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Peyo

Historical Figure

Peyo

1928–1992

Belgian comics cartoonist and scriptwriter (1928–1992)

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Biography

Pierre Culliford was a Belgian comics writer and artist who worked under the pseudonym Peyo. His best-known works are the comic book series The Smurfs and Johan and Peewit, in the latter of which the Smurfs made their first appearance.

Read more on Wikipedia

Timeline

The story of Peyo, told in moments.

1928 Birth

Born Pierre Culliford in Schaerbeek, Brussels. His nickname "Peyo" came from a baby cousin who couldn't pronounce "Pierre." He dropped out of school to work at an animation studio.

Did your baby cousin know they named you for life? Why did you leave school for animation? Was Brussels a good city for a young cartoonist?
1946 Life

Started drawing comic strips for Belgian magazines. Created Johan and Peewit, a medieval adventure series, for Le Journal de Spirou.

What drew you to medieval adventure stories? How did drawing for Le Journal de Spirou shape your style? Were Johan and Peewit your first love?
1958 Event

Introduced the Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs) as minor characters in a Johan and Peewit story. He'd invented the word "Schtroumpf" at dinner when he forgot the word for salt.

How did forgetting the word for salt create the Smurfs? Did you know those minor characters would overshadow everything? What made 'Schtroumpf' stick?
1981 Event

Hanna-Barbera launched The Smurfs animated TV series. It ran for nine seasons on NBC. Peyo retained creative control and insisted on approving every script.

Was giving creative control to Hanna-Barbera difficult? Did the TV show change what the Smurfs meant to you? How did you feel about approving every script?
1992 Death

Died of a heart attack in Brussels on Christmas Eve. He was 64. The Smurfs franchise has since generated over $8 billion in merchandise and media.

Did $8 billion in merchandise ever feel strange to you? What would you think of the Smurfs' legacy today? Is being remembered for blue creatures enough?

Artifacts (15)

Smurf - Smurf Reporter

Smurf Reporter tak suka mendengar para smurf mendengarkan gosip. Apa lagi kalau itu tak bisa dipertanggungjawabkan. Makanya, dengan penuh semangat dan dengan bantuan Smurf Gembul, ia membuat...

2011
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Vol. 9: Gargamel and the Smurfs

Presenting the wicked worst of Gargamel! He's the villain we love to hate! He's Gargamel--and despite how many times Papa Smurf and the Smurfs thwart his sinister schemes, he keeps on coming back!...

2013
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Anthology Vol. 1

When the Belgian cartoonist Peyo created a village of cute little woodland creatures for his heroes Johan and Peewit to discover, he couldn't have known that they would wildly outgrow those humble...

2013
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs #16: The Aerosmurf: The Aerosmurf

Flying Smurf has never given up on his dreams of being the first Smurf in the sky, and this time he's enlisted the help of Handy Smurf to make that dream a reality! Unfortunately for everyone else,...

2013
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Vol. 18: The Finance Smurf

When Papa Smurf is hurt in a lab accident he sends a smurf to the good wizard Homnibus for help. Although Homnibus has a cure, he needs to buy some seeds he's missing for the recipe. Fascinated by...

2014
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs #18: The Finance Smurf

When Papa Smurf is hurt in a lab accident he sends a smurf to the good wizard Homnibus for help. Although Homnibus has a cure, he needs to buy some seeds he's missing for the recipe. Fascinated by...

2014
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Monsters

A collection of all-new stories that see the Smurfs interacting with the many magical creatures who inhabit their enchanted land. Colorful adventures filled with kind monsters and wicked fairies!

2015
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs & Friends Vol. 1

An all-new collection featuring The Smurfs, and their friends! In this first volume Benny Breakiron returns in "The Red Taxi," Johan & Peewit embark on a never-before-seen adventure, and the Smurfs...

2015
Works Read Talk

Pussycat

From comics master Peyo (The Smurfs, Benny Breakiron) comes Pussycat--a lovable, mischievous tuxedo cat who spends his time chasing after milk and snacks and framing other members of his family for...

2016
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Anthology Vol. 4

Another iconic Smurf, The Smurf Apprentice, gets the Anthology treatment! A Smurf wants to emulate Papa Smurf, and decides the best way to do so would be to practice magic. So, the Smurf sneaks into...

2016
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Village Vol. 1: The Village Behind The Wall

New thrilling stories inspired by the hit feature film, SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE!

2017
Works Read Talk

Boy Meets Maria

Taiga dreams of becoming an actor, so the first thing he does upon entering high school is join the drama club. There, he meets the beautiful, enigmatic Maria and immediately falls in love with her....

2021
Works Read Talk

Smurf Tales #5: The Golden Tree and Other Tales

Your favorite blue pals are out on another adventure!

2022
Works Read Talk

The Smurfs Tales Vol. 6: Smurf And Order And Other Tales

Join Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and rest of the lovable blue smurfs for classic, three-apple tall adventures, translated into English for the first time. Life in the Smurfs Village is not unlike what...

2022
Works Read Talk

We Are the Smurfs: Our Brave Ways! (We Are the Smurfs Book 4)

Smurfaroo! The thrilling tales and side-splitting laughs continue with the Smurfs! Featuring three original stories chock-full of Smurfy humor, fun, and heartfelt lessons, the Smurf-ventures continue...

2024
Works Read Talk

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