SUBMARINES IN COMICS

This short chapter is dedicated to the submarines that appeared in comics, more precisely those that were turned into derived products (models...) This is a Belgian specialty, no wonder given the richness of that country’s comics, from the 30s to the 70s: Hergé, E.P. Jacobs, Franquin, etc. This part of the Museum is also meant to grow as information and especially the targeted products get in.

1) Hergé, Tintin and others

The shark submarine from “Red Rackham’s Treasure” is certainly the most famous of all submarines in the comics world. The Fondation Moulinsart (a commercial company) manages and authorizes Hergé-derived products. The first edition of that submarine was made in the late 80s by Pixie (red box); since then, always from the same maker, but in a blue box, the Moulinsart brand has been in charge of issuing those products, with a new version of the submarine, with scenery, but at a frightening price! Those are hand-painted lead models (5”).
The other version was created by Michel Aroutcheff in the 90s (resin), about 12” long.

F Pixie: *****; Aroutcheff: ****

This magnificent edition, issued at 3000 specimens, in sheet metal and resin, is signed by Moulinsart, and I suppose it was “Made in France,” though the packaging bears references to China. The authenticity certificate does not specify the locale. Anyway, this is a typical example of investment to start a collection: 199 euros ($260). 17”. Notice the finishing details: propeller, smoke dispenser (under the sub), detailed control area: a masterpiece!

F, let it get old under glass or in your cellar, depending on the whims of the Lady – or Lord – of the house: see the section about building a collection.
There is a rampant legend about this submersible, telling of the existence of a navigating toy version, built in only 5 or 6 specimens...
There is even an inflatable rubber ring version by Nautyl!

Of course, this legendary submarine has inspired artisans and amateurs, as witnessed by those two samples:

 

The first is 10.5", in wood and resin, the very enjoyable work from a Seine Maritime amateur; but why, oh why, are the fins painted white on the top? As for the second, this is pure funny delirium! It is in wood and 12".

F, both unpriced...

Xiao He’s website (http:/captainnemo12.tripod.com/), beside a personal version of the Nautilus, offers a radio-guided version of that sub.

An innovative underwater vehicle imagined by Hergé is the underwater tank appearing in one of the adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko, “The Secret Ray.” The specimen shown here is unique, since it is a prototype built by Michel Aroutcheff that I found in a bargains Comics shop in the Rue Dante in Paris. Resin sculpture. 4”.

F not rated, unique specimen (Aroutcheff version)

2) Franquin, Spirou and Fantasio

There is no need to introduce Franquin, creator of the irresistible Gaston Lagaffe, the Marsupilami, and his two heroes, Spirou and Fantasio (the latter sometimes appearing as a victim of Gaston’s blunders).

In “The Murena’s Hideout,” Fantasio uses a small torpedo-like submarine to locate the bandits’ hideout; they themselves use an Italian “upgraded” Maiale (pig) from WW2.
Those two models are signed by Michel Aroutcheff (10”) and there also exists a Pixie version of Fantasio’s torpedo.

   

F **** both models

3) Edgar Pierre Jacobs: Blake & Mortimer

The comics’ absolute top! Our two very British heroes adventure in extraordinary settings:

- Time travel in “The Time Trap;”

- Fantastic Egyptology in “The Mystery of the Great Pyramid,” etc.

In “Atlantis Mystery,” both heroes discover that Atlantis survived under-earth. While the Atlantes, whose world is about to be submerged, fly to the stars, Blake & Mortimer escape thanks to a small robot sub. The one shown here is a Pixie production from the 90s.

Lead, 6”.

F ****

4) The Beatles and the “Yellow Submarine.”

Originally issued as a 33 rpm vinyl disc with accompanying booklet, the yellow submarine inspired many creations (toys, models, various merchandise), four samples of which are shown here:

- A prototype lead version, suggested to EMI in 1989 by a Hong-Kong-based production but rejected by the “Beatles Committee.” The representative of that Chinese company gave it to me as a souvenir back when I was working for Pathé Marconi (EMI France).

- A very beautiful navigating (and rolling) model in plastic, made by AMT (USA) in the 80s; splendid “Artbox,” an impeccable product:

- The inevitable Corgi Toys version, in metal, many times reissued, unfortunately without the 1960s box;

- Finally the version sold in the 1990s-2000s in music records like Mégastore or FNAC, a spring-powered bathtub model (in plastic), together with a figure of Georges Harrison; since then it has been reissued with all four Beatles.

Length: AMT 9”; Fnac/Mégastore (McFarlane?) 7”; Corgy 6”; Prototype: 3”
AMT: USA ***; Corgy Toy: UK; Fnac/Megastore (USA/McFarlane?);
Prototype: C *****

The Beatlesmania-version “Yellow Submarine” inspired many works and personal interpretations, for instance Audrey Besseau who built this guided version. http:/yellowsub.over-blog.com

In the “Les Martiens sont là” (The Martians are here) episode of Mr. Lambique, Bob and Bobette’s adventures, reissued in 1984, Willy Vandersteen depicts an underwater... barge! 

In his graphic novel " The Ice Demon " Tardi imagined this Nautilus-derived genuine underwater gunboat:

There's a project for Bernard Brimeur...

To temporarily conclude on submarines in comics, we cannot fail to mention all the comics adaptations of 20000 Leagues under the Sea and Mysterious Island. Again, go and see “Mobilis in Mobile – the myth of Nemo and the Nautilus” (ici lien) that compiled those works; one of the Museum’s future sections will, by the way, be dedicated to those adaptations with... ceramics models!

Other comics have also pictured submarines; but either they are depictions of real subs, or there is no merchandise (1)... Anyway, your finds would be welcome in this chapter. The subject of Japanese mangas will be the basis for a new section of the museum. See the “Modelstories” website first...

(1) For instance the submarine in “The Secret of the Swordfish” that transports a helicopter, the SA (or S2) is not, strictly speaking, a SF sub, but it would have a place here, if we could find a model. The Swordfish itself will be studied in a future section of the museum dedicated to flying submarines. Still, there remains a question: If the Atragon and the Seaview’s small yellow counterpart sub are indubitably submarines from the start, aren’t Blake & Mortimer’s Swordfish – and Bob Morane’s Firebird – rather submarine planes? One of those eggs or hen questions...