This was my first Spirou comic. Spirou and his friends get stuck in East Berlin after voluntarily heading there when their friend disappears. I had a hard time following part of this. It was really goofy at times too. It may be my last Spirou comic as well.

'Spirou in Berlin' with story and art by Flix is a graphic novel caper that takes place before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Spirou and his friend Fantasio go to East Berlin to rescue their friend, the Count of Champignac, when he is kidnapped by the evil Zantafio. In order to save them they will have to go undercover, get involved in the underground, and avoid getting arrested by the East Berlin police.

You won't learn a lot about East Berlin, but it's a fun adventure. The art is fun too.

Spirou in Berlin is a classical comic where the Belgian illustrators’ hands are recognizable. Spirou in Berlin is a masterpiece of comic! There are several aspects that I loved in this comic, but what I mostly loved is the story per se. Berlin is at the center of the story but the Berlin of 1989. What Flix managed to illustrate is the real daily life, what people could and couldn’t do. The real life in the DDR in Berlin in 1989 is clearly illustrated and Flix managed to explain in a simple way, perfect for everyone but even more for children.

The second time I've had to give up with a Spirou book. Clearly the DDR to Tintin's FRG – both are really quite similar, but one is clearly superior. And it ain't this daft imitation.

This graphic novel is the second in a fun, adventurous series. Fantasio and Spirou are in East Berlin, in the years before the Wall came down. An evil man is trying to take over East Germany and kidnaps the Count of Champignac, leaving the two heroes, along with their pet squirrel, to rescue him. On the way, the encounter secret police and a variety of other obstacles. Will they rescue the count, or will they be too late?

GRN 76 calling MLN 89. Do you copy? The Frog has tasted the Fly. I repeat. The Frog has tasted the Fly.

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Page 3: A grammatical error - "At Spirou,s side..." instead of "At Spirou's side...", "it,s usually Fantasio,s" instead of "it's usually Fantasio's", "Spirou and Fantasio,s" instead of "Spirou and Fantasio's"; doesn't take me away from the story at all, just a mention. I love this little introduction to the world of Spirou, I can already imagine he, Fantasio, Spip, and Count of Champignac will be getting into mischievous antics likely similar to that of Tintin (with Tintin's friend Captain Haddock and faithful sidekick Snowy providing companionship to his world)!

Pages 6 through 7: Brilliant! I'm already in love with this world... I love the sense of adventure, the distinct expressions of emotion, the little hints for which panel to read next, the colours, the artwork, the scenery, the nuances of each character (and in some cases their franctic movements), the subtle comedy (in the right places at the right times), the indications of where noise is consuming the area and overwhelming the communication between the characters!

Pages 8 through 15: Super subtle little hints, like the 'Chez Kilikil' restaurant, which refers to a character introduced later on in the 'Spirou' universe as Dr. Kilikil (I got carried away and startled Googling: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_des_personnages_de_Spirou (which Google translated as "Dr. Kilikil was created by Franquin in 1966 in QRN on Bretzelburg Dr. Kilikil is a specialist in psychological torture . He acts on the nerves of his patients. He is also an excellent cook .")). Also, when the colour tone switches with Fantasio rushing towards the Count's house, beautifully set up to consider the change in atmosphere for the reader. And... this is where we first see Spip work as the faithful companion, such a splendid character; it's material like this that notes European comics as the prime source for adventure stories. A couple more things... that hilarious little flashback into the West and East Berlin divide, haha, and... that cover story (and the happy/happy of East Berlin)! XD

Page 25: I got so carried away with the excitement and the artwork I forgot to write anything... Oh. My. God. Is that*... *An actual... No...

Page 27 through 32: Haha, great: those Vladmir Lenin and Karl Marx stone monuments (the strength and stamina it must've taken ;))... also, the smugness from the knowledge these characters have, haha, I mean, even the kettle looks smug... THE KETTLE! And... those Lemurs, oh they're so cute.

Pages 34 through 35: Oh, super link onto the next scene; I like it. I like it, a lot.

Page 38: Jesus...

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GRT 82 calling MLN 89. We've lost visual on the Frog. I repeat. LOST VISUAL ON THE FROG!!!

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Page 49: OH NO! PLEASE! NO!

Page 54: Hahahaha. Brilliant! I love Spirou's enthusiasm! And, that the Count found what he was looking for... so relieved!

Page 55: *What the... *See Spirou and Fantasio 'The Dictator and the Mushroom'!

Page 59: "Merde!" indeed, XD

Page 60: Wir Sind Ein Volk.

Happy to report I read an early English translation.
Well this is an awesome story that takes the comic book element too seriously. By this contradiction I should say this graphic novel is laced with humour and full of fun. However, that is not to say that the account of life in the GDR is played down or the aspects of the regime are exploited for laughs. It simply takes fun loving characters and places them in jeopardy.
Spirou is the star, but new readers are given a brief introduction to the main players in these comics. Spirou has a ready companion in Fantasio and strange friend in Count of Champignac a wild and some might say nutty scientist and a trusty squirrel, Spip who loves these guys almost as much as he adores food.
The premise of this story is that the East Germans have discovered the means to turn coal into diamonds. The machine is built but they struggle to make it work. Consequently, they kidnap the Count who is compelled to work for them. Learning of his abduction Spirou and Fantasio seek to rescue their friend. This ends in disaster as the 'secret' police have them under surveillance from the start. Fantasio is more taken in by the outward charms of their hosts but when they come to arrest them both ensures Spirou gets away.
A great piece of what ifs, that we would hope were true and changed history. Spirou was in Berlin at a very momentous time in the divided city's history. What if his presence influenced others. What if a casual remark triggered a chain reaction for a people's revolution. What if it was just co-incidental but somehow he still became the catalyst for lasting change.
What if you read it and see for yourself. It would make the talented Flix pleased and I think you'll be well chuffed you did also.

Many moons ago I spent some time in Belgium and was introduced Belgian comics including Spirou. So I jumped at the chance to review. The main characters have changed, their outlines fuzzier than I remember, but the graphics are still as brilliant and action-charged as back then. The storyline a bit black-and-white with goodies and baddies, but keeps the reader’s interest throughout. Flix even introduces a reference to the Marsupilami books by adding “Huba” to the ape’s voices. Allin all a very enjoyable nostalgic adventure!