Brussels’ Comic Book Murals
WITH OVER 700 comic book authors in Belgium, the country has the slightly odd but still impressive distinction of having the most comic book authors per square mile in the world. Internationally known comic characters like the Smurfs and Tintin started in Belgium, and Brussels has a handful of new and used comic book shops, a Tintin boutique store, the Belgian Comic Strip Center with exhibits on the history of the art form, the Marc Sleen museum with exhibits of the work of the “living legend of Belgian Comic Strip Art in Flemish,” and over 40 comic book murals scattered throughout the city.
I love how the murals connect to the history and culture of the city as well as adding some whimsy to wandering through the streets. I went on a walking tour of the city to track down as many of the comic walls as I could in 2 hours (with a few side stops to see the Grand Place and the Manneken Pis). I made it to these 12.
All photos by the author. Trip was sponsored by VisitFlanders.