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Spip
- Adaptational Explanation : As a kid, Emile Bravo did not understand why Spip apparently had human intelligence, and not other animals. In his book Hope against all odds, it turns out that Spip once gnawed electric wire, and the shock that ensued awakened his consciousness. Yet, Spip realizes at the end of the first album that other squirrels cannot understand him. As he can only frequent humans as a result, Spip stays with Spirou and abandon his Kill All Humans project. Note that for some reason, his thoughts can't be read until the very least panel, unlike in the main series.
- A Dog Named "Dog": Spip literally means "squirrel" in Walloon dialect.
- Adorable Fluffy Tail: He's often drawn with one of those.
- Animal Superheroes: In Supergroom, Spip has a costume that mimics a flying squirrel 's wings and allows him to plane on short distances. Under the name of Redwing, he's Supergroom animal sidekick.
- Animal Talk: Spip can't talk out loud, but he apparently has human-like intelligence. Most often, his thoughts are expressed via speech bubbles, but only the readers are aware of their content. In a short story by Jijé, Spip, who understood the solution to a mystery before everyone else, even complained "If only I could talk!". In on screen adaptations, he never talks.
- Badass Adorable: Many people are fooled by Spip's small size and cute appearance, but he's far from inoffensive. Usually, he fiercely defends himself with his teeth, or by pulling hair, but he once went as far as punching in the face a customs officer in Les voleurs du Marsupilami and nazis in Le groom vert de gris. Or worse than that, made a giant carnivorous dinosaur run away by biting his eyelid in Les géants pétrifiés. In a short story, a villain even experimented with the Squirrels in My Pants trick from him, and was defeated even if Spip was the only one in his pants.
- Butt Biter: Spip is skilled at biting bad guys' butts, and also fingers, legs and arms-whatever is under his teeth at this right moment.
- Container Cling: If needed, Spip hides under Spirou's cap and if a suspicious person looks behind it, Spip will cling inside the hat.
- Deadpan Snarker: Franquin used to find boring the typical team pet who nibbles his imprisoned master's bonds (despite Spip effectively doing this often). He started to express Spip thoughts, and usually, he made sharp comments about the situation, or even mock Spirou and Fantasio. Tome and Janry found, on the contrary, that his speech bubbles were annoying and tended to forget them. Now, if Spip's thoughts can be read or not in comics is Depending on the Writer.
- Depending on the Writer: Spip can sometimes be fed up with Spirou and Fantasio' s antics and decide that Screw This, I'm Outta Here, as explained in the corresponding entry. In other instances, he on the contrary has Undying Loyalty towards them. In La mauvaise tête, Spip stays with obstination at Spirou's bedside when he suffers Easy Amnesia. And happily runs in his arms when he recovers, complete with little hearts popping. Spip is sometimes quite affectionate towards Fantasio too. In Kodo le tyran, Spirou asks how he will find back his friend Fantasio, and Spip correct "Our friend". Spip jumps into his arms (twice) when Fantasio, on his own for a moment, joins Spirou and his squad in Les géants pétrifiés.
- Disney Death: In Paris sous Seine a robot break the window of Spirou's mini submarine and Spip is sucked into the river, without a wetsuit. The cover of the Spirou Magazine where this part of the story was first prepublished even titled "The end of Spip".
However, it turned out to be false as Spip found himself in an air pocket inside of a grocery store. Then another robot find him, and bring him back to Spirou and Fantasio. - Dragged into Drag: In two albums (Les voleurs du Marsupilami and Spirou chez les Soviets), a little girl decided to put Spip in one of her dolls' dresses. While unhappy the first time, Spip does not even notice the second time as he is under hypnosis.
- Emergency Food Supply Animal: Sometimes, angry villains swore to eat him as a retaliation (like Vito Cortizone, in bolognese sauce). In the New York album, Spip is caught by the Triad and is directly sent in the kitchen as Asians Eat Pets. Spip is in fact afraid to be eaten by german soldiers "with a rutabaga sauce" if Spirou must be arrested by them in Le groom vert de gris. In other circumstances, citizens starved either by the fact they're trapped in a boat with less and less provisions (Panique en Atlantique), or by a dictatorship, and Reduced To Rat Burgers could see him as a potential source of meat. In QRN sur Bretzelburg, two passerby try to catch Spip, but Spirou forbids them to touch the squirrel on the pretext that he will be served at Spirou's sister's wedding banquet. In Hope against all odds, that serves as a possible Prequel, it turns out that a mother and his young son wondered if Spip could be eaten, and thought it was a waste to feed a pet, when Spirou answered that Spip was this. Fantasio made the remark that speaking of pet's concept in front of starved people sounded tasteless, and Spirou stated that he would find a better explanation next time.
- Evil-Detecting Dog: Not to the extent of the Marsupilami, but still. In Vito la déveine, Spip recognize Vito Cortizone way before Spirou and Fantasio does, despite the latter has lost weight, grown a beard and fake a German accent instead of an Italian one. But the duo assume the squirrel is just wild in front of strangers. In Le triomphe de Zorglub, Spip violently attacked the actor (and producer) who played Zorglub in the biopic of Spirou and Fantasio, as soon as he spotted the comedian. Everyone then assume that Spip was fooled by the ressemblance. Except Spip was right: the actor was actually the real Zorglub all along.
- Hyper-Competent Sidekick: In numerous instances, Spirou and Fantasio would be quite dead if Spip did not intervene. Most often, through a Conveniently Timed Attack from Behind when he bites the butt or arm of a bad guy and make the latter drop his weapon. His other main utility is to let them escape by nibbling their bonds when the duo is tied up. It was so often, in fact, that it was spoofed twice, first in Spirou et Fantasio à Moscou. They're tied next to a bomb, and realize with horror that Spip won't be able to gnaw the strings as he have tape on his mouth note . In a 2013 short story, Spirou is this time in metallic handcuffs, and Spip break his teeth on them. And later it's defied in La colère du Marsupilami, as Spirou, determined to find the Marsupilami, ends up tied on a boat as Fantasio, for his own good, decided to bring him back home forcibly. Spip agrees with Fantasio as he thinks "I'm on strike"! Spip's greatest exploit, however, was in L'abbaye truquée. A bomb was ready to start up with a flame igniting its fuse, and only Spip was small enough to crawl in the hole where the fuse was, to extinguish the flame.
- I Am Not Weasel: Due to how an unusual pet he is, Spip is frequently mistaken for something else. Villains often call him a rat, out of spite. Others innocently mistook him for a stone marten, a weasel, a rodent, a gerbil, a mink, a field mouse, or even a small dog. In Alerte aux Zorkons, Spip protests that he is not a flying squirrel, or a hamster, when thrown away or put into a wheel. Nor a "lolcat" in the short story that introduces Supergroom, when he's put in a flying squirrel costume.
