,” and Rudolph Dirks’s “Katzenjammer Kids.” Copies of these comics, sent to Hergé by a colleague stationed in Mexico, fueled his artistic ambitions.

The Inception of Quick and Flupke

Quick and Flupke came into existence in a rather amusing way. According to Hergé’s recollections, upon returning from a vacation, he discovered that his staff had jokingly announced that he would create a new series. Left with little time and under this obligation, he had to develop a new comic strip quickly.

In crafting the scenario for Quick and Flupke, Hergé drew inspiration from various sources, including the 1929 French film “Les Deux Gosses” (The Two Kids) and his childhood memories of Brussels. Moreover, cinematic influences, especially from Charlie Chaplin’s films, are evident in the characters, particularly the police officers.

The series debuted in “Le Petit Vingtième” on January 23, 1930, initially featuring Quick without Flupke. They have quickly made a grand entrance on the cover of that issue, introducing themselves to readers and promising weekly escapades. The name “Quipke” was borrowed from one of Hergé’s friends. Flupke joined the adventures a few weeks later, initially under the name “Suske” before becoming “Flupke” (“Little Philip” in Flemish).

Quick and Flupke continued their antics in “Le Petit Vingtième” every Thursday for six years. Unlike Hergé’s other major work, “The Adventures of Tintin,” which involved intricate storylines and elaborate illustrations, Quick and Flupke was marked by its simplicity and humor, often developed on the day of publication.

Quick and Flupke: A Different Flavor

Hergé used Quick and Flupke as a canvas for humor that wasn’t deemed suitable for “The Adventures of Tintin.” The series embraced its identity as a comic strip, and this self-awareness became a recurring motif. In one memorable episode, Flupke defies gravity by walking on the ceiling, flies around, and tosses Quick’s head into the air, only to wake up and exclaim, “Thank goodness it wasn’t real! Hergé isn’t still making us act like cartoons!”

Furthermore, Hergé made amusing meta-commentaries by inserting himself into the strip numerous times. In “The Kidnapping of Hergé,” Quick and Flupke abduct Hergé from his office and force him to sign a statement declaring that their characters are good, intelligent, and obedient, contrary to how they are portrayed every week.

The humor extended to character names, where Hergé played with wordplay. For instance, the veterinarian’s name, M. Moraurat, humorously translates to “death to rats.” Hergé also added contemporary references and political satire, with one instance lampooning Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

Quick and Flupke’s Place in Hergé’s Legacy

While “The Adventures of Tintin” gained international acclaim and widespread recognition, Quick and Flupke were overshadowed. However, they hold a unique place in Hergé’s body of work. Pierre Assouline, a biographer of Hergé, believed that Quick and Flupke offered a stark contrast to the seriousness and complexity of Tintin’s adventures. He appreciated the series for its “lightness of touch, charm, tenderness, and poetry,” qualities distinct from the rest of Hergé’s creations.

Benoît Peeters, another biographer, saw Quick and Flupke as a perfect complement to Tintin, showcasing shorter, two-strip jokes compared to Tintin’s long narratives. Additionally, Quick and Flupke navigated a world with minimal adult interference, which set them apart from Hergé’s other works.

The Legacy Continues

Quick and Flupke may have concluded their original adventures, but their legacy endures. After Hergé’s passing, the comics were colorized and reissued by the Studios Hergé and Casterman between 1985 and 1991. English translations were also made available, introducing a new audience to the charming world of Quick and Flupke.

Quick and Flupke even appeared in some “The Adventures of Tintin” books in pop culture, cementing their place in the larger Hergé universe.

Quick and Flupke, the two urchins of Brussels, may not enjoy the same fame as Tintin and Snowy, but they represent a delightful and essential facet of Hergé’s artistic prowess. Their lighthearted, humorous escapades resonate with readers, offering a timeless exploration of the exuberance and mischief of youth.

As we celebrate the enduring legacy of Hergé, let’s not forget to tip our hats to Quick and Flupke, those mischievous urchins who, in their whimsical way, have left an indelible mark on the world of comics.

Read also:

• The Adventures of Tintin: A Legacy in Comic History
• Herge / Georges Prosper Remi: Tintin Creator’s Inspiring Story
• Tintin’s Influence on Russian Political Scenario

FAQs about The Exploits of Quick and Flupke

1. What is “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke,” and who is the creator?

“The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” is a comic series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It originally ran from 1930 to 1940 in Le Petit Vingtième, the children’s supplement of the Belgian newspaper Le Vingtième Siècle.

2. Who are Quick and Flupke, and where do they live?

Quick and Flupke are the main characters, two misbehaving boys who live in Brussels. The series revolves around their misadventures and conflicts with a local police officer.

3. When was “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” serialized, and in which publications did it appear?

The series was serialized weekly from January 1930 to 1940 in Le Petit Vingtième. It continued for an additional year in Le Soir Jeunesse until 1941.

4. Was “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” created before or after Hergé’s famous work “The Adventures of Tintin”?

“The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” was created alongside Hergé’s better-known work, “The Adventures of Tintin.” It ran in parallel with Tintin.

5. How did Hergé develop the characters of Quick and Flupke, and when did both characters appear in the series?

Quick initially appeared without Flupke and introduced himself in the comic on January 23, 1930. Flupke joined as Quick’s sidekick a few weeks later, and he was initially named “Suske” before being renamed “Flupke.”

6. What influenced Hergé in creating “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke”?

Hergé was influenced by French cinema, especially the film “Les Deux Grosses,” and his childhood experiences in Brussels. Charlie Chaplin’s films also served as an inspiration.

7. Why did Hergé use “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” to include jokes inappropriate for “The Adventures of Tintin”?

Hergé used Quick and Flupke to include jokes and humor considered inappropriate for his more famous work, “The Adventures of Tintin.”

8. Did Quick and Flupke appear in “The Adventures of Tintin”?

Yes, Quick and Flupke briefly appeared in some of “The Adventures of Tintin” books.

9. How was “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” received by critics and fans compared to Hergé’s other works?

Critics noted that Quick and Flupke had a different spirit than Hergé’s earlier work, particularly “Tintin in the Land of the Soviets.” They appreciated the series’s lightness, charm, tenderness, and poetry.

10. Were English translations of “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” available, and when were they produced?

English translations of “The Exploits of Quick and Flupke” were produced in the early 1990s, and two books were published under the titles “Double Trouble” and “Two of a Kind.” Later, more English translations were released in India in 2008 and planned for the UK, although not all were published as of late 2011.