La vallée des bannis

Spirou et Fantasio #41

by Tome, Janry

Spirou et Fantasio aboutissent dans une vallée peuplée de moustiques porteurs d'un étrange et dangereux virus.

Genres: Comics, Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Adventure, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Humor

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Pseudonym of Philippe Vandevelde, sometimes incorrectly credited as Philippe Tome.

Né le 24 février 1957 à Bruxelles, Philippe Vandevelde, dit Tome, découvre la bande dessinée à l'âge de cinq ans. Momentanément aveuglé par une opération aux yeux, sa maman lui fait la lecture d'albums qui le marquent profondément comme Le sceptre d'Ottokar et Les extraordinaires aventures de Corentin Feldoë. Quelques années plus tard, le jeune garçon se délecte des albums de "Gil Jourdan" de Maurice Tillieux. À l'âge de quatorze ans, il participe au fanzine Buck, puis s'inscrit à des cours du soir de bande dessinée où il fait deux rencontres essentielles : celles de Janry et de Stéphane De Becker. Appelé au service militaire, Philippe passe quelques mois en Allemagne et, s'inscrivant dans la tradition familiale, signe pour deux ans d'engagement comme officier. Sous les drapeaux, il fait la connaissance d'André Geerts. Les deux hommes sympathisent et cette rencontre achève de convaincre Philippe de devenir professionnel de la bande dessinée. De retour à la vie civile, il retrouve son ami Janry qui est entre temps devenu l'assistant de Dupa. Le duo reformé va ponctuellement prêter main forte à Turk et De Groot. C'est à ce moment que Philippe opte pour la signature de Tome et que son association avec Janry passe à la vitesse supérieure, lorsqu'ils sont choisis pour reprendre les aventures de "Spirou et Fantasio". En 1984, paraît leur premier album Virus, qui est très chaleureusement accueilli par les lecteurs. En 1987, Tome, fasciné par la ville de New York, imagine "Soda", une série policière mêlant action et humour. La même année, Tome & Janry imaginent les histoires du "Petit Spirou". Tout en cultivant son talent pour le gag, Tome développe une veine réaliste et dramatique qui déteint sur leur ultime album de "Spirou et Fantasio", Machine qui rêve. Depuis lors, Tome poursuit avec fantaisie son best-seller absolu "Le Petit Spirou" et relance en 2015 "Soda", avec Dan au dessin.

En compagnie de Janry, Tome a réalisé près de trente albums de "Spirou" (petit ou grand), mettant son imagination au service du groom le plus célèbre de la bande dessinée. On lui doit également des albums réalistes au goût américain tels que "Soda" ou "Berceuse Assassine". Tome nous a malheureusement quittés le 5 octobre 2019. Il laisse un vide irremplaçable dans la famille Dupuis.

Reviews

[Simon Chadwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

They clearly had a lot of fun putting this one together.

Following directly on from the previous book, Spirou & Fantasio find themselves in the impenetrable darkness of subterranean caverns after being engulfed by river waters. What they emerge to is a micro-climate sat snugly in a valley and home to all sorts of utterly bizarre and inventive creatures, from mice-like bats that beat their ears to fly, to whoopee cushion creatures and a beast known as the Grumpy Stumpy which resembles a bitter-looking tree stump stalking about on its roots. But most fearful of this odd fauna is the Maniac Midgie which infects those it bites with Raging Hostiliasis. Unfortunately it’s Fantasio who gets bitten, turning him into a murderous brute, so now not only must Spirou find a safe route out of the valley, but he must save his friend without falling foul to his savage tendencies.

From the strange animals to the ancient lost civilisation, to the somewhat grisly discovery of the explorers’ battered and partially overgrown hut among the undergrowth, this is a book packed with refreshing invention and bags of fun. The cartooning style is energetic and teensy-bit anarchic which just adds to the general high jinx. It’s easy to appreciate the long-standing appeal of the characters and I’m looking forward to exploring more of their past adventures.

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the great first part of this tale (Issue #3), this was a let down. The duo touble into all kinds of ridiculous beasties that appear to be more ornamental filler than move the story along. Then there is an over done narrative of a history that doesn't really go anywhere. The ending more reflects the story in the first part of the two-parter.

There is the fun and excitement very well done of the two main characters trying to get from place to place. Especially with the encumbrances involved. The sequential storytelling is excellent. However, it's really a matter of going from place to place and, despite the core problem dealt with involving a main character, doesn't advance the story.

The art and storytelling, what there is of that, is excellent.

Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of ten points.

[Muhme Rumpumpel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirou und Fantasio landen im von der Welt abgeschotteten Tal der Verbannten, in welchem sie eine Hütte, eine Leiche und ein Grab finden - offensichtlich der Ort, an dem die beiden verschollenen Forscher den Rest ihres Lebens verbrachten. Umgeben von absurd-seltsamen Pflanzen und Tieren müssen sie sich durchschlagen - und in kürzester Zeit bekommt Spirou ein zusätzliches Problem: Fantasio wurde von einer aggressiven Mücke gestochen, die seinen Charakter verändern. Er ist plötzlich garstig, rachsüchtig und gewalttätig. Nun muss Spirou also seinen besten Freund unter Kontrolle halten, während er gleichzeitig nach einem Weg raus aus dem Tal der Verbannten sucht. Dank der Hilfe des kleinen Eichhörnchens Pips gelingt ihm dies, und bald sind die beiden Abenteurer wieder zurück daheim... doch ist das Tal WIRKLICH verlassen? Oder lebt einer der Forscher, völlig vom Verstand verlassen, vielleicht doch noch?