- Killer Rabbit: Despite small, Spip is quite skilled at defending himself. Villains who attack him will meet his Screwball Squirrel's side as he can bite with ferocity, or tear off hair and mustaches. In the movie Marie (Zorglub's dragon) is initially amused by Spip's cute appearance, but the squirrel start to bite her face ferociously and win the fight (while Spirou had difficulties to oppose her). When this is not enough, Spip can use weaponry such as Zorlglub's cane in Le triomphe de Zorglub. Spip, of all people, thinks of sending the Mad Scientist through his own Trap Door (and with a Slasher Smile on his face). "Killer" must be taken literally in Hope against all odds. In the beginning of the third volume, Fantasio and Spirou hesitate to blow up a train full of nazis, but Spip choose for them as he actionate the detonator himself.
- Medium Awareness : In some instances, like Spirou et Fantasio à Tokyo and La colère du Marsupilami where Spip can dialogue with the narrator. If not, Spip can make Company Cross References, like when he complains that others team pets of the editor do not face such dangers. In La jeunesse de Spirou, and in the beginning of the first volume of Supergroom, he talks directly to the readers to present the ensemble of stories.
- Multiple-Choice Past: Spip's past depends on continuity. In La jeunesse de Spirou, the latter catched him up a tree. But in general, he found Spip in a cage, and freed him from it. Originally in 1939, Spip was in a hamster wheel and used to make a torture machine work, Spirou frees him as he is an "innocent victim", swear to keep him at all times, and he sticks to his word. in Hope against all odds, René, a mate from Spirou 's orphanage, is sent to reform school in the first chapter and entrusts Spip, his squirrel in a cage, to Spirou. The latter keeps him, and when Spip has a near death experience after he gnaws on electric wire while left alone in Spirou's room, the bellboy then decides to keep his squirrel with him at all times. In the Live-Action Adaptation, Spip, at the airport, was in a transportation box among other pets. Spirou opens the door, asks him to attack Marie, and the squirrel proceeds so efficacy that Spirou, impressed, decides to keep him.
- Nearly Normal Animal: Spip's intelligence varies a lot Depending on the Writer. At his most clever, he's shown to be of nearly human intelligence with Thought Bubble Speech and perfectly understands human speech, but he still loves to eat nuts and climb on trees. Other writers have depicted him as behaving like a realistic squirrel.
- Parrot Pet Position: When the road on foot becomes too long, Spip usually climbs on the head or shoulder of Spirou (the most often) or Fantasio.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: During the Fournier's run (and sometimes, Franquin), Spip would often decide that he had enough of danger and just quit. He goes as far as packing his stuff and going with his bindle. But never for too long: either Spip faces an even bigger danger and goes back, or Spirou or Fantasio notices him. They then grab Spip while stating "This is the wrong way", despite Spip's protestations.
- Speech-Impaired Animal:Although he does get thought balloons quite often.
- Sweet Tooth: When he's not already feasting on nuts, Spip tend to appreciate candies. He even developed a short living addiction to German bubble gums in Spirou in Berlin.
- Team Pet: The most constant one; he's been by Spirou's side since the latter discovered him in 1939.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Hazelnuts, and it can extend to all kinds of nuts: chestnuts, coconuts, peanuts, etc. Or related products such as nuts chocolate, chestnut puree, hazelnuts milk, etc.
- Unusual Pets for Unusual People: For sure, as he is technically a feral animal and not a pet usually. Justified by the Visual Pun below.
- Visual Pun: His name is a shortened version of Spirou, and both mean squirrel in Walloon. In Spirou's case, it had to be taken in a metaphoric sense, where it designates a young mischievous boy. However, in Spip's case, it became literal.
- Weasel Mascot: Spip is a playful mascot albeit, of course, he's effectively not a weasel.
The Marsupilami
- Adapted Out: In the two animated adaptations. Justified as the copyright on the character did not belong to Dupuis back then.
- A Dog Named "Dog": Not only has he always been "The Marsupilami", but in addition, all other representatives of his species don't have names either. Notably his brother, his mate, and their babies, present in Le nid des marsupilamis and the spin-off. Or the one featured in La Bête by Frank Pé. The only apparent exception is Mars, in the album Mars le noir. It's about a black Marsupilami, getting lost in the jungle. Of course his name evoke a roman god, but it can be simply a shortened version of the species name, again.
- All Animals Are Dogs: The Marsupilami can sniff trails, and be kept on his tail like with a leash.
- Angry Animalistic Growl: He often growls loudly before starting to kick asses.
- Breakout Character: He got his own franchise, albeit it's justified by the fact that Franquin kept the rights on this character he invented after quitting working on Spirou & Fantasio, and made him exist on his own.
- Big Damn Heroes: He has often saved the heroes at the last second, to the point of Deus ex Machina.
- The Big Guy: The Marsupilami has Super-Strength, and often rely on violence to resolve problems.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Franquin took his rights with him after he quitted creating Spirou & Fantasio. The reasons why he ended exiled from continuity are strictly legal, but no reasons were given in universe to explain his absence for decades. Until Dupuis bought back the rights in 2013, and The Bus Came Back in La colère du Marsupilami (2016). In it, Spirou and Fantasio realizes that not only them, the Count and Spip had forgot they had the Marsupilami in their lives, but they become automatically angry when the name is pronounced in front of them; and since everyone avoid the subject. The culprit is Zantafio, who wanted to sell the Marsupilami to a rich Palombian. He used a zorglwave and brainwashed Spirou and Fantasio into bringing the Marsupilami themselves to dealers in Palombie, then provoked their Laser-Guided Amnesia. However, the explanation was at the cost of a few continuity errors: In La vallée des bannis, Spirou have a Hope Spot when he hear a "Houba", and rush in this direction, only to discover that the cry was produced by a different, disagreeable creature. In L'homme qui ne voulait pas mourir, Spirou and Fantasio remember the Marsupilami with fondness. In Spirou chez les soviets, when everyone has become a heartless capitalist, Spirou manage to awake Fantasio's good heart, by reminding him how cute the Marsupilami was. But the mention did not make them angry back then. Also in Du glucose pour Noémie, the first album without the Marsupilami, Spip make a Fourth-Wall Observer comment as he's thinking about starting a syndicate of oppressed animal sidekicks such as Snowy, Rantanplan...and the Marsupilami.
- Combo Platter Powers: The Marsupilami is an extremely versatile animal. He is not only quite clever (while still having a somewhat normal animal intelligence), extremely strong and with a perfectly prehensile 7 meters-long (25 feet) tail, but he is also revealed over the course of the series to be amphibious, able to home on Spirou and Fantasio across a whole country, capable of speech like a parrot, able to burrow underground, immune to the Zorglwave... And its spin-off turns this up to eleven.
