Moomin comic strips

Moomin
Author(s)Tove Jansson
Lars Jansson
Current status/scheduleEnded
Launch date1947
Syndicate(s)Ny Tid
(1947-1948)
Evening News
(1954-1975)
PublisherAssociated Newspapers
Genre(s)Humour, satire

Moomin (Swedish: Mumin / Mumintrollen; Finnish: Muumipeikko) is a comic strip created by Swedish-speaking Finnish writer and artist Tove Jansson, and followed up by her younger brother Lars Jansson, featuring their Moomin family of characters. The first comic strip, entitled Mumintrollet och jordens undergång (Moomintroll and The End of The World) was for the Finland newspaper Ny Tid. It was written between 1947 and 1948, at the request of the editor, a friend of Jansson's, Atos Wirtanen. The series was mainly an adaptation of Comet in Moominland.

The main series of Moomin comic strips was made directly for the British market: they were distributed by the Associated Newspapers comic strip syndicate, initially appearing in London's Evening News newspaper. The series was printed in newspapers from 1954 to 1971. At its peak, Moomin appeared in around 40 countries and some 120 newspapers, with over 20 million readers daily.

The original comic strip stories by Tove Jansson and Lars Jansson have been adapted into the Moomin (1990) anime series and the 2014 animated film based on Moomin on the Riviera comic strip story.

Tove and Lars Jansson received the Finnish Comics Society's Puupää's Hat award in 1980.

History

Artist and writer Tove Jansson in 1956
Tove Jansson, 1956

In 1947, Tove Jansson's lover, the politician Atos Wirtanen, commissioned her first Moomin comic strip for Finland's Ny Tid newspaper, where he was an editor.[1] The series has been reprinted in book form under the name Jorden går under (The World is Ending).[2]

A much bigger opportunity arose when Charles Sutton, the leader of the Associated Newspapers syndicate, contacted Jansson in 1952 about a comic strip of the "charming" Moomins. After much discussion, and a planned launch in the Daily Sketch, Jansson travelled to London to arrange the launch in Evening News, with 6 episodes per week, "each strip to last three months".[3] It was the largest afternoon newspaper in the world at the time, with a circulation of 12 million, and started to publish the Moomin comic strip on 20 September 1954.[4] According to Jansson's biographer Boel Westin, it was a "smash hit".[5] The strip was quickly sold to other countries, especially in Scandinavia. In 1955, the strip started in Finland's Ilta-Sanomat, in Sweden's daily Svenska Dagbladet, and in the Danish Politiken.[6] The comic strips, unlike the early Moomin books and her drawing work, began to provide her with a sufficient income.[7] Tove's brother Lars Jansson helped with the work: he began by helping to translate the comic strips into English, then started to help create scripts in 1957, and finally took over the entire process by 1960.[1] At its peak, Moomin appeared in around 40 countries and some 120 newspapers, with over 20 million readers daily. It continued running until 1971.[8]

In the 1990s, a comic book version of Moomin was produced in Scandinavia after Dennis Livson and Lars Jansson's Moomin animated series was shown on television. The Janssons had no involvement in these comic books. However, in the wake of the comic book's success, two new Moomin comic strips were launched under the artistic and content oversight of Lars and his daughter, Sophia Jansson-Zambra. As of 2007, Sophia provides sole oversight for the strips.[9]

Analysis

Tove and Lars Jansson "delightful[ly]" enlivened the strips by making some panel boundaries scenic elements that relate to the strip's theme, as here in the 1958 strip Moomin and the Comet when Stinky comes by, and an unhappy flower and a smelly dead fish act as boundaries.[10][11]

Laura Honkasalo, reporting on the first seminar on the Moomin comic strips (held in August 2000) in Kulttuurivihkot, noted that they use a warm humour, not laughing at anyone's expense, and that the humour relies on slow narrative. She notes Juhani Tolvanen's analysis that Lars Jansson's drawing is technically skilful and innovative, such as with thematic panel boundaries.[10] Moomin.com notes that the vertical boundaries between the comic strip panels are not always just lines: Tove and Lars Jansson sometimes "delightful[ly]" enlivened the strips by making the boundaries scenic elements such as doors, ropes, curtains, or trees.[11]

