Stefan de Groot published in recent years Creative Cave Publishers a reissue of the album Lobe and the Refrigerate and an anniversary album of the hippopotamus Kwab that he created more than thirty years ago. Twelve albums were released between 1994 and 2001. In the first part of World of WhatIf? he repeats the older stories Lobe of the White Cloth (1996) in Lobe and the World of WhatIf?: The Retro Flash (1999) with its characters and with new drawings and texts. However, it is more than a reissue. Stefan de Groot adds a meta layer and incorporates the fictional cartoon past of Horus Hippo and himself into the connecting stories. The album will be released at the end of this month.
It is told as a graphic novel of 180 pages with a dossier of about thirty pages. The file uses many historical images to tell the real history of the cartoon character Horus Hippo, one of the first Dutch cartoon stars in 1926, of which thirteen cartoons were made. Another part of the book is a flip book animation, where you can play a cartoon by flipping the pages along your fingers. The album is available as a softcover (29.95 euros).
A performance: “Horus Hippo aka Kwab was the first Dutch cartoon star in 1926. The cartoons were made by Marinus Hollanders van Cartoon film factory Hollandia from Haarlem. All films were lost until Marinus’ grandson, Stefan de Groot, brings Horus Hippo back to life. Horus Hippo relives his past The Retro Flashbut he is deceived by Time. He is needed in the World of WhatIf?, a world of imagination. The world is in danger from the threat of artificial intelligence. One element has been stolen by Time, leaving the world in imbalance. Oki and Doki must take Horus Hippo to the World of WhatIf? lure. They get help from the Norns of Yggdrasil.”
Stefan de Groot was born in Ixelles on January 3, 1968 and then moved to the Netherlands. In 1992 he started his career as an illustrator for educational books. Two years later he published his first comic series: The Incredible Stories of Prof. Dr. Anton Mol. In 1996 he started the comic series World of WhatIf?. In addition to comics, De Groot also makes animations and sets up exhibitions for museums. He also gives drawing lessons on the successful YouTube channel Stayf Draws and he is a specialist in drawing on the iPad.
Reviving a Cartoon Icon: Stefan de Groot’s Lobe and the World of WhatIf?
Ah, the whimsical world of cartoons! Where hippos can easily outshine their human counterparts, and imagination reigns supreme. In a delightful twist of fate and a sprinkle of nostalgia, Stefan de Groot has, yet again, proved that hippos are the true trendsetters. With his reissue of Lobe and the Refrigerate, not only does he breathe new life into the past, but he also manages to weave a complex narrative that mirrors our contemporary fears—like a hippo in a tutu doing the cha-cha in front of a ticking clock of doom.
A Journey Through Time and Imagination
Picture this: Horus Hippo, the beloved cartoon character from way back in 1926, has been resurrected thanks to de Groot. The only thing more impressive than this feat is the fact that Horus Hippo is, to date, undoubtedly the first Dutch cartoon star to don a snazzy bowtie and a feisty attitude—sorry, other Dutch cartoon characters, but you’re going to have to step up your fashion game!
De Groot’s latest work is not merely a reissue; it is a full-on artistic resurrection with all the bells and whistles—like a Las Vegas magic show, but without the glittery sequins. The album features 180 pages of vibrant graphics and a delightful 30-page dossier dedicated to uncovering the rich history of Horus. This takes us on a roller coaster ride through the past, with numerous snapshots of history that will have even the most jaded historian sobbing into their history books.
And let’s not forget the flip book animation—that’s right, a flipping book! This is the kind of engagement we need to get those fingers flipping faster than a cat video on the internet. There’s something nostalgic about physically flipping through pages that just can’t be replicated with those digital gadgets. So, close those apps and unleash your inner child! Or your inner hippo, if that’s your jam.
It’s All About the Media!
So what’s the plot intertwining all this madness? Well, Horus finds himself ripped from the golden days of animated glory to face a new kind of threat—one that even he couldn’t charm into submission. Enter Time, that fiendish foe, who steals an essential element leaving the world in chaos—imagine a hippo trying to balance on a seesaw, utterly perplexed!
This is where the trusty sidekicks, Oki and Doki, come into play. They whisk Horus away to the World of WhatIf?, embodying the kind of imagination we’ve all been longing for. In a narrative infused with creativity and a hint of social commentary, de Groot paints a world where *artificial intelligence* is the villain, threatening the balance of fun and frivolity. If that doesn’t resonate with our current tech-obsessed society, I don’t know what will!
The Cunning Illustrator
Born in Ixelles and now crafting his art from the Netherlands, Stefan de Groot’s journey is a testament to his passion and creativity. Having started his journey in the cartoon universe back in 1992, de Groot’s career is much like Horus Hippo’s own—full of highs, lows, and a good dose of humor along the way.
Whether he’s illustrating, animating, or teaching sketching skills on his YouTube channel, Stayf Draws, de Groot is ensuring that the art of drawing is alive and well. Forget about those fancier day jobs; anyone can sit behind a desk, but it takes creativity and a bit of madness to bring a hippo back from the depths of cartoon history.
