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Moomin Comic Strip #22-25
Moomin: The Complete Lars Jansson Comic Strip, Vol. 06
The first volume to be drawn and written by Lars Jansson
After the multifaceted Tove Jansson quit the daily grind of the newspaper comic strip, the reins were picked up by her younger brother, Lars, who–not being an artist–taught himself how to draw so that he could continue bringing the Moomin charm to millions of readers around the world. He wrote and drew the strip from 1961 to 1974. Without missing a beat, the transition from Tove to Lars was seamless. The delightful and gentle skewering of life’s foibles continued with such antics as Moomin becoming a vegetarian; the genie from a magic lamp bringing stolen diamonds; a railway through Moominvalley turning into a roller coaster, and, of course, hijinks with international spies invading Moominvalley.
After the multifaceted Tove Jansson quit the daily grind of the newspaper comic strip, the reins were picked up by her younger brother, Lars, who–not being an artist–taught himself how to draw so that he could continue bringing the Moomin charm to millions of readers around the world. He wrote and drew the strip from 1961 to 1974. Without missing a beat, the transition from Tove to Lars was seamless. The delightful and gentle skewering of life’s foibles continued with such antics as Moomin becoming a vegetarian; the genie from a magic lamp bringing stolen diamonds; a railway through Moominvalley turning into a roller coaster, and, of course, hijinks with international spies invading Moominvalley.
88 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 24, 2025
Lars does a fantastic job taking the daily strip over from his sister. Perhaps not quite as memorable but the art and mood is still great.
March 12, 2016
After reading the Moomin comic series done by Tove Jansson, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the Moomin strip that was drawn by her younger brother, Lars Jansson, but I decided to give it a try. It's great! The drawing is excellent and the storylines very similar, perhaps a little less cynical (?) in places. According to the bio info in the back, Lars was secretly trained by their mother to draw the strip because Tove Jansson's "creative fatigue" was setting in. The results are wonderful and I will keep reading the series as it is released, book by book by, "Drawn and Quarterly". Apparently Lars is the model for Snufkin, so he has to be wonderful!
August 19, 2021
en pidä Larsin piirrostyylistä yhtä paljon kuin Toven, tarinat silti kivoja
June 4, 2025
This is the sixth book in the series presenting the original Moomin comics. The four stories presented here have been drawn by Finnish writer and cartoonist Lars Jansson: Moomin finds a genie lamp on the beach; Moomin tries to stop a railway being built through Moominvalley; Moominpappa gets caught up with some spies; and lastly, the Moomins end up with a menagerie of circus animals after Moominpappa is made honorary chairman of the local S.P.C.A. (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
A biography at the back of the book says that Lars is the younger brother of Moomin creator Tove Jansson. His initial role was translating her comic strip into English, but he took over writing and drawing it in 1960 when his sister ran out of ideas, and ended up doing the job for 15 years, twice as long as Tove. In my opinion, while he manages to capture the frenetic chaos and bizarre logic of a Moomin story, I’ve read enough of Tove’s work to notice that it’s not quite the same. It takes on a masculine tone, with Moomin or Moominpappa always the central characters and stories focusing more on action than relationships. Meanwhile, it's missing a lot of the quirky minor characters, the humour is less pointed and it lacks the pathos of the original. But it was still fun to read and I’d be happy to see more of Lars’s work.
A biography at the back of the book says that Lars is the younger brother of Moomin creator Tove Jansson. His initial role was translating her comic strip into English, but he took over writing and drawing it in 1960 when his sister ran out of ideas, and ended up doing the job for 15 years, twice as long as Tove. In my opinion, while he manages to capture the frenetic chaos and bizarre logic of a Moomin story, I’ve read enough of Tove’s work to notice that it’s not quite the same. It takes on a masculine tone, with Moomin or Moominpappa always the central characters and stories focusing more on action than relationships. Meanwhile, it's missing a lot of the quirky minor characters, the humour is less pointed and it lacks the pathos of the original. But it was still fun to read and I’d be happy to see more of Lars’s work.