- Evil-Detecting Dog: The Marsupilami usually gets suspicious of bad guys even before they are known as such and thus can seemingly attack a random stranger without provocation.
- Extreme Omnivore: He eats everything, from tobacco to soap, and even raw eggs with their shells.
- Hyper-Competent Sidekick: If you add his strength and his countless extraordinaries capacities, it's not a mystery why the Marsupilami was so perfect.
- I Choose to Stay: In La colère du Marsupilami , in the end, the misunderstanding is solved. The Marsupilami now knows he was not abandoned, and Spirou and Fantasio are happy at the perspective to have him in their lives again...Except that finally, the Marsupilami have better stay in the jungle this time, despite it was not easy for him to choose between this life and his friends. The actual reason was the Marsupilami had to go on with his own franchise, but to support his choice in story, a female Marsupilami was often seen around, suggesting she could be his mate.
- Mix-and-Match Critters: The Marsupilami looks like a monkey with a leopard fur, have an extremely long prehensile tail, and is also amphibious and oviparous, all while having a belly button.
- Nearly Normal Animal: The Marsupilami usually behaves like an extremely clever animal: he frequently misunderstands the humans, has no thought bubbles and particularly enjoys eating, sleeping and playing. However, in the Poorly Disguised Pilot Le Nid de Marsupilamis (Marsupilamis' nest), focusing on a family of Marsupilamis living in the jungle, their courtship behaviour is particularly human-like, especially where the female Marsupilami is concerned. In his spin-off, the Marsupilamis seem just as clever as humans, occasionally having discussions between them that are translated in footnotes.
- New Powers as the Plot Demands: The Marsupilami regularly displays new abilities that end up being helpful to the heroes (being amphibious, capable of finding Spirou and Fantasio across a country, burrowing, being immune to the zorglwaves...), but just as regularly the source of gags. Lampshaded by Spirou or Fantasio, who regularly notes that he is full of surprises. He was once able to talk in Les pirates du silence, but as a parrot (repeating mindlessly words without understanding them). This quality was not really useful, and soon abandoned. In his franchise, it goes as far as suggesting that he can read, or understand the principle of a sundial.
- No-Sell:
- The Marsupilami is inexplicably immune to all kinds of zorglwaves (the paralyzing and the hypnotizing ones). It explains how he managed to save the heroes from their effects often, but also why Zantafio has to hypnotize Spirou and Fantasio instead of the Marsupilami himself, in order to capture him. In the movie HOUBA! On the Trail of the Marsupilami, he is in addition immune to tasers: electrocution just tickles him.
- Piranhas, carnivorous ants or plants are supposed to eat any living creatures instanly...but not the Marsupilami. Each time he is the one who eats them instead.
- Prehensile Tail: In addition to being overly long, it permits him to catch anything. One of the most common uses, for the Marsupilami, is to knot the extremity and use it to punch someone.
- Speech-Impaired Animal: Strangely, while Spip has a quasi-human intelligence (and the cynicism that comes with it), the Marsupilami, who can utter human words like a parrot does, only has animal-level intelligence. He is clever for an animal, though.
- Sticky Fingers: The count of Champignac once described him as a pilferer, and indeed, when the Marsupilami lived in the castle's park, he was used to steal the count's last invention, then employed it to run amok and do damage. If not, the Marsupilami would steal things such as Fantasio's tobacco, and eat it.
- Super-Strength: The Marsupilami once had a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown fight with a veterinarian anesthetist, and reduced him to a pulp. And yet, this vet managed to get a lion, and a gorilla to sleep recently. And this is just an exemple: tearing off bars to escape, or knocking out a muscular bad guy from a single punch of his tail is common for The Marsupilami.
- Team Pet: He shared the role with Spip, and they used to go along well. Spip, despite being a bit irritated by the attention centered on the Marsupilami in La colère du Marsupilami , calls him his "old pal".
- Trademark Favorite Food: Piranhas, fleas and nuts, mostly. Fruits and fudges tend to come next. But as stated above, the Marsupilami will eat anything.
- Unusual Pets for Unusual People: Even more unusual than Spip as the Marsupilami was a cryptid before being discovered by Spirou and Fantasio. Since, this species has the reputation to be the rarest on earth.
- Undying Loyalty:
- In QRN sur Bretzelburg, the Marsupilami apparently walked hundreds of miles to find Spirou and Fantasio in Bretzelburg, while he was in a vet clinic, and ran away. Fantasio has the surprise to see a starved and covered in dust Marsupilami entering the prison where he is incarcerated to free him (and eat, also).
- In La colère du Marsupilami , as far as he knows, the Marsupilami was abandoned and deliberately sold to dealers by Spirou, Fantasio and Spip. Yet, during all those years, he used his competences in plaiting to recreate entirely their living room in bullrushes, with models of Spirou, Fantasio and Spip. Meanwhile, parrots around repeat their names, indicating that the Marsupilami must have used his skills in talking to teach them that. When the trio enter the room, they realize how much the Marsupilami missed them.
- Unstoppable Rage: The Marsupilami's wrath is reputed to be one of the most terrifying ever seen, more than the one of gorillas, elephants and rhinoceros. Other animals and native chahutas run away altogether, terrified, when they hear him growling. In that case, The Marsupilami will break anything on sight, and in La colère du Marsupilami , he throws away a jeep as seen on the cover.
The Count of Champignac
Count Pacôme Hégésippe Adélard Ladislas of Champignac
Voiced by: Pierre Baton (1992 series), Pascal Gruselle (2006 series)
Played by: Christian Clavier (Les Aventures de Spirou et Fantasio, 2018)
Pacôme Hégésippe Adélard Ladislas, count of Champignac, is a friend of Spirou and Fantasio since The wizard of Culdesac (1950). He lives in Champignac's village, whom he shares his name with (and with his castle). He is passionate about mycology and can extract from mushrooms many serums or vaccines with astonishing properties (Super-Strength, protection against cold, antivirus, etc). He's also a Gadgeteer Genius, and skilled in robotics or vehicles. He had his own Spin-Off in three volumes named Champignac, that was a Prequel, set during World War II and The '60s.- Absent-Minded Professor: The Count can be very absent-minded at times when he is concentrated on doing other stuff.
- Awesome Anachronistic Apparel: To this day, Pacôme has always worn early 20th century clothes. In his first appearance in The '50s, it was not rare to see old persons dressed like that. It's unlikely today, but the apparel was kept as it looked classy.
- Birds of a Feather: Apparently, the Count Has a Type (given we have no idea what his late wife looked like) as the two women he was in a relationship with, Blair Mackenzie and Miss Flanner, were both intelligent and talented scientists. In volume 1 of Champignac, Pacôme and Blair even bond when they discover they both used to be nerdy, lonely young persons.