Juhani Sirén in City magazine notes that while the comic strips were not allowed to include sex, Moomintroll tries drugs; Moominpappa drinks whisky and gets a hangover; there is a parody of excessive publicity; modern art and its pundits are mocked; and Moomintroll is warned of the dangers of gurus.[12]

Honours and distinctions

Tove and Lars Jansson received the Finnish Comics Society's Puupäähattu ("Puupää's hat") award in 1980.[13]

Adaptations

Anime

The Moomin (1990) anime series featured several episodes, which are loose adaptations based on comic strip stories, while several characters from the comic strips appear in the anime series.[14] The second season, known as sequel anime series Delightful Moomin Family: Adventure Diary (楽しいムーミン一家 冒険日記, Tanoshii Mūmin Ikka: Bōken Nikki) in Japan, was like the first series directed by Hiroshi Saitô and Masayuki Kojima. It was dubbed into Finnish but not English.[15]

Animated film

The 2014 traditional animated comedy film Moomins on the Riviera directed by Xavier Picard and produced by Hanna Hemilä, is based on the comic strip story of the same name; it was released on 10 October 2014 in Finland to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Tove Jansson's birth.[16][17] The film broadly follows the original comic strip story, with some elements from other comic strip stories and several of Jansson's Moomin characters who didn't appear in the original story, such as Little My and Snufkin.[18]

List of comic strip stories

The strip was divided into episodes, each with distinct titles and storylines.