***

Ein guter Abschluss des Zweiteilers: spannend und actionreich gezeichnet, voller Tempo und überraschender Wendungen. Eine gute Abenteuergeschichte, aber... was diese dämlichen Tiere und Pflanzen sollten, habe ich nicht verstanden. Das fand ich nichts als albern. 

[nAeEMak نعیمک]

ادامۀ جلد قبلی بود و انتظار نداشتم قصه‌ای از «اسپیرو» دو جلدی باشد. اسپیرو و فانتازیو در جایی گیر می‌افتند که پر از موجودات بانمک است که حتی توصیفشان هم سخت می‌شود چون شکل ظاهری‌شان مهم است اما مثلاً جانوری هست که برای شکار به شکلی شما را گول می‌زند که انگار دلپسندترین چیز جهان را دارید و به سمت او بروید یا پشه‌ای که باعث می‌شود دیوانه شوید و همین باعث می‌شود که فانتازیو هم نیش بخورد و دیوانه شود. فانتازیو ناگهان شخصیت منفی قصه می‌شود و تلاش می‌کند اسپیرو را بکشد و این چالش داستانی و دیدن این دوتا دوست که حالا یکی‌شان به خون دیگری تشنه است خیلی مهیب و هیجان‌انگیز بود. از طرفی هر دو گیر افتادند و حالا اسپیرو نمی‌تواند دوستش را تنها بگذارد و با هزارتا ترفند سعی می‌کند او را آرام کند. این تلاش توامان اسپیرو و ناراحتی از مجنون شدن فانتازیو روند داستانی را خیلی جذاب می‌کرد و خب، خیال راحت من که حتماً فانتازیو خوب می‌‌شود اما این که «چطور نجات پیدا می‌کنند؟» همان کششی است که ما را تا آخر قصه می‌کشاند.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a 1993 hardback reprint in French from Dupuis. Originally published in 1989, I had not read this episode before buying the book.

The second half of a two-parter, this is not as complex a story as the first half. It is less entertaining as a result, although it’s funny, being mostly played for laughs. Having apparently fallen to their deaths, the lads wash up in a “lost world” setting where the crazy flora and fauna are the adversaries. An infected mosquito bite makes Fantasio go murderously crazy, and it’s up to Spirou to get them both to safety, with a little hand from an unexpected quarter.

The writing is first class, but the premise is a little weak and tired. The art is again deceptively sophisticated. Overall, this is a pleasant read, but no classic.

[Halvor Harnæs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enda bedre enn jeg husket fra oppveksten. Jeg har sjelden, kanskje aldri, lest en tegneserie med en slik klaustrofobisk stemning. Tegningene er fenomenale, både naturen og personene. I Tome og Janrys periode er Sprint og Kvikk mer uttrykksfulle enn noen gang. Samspillet mellom Sprint og Kvikk er strålende. Og det er spennende, ja guffent skummelt. Følelsen minner meg litt om da jeg leste Annihilation, samtidig som premisset er veldig forskjellig.Den fungerer fint på egenhånd, men les del 1 først.

[Ashanti Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Fantasio! I love hidden world stories.

The art is always inspiring in these books. They possess a quality that is rare in contemporary comic books: well designed background layouts! The story, as usual, well paced and charming. I can’t wait to get started in the Australian adventure!

Merci, Tome et Janry!

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this one as the most terrifying in the series, largely on account of the psychological implications and violent insanity of one of my favourite comic book characters. The jungle comes well across as a hellhole even not counting the mosquitoes that cause all the trouble.

[Adele_Eastmacott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais oui, c'est possible de faire un Spirou et Fantasio sombre, violent. Comme un polar et un tomb raider réunis.

[Al Capwned · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great epilogue to this story and it's really interesting what they did with the psychology of the characters.

[Linn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite Spirou story by far. I just love it 😍

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better when they have no other races or countries to caricature. Just a well-drawn fun adventure story.

[Sanna-Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vahvaa piirrosjälkeä tukee ihan hauska ja seikkailullinen tarina. Välillä hutkitaan vähän liikaa, mutta sopivan mittainen ja kompakti kokonaistarina.

[JELLYFISH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my top favorite Spirou volume. I just love how his friend got crazy and he's dealing with the stress of trying to get out of the nature and help his friend out!

[Arto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ei tämä uudelleen lukemalla ollut enää niin miellyttävä. Turhia merkityksettömiä olioita ja melko heikko juoni. Mutta kuvissa monia mielenkiintoisia yksityiskohtia. Tome ja Janry ovat parempia Pikku Piko tarinoiden tekijöinä ja se näkyykin tässä. Puuttuu Franquinin tunnelma ja mielenkiintoinen juoni.

[Timo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pakko myöntää, että mitä kauemmaksi Franquinista Piko ja Fantasio menee, sitä paremmiksi nämä muuttuvat.
Tässä tosin oli vähän liikaa sivuhyppyjä, kun selittivät erikoisia luontoihmeitä, mitä olivat keksineet. Hauskoja, mutta ei tarpeellisia.

[Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beter, veelbeter dan deel 1. En kan geheel los daarvan gelezen worden.

[Bernardo Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

The darkest Spirou comic, so friggin' good.

[Bert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vervolg op "Paniek in Khoudistan". Een flinke dosis Indiana Jones, Kwabbernoot als antagonist, en een vijandige flora en fauna die soms iets té zeer uit de fantasie van de schrijvers is ontsnapt.