1972, Belgian Comics: “Jerom: De vleermuis”

In 1972 the 43rd "Jerom" album "De vleermuis" (French title: "La chauve-souris", translation: "The Bat") was published by the "Standaard Uitgeverij".

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, Willy Vandersteen portrayed him as an uncivilised loincloth figure.

No 43 "De vleermuis"

• full-colour
• never published in English
• story and drawings by Studio Vandersteen
• French title: "La chauve-souris"

No 43 "De vleermuis" ("The Bat")

The main characters are Jerom (Jethro), Tante Sidonia (aunt Sidonia), Professor Barabas, Baroness Van Kwimperzele, President Arthur, Odilon, The Bat, James the butler, John the detective, Police Officer and circus director Bolzani. The album contains a reference to “Bessy”, another Vandersteen comic series.

Baroness Van Kwimperzele and Jerom (Jethro)

Odilon, Jerom (Jethro), Professor Barabas, aunt Sidonia and President Arthur

De vleermuis (The Bat)

Jerom (Jethro): reference to “Bessy”

Synopsis

Jerom (Jethro) on his motorbike collides with Baroness Van Kwimperzele's car. When she sees how strong he is, she asks if he wants to be employed by her. She is threatened by someone who dresses up like a bat...

Jerom (Jethro) and James the butler

John the detective and Baroness Van Kwimperzele

Police officer and Jerom (Jethro)

Circus director Bolzani

Cars

• Jerom’s (Jethro's) motorbike
• Baroness Van Kwimperzele's car, unidentified probably based on a Rolls-Royce
• Volkswagen Transporter T1 (Typ 2)

Jerom’s (Jethro's) motorbike

Baroness Van Kwimperzele's car, unidentified probably based on a Rolls-Royce

Volkswagen Transporter T1 (Typ 2)