Why the Franco-Belgian comic book became the world's ninth art form
In short: Known as the ninth art, the bande dessinée is a unique European tradition that flourished in the shadow of war. By blending French and Belgian creative forces, these comics evolved from simple newspaper strips into sophisticated albums, creating a distinct cultural market that remains a powerhouse of global visual storytelling.
The term bande dessinée, or drawn strips, emerged in the 1930s but gained widespread recognition by the 1960s. This medium is deeply rooted in the shared Francophone culture of France and Belgium. While early 20th-century comics were often relegated to newspaper serials or church-distributed magazines, the 1929 publication of Hergé’s The Adventures of Tintin in Le Petit Vingtième marked a pivotal shift. By transitioning these stories into hardcover albums, the industry established a new format that allowed for international reach, eventually making Tintin the archetype of the modern Franco-Belgian comic.
The industry’s development was paradoxically accelerated by the Second World War. When the Nazi occupation made importing American comics impossible, local artists were forced to innovate, filling the void with original characters and narratives. This period launched the careers of legendary figures like André Franquin, Peyo, and Albert Uderzo. Post-war, the landscape was dominated by influential magazines like Spirou and Tintin, which fostered distinct artistic movements such as the clean-line style of Hergé and the Marcinelle school associated with Dupuis. By 1964, the medium was formally dubbed the ninth art, a designation solidified by scholars like Francis Lacassin.
Today, the influence of these comics extends far beyond Europe, particularly in Quebec, where historical ties to France have fostered a robust local scene. While the term graphic novel has been adopted to distinguish mature or experimental works, the legacy of the classic BD remains central. From the early cross-fertilization between French and Belgian creators to the professionalization of scriptwriting by figures like Jean-Michel Charlier, the bande dessinée has proven to be a resilient and evolving art form, maintaining its status as a cornerstone of European cultural identity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bande dessinée
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