ANDRE FRANQUIN (1924-1997)

Spirou et Fantasio - La corne du rhinocéros India ink, graphite and white gouache on paper for the plate 21 of the album. Signed and dated 53 at the bottom center. 41,5 x 26,5 cm. Dupuis, 1955. Six years after taking over the drawing (and the destiny) of Spirou & Fantasio, Franquin is now in full possession of his means to deliver a new adventure full of twists and turns to the readers of the Journal de Spirou in this year 1952. Scenaristically speaking, the young author imagines that the plans of a new revolutionary car, after a visit to the Car Show, makes competitors, journalists and brigands run around. Our heroes go all the way to Africa to find the plans of this famous "Turbotraction" which will become the car of the series, a real symbol for all the connoisseurs. In addition to the magnificent African landscapes, Franquin innovates by adding a new protagonist, a young journalist called Seccotine who will be talked about in the future. Graphically speaking, Franquin now has a perfect grip on his characters. But it is in the movement of these characters that the whole chase makes sense. Without forgetting the superb animals of the African fauna that Franquin takes great pleasure in drawing, as you can see in this magnificent plate.