August 23, 2020
The thing I like least about the Lars comics is his fondness for breaking the fourth wall, with the moomins aware that they're in comics. It takes away from the magic. He also doesn't seem able to add those little sparks of ridiculously quirky humor through side characters who exist simply to be odd and interesting and somehow inspirational.
Otherwise, though, these are perfectly serviceable adventures that I'm sure I would have grown up loving as a child. They remind me more of Carl Barks comics than Tove Jansson, which makes them a little less Moomin, but still fun.
Otherwise, though, these are perfectly serviceable adventures that I'm sure I would have grown up loving as a child. They remind me more of Carl Barks comics than Tove Jansson, which makes them a little less Moomin, but still fun.
January 26, 2023
This is the point where Tove Janssen’s brother Lars takes over the strip and there’s a noticeable dip in quality. Lars had previously been the English translator and co-writer of the series, and though the art is not noticeably different, it’s just not as good all around. It’s still an enjoyable comic and understands the Moomin’s world, but missing some of the original author’s wit and illustrative sophistication.
January 20, 2026
El hermano de Tove Jansson, Lars, retomó las tiras cómicas de los Mumin cuando su hermana no pudo continuar haciéndose cargo, y la verdad és que conoce perfectamente el universo que creó su hermana. Creo que considerar estas tiras infantiles és reducir su contenido.
December 22, 2018
The first of the Lars versions and I really didn't notice much difference. Particularly enjoyed Moominmpappa and the Spies.
September 13, 2019
Wasn't keen on the first two stories but the spies story is such a riot and the circus finale is fun. Lars getting into his stride.
September 11, 2023
Until today I had no idea that the Moomin comics were written by two different people! Tove and Lars Janssen were siblings—this volume is by Lars.
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October 3, 2025Wow Lars coming out the gate full speed with Moomin on the run from the law
November 21, 2013
Den helt klart roligaste hittills av serien på 10 böcker med den kompletta utgivningen av Mumin hittills, fantastiskt träffande och helt absurda historier, speciellt i De underutvecklade mumintrollon, Mumin och moster, Hundliv i Mumindalen samt Mumin detektiven.
July 30, 2023
Lars Jansson's first Moomin strips are simpler in structure than his sister Tove’s. The one that is most reminiscent of the classic Moomin is "Moominpappa and the spies" where Moominpappa tries to relive his wild youth. Otherwise, the stories are more rambling, but the drawings work well.
May 16, 2011
The first moomin book by Tove's younger brother Lars Jansson. Very, very good if not as rich as Tove's work.
June 28, 2011
Tove's work has more grace and genius, but these (her brother's comics using her characters) are fun.
February 12, 2015
so good that i preemptively got anxious about having kids and having the disposable income/library access to obtain all of these
April 11, 2017
Разпознаваемият авторски стил на Туве Янсон лъха от тези комикси точно както и от книгите. Героите са отражения на различни страни от човешката природа, обрисуват (и до известна степен дори карикатуризират) честно и открито хорския характер, а историите за тях са изпълнени с приказна философия, семейна топлина, уюта на дома, очарованието на природата, и всичко това поръсено с щипка добронамерена самоирония и здравословно количество носталгия.
Албуми от 1 до 5 преиздават пълната колекция от комиксите на Туве Янсон – първите финландски издания от 1947–1948г., и после британските стрипове от вестниците, за периода от 1954 до 1959г.
Албум 6 започва с комиксите на Ларс от 1960г. През януари 2017 се чака да излезе от печат Албум 11, който ще започне комиксите от 1965г. А имайки предвид, че стриповете на Ларс Янсон излизат чак до 1975г. представете си само колко още албуми тепърва предстоят!
Научете повече на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
Албуми от 1 до 5 преиздават пълната колекция от комиксите на Туве Янсон – първите финландски издания от 1947–1948г., и после британските стрипове от вестниците, за периода от 1954 до 1959г.
Албум 6 започва с комиксите на Ларс от 1960г. През януари 2017 се чака да излезе от печат Албум 11, който ще започне комиксите от 1965г. А имайки предвид, че стриповете на Ларс Янсон излизат чак до 1975г. представете си само колко още албуми тепърва предстоят!
Научете повече на "Книжни Криле": https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews