From our discussion: “With Geduvel on the Heide we are now already on the sixth tribute album Sister and Wiske toe. Marc Legendrejust like Willy Vandersteen from the Seefhoek district of Antwerp, this time he took up the challenge and wrote a story for his old companion Jan Bosschaert. The two managed to conquer our hearts forever with the ravishing Sam, who is never far away in this tribute. Literally, because when our heroes fill up in an old-fashioned garage, they inevitably encounter the handsome curly haired man, who, as usual, gives the clumsy Lambik a well-aimed kick in the shins for his sexist talk. But subcutaneous is also typical Samatmosphere present with that virtuous yet ecological and world-improving undertone that so characterized that series.
But back to Sister and Wiske. Legendre provides a vintage Sister and Wiske-story. This is largely due to the fact that Legendre makes the most of two old albums by Vandersteen, which are now well close to retirement age. After all, he lets the would-be sorceress Alwina out of it Sister and Wiske-album The Dark Diamond (1958) marry farmer Sanders, the villain from the album The Hidden Crown (1962) in the series Jerome. Apparently their lands, the Ganzenhoeve and the Walhoeve respectively, were next to each other. Their marriage created a larger domain, which was appropriately baptized the Ganzenwal. All peace and quiet, you would think. However, once again the earth spirits, who had already made life miserable for Jerom and Sidonia The Hidden Crownshow up, accompanied by Krabbe and Koker, the crappy companions of farmer Sanders.
Merging and rehashing old storylines and characters is no longer genius, but you still feel that Legendre and Bosschaert have read and reread Vandersteen’s work with great love. Although this can be said to some extent for every album in the tribute series so far, there is just that little bit more of a nostalgic topping. This is expressed, for example, in the narrative subtext pieces, under which, à la Vandersteen, an appropriate and sometimes funny drawing always appears (such as the iron to indicate that the folds have been smoothed out), or in the typical and grotesque Lambik statements and associated jokes and the barely disguised social criticism that Vandersteen also sometimes smuggled into his stories.”
The Comedic Genius Behind Sister and Wiske: A Tribute Album Review
Ah, Sister and Wiske, a name that rolls off the tongue like a well-aged cheese—rich, slightly nutty, and best enjoyed in the company of a good story. Now, before you imagine a group of thirty-somethings gathered around a punch bowl, sipping something regretful from their student days, let’s dive into the latest tribute album, Geduvel on the Heide—the sixth installment of our beloved series that’s about as predictable as a cat on a hot tin roof.
Nostalgia: The Spice of Life or Just the Old Spice?
For those of you who’ve been living under a rock (or perhaps just haven’t been frequenting your local comic shop), this tribute brings us the beloved characters, birthed from the mind of Willy Vandersteen, back into the comic light, thanks to the craftsmanship of Marc Legendre. In what can only be described as a masterstroke of nostalgia, Legendre has dug deep into the archives, pulling highlights from two of Vandersteen’s vintage gems—The Dark Diamond and The Hidden Crown. That marriage? A charming little footnote that provides fertile ground for more hijinks than you can shake a stick at!
The Trio Forms a Quartet: Magic, Mischief, and a Kick in the Shins
The clever needling of characters continues as our well-manicured heroes find themselves tangled in plots reminiscent of comic strips past, all while rubbing shoulders with the notoriously hapless Lambik. If there’s one thing we love, it’s watching Lambik stumble through life—interacting with the impossibly wise “handsome curly-haired man,” Sam, who isn’t just a pretty face but also seems to moonlight as a social commentator, dishing out well-aimed kicks at inappropriate banter. If only we could hire him for the office holiday party, right?
Rehashing Old Tales: A Dangerous Game?
Now, let’s be honest; merging old storylines is a bit like reheating last week’s pizza. It can go one of two ways: deliciously nostalgic or hopelessly soggy. Thankfully, Legendre and Jan Bosschaert have managed to flip this pizza slice to golden perfection! The nostalgia runs deeper than a Belgian beer barrel, and you can genuinely sense that they’ve read Vandersteen’s work with a passion that would make any true fan’s heart swell. It’s like they’ve sprinkled a touch of fairy dust on the pages, and voila, you’re transported right back into the whimsical world of make-believe!
Social Commentary with a Side of Grotesque Gagging
The narrative subtexts—a hallmark of Vandersteen’s oeuvre—are as apparent as ever, complete with those cheeky drawings that inject a sense of playfulness. I mean, who doesn’t want a drawing of an iron to remind them that they’ve got wrinkles in their life (or perhaps just in their shirts)? And let’s not forget the iconic Lambik one-liners that manage to poke fun while cleverly masquerading as social criticism. You know—classic Vandersteen style!
Conclusion: What’s Next on the Tribute Menu?
As we slide into the pages of Geduvel on the Heide, one can’t help but wonder what hearty concoction awaits us in future installments. Can we expect more reimagined tales? More characters getting wedged into arcs? Perhaps a road trip or three? Whatever comes next, let’s hope it’s served with enough cheek and flair to keep us invested—and perhaps rolling on the floor like Lambik himself. Bring on the next tribute, and prepare to unleash your inner comic book geek. Because when it comes to Sister and Wiske, the ride is only just beginning!
