Smurfs....

In the begining...
On October 23, 1958 the Smurfs made their first appearance in a story of Johan & Peewit in “Le Journal de Spirou”. Their creator Peyo had worked previously at a number of drawing jobs. But the introduction of the Smurfs into Spirou would change his life.



At first, the Smurfs were just secondary characters. But they soon became stars in their own right. After a few mini-albums, their tales began to appear as full albums. Then the film “The Smurfs and the Magic Flute” appeared, with music by Michel Legrand (he also sang in the chorus !).



Music provided the next big step also, when the Dutch singer Vader Abraham released the first Smurf single. It was a massive hit in Belgium and Holland, followed by the rest of the world. Soon, figurines, plushes, toys, (hit) records and above all the TV shows brought them right around the world. In 1981, the celebrated cartoon duo Hanna & Barbera (who created Tom & Jerry and later the Flinstones and Yogi Bear) started work on a TV series for the NBC network in the USA. No fewer than 256 episodes were produced, which are currently showing in roughly 30 countries.



Although their creator Pierre Culliford - better known as Peyo - is no longer with us since Christmas 1992, the Smurfs have never been so popular. Over 10 million copies of Smurf CDs have been sold in the last 3 years alone. The books, activity books, figurines and toys are amongst the most popular in the world. The TV series is regularly re-issued as video collections in dozens of languages, as well as CD-i and in storybook form.



And with the new style and the increasing range of Smurfimedia coming out, the little blue men are sure to have plenty of surprises for fans in the years to come.



Azrael

This flea-bitten cat is Gargamel's scapegoat. He follows the wizard everywhere, hoping his master will one day catch a tasty little Smurf and throw it to him to eat. That hasn't happened yet. But even though he is as stupid as Gargamel, he is a permanent menace for any Smurfs that happen to wander close to Gargamel's hut.

Baby Smurf

One night when the moon was blue, a stork brought Baby Smurf to the village. No one knows where he came from. Immediately adopted by all the Smurfs, he completely changed their quiet little lives - but no one's complaining. Everyone loves Baby Smurf, with all his good and his bad sides!

Brainy

The only Smurf to take everything seriously! Brainy spends his time preaching to others, stupidly mumbling old quotes. Whatever Papa Smurf says is, for him, absolutely sacred. And he's a notorious telltale, something that earns a regular bang of a mallet on the head. Even though his friends like him, they think he can be a real pain in the Smurf occasionally!

Cook Smurf

With his toque and spotless white apron, it's easy to spot Cook Smurf. From his house you usually can smell delicious warm buns, crusty brioches and every type of cake and tart. The Smurfs absolutely love the various creations of this talented cordon bleu.

Farmer Smurf

Delicate ears should stay clear of Farmer Smurf's foul mouth. He's easily recognisable in his straw hat and green overalls. In general, he doesn't bother much with village life, preferring the company of his lettuce and vegetables.

Gargamel

Gargamel is a nasty, sneaky and hypocritical wizard that lives in a horrible cottage in the heart to the forest. He hates Smurfs and does everything within his power to capture them. Luckily for them, he also happens to very stupid, so they have always been able to escape. But be careful, he has sworn revenge.

Greedy

Here's one Smurf that only ever thinks about eating. Whatever he finds, he munches on: sarsaparilla, soup, cheese, and fruit... But what he really, really wants is cakes, tarts and any goodies he can sneak away from Cook Smurf. His motto? You don't eat to live - you live to eat!

Grouchy

No matter what you say or suggest, Grouchy will be against it on principle. From his corner, he interrupts the other with systematically negative comments such as: "Me, I don't like..." On the face of it, you'd think he likes no one or anything. But deep down, he has a heart of gold.

Handy

The Smurf that can do anything in the village. Not only can he fix anything, he can also invent 1,001 useful machines. A robot, a plane, a little train and even a machine that can Smurf rain and blue skies. As he's always busy, you'll spot him in blue overalls with a pencil over his ear.

Harmony

As a true music fan, Harmony just loves to play any instrument he can find. Unfortunately, the only sounds he can get out of them is often deafening QUAAACKS and SCREEEEECHES - to the horror of his companions. When he gets hold of one, even a music box plays out of key!

Hefty

Hefty by name, and hefty by nature! Hefty is easily spotted as he has tattooed a heart on his arm. He keeps fit by practicing just about every sport. If something difficult has to be done, you can count on him. Even though he's a bit of a bumpkin, he's always ready to lend a hand.

Jokey

This guy just lives for jokes. He offers gifts that explode in the faces of those that are silly enough to accept them. And that's just one of his countless pranks. The Smurfs get a bit mad at him, but deep down forgive him this little fault - particularly when one of his jokes backfires. Then it's their turn to laugh at him.

Lazy Smurf

Meet the Smurf that can sleep just about anywhere. In the shade of a mushroom, under a wheelbarrow or even on the building site of the dam. Any place is the right place for a little nap. His first thought in the morning is about what time he'll get back to bed. It's not that he's lazy, but just the very idea of work wears him out.

Papa Smurf

Papa Smurf is the village chief. He was 542 years old last spring. You'll recognise him by his white beard and red clothes. He's a wise old Smurf, who tries as much as he can to stop the Smurfs acting like crude humans. Being an experienced alchemist, he often saves the Smurfs from danger using his knowledge.

Poet Smurf

Poet Smurf runs through the village and surrounding forest with a quill in one hand and parchment in the other looking for inspiration. All day long, he looks for rhymes with his head in the clouds. Smurfette is, for him, an endless source of inspiration.

Smurf

Far, far away, in a little mushroom village, live a group of little blue pixies in short trousers and white bonnets called the Smurfs. Only as tall as three apples, they speak in "Smurf", a language that only they understand. The Smurfs are carefree, peaceful creatures that live in harmony with nature. But they have a nasty habit of wanting to act like man, which causes them 1,001 problems.

Smurfette

The Smurfette was originally created by the horrible wizard Gargamel to cause trouble amongst the Smurfs. With a big nose and wild hair, she didn't originally look like much. Using his alchemy and knowledge, Papa Smurf transformed her into the charming Smurfette that melts the hearts of the other Smurfs. She's one of a kind, full of feminine grace and frivolous. She can also be very much a woman, playing with the feelings of her sweethearts.

Vanity Smurf

With a flower in his bonnet and a mirror on his hand, Vanity is the Smurf that cares the most about his appearance. Delicate and sensitive, he spends his time talking fabrics with Smurfette and keeping his complexion fresh. If, by accident, his mirror breaks, he is the unhappiest Smurf.