Written by: Alain Jost, Thierry Culliford
Illustrations: Jeroen De Coninck, Miguel Diaz
Coloring: Nine Culliford
Publisher: Standaard Uitgeverij
De Smurfen #35 De Smurfen en de Halfgeest – Comic Book Review
The Smurfs have already met all kinds of creatures, including wizards, fairies and witches. Even though the Smurfs have been around for quite a long time (at least in Belgium anyway), we can’t quite recall them ever having met a ghost. Papa Smurf doesn’t really know much about ghosts either, as they belong to a people who live in a parallel universe, but he’ll find out more soon enough, no doubt.
Brainy Smurf and Hefty Smurf are picking berries at the side of the creek when by accident, Brainy’s glasses fall into the water. Hefty Smurf dives after them, but while under water, he notices something else lying on the bottom of the creek as well. It’s an old amphora that must have been lying there for a long time already. He is a bit disappointed though when he opens it up, as there are only small rocks in it, thus he throws the amphora back into the water and they head home with their berries. Back in the village, everybody looks surprised, and when they turn around, Brainy and Hefty see why: a ghost has been following them home without them realizing. The ghost appears to have been trapped inside the amphora, and since Brainy and Hefty released him, they are now his masters. They are very tempted of course, to see whether he can actually make wishes come true, but because Papa Smurf is not sure as to what this is all about, they both wish for something harmless. Brainy asks for a new pair of glasses, yet there are no lenses in them. Hefty asks for heavy halters, but there is one weight missing. The ghost doesn’t appear to be so special after all, as he can’t seem to do anything right, and doesn’t even remember where he comes from or what his name is.
While Papa Smurf tries to find out more about the ghost, another Smurf suddenly sees the ghost with Gargamel out in the woods. He immediately alarms Papa Smurf, who calls for an investigation, since the ghost should have been with Smurfette all that time. Sure enough, the ghost is still there, so Hefty and Brainy take Papa Smurf to the place where they found the amphora, in the hopes of finding answers. The amphora drifted off, yet it doesn’t take long before they find it, next to footprints of a human and a cat: no doubt Gargamel and Azrael. That’s not a good sign, yet Papa Smurf is determined to know what is going on.
The story moves at a fast pace from start to finish, making sure to add many fun ideas and interesting plot twists. Even though there are a few things that raise some questions – such as how a ghost can be captured without being able to escape while the next time he can – the album is still lighthearted, and with the Smurfs being such a likeable people, you can see through these minor flaws anyway. Other than that, the story makes for an interesting read from start to finish.
The illustrations look quite like we are used to: likeable blue creatures, round shapes and bright colors. It’s nothing new, but that’s the way we like the Smurfs the best.
Conclusion
De Smurfen #35 De Smurfen en de Halfgeest is a fun album with quite a lot of story value. Besides the Smurfs being loveable creatures anyway, the story surprises enough to make for a very decent album that will be a pleasant pastime for both young and old. It’s definitely worth the buy.
De Smurfen #35 De Smurfen en de Halfgeest - Comic Book Review,
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