NumberEnglish nameSwedish name[19][20]Finnish nameCreator(s)Year of appearancePublication notes
0.Moomintroll and the End of the WorldMumintrollet och jordens undergångMuumipeikko ja maailmanloppuToveJuly 2, 1948Originally published in Ny Tid.
1.Moomin and the BrigandsMumintrolletMuumipeikkoToveJuly 7, 1954Originally published in The Evening News. Reprinted in Drawn & Quarterly's Moomin Vol.1 (2006) ISBN 9781894937801
2.Moomin and Family LifeMuminfamiljenMuumiperheToveJanuary 19, 1955
3.Moomin on the RivieraMumin på Rivieran
Familjen lever högt		Muumiperhe RivierallaToveFebruary 23, 1955
4.Moomin's Desert IslandDen ensliga önYksinäinen saariToveMarch 16, 1955
5.Moomin's Winter FolliesDen farliga vinternVaarallinen talviToveJune 8, 1955Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.2 (2007) ISBN 9781897299197
6.Moominmamma's MaidLåtsaslekKuvitteluleikkiToveFebruary 22, 1956
7.Moomin Builds a HouseMumin bygger ett hus
Att bygga ett hus		TalonrakennusToveApril 25, 1956
8.Moomin Begins a New LifeMumin börjar ett nytt liv
Vi börjar ett nytt liv		Aloitamme uuden elämänToveMay 30, 1956
9.Moomin Falls in LoveMumin blir kär
Mumintrollet blir förälskat		Muumipeikko rakastuuToveJuly 18, 1956Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.3 (2008) ISBN 9781897299555
10.Moomin Valley Turns JungleMumindalen blir djungel
Vi bor i en djungel		ViidakkoelämääToveSeptember 5, 1956
11.Moomin and the MartiansMumin och marsmänniskorna
Mumintrollet och marsinnevånarna		Muumipeikko ja marsilaisetToveFebruary 27, 1957
12.Moomin and the SeaMumin och havet
Muminfamiljen och havet		Muumiperhe ja meriToveMarch 13, 1957
13.Club Life in Moomin ValleyFöreningsliv i Mumindalen
Föreningsliv		Yhdistyselämää MuumilaaksossaToveApril 24, 1957
14.Moomin Goes Wild WestMumintrollet i vilda västern
Mumin i Vilda Västern		Muumipeikko villissä lännessäTove/LarsMay 1, 1957Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.4 (2009) ISBN 9781897299784
15.Snorkmaiden Goes RococoSnorkfröken i rokoko
Snorkfröken i Rococo		Niiskuneiti rokokoossaTove/LarsJanuary 22, 1958
16.The Conscientious MoominsMumin och medborgarkänslan
Mumin blir social		Muumipeikko ja velvollisuudentuntoTove/LarsFebruary 12, 1958
17.Moomin and the CometMumin och kometenMuumipeikko ja pyrstötähtiTove/LarsApril 9, 1958
18.Moomin and the Golden TailMumin och den gyllene svansen
Den gyllene svansen		Muumipeikko ja kultainen häntäToveMay 7, 1958
19.Moomin WinterMuminvinterMuumitalviTove/LarsJanuary 21, 1959Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.5 (2010) ISBN 9781897299944
20.Moomin under SailMumin till sjössMuumipeikko merilläTove/LarsFebruary 11, 1959
21.Fuddler's CourtshipKlåttdjurets frieriHosulin kosintaTove/LarsMarch 18, 1959
22.Moomin's LampMumins lampaMuumin lamppuLarsFebruary 3, 1960Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol. 6 (2011) ISBN 9781770460423
23.Moomin and the RailwayMumin och järnvägenMuumipeikko ja rautatieLars1960
24.Moominpappa and the SpiesMuminpappa och spionernaMuumipappa ja vakoojatLars1960
25.Moomin and the CircusMumin och cirkusenMuumipeikko ja sirkusLars1960
26.Moomin the ColonistMumin NybyggarenMuumit uudisasukkainaLars1961Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol. 7 (2012) ISBN 9781770460621
27.Moomin and the ScoutsMumin och scouternaMuumipeikko ja partiolaisetLars1961
28.Moomin and the FarmMumin brukar jordenMuumipeikko maanviljelijänäLars1961
29.Moomin and the GoldfieldsMumin och guldgrävarnaMuumipeikko kullankaivajanaLars1961
30.Moomin Family RobinsonRobinson MuminRobinson MuumiLars1962Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol. 8 (2013) ISBN 9781770461215
31.Artists in MoominvalleyMumin och konstenMuumipeikko ja taideLars1962
32.Sniff's Holiday CampSniff's badortNipsun kylpyläLars1962
33.The Inspector's NephewPolismästarens brorsonPoliisimestarin veljenpoikaLars1962
34.Damsel in DistressDam i dilemmaNeitonen ahdingossaLars1963Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.9 (2014) ISBN 9781770461574
35.Fuddler and Married LifeKnappar och äktenskapNappeja ja avioliittojaLars1963
36.Sniff's Sport ShopSniff's sportshop