- Blue Blood: Pacôme has the count title, and is a rare inversion to the Aristocrats Are Evil trope. He never exceeds his position of power, quite on the contrary, he wants to be an humanity 's benefactor.
- Bungling Inventor: Downplayed as his inventions usually work, but sometimes have undesired side effects. Most often, it temporarily gives a bizarre skin color.
- Character Catchphrase: "Sabre de bois!" ("Timber sabre!"), more rarely, "Sac à papier!" ("Paper bag!", equivalent to "Good heavens!"), and "Nom d'un bolet de Satan!" ("Holy Satan's bolete!"). They turn out to be borrowed catchphrases, to his college’s superintendent, in Aux sources du Z. None were used in the live action film.
- Cool Old Guy: He can create incredibles serums, formulas or gadgets, all while being a nice, open minded person.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Maybe as in Champignac , he states that in years following the death of his lover, Blair, the Count was so in distress that he made things he regret nowadays. What it was is not stated.
- Distressed Dude: His knowledges cost him to be often kidnapped, in order to be used for bad guys' profit.
- Einstein Hair: The Count has wild white hair that sticks out (and Einstein mustache in addition).
- Gadgeteer Genius: His inventions include a mini submarine, an artificial brain, a robot that creates clouds, or a machine that turns white persons or animals into black ones.
- Glasses of Aging: Inverted as in the Prequel Champignac, the Count needed Nerd Glasses in his youth. But when a senior in the main series, he doesn't wear those (mostly).
- Grumpy Old Man: Usually, it's when his personality was altered in one way or another (after the absorption of Jekyll & Hyde style serum, or after being conditioned by zorglwaves for instance), and it's a red flag for his friends that there is something wrong.
- Home Base: The Count's castle is this for the heroes.
- I Have Your Wife: In Le faiseur d'or, it worked quite well as Zantafio only pretended to torture one of his henchmen disguised as Spirou, and the horrified Champignac, thinking he was the real one, accepted to give the philosophal's stone formula. But it was defied in Spirou à Berlin. Despite Zantafio menaced to kill (the actual) Fantasio, the Count would just not be making work the motor of the diamond-making machine.
- It May Help You on Your Quest: He often gives Spirou and Fantasio his latest invention, allowing the duo to later resolve the problem of the day.
- Kidnapped Scientist: As stated above, the Count is often the only one who knows how to make an invention work, and thus is kidnapped in order to be forced into giving the secret formula.
- Morality Pet: To Zorglub, who usually listens when the Count points out the evil in his activities, and makes him stop them. To Miss Flanner too, to an extent. The difference is, while Flanner is usually nice to (only) him, she absolutely does not listen to Pacôme.
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: He's skilled in botany (especially mycology), chemistry (such as creating a gas that soft metals or a vaccine that protects from cold) , and sometimes in mechanics as well (including in creating submarines, sugar-fueled cars, and artificial brains)
- Preppy Name: In addition to be numerous, his names are all old-fashioned and sound effectively preppy.
- The Professor: He's eccentric as his domain of research is unusual, and always has the explanation for any strange event the heroes are confronted to.
- Professor Guinea Pig: The Count was the first human to try his Genius Serum and his cold resistance vaccine, after the first was tried before on a hen though.
- Rich Genius: The count is an aristocrat, and lives in a castle.
- Secret-Keeper: In Supergroom, the Count have created, at their request, the gadgets of the superheroes personas of Spirou, Fantasio, and Seccotine. But he had told none of them the identities of the other two, and the Count of Champignac is the only one to know that the three are superheroes.
- The Smart Guy: By far the most intelligent character, finally topping Fantasio as the Gadgeteer Genius of the story.
- Techno Wizard: Most of his Phlebotinum involves mushrooms in some form.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Or rather trademark favorite drink. Every person that pays a visit to Pacôme is invited to taste his raspberry liquor, apparently homemade.
Seccotine
Voiced by: Kelvine Dumour (1992 series), Nathalie Stas (2006 series)
Played by: Géraldine Nakache (Les Aventures de Spirou et Fantasio, 2018)
Seccotine (Cellophine in the English version) was introduced in La corne du rhinoceros (1953) as a fellow journalist. She tended to follow Spirou and Fantasio on their investigation, but was helpful in the next album, Le dictateur et le champignon. Seccotine was only featured in 12 albums so far (including one shots). Yet, as the only important female character, she is featured more often in albums, and in adaptations, from Turn of the Millennium on. She is intrepid, clever, daring and dynamic-and The Rival, so. All of this was unusual for an European comics female character in The '50s. Franquin never used her as a Love Interest nor a Damsel in Distress, and it was uncommon as well for the era. It may explain why, despite her 25 years of absence, Seccotine was never really forgotten by the readers. She is featured more prominently since her come-back, with side effects that since, she was effectively depicted as distressed or as a Love Interest for either one of the heroes, Depending on the Writer.- Action Girl: Seccotine is very capable of kicking asses, despite this ability depends on the continuity.
- Adaptation Dye-Job: Seccotine is dark-haired in the live action version. From the Crossing the Desert scene on, she also drop her ponytail.
- Adaptation Relationship Overhaul: In the comics, Seccotine met the Count of Champignac through Spirou and Fantasio. In the movie, she has known the Count since childhood, through her mother (never mentioned in comics) who apparently works for him. So she knew Pacôme before Spirou and Fantasio met him. Plus their relationship is deeper here, as the Count have a fatherly affection for her. Also, in Le dictateur et le champignon, Seccotine only interacted briefly with Zantafio while the latter held her at gunpoint. In the movie, where Zantafio is apparently an anchorman, Seccotine worked for him in the past. Fantasio is persuaded that on this occasion, Seccotine gave a stolen scoop to Zantafio and slept with him . However, these assumptions are wrong.
- Adaptational Skimpiness:
- Discussed in Le triomphe de Zorglub, where Seccotine notices with indignation that her character, in the movie’s script, is supposed to appear either in revealing costumes, or even naked. But it does not happen as her actress finally refuses to do so. In the actual movie, it does not happen either. In fact, Seccotine avoided the Adaptational Skimpiness for most of her existence.
- Until the one-shot Spirou et la gorgone bleue (2023), where Seccotine does appear quite often in bikinis with tanga briefs.
- Cardiovascular Love: Little hearts pop up when, in the second volume of Supergroom, Superglue (Seccotine) remarks that Supergroom looks familiar. Also in Le triomphe de Zorglub, when Seccotine kisses Fantasio in the end.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: Seccotine disappeared from the publication for 25 years initially, between Le nid des marsupilamis and Adventures Down Under. Initially justified in that the first author who came after Franquin, Fournier, disliked her and invented Ororéa to fill her role. However The Bus Came Back, and since, Seccotine is a more constant presence, while on the contrary Ororéa vanished. Interestingly, Ororéa 's role as a possible love interest for Fantasio was transferred to Seccotine since, like a Composite Character of some sort.