From our discussion: “With Geduvel on the Heide, we are already celebrating the sixth tribute installment of Sister and Wiske. Marc Legendre, much like the legendary Willy Vandersteen, hails from the artistic and vibrant Seefhoek district of Antwerp. This time, he has risen to the occasion, crafting a delightful narrative for his longtime collaborator, Jan Bosschaert. Together, they have once again encapsulated our hearts with the charming presence of Sam, who appears throughout this homage. Literally interwoven into the tale, Sam makes an entrance during a scene in a nostalgic garage, where he is quick to deliver a playful kick to the hapless Lambik, who has inadvertently slipped into his old habits of sexist banter. Yet beyond the humor, the enchanting Sam atmosphere resonates, infused with the series’ signature ecological consciousness and a commitment to making the world a better place.
But let us return to the illustrious Sister and Wiske. Legendre revives a classic Sister and Wiske adventure through a vintage lens. This refreshing take is largely attributed to Legendre’s adroit utilization of two beloved, aging volumes by Vandersteen, which now stand at the precipice of nostalgia. Here, Alwina, a would-be sorceress from the The Dark Diamond (1958), finds herself marrying the unlikable farmer Sanders, a character plucked from the pages of The Hidden Crown (1962) in the Jerome series. It turns out that Alwina’s land, the Ganzenhoeve, and Sanders’ estate, the Walhoeve, sit adjacent to one another. Their union results in the expansion of their properties into a larger, mismatched domain that they fittingly name Ganzenwal. You might think all would be serene, but once again the earth spirits, who previously tormented Jerom and Sidonia in The Hidden Crown, resurface, this time in the company of Krabbe and Koker, the bumbling sidekicks of farmer Sanders.
Merging and reimagining former story arcs and characters might not be an innovative approach, yet one can appreciate the heartfelt reverence Legendre and Bosschaert exhibit towards Vandersteen’s illustrious legacy. While a similar sentiment could be attributed to previous installments of this tribute series, there’s an added layer of nostalgia woven into this particular narrative. This nostalgic touch can be seen in the carefully crafted subtext, where each section features clever and amusing illustrations—such as an iron signifying that all wrinkles have been ironed out—or through the characteristically absurd and humorous quips from Lambik, alongside a subtle, underlying social commentary that Vandersteen often threaded through his own tales.
How does Marc Legendre balance humor and social critique within the narratives of *Sister and Wiske*?
**Interview with Marc Legendre: A Nostalgic Journey in the World of *Sister and Wiske***
**Editor:** Welcome, Marc Legendre! It’s a pleasure to have you here to discuss the latest tribute album, *Geduvel on the Heide*, the sixth installment dedicated to the beloved series *Sister and Wiske*. Let’s dive right in! What inspired you to reimagine these classic characters for this tribute?
**Marc Legendre:** Thank you! It’s a joy to be here. The inspiration really springs from my deep admiration for Willy Vandersteen’s original work. I grew up reading the *Sister and Wiske* comics in the Seefhoek district, just like Willy. When I began this project, I felt a strong urge to honor that legacy while also rekindling how these stories resonate with today’s audience. Merging old elements with fresh narratives allows us to keep that nostalgia alive.
**Editor:** You’ve brought back characters from *The Dark Diamond* and *The Hidden Crown*. Can you explain your creative process in weaving together both old stories and characters into something new?
**Marc Legendre:** Absolutely! My goal was to create a seamless blend of nostalgia and novelty. By introducing farmer Sanders and Alwina’s marriage, I was able to set the stage for a larger conflict. It’s like remixing a classic song—the old is familiar, but the twist breathes new life into it. I worked closely with Jan Bosschaert to ensure every page retains that special Vandersteen charm, from the humor to the subtle social critique.
**Editor:** Speaking of humor, your portrayal of Lambik and Sam adds a lot of spice to the story. How do you balance humor with addressing social issues in your writing?
**Marc Legendre:** That’s a great question! Vandersteen was a master at blending humor with deeper messages, and that’s something I wanted to emulate. With Lambik’s antics and Sam’s timely interventions, the humor becomes a vehicle for discussing more serious issues without ever becoming preachy. It’s about keeping things light-hearted while still encouraging readers to think critically about the world around them.
**Editor:** Readers have noted that this tribute has even more nostalgic elements than past albums. What role does nostalgia play in your storytelling?
**Marc Legendre:** Nostalgia serves as a powerful connective tissue between generations. For many, *Sister and Wiske* represents cherished childhood memories, and I wanted to evoke that sense of warmth and familiarity. When characters engage in familiar banter, or when our heroes find themselves in classic situations, it comforts readers and invites them to revisit that joyful feeling. At the same time, it allows new readers to experience the same magic.
**Editor:** As we look ahead, what can we expect from future installments of the *Sister and Wiske* tribute series?
**Marc Legendre:** We have some exciting concepts on the horizon! Each tribute will continue to explore and expand upon the rich tapestry that Vandersteen created. Whether it’s more fun character developments, unexpected plot twists, or deeper dives into social themes, we aim to keep our finger on the pulse of what makes *Sister and Wiske* timeless. Stay tuned!
**Editor:** Thank you, Marc, for sharing your insights! *Geduvel on the Heide* is sure to be a delightful addition to the tribute series, rekindling fond memories while paving the way for new adventures.
**Marc Legendre:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited for everyone to delve into the new stories we’ve crafted.
