1962, Belgian Comics: “Jerom”

In 1962 Belgian comics artist Willy Vandersteen creates a new comic "Jerom" (French: "Jérôme", German: "Wastl"). Three albums were published in 1962 by the "Standaard Uitgeverij": "Het geheim van Brokkelsteen" (French: "Le mystére de Brispierre", German: "Wastl und das Geheimnis von Burg Schreckenstein"), "De verborgen kroon" (French: "La couronne mystérieuse", German: "Wastl und die Krone der Elfenkönigin") and "Koning van de wildernis" (French: "Roi de la jungle", German: "Wastl, der König der Wildnis").

Jerom (English: Jethro) was introduced in 1953 as a new character in the "Suske en Wiske" (English: "Spike and Suzy") album "De dolle musketiers". In his first appearance as the strongest man in the Western Hemisphere, Vandersteen portrayed him as an uncivilised loincloth figure.

Cover "Het geheim van Brokkelsteen" (1962)

No 1 "Het geheim van Brokkelsteen"

• full-colour
• never published in English
• story and drawings by Willy Vandersteen
• French title: "Le mystére de Brispierre"
• German title: "Wastl und das Geheimnis von Burg Schreckenstein"

The story was pre-published in the Belgian youth-magazine “Ons Volkske” (18 August 1960 – 16 March 1961). The main characters are Jerom (Jethro), Tante Sidonie (aunt Sidonia), Flupke, Mother of Flupke, Baron Zevensloten (Baron Seven Locks), Professor Barabas, Graaf Van Spillebeen (Count Spillebeen), boer Kobe (farmer Kobe), Rentmeester, Tovenaar (Wizard). The album contains a reference to Belgian Congo.

Jerom (Jethro) and Sidonie (Sidonia)

Jerom (Jethro), Flupke and his mother

Baron Zevensloten (Baron Seven Locks) and Flupkes Mother

Professor Barabas

Synopsis

Aunt Sidonia has taken the task to teach Jerom (Jethro) some manners so she sends him to school. In the school Jerom befriends Flupke, a boy who lives with his mother in the old haunted castle Brokkelsteen...

Rentmeester and Graaf Van Spillebeen (Count Spillebeen)

Jerom (Jethro), boer Kobe (farmer Kobe) and Graaf Van Spillebeen (Count Sillebeen)

Graaf Van Spillebeen (Count Sillebeen) and Tovenaar (Wizard)

Belgian Congo reference

Cars

• unidentified police car (probably Ford Taunus Transit (FK 1000))

Ford Taunus Transit (FK 1000) ?

Cover "De verborgen kroon" (1962)

No 2 "De verborgen kroon"

• full-colour
• never published in English
• story and drawings by Willy Vandersteen
• French title: "La couronne mystérieuse"
• German title: "Wastl und die Krone der Elfenkönigin"

The story was pre-published in the Belgian youth-magazine “Ons Volkske” (23 March 1961 – 19 October 1961). The main characters are Jerom (Jethro), Tante Sidonie (aunt Sidonia), gypsies, boer Sanders (farmer Sanders), elfjes (elves), aardgeesten (nature spirits) and bad guys Krabbe and Koker. The album contains a reference to the television series “Ivanhoe” with Roger Moore.

Jerom (Jethro) and gypsies

Jerom (Jethro) and boer Sanders (farmer Sanders)

Elfje (Elve) and Jerom (Jethro)

Aardgeesten (Nature spirits)

Synopsis

One evening when Jerom (Jethro) goes camping in the woods tiny lights appear. The lights are shot by a farmer Sanders. Jerom investigates and soon finds out that the lights are actually elves looking for the crown of their Queen...

Krabbe, Koker and Farmer Sanders

Reference to the television series “Ivanhoe” with Roger Moore

Cars

Citroën 2CV

Citroën 2CV

Cover "Koning van de wildernis"

No 3 "Koning van de wildernis"

• full-colour
• never published in English
• story and drawings by Willy Vandersteen
• French title: "Roi de la jungle"
• German title: "Wastl, der König der Wildnis"

The story was pre-published in the Belgian youth-magazine “Ons Volkske” (26 October 1961 – 24 May 1962). The main characters are Jerom (Jethro), Tante Sidonie (aunt Sidonia), Nananas, Professor Snuffels, Tovenaar (Wizard) and Burton.

Jerom (Jethro) and Nananas

Jerom (Jethro), Sidonie, Professor Snuffels and Nananas

Synopsis

While gardening Jerom (Jethro) meets Professors Snuffels adopted child Nananas. The prof asks Jerom to rescue a Zulu tribe and his expedition partner Buton in Africa...

Burton, Wizard and Jerom (Jethro)

Cars

Citroën DS

Citroën DS