- Constantly Curious: Seccotine is often quite nosy, in accordance with her Intrepid Reporter personality.
- Cool Bike: She usually drive one of those, it was a scooter in The '50s and she was terrible at driving it. Since it's more often a motorbike and Seccotine 's driving skills are way better.
- Damsel out of Distress: Seccotine was once caught along with Fantasio in Adventures down under, but they soon managed to escape. Since, adaptations could have showed her distressed sometimes, but she get out of the situation the most often (except in the live action version, where she is kidnapped twice and need help to escape).
- Friendly Rivalry: Her original rivalry with Spirou and (especially) Fantasio evolve into this; she still sometimes steals information from them for her profit, but globally she becomes their friend and is more helpful to them than an obstacle.
- The Gadfly: She seemed to pop up from nowhere on purpose in her introduction albums, and is shown teasing with glee in Le tombeau des Champignac or in the movie. Albeit it's more this kind of teasing in the latter case.
- Intrepid Reporter: Seccotine tends to be incredibly reckless in her job; her tenacity notably allowed her to shoot, for the first time ever, images of marsupilamis in their natural environment.
- Meaningful Name: Seccotine was a (now discontinued) brand of glue. A french expression, "pot of glue", designates a clingy person, which Seccotine was when she was introduced.
- Non-Powered Costumed Hero: In Supergroom, a superheroine named Superglue (armed with glue pistols) takes part in the "olympic war". Given her appearance, it's obvious for the readers that it's Seccotine, even before a flash-back reveals that she seeked help from Count of Champignac to create her equipment.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Revealed in Machine qui rêve, her actual name is Sophie, and Seccotine a pun based on the fact she was clingy. In this album, she corrects people into using her real name instead. However, in later stories, it reverted back to Seccotine without her seeming to mind this time.
- Phrase Catcher: She tends to incite Fantasio into giving her various traitor names. In Adventures down under, he spitefully called her "Agrippina", after she deliberately made her reportage published first. The first Animated Adaptation ran with it, as he can call her "Mata-hari" in addition. The movie followed the trend, as after Seccotine acted as a Fake Defector, Fantasio qualified her as "Judas girl".
- Race Lift: Seccotine is a white European, but in the Live-Action Adaptation, she is played by Géraldine Nakache who is of North African descent (Algerian Jewish).
- Related in the Adaptation: In Fondation Z, Spirou is her brother, and the Count of Champignac their grandfather. Like everybody else, Seccotine forgets their blood relations (and all her former memories) once she entered the The '60s Earth simulation she is sent off in the end. As a result, the mentions with Spirou in the Ship Tease entry are quite perturbating.
- The Rival: To Fantasio. They argued a lot for this reason in her introduction album, and later stories (like Adventures down under) or adaptations show her deliberately stealing scoops from him and reaping the laurels when she gets these stories published first. In order to steal photos, for instance, she uses a compact powder with a mini camera inside.
- Ship Tease: Seccotine has this, over the years, with both Spirou and Fantasio, Depending on the Writer.
- With Spirou, implied romanticism tends to pop a bit out of nowhere, is brief, and never alluded to before or after.
- In the main series, there was first Machine qui rêve. In it, Seccotine expresses for the first time regrets that Spirou and her are Just Friends, and that he is a Celibate Hero, then kisses him to thank him. In the end, she elope with Spirou's clone, despite she is seen without the latter at her next apparition.
- In Aux sources du Z, the 50th album, Seccotine first remarks that Spirou staring at her gives her the chills, but she notes this is not disagreeable. Then Spirou brutally kiss her to make her shut up◊. He thinks afterwards that he "always wanted to do that", despite you could not tell from previous albums, and the moment is not alluded to later in the story. Presumably, as it was an anniversary album, out of character moments like this were created in order to make the story memorable.
- In Supergroom, Spirou and Seccotine fail to recognize each other as Supergroom and Superglue, respectively. But when they comment on the deja-vu impression they have, little hearts briefly pop up in the panel.
- In Spirou et la gorgone bleue, Seccotine is jealous when she notices Spirou with another woman, albeit the latter, Kay Mac Cloud, is just a CIA agent escorting him (and a character by Dany, the artist).
- Mostly averted in Fantasio se marie, despite Spirou investigating this time with Seccotine, instead of Fantasio. Still, Spirou is briefly embarrassed to see Seccotine in a Modesty Towel.
- With Fantasio, it's a more recent trend, more built in the whole scenario, and usually under a Belligerent Sexual Tension angle. note It's probable too that it acts as a Throw the Dog a Bone for Fantasio.
- In the second Animated Adaptation, Seccotine and Fantasio often argue ferociously, given her habit to double-cross him. Seccotine nickname Fantasio her "punching ball", yet she shows disappointment in his absence, or has ambiguous remarks such as describing him as "cute" in a spacesuit. In fact, she does not seem to steal his scoops just by professional ambition, but also because that is all she has found to attract his attention. Finally, in the ending scene of the episode Super paparazzi, journalists interrogate Spirou to know if he's in a relationship with Luna. To get rid of them, Spirou pretends that Fantasio and Seccotine have recently become a couple. The reporters start to interrogate them instead. Fantasio and Seccotine don't deny, and even smile, despite it can be because they just simply go on with the charade.
- In the one-shot Fondation Z, Seccotine and Fantasio have interactions reminding closely of those of Han Solo and Leia, including him ironically nicknaming her "Princess". They notably have to, for a scouting mission, pretend being a married couple.
- In the movie, they tend to quarrel often in the beginning, yet Fantasio Crazy Jealous Guy attitude towards her is suspicious. Just as their Suspiciously Specific Denial moments (including the "He is not my boyfriend" one), or the habit of Seccotine to act as The Tease around Fantasio. Finally, a car accident Fantasio is involved in act as a game changer, given how Seccotine panic to see him in danger. A few scenes later, and after Spirou noticed Fantasio's Longing Look for Seccotine, Fantasio admit being in love with her, but Cannot Spit It Out at the moment. Then in Zorglub's lair, everyone end up frozen by zorglwaves, but Spirou. The latter literally push Seccotine and Fantasio into kissing before reverting the effects of the waves. When they are back to their senses, Seccotine and Fantasio finally go on with the kiss, and presumably get a Relationship Upgrade after that.