The Final Word
As we gear up for the end of this month’s release, you can already sense the anticipation bubbling up like a fizzy soda bottle about to explode. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, Lobe and the World of WhatIf? promises to be more than just a graphic novel; it’s a multidimensional experience that makes you reflect on the past, while simultaneously questioning what the future holds—even for hippos!
So polish those glasses, slap on that retro gear, and prepare for a ride through nostalgia, imagination, and perhaps a world where *artificial intelligence* can learn a thing or two from a suave hippo who just wants to have a little fun! Because let’s face it—if a cartoon character can shake up the realm of imagination, then what’s stopping you?
Stefan de Groot has made waves in the publishing world with Creative Cave Publishers, recently reissuing the groundbreaking album Lobe and the Refrigerate and celebrating the 30th anniversary of the beloved hippopotamus Kwab, a character he originally created over three decades ago. Between 1994 and 2001, he released a remarkable total of twelve albums. In the exciting first installment of World of WhatIf?, he revisits classic tales like Lobe of the White Cloth (1996) and Lobe and the World of WhatIf?: The Retro Flash (1999), weaving together familiar characters along with new vibrant illustrations and narratives. More than a mere reissue, Stefan de Groot enriches this project with a meta narrative that intertwines the fictional cartoon legacies of both Horus Hippo and himself. The long-awaited album is set to drop at the end of this month.
This captivating work spans 180 pages in graphic novel format and includes a dossier of approximately thirty pages filled with historical images that chronicle the origins of Horus Hippo, who emerged as one of the Netherlands’ earliest cartoon stars back in 1926, boasting a collection of thirteen animated shorts. Additionally, a unique flip book animation feature allows readers to animate their own cartoons simply by turning the pages with their fingers. The album is available for purchase as a softcover edition priced at 29.95 euros.
A fascinating performance showcases how “Horus Hippo aka Kwab emerged as the pioneering Dutch cartoon star in 1926, with these charming animations produced by Marinus Hollanders from Cartoon Film Factory Hollandia in Haarlem. Tragically, all the films were lost until Stefan de Groot, the grandson of Marinus, resurrected Horus Hippo for modern audiences. Horus Hippo revisits his early days in The Retro Flash but finds himself at the mercy of Time’s trickery. He is beckoned to the imaginative depths of the World of WhatIf?, an enchanting realm now endangered by the ominous rise of artificial intelligence. Time has stolen a crucial element, plunging this world into chaos. Characters Oki and Doki are tasked with guiding Horus Hippo to the World of WhatIf? and receive assistance from the mystical Norns of Yggdrasil.
Stefan de Groot, born on January 3, 1968, in Ixelles before relocating to the Netherlands, embarked on his artistic journey as an illustrator for educational books in 1992. His foray into comic creation began just two years later with the debut of The Incredible Stories of Prof. Dr. Anton Mol. By 1996, he had introduced the intriguing comic series World of WhatIf?. Beyond comics, De Groot is also celebrated for his animations and for organizing exhibitions in museums. He shares his expertise in drawing through engaging lessons on his successful YouTube channel, Stayf Draws, and has gained recognition as a specialist in digital illustration on the iPad.
How does *Lobe and the World of WhatIf?* blend nostalgia with contemporary issues like artificial intelligence?
Available in a softcover edition priced at 29.95 euros, providing not only a nostalgic homage to the past but also an interactive experience that engages readers in a playful manner.
The story unfolds with Horus Hippo, the charming and iconic character, who was brought to life by Marinus Hollanders at the Cartoon Film Factory Hollandia in Haarlem. After years of obscurity, it’s Stefan de Groot, the grandson of Hollanders, who takes us on a journey back to the whimsical world that Horus once inhabited. As Horus navigates the challenges of a world plagued by the uncertainty of artificial intelligence—a theme that resonates with our present-day anxieties—his adventures take him into the realms of imagination where creativity knows no bounds.
In the World of WhatIf?, Horus, joined by his quirky companions Oki and Doki, faces the daunting challenge posed by Time—an obstacle that threatens the fabric of imagination itself. The stakes are high, and as the characters grapple with the consequences of innovation and technological advancement, the narrative cleverly invites readers to reflect on the balance between nostalgia and progress. The Norns of Yggdrasil, who represent fate and destiny, add a mythical twist, reinforcing the interconnectedness of time, creativity, and the choices we make.
Lobe and the World of WhatIf? is more than an artistic revival; it is a love letter to the history of animation, infused with a contemporary twist. Stefan de Groot’s passion shines through every page, as he masterfully combines the art of storytelling with innovative techniques that make this album both a visual delight and an intellectual exploration. With its imminent release, enthusiasts of the genre and casual readers alike can look forward to diving deep into this unique blend of history, fantasy, and humor, all wrapped up in the inviting guise of a charismatic hippo.
So, get ready to embark on a whimsical journey with Horus Hippo and his friends, rekindle those fond memories of animated tales, and rediscover the magic of storytelling that truly captures the imagination. The fun is just beginning!
