Review by Frank Plowright

In 1955 a previously unknown creature from South America made the journey by ship to Belgium, where it ended up in the house of animal-loving schoolboy François. Part 1 didn’t end well. François was left bereft as all his animals bar a baby pig were taken away by the authorities.

Part 2 opens with cryptozoologist Professor Snevelmans returning home to Belgium excited by photos he’s seen. Many of the names used by writer Zidrou are homages, although whether cryptozoology founder Bernard Heuvelmans would be pleased with his caricature is another matter.

This isn’t a story presenting at its best in isolation. Frank Pé’s stunning art is certainly there to be admired on every page, but The Beast is a complete novel. It requires the first part to have been read to give the depth of feeling to François having lost almost everything that brings joy in his life, and to understand the contempt his mother is held in the community for having had a son with a Nazi soldier. What is clear is the attraction teacher Mr. Boniface has for her.

In combination with the first part, though, Zidrou’s experiment of reversing the tone of marsupilami adventures in order that darkness prevails is a resounding success, although there’s an underlying comedic tone throughout with well staged moments bringing it into the foreground. The Beast is less about the marsupilami than about the events its presence in Brussels in 1955 precipitates. The characters resonate, with teacher Mr. Boniface a delight. He’s well drawn in both senses, looking to be a dreary middle-aged man, yet his dreams are the biggest, and his attraction to François’ mother Miss van den Bosche is so charmingly depicted. His role is to play light in the darkness.

Pé’s art brings beauty to everyday scenes such as snow falling on a school playground, and yet is equally evocative when showing squalor. More so than the previous volume, Part 2 requires depictions of Brussels in 1955, and these are sumptuous, the period lovingly evoked via clothing and city views. With the marsupilami loose in the city, Pé can make the most of its impossibly long tail as anomalous, and when it’s actually used for moving around the scenes are fantastically choreographed to maximise the possibilities. Scenes set on a tram stand out.

Despite The Beast’s darker tone, Zidrou and Pé remain true to the marsupilami’s primary audience being youngsters, with the underlying issues perhaps raising the level from all-ages to young adult. It’s stirring adventure beautifully drawn providing a happy ending for almost everyone.