- A tie-in comics, Le triomphe de Zorglub, was released at the same time. In it, the aformentionned movie exist in universe, as an official biopic. Spirou, Fantasio, and Seccotine read its script in the very beginning. Fantasio then dismiss the idea of him being attracted to Seccotine as rubbish...while blushing and stuttering. Seccotine notices the contradiction, and it make her smile. Later on, Fantasio show jealous tendencies too (notably towards the Pretty Boy actor who plays his role, when he hit on Seccotine). Or after a car accident, Seccotine reaches spontaneously for Fantasio. In the end, the movie projection must be interrupted in emergency ( as anyone watching it will end up zorglwaved.) Only Fantasio can do it with the Fantacopter, but he don't see how doing this in time. Seccotine reassures him with a You Are Better Than You Think You Are speech, before kissing him. In an interview, the artist and the scenarist said they thought that Fantasio and Seccotine kissed before, in a comics of the main series. Actually, the scene in Le triomphe de Zorglub was their first time in comics. According to the scenarist, the atmosphere been "electric" for years between those two characters.
- The one-shot Le tombeau des Champignac is the only installment that presents the situation as a Love Triangle. At first glance, Seccotine is attracted to Fantasio, who don't notice, and Spirou to Seccotine, who don't care. Seccotine makes ambiguous propositions to Fantasio, promising she will "show something interesting to him" someday. She also use the zorglwaves to make him kiss her on the cheek. Not to mention a sarcastic remark from the Count of Champignac to them, of the Get a Room! kind. And yet, Seccotine will end up stuck in a cold mountain with Spirou. Moments later, Fantasio find them and have a shocked expression on his face, seeing the way they used to not end up frozen to death; maybe Intimate Healing or more than that. In the end, Seccotine choose a Third-Option Love Interest and go with the man, making Spirou crying in the process (Given that it's the only time in his existence the he experiences unrequited feelings. Plus when he is caught in a Love Triangle with Fantasio, girls tend to choose Spirou instead). Just before, Fantasio asked about the "something" she promised him, and Seccotine answers to ask Spirou what it was as: "I've explained this to him already." In other terms and whatever they did on the mountain, Seccotine wished-and planned- to do it with Fantasio instead.
- With Spirou, implied romanticism tends to pop a bit out of nowhere, is brief, and never alluded to before or after.
- Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: To Fantasio, with Seccotine regularly stealing the spotlight or the theme of an article the latter wanted to write. At least in the second animated series, he often grumbles when she gets involved in their adventures.
- The Smurfette Principle: She used to be the only prominent female character in the story, and still has the title today despite a few other women popping up in since. In order to diversify the cast, Seccotine is now more often featured in recent comics, but also in all adaptations.
Ororéa
Ororéa appears first in Tora Torapa (1973), as a native of this polynesian island. Still, she lives usually in Europe, as a photographer. During Fournier's (her creator) run, she befriended Spirou and Fantasio, but was unheard of since this run ended.
- Action Girl: Ororéa, a few moments only after being introduced, dares to kick a revolver out of Papa Pop's hands. She retains this badass attitude during the whole album.
- Chuck Cunningham Syndrome: She appeared in no album, nor was alluded to, since her cameo in Des haricots partout in 1979. Justified as Ororéa would make Seccotine redundant, and unlike her creator, Fournier, all others authors used Seccotine as a female friend reporter for Spirou and Fantasio.
- Intrepid Reporter: Her photographer job was handy as a pretext to infiltration, mostly.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: During Fournier's run, Ororéa replaces Seccotine as the tag along female reporter. Fournier did so because he didn't like Seccotine's annoying personality and Ororéa was meant to be far nicer. As time went on and different writers took over, Ororéa disappeared and Seccotine came back.
Itoh Kata, Father Cappuccino, Retros Athana, and Al Kazar
- Adapted Out: They never appeared in any on-screen adaptations (despite Itoh Kata name is heard once in the movie.)
- All Monks Know Kung-Fu: Just don't provoke Father Cappuccino: he's a monk, but perfectly capable of defending himself.
- Charm Person: The main power of Father Cappuccino, who can hypnotize someone by looking in their eyes.
- *Crack!* "Oh, My Back!": Itoh, repetitively in the Fournier's run, each time he bowed to salute someone.
- Escape Artist: Just no one can keep Itoh Kata prisoner. In L'abbaye truquée, the triangle members tie him up with more and more ropes, and even lock him in a chest, but Itoh always free himself in less than a minute.
- Mind over Matter: Retros Athana can levitate and applying this power to himself or to objects, in a way that resembles telekinesis.
- Multinational Team: Itoh Kata is Japanese, Al Kazar is Indian, Retros Athana is Spanish, Father Cappuccino is Italian.
- Psychic Powers: Three of them have such powers.
- Punny Name: Itoh Kata is based on "toccata". Retros Athana is based on the latin expression "Vade retro, Satana!" ( "Back off, Satan !") from Gospel. Al Kazar is based on Alcazar, a kind of muslim fortified palace. Father Cappuccino has the same name as a kind of Italian coffee.
- Telepathy: Al Kazar's power, he can read any mind.
Professors Black, Schwartz, Sprtschk and the biologist
- Absent-Minded Professor: Professor Sprtschk is just thinking about the development of his new thermonuclear bomb all the time, to the point he does not speak. He always has a Thought Bubble Speech above his head, full of equations.
- Ascended Extra: The fours scientists appeared in only three albums of the main series (two, for the biologist, one, for Sprtschk), to help Champignac. But the biologist also had a short cameo in Le rayon noir, Les géants pétrifiés , and a longer role in Les marais du temps and the short story La voix sans maître. Black obtained a prominent role in the first volume of Champignac, Enigma. He was featured too in the second, Le patient A, with Schwartz, the biologist and Sprtschk. And the first three had a cameo at the beginning of the third, Quelques atomes de carbone. Sprtschk is also a key character in Panique en Atlantique, as he created the force field that quickened the plot.
- Been There, Shaped History: In Enigma, Black and Champignac are recruited to help Alan Turing to resolve the Enigma code. In Le patient A, Schwartz contributed against his will to the creation of pervitin, a drug used by German soldiers to keep them resistant for days. Meanwhile, the biologist is forced to be the assistant of Dr.Morel, Adolf Hitler's doctor, and Sprtschk is recruited to help the Manhattan Project.
- Black Sheep: Pr. Sprtschk, the only member of the team who is not a friendly Cool Old Guy, and attached to be a benefactor of humanity. On the contrary, not only he is a cold individual who barely speaks, busy with thinking instead, but his goal is to make the most powerful thermonuclear bomb ever seen. If he was not so easily distracted, he could actually be a villain.
- Eaten Alive: The end of Professor Sprtschk, unceremoniously eaten by the dinosaur in Le voyageur du mésozoïque. Given Sprtschk's goal, the dinosaur have certainly saved humanity when he accidentally ate Sprtschk, despite he's vegetarian.
- Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": The biologist was always referred to as such, with no explanation. In volume 2 of Champignac, his name turns out to be Bruynseeleke. As it is difficult to pronounce, his friends decide to refer to him by his job.
- For Science!: Professor Sprtschk's goal when he plans to make a mega bomb. No patriotism, venality, misanthropy nor hunger for fame come under consideration for him. No, he search a possible way to provoke an Earth-Shattering Kaboom, just because he can, and despite it's dangerous for him as well. Franquin wanted to demonstrate the sheer, gratuitous absurdity for scientists to make such weapons.
- The Friend Nobody Likes: Sprtschk, as he's not seen discussing with the others scientists and was maybe dragged in Champignac. The main reason for his presence is because the Count felt that the research he pursued on his own was dangerous. Schwartz, Black and the biologist are initially horrified when Sprtschk is Eaten Alive. But then Pacôme informs them of the fact that he tried to create a super thermonuclear bomb. The others three are immediately relieved, and consider Sprtschk's death as a good thing.
- Funetik Aksent: In Le dictateur et le champignon and Le voyageur du mésozoïque, Black and Schwartz had pronounced British and German accents, respectively. They lose said accent in later apparitions. In the spin-off Champignac, it's certainly because of the less humoristic content of this story.
- History Repeats: Le voyageur du mésozoïque set in the The Present Day of The '60s and '' Le patient A'' set 20 years earlier both feature a scene where Pr.Sprtschk is sitting on a bench outside, thinking. In the first case, to a super thermonuclear bomb, in the second to the first possible atomic bomb, and how to make them. Then he has a "Eureka!" Moment of the good formula. Immediately after, in Le patient A, Sprtschk is put to sleep by Champignac and his girlfriend Blair, then kidnapped by Black and Schwartz who send him to the USA, in order he helps the Manhattan project. In Le voyageur du mésozoïque, immediately after his "Eureka!" Moment , Sprtschk is Eaten Alive by the dinosaur, who intended to eat the bush that hide the bench where the professor sat.
- Keep It Foreign: In the English translation, Black was made Italian, and rebaptized Nero, in order he keep his thick accent.
- Mad Scientist: Once again, Sprtschk. At first glance in Panique en Atlantique, he's like the Count of Champignac a Gadgeteer Genius, who made an efficient force field, but so efficient it nearly condemned two cruise boats to be imprisoned underwater. He's also stated, in Le patient A, to have contributed to the elaboration of Little boy and Fat man. He doesn't care, actually, if his knowledge will contribute to creating an atomic bomb that will benefit the Nazi Germany or the Allies, as long as it is made. By the time of Le voyageur du mésozoïque, Prof. Sprtschk was working on a super version of a thermonuclear bomb, that could destroy earth. He could actually be even more dangerous than Zorglub, if this idea came to fruition. Sprtschk's sanity can be questioned as in Panique en Atlantique, Spirou manages to join the first cruise boat inside an indestructible force field, then find Prof. Sprtschk in his cabin. The latter states he's very busy...to find a solution? No, to make a thermonuclear bomb.
- Multinational Team: Schwartz and (probably) Sprtschk are Germans, Black is British, the biologist is Belgian.
- Mythology Gag: In Enigma, Black unveils a board and discovers a caricature of himself under the features of a dinosaur, made by other scientists. The very same dinosaur as in Le voyageur du mésozoïque .
- Nerd Glasses: Schwartz and Black wear those. In Sprtschk's case, it's more Four Eyes, Zero Soul.
- Older Than They Look: After the 20 years period between Champignac and Le voyageur du mésozoïque, Sprtschk and Black are the only ones whose hair did not turn white. Still, they seem of the same generation as the other two.
- Skewed Priorities: Nothing can distract Professor Sprtschk from his hard thinking about atomic bombs. And by nothing, we mean being stuck in a boat inside an indestructible force field (that he made) under the sea, caught in a ship sinking, assist to the unique birth of a dinosaur, said dinosaur growing up suddenly and stomping everything, nor the dinosaur actually eating him. While he swallows the professor, a last Thought Bubble Speech with equations can be seen.
- Suddenly Speaking: In Le voyageur du mésozoïque and Le patient A, Professor Sprtschk was The Voiceless. In Panique en Atlantique, he does speak, but barely, and just to order others to leave him alone while he's working on an atomic bomb.
- Take That!: Le voyageur du mésozoïque was published in 1957, in the context of the Cold War, the invention of the thermonuclear bomb, and the possible risk of an Apocalypse. Before the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty, it was a common concern in Europe. Franquin being a pacifist , he introduced Professor Sprtschk solely to hurt him first (Spirou jostle him once unwillingly, the Count make him trip or slap his back violently, and willingly), then Sprtschk die suddenly, and Just in Time before he condemn Earth.
- Theme Naming: Professor Schwartz has the same name as Professor Black, but in German.
- The Unpronounceable: Just try to pronounce Sprtschk. It's so unusual that Black, the first time he hear that name, thinks it's an insult. Also, in Le patient A, Bruynseeleke, to the point his friends renounced to pronounce it and call him the biologist.
Professor Martin
Professor Martin is an archaeology specialist, but bored by his job, and actually dreams to explore disappeared civilisations. Interestingly, Yohan and Vehlmann created him for a one-shot, Les géants pétrifiés, but featured him again finally in the main series in Le Groom de Sniper Alley. In it, his knowledge in archeology gives a hand to the four others scientists (Champignac, Black, Schwartz and the biologist) who direct Spirou and Fantasio on a Treasure Hunt Episode, in an archaeological site.
- Agent Mulder: Despite a serious archeologist, he don't find usual vestiges very exciting, and is prone to believe that he has just found the reminders of the Mu civilisation, or aliens constructions, in Les géants pétrifiés.
- Canon Immigrant: Kinda: Martin appeared in the first one-shot, Les géants pétrifiés, supposed to be an Elseworld story. And still, he reappeared in Le Groom de Sniper Alley in the main continuity, even referring to the events of Les géants pétrifiés, as they actually happened. They could have, still, it's just that it left unclear the status of Tian, a student featured Les géants pétrifiés. Given that she had Ship Tease with Spirou.
- Give Geeks a Chance: In Les géants pétrifiés, Mr. Calloway's tall, blond, and sculptural assistant dated Fantasio first. Still, in the end, everyone is pursued by taniwhas (giant carnivorous dinosaurs), and Martin is oblivious to danger as his glasses are mist up. He then proceeds to calmly escort the assistant to safety in a cave. She is so glad to be saved that she spontaneously gives Martin a Smooch of Victory. They are then seen as partners in the Dance Party Ending that ensues. By Le Groom de Sniper Alley volume, they moved in together, given that the assistant is in the professor's living room and ask "Honey" (Martin) if he fancies tea.
