The Comic Genius of Francisco Ibáñez

Mortadelo y Filemon, 13 rue del percebe, and rompetechos are some of the most popular and iconic comic series created by Spanish cartoonist Francisco Ibáñez. They are considered classics of Spanish humor and have been adapted to other media such as animation, cinema, and video games. In this article, we will explore the origins, characteristics, and legacy of these comic series and their creator.

Mortadelo y Filemon (Mort and Phil in English) is the longest-running and most successful series by Ibáñez, which debuted in 1958. It features the adventures of two clumsy and incompetent secret agents who work for the T.I.A. (a parody of the CIA), and their boss, the superintendent. The series is known for its slapstick humor, absurd situations, political satire, and frequent references to current events and pop culture. Mortadelo is a tall, bald master of disguise who often changes his appearance to escape from trouble, while Filemon is a short, pudgy, and bossy partner who usually suffers the consequences of Mortadelo’s actions. The series also includes other recurring characters, such as Professor Bacterio, a mad scientist who invents useless or dangerous gadgets; Ofelia, a fat and flirtatious secretary; and Rompetechos, a short-sighted and stubborn man who often causes havoc with his poor vision.

13 rue del percebe (13 Barnacle Street in English) is a single-panel comic series that debuted in 1961 and lasted until 1984. It depicts a humorous view of a building and its eccentric inhabitants, each one with a defined personality and a specific problem. The series has a novel and unusual structure, as each apartment is a panel in itself, and the panels are not related to each other, except for some occasions when an event affects more than one neighbor. The series showcases Ibáñez’s talent for creating whimsical and surreal scenarios, as well as his ability to draw detailed and expressive backgrounds. Some of the characters from this series appear in other works by Ibáñez, such as Mortadelo y Filemon and La gran aventura de Mortadelo y Filemon, a live-action movie based on the latter.

Rompetechos is a comic series that debuted in 1964 and is still ongoing. It focuses on the life of Rompetechos, a short and myopic man whose bad vision generates comical situations. Rompetechos is stubborn, angry, and clueless, and often confuses people and objects with hilarious results. He also has a tendency to mistreat those who he thinks are laughing at him, which usually leads to physical violence or imprisonment. Ibáñez has stated that Rompetechos is his favorite character among his creations, and that he is inspired by his own poor eyesight. Rompetechos is also a frequent guest star in other series by Ibáñez, such as Mortadelo y Filemon and 13 rue del percebe.

Francisco Ibáñez is the creator of these comic series and one of the most influential and prolific cartoonists in Spain. He was born in Barcelona in 1936 and started drawing comics at a young age. He worked for several publishers, such as Bruguera, Ediciones B, and Grijalbo, and created many other characters, such as Pepe Gotera y Otilio, El botones Sacarino, and La familia Trapisonda. He is widely regarded as a master of humor and a genius of comic art, and has received many awards and honors, such as the Grand Prix of the International Comics Festival of Angoulême in 2019. He is still active and continues to draw new stories for Mortadelo y Filemon and Rompetechos.

Mortadelo y Filemon, 13 rue del percebe, and rompetechos are comic series that have entertained and influenced generations of readers with their humor, creativity, and originality. They are part of the cultural heritage of Spain and the world, and reflect the vision and talent of their creator, Francisco Ibáñez. They are comic series that deserve to be read, enjoyed, and celebrated.

Questions:

1. Who is Francisco Ibáñez? - Discuss the contributions of Francisco Ibáñez to the comic industry.

2. Famous Creations: What are some of the most famous characters or series created by Francisco Ibáñez?

3. Cultural Impact: How has Francisco Ibáñez’s work influenced Spanish culture?

Spanish Word:

• Genio: This word means “genius” in English. It refers to someone with exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.

Classroom Activity:

• Create a Comic Strip: Students can create their own comic strips inspired by Francisco Ibáñez’s style. They can develop characters, a storyline, and incorporate elements of Spanish culture into their comics. This activity encourages creativity, storytelling, and cultural appreciation.