Gilles de Geus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gilles de Geus
Author(s)	Hanco Kolk (art, writing), Peter de Wit (writing)
Current status/schedule	Discontinued
Launch date	1983
End date	2003
Syndicate(s)	Oberon, Big Balloon, Silvester, Arboris
Genre(s)	Historical comics, Adventure comics, Humor comics

Gilles de Geus is a fun and historical comic series from the Netherlands. It was created by Hanco Kolk and Peter de Wit in 1983. The stories take place a long time ago, in the 1500s and 1600s. This was during a big war called the Eighty Years' War. In this war, the Dutch people fought against the Spanish rulers.

The main character is Gilles, a brave but sometimes clumsy fighter. He is part of a group called the Geuzen, who are like freedom fighters. They try to stop the Spanish from controlling the Netherlands. Many people compare this comic to Asterix because it's a funny comic set in history, full of jokes and clever references.

This comic series has been translated into other languages. In English, it was called "Bryant the Brigand." In Spanish, it was known as Tristán el salteador.

Discovering the World of Gilles de Geus

The "Gilles de Geus" comics first appeared in Dutch magazines like Eppo. At first, they were short, funny stories. They showed Gilles trying to rob stagecoaches, but he often failed. He also met clumsy Spanish soldiers. These early comics were drawn by Hanco Kolk and written by Wilbert Plijnaar.

How the Stories Changed

Later, Peter de Wit started helping with the stories. The comics then became longer adventure tales. Gilles changed from a simple robber to a leader in the Geuzen army. He worked for William the Silent to fight the Spanish. Gilles became more heroic, and the funny parts came from his quiet friend Leo and the proud Admiral Lumeij.

History and Humor in the Comics

The comics mention real historical events from the Eighty Years' War. They also feature real people from history. These include Admiral Lumeij, William the Silent, and the Duke of Alba. Even with these real facts, the comics are mostly funny. They sometimes use anachronisms, which means things that don't quite fit the time period, for laughs.

Music and New Beginnings

In 1986, Peter Visser and Carol van Dijk recorded a song about "Gilles de Geus." They made it for a fan club of the comic series. These two artists later became famous as the rock band Bettie Serveert. The comic series ended in 2003. However, in 2014, the creators tried to bring it back. They used crowdfunding to get money from fans for new stories.

Meet the Characters of Gilles de Geus

Here are some of the main characters you'll meet in the "Gilles de Geus" comics:

• Gilles: He starts as a highwayman, someone who robs travelers. But he's not very good at it! Later, he accidentally becomes a leader in William the Silent's army.
• Leo: He is Gilles' best friend. Leo is a strong sailor with a red beard. He doesn't say much, usually just "Hee..." ("Hey...").
• William the Silent: This character is based on a real Dutch national hero. He often sends Gilles, Leo, and Lumeij on secret missions.
• Cornelis Drebbel: Based on a real scientist, but in the comics, he's shown as a bit of a mad scientist.
• Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba: This character is based on a real Spanish duke. He is the main bad guy, or antagonist, in the series.
• Hertog Jan van Breda: He is a charming nobleman who is part of William the Silent's group.
• 90-60-90: A female spy who works for both the Spanish and the Dutch sides.

Gilles de Geus Comic Albums

The stories of Gilles de Geus were collected into several comic albums:

• "De Struikrover" (2001) (This was the first story, but it was released later.)
• "De Spaanse Furie" (1985)
• "Storm over Dubbeldam" (1987)
• "Smeerenburg" (1989)
• "De Revue" (1991)
• "De Batavia" (1993)
• "Spionage" (1995)
• "Willem de Zwijger" (1997)
• "De 7 Provinciën" (2000)
• "90-60-90" (2003)

See also

In Spanish: Tristán el salteador para niños