- Jumped at the Call: Unusual discoveries tend to excite Professor Martin, who tries to rush into expeditions instantly. He begs Spirou to let him escort Fantasio and Spirou into their search for the library of Alexandria in Le groom de sniper alley, and even starts to pack his bags. Spirou refused, but let him be a contact radio for them with the four other scientists.
- The Short Guy with Glasses: He's not just small with jam-jars specs, he's bald in addition.
- Shorter Means Smarter: Martin is an archeologist that must be three feet tall. His girlfriend look three times his height.
- Shout-Out:
- In the beginning of Les géants pétrifiés, Martin wears a red beanie while on a boat.
- In Les géants pétrifiés, Martin shows a whip he has in his luggage, but is unable to use it. Likely, he thinks that being an archeologist require to have one. Even in the beginning of Le groom de sniper alley while Pr. Martin wishes to go on an adventure to discover the library of Alexandria, he starts to pack his bags and wonders "Where is my whip"?
Poppy Bronco
Poppy Bronco is a mercenary, recruited first in The dark face of the Z by Zorglub's rich customers in his moon amusement park. He seems Famed In-Story as one of the guests recognizes him. When Spirou turns into a Wolf Man on the moon, Poppy turns out to have the same capacity and tries to catch him, but ends up sucked in space. Poppy reappears inexplicably in the album Le Groom de Sniper Alley in Aswana, with mission to ensure Spirou and Fantasio will find the library of Alexandria's treasure. Poppy apparently dies eaten by crocodiles, but once again will reappear. He had a cameo in Supergroom as "Avalanche express".
- Action Hero: To the point Poppy has learnt how to kill 15 persons in a minute, according to him. Somehow, he managed to be involved in major conflicts (in Afghanistan, involving Al -Queada), and came back to tell the tale.
- Action Survivor: Somehow, Poppy survived spatial void, or being eaten by crocodiles.
- Cultured Badass: Poppy can read ancient Greek, as his mother insisted that he got a classic education.
- Dance Battler: While under the fire of snipers, Poppy shows Spirou and Spip how to dodge bullets with dance moves. Which include ballet and moonwalk.
- Fluffy the Terrible: He is this badass, tough guy who won't hesitate to kill, all while having the first name of a flower.
- The Gunslinger: Poppy and his squad tend to have improbable weapons such as Ray Gun on the moon, or platinum fragmentation bullets that are forbidden by Geneva convention.
- Hero of Another Story: Literally. In Spirou & Fantasio, when characters recall an event or encounter a character that showed up in a previous album, a footnote explains which album it was. In The dark face of the Z, a billionaire guest recognize Poppy instantly , and states that he has read all his autobiographies. Then each time Poppy recalls a particular event, a footnote indicate the title of which of his albums you can read this in...Except that they don't exist.
- Hired Guns: Poppy hire himself to whoever needs it, no matter the morality of the employer.
- Jack of All Trades: He's been a mercenary, a bodyguard, a soldier, and a Non-Powered Costumed Hero. On the moon, he can even be a Wolf Man.
- The Nicknamer: Poppy tend to nickname Spirou "kid".
- Non-Powered Costumed Hero: In the second volume of Supergroom, Poppy turns out to be a participant of the "olympic war" game, under the name of "Avalanche express".
- Not Quite Dead: Believe it or not, spatial void or crocodiles could not harm him. With the implication Poppy is exceptionally resistant.
- Nothing Personal: In Le groom de sniper alley, Spirou is surprised to see that Poppy proceeds to help him escape the sniper alley, despite them fighting to death on the moon. Poppy was then hired by the Vipère corporation, but he is now employed by the mafia. As a result, Poppy brushes it off, ensuring it was not personal, and his employer is now different.
- Not So Above It All: In Le groom de sniper alley, one of the numerous Death Trap in the tunnel that Spirou and Fantasio explore while escorted by Poppy, is a corridor filled with hallucinogenic mushrooms. Thus, on the bridge right after, they see a monster coming for them. Spirou and Fantasio have the time to be warned of the presence of the mushrooms and are not fooled by their visions, but not Poppy. He thus sees a terrifying monster instead of the scarecrow it's actually is (despite supposed to be courageous and Immune to Mind Control), start panicking, and fall in the water at the bottom, filled with crocodiles.
- No-Sell: On the moon, Zorglub start to zorglwave the mercenaries. Poppy plays along for a moment, before brutally revealing he's the only human it does not work on. No, he don't have anti zorglwaves device on him, he's Immune to Mind Control thanks to his years of training with the CIA.
- Testosterone Poisoning: Sure, Poppy is The Ace, and has a heavy tendency to shoot everything that moves. As a result, the titles of his imaginary albums are quite meaningful: Bronco against GIGN note 's f*gs, Open your mouth and say "Aaah", Al-Queada, Bronco kick off the Nasa...In Supergroom, his motto is "Hurtle, kick off, clear off".
- Trigger-Happy: As said previously, Poppy does not hesitate to carry quite dangerous weapons, and everything tends to blow up when he's around. His method to discover the entry of the tunnel they are searching for in an Aswana's forest? Burn it entirely with a flamethrower. His habit to shoot first, and ask questions later, made the mission fail earlier, in a museum. In this occasion, Spirou and Fantasio call off Poppy and his escort methods, assuring he's a conflicts magnet.
- Unexplained Recovery: A recurrent running gag revolving around Poppy Bronco, was his tendency to die in a more or less gruesome manner (aspired into space or eaten by crocodiles) and inexplicably show up alive in one of the next albums. Still, in the spin off Supergroom, Poppy is assassinated by a ninja contract killer, with half a dozen weapons in his back. And he has not recovered from that, at least not yet.
Ninon
Ninon is the daughter of antique dealers, and a fan of Spirou & Fantasio stories. This little girl aspired to become an adventurer too. For this reason, she was helpful for the duo in two Yoann and Vehlman albums, Dans les griffes de la vipère and La colère du Marsupilami.
- Ascended Fangirl: Ninon is a hardcore fan of the Spirou & Fantasio comics, and wished to be a trainee at the Spirou Magazine editorial board. She managed to do this in La colère du Marsupilami.
- Plucky Girl: She was the only one who could warn Fantasio on how Spirou was "bought", and basically, kidnapped by Vipère corporation. She was also talented enough to escape their spies surveillance, and ultimately allowed Spirou to escape.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Unlike all the adults who know Spirou and Fantasio, Ninon is not aware that the mere mention of the Marsupilami infuriate them since their mind conditioning and the Marsupilami's disparition, so she does not avoid the subject like adults. Her innocent questions about the animal, and the irrational wrath that ensues for the Count, Fantasio and Spirou, warn the latter that it is not a normal reaction. Thus, despite the fact that she only appears for a short amount of time, Ninon starts off the whole plot of La colère du Marsupilami.