Sniffs sportaffär		Nipsun urheiluliikeLars1963
37.Mymble's DiamondMymlans diamantMymmelin timanttiLars1963
38.Moomin and the VampireMumin och vampyrenMuumit ja vampyyriLars1964Originally published in London's The Evening News. Reprinted in D&Q's Moomin Vol.10 (August 2015) ISBN 9781770462021
39.Moomin and the TVMumin och TVMuumipeikko ja televisioLars1964
40.The Underdeveloped MoominsDe underutvecklade mumintrollenAlikehittyneet muumitLars1964
41.Moomin and Aunt JaneMumin och mosterMuumipeikko ja tätiLars1964
42.Moomin and the National ParkMumin och naturparkenMuumit ja luonnonpuistoLars1965Originally published in London's The Evening News.
43.Moomin and the Good Old DaysMumin och den Gamla Goda Tiden
Den gamla goda tiden		Muumipeikko ja vanhat hyvät ajatLars1965
44.Moomin's PetHundliv i MumindalenKoiranelämää MuumilaaksossaLars1965
45.Moomin the Private EyeMumin detektivenMuumisalapoliisiLars1966
46.Spring in Moomin ValleyVårkänslorKevättunteitaLars1966
47.Moomin Rescues a PrincessMumin räddar en prinsessaMuumipeikko pelastaa prinsessanLars1966
48.Moomin and Agent 008 ½Mumin och agent 008½Muumipeikko ja agentti 008 ½Lars1966
49.Moomin Lives DangerouslyMumin lever farligtMuumipeikon vaarallinen elämäLars1967
50.Moomins in TorrellorcaMumin på TorrelorcaMuumit TorrelorcallaLars1967
51.Snorkmaiden Crashes SocietySnorkfröken i societetenNiiskuneiti seurapiireissäLars1967
52.Moomins in Ancient GreeceRedan de gamla grekernaJo muinaiset kreikkalaisetLars1967
53.Sniff Goes GoodSniff blir godNipsu parantaa tapansaLars1968Originally published in several newspapers (but not London's The Evening News).
54.Moomin the JournalistRedaktör MuminMuumipeikko toimittajanaLars1968
55.Moomin and the OrphansMumin och de föräldralösaMuumipeikko ja orpolapsetLars1968
56.Sir MoominRiddar MuminRitarimuumiLars1969
57.Horsey MoominMumin till hästMuumipeikko ratsaillaLars1969
58.Moomin and the MermaidMumin och sjöjungfrunMuumipeikko ja merenneitoLars1969
59.Emancipated MoominsMisans återkomstMiskan paluuLars1970
60.Moomin and the RadicalsMumin och RadikalernaMuumipeikko ja radikaalitLars1970
61.Moomin ChristmasMumin-JulMuumijouluLars1970
62.Moomin in Ancient EgyptMumin i EgyptenMuumipeikko EgyptissäLars1971
63.Sniff Falls in LoveSniff blir kärNipsu rakastuuLars1971
64.Moomin EngagementMumin förlovar sigMuumipeikon kihlausLars1971
65.Moomin and the Flying DutchmanMumin och den flygande HolländarenMuumipeikko ja Lentävä hollantilainenLars1972
66.Snorkmaiden the SeerSnorkfröken blir synskNiiskuneidistä tulee ennustajaLars1972
67.Moomin and the BeachMumin och badstrandenMuumipeikko ja uimarantaLars1973
68.Moomin Gets RichMumin blir rikMuumipeikko rikastuuLars1973
69.Moomin and the GuruMumin och GurunMuumipeikko ja guruLars1973
70.Moominpappa and Old AgeMuminpappan på ålderns brantMuumipappa vanhuuden porteillaLars1974
71.Moomin in BattleBatalj i MumindalenTaistelu MuumilaaksostaLars1974
72.Moomin in Neander ValleyMumin i NeanderdalenMuumipeikko NeanderthalissaLars1974
73.Moomin and the Ten Piggy BanksMumin och de tio sparbössornaMuumipeikko ja kymmenen säästöporsastaLars1975

References

  1. 1 2 "The legacy of Moomin comics". Moomin.com. 3 July 2024.
  2. ↑ Jansson, Tove (2007). Jorden går under! : Tove Janssons första muminserie i Ny tid 1947-48 [The World is Ending! Tove Jansson's First Moomin Series in Ny Tid 1947-48] (in Swedish) (2nd ed.). Helsinki: Tigertext. ISBN 978-951-96675-6-0.
  3. ↑ Westin 2014, pp. 272–281.
  4. ↑ "The Moomin comic strip turns 70 and is released in gorgeous softcover!". Moomin.com. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  5. ↑ Westin 2014, p. 250.
  6. ↑ Westin 2014, p. 272.
  7. ↑ Westin 2014, p. 228.
  8. ↑ Farmer, Laura; Devlin, Tom (28 January 2017). "Press: The Gazette discusses Moomin, interviews Tom Devlin". The Cedar Rapids Gazette; Drawn & Quarterly.
  9. ↑ "NY tid - Arkiv" (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
  10. 1 2 Honkasalo, Laura (2001). "Muumi-sarjakuvalle kunniaa!" [Glory to the Moomin comic!]. Kulttuurivihkot (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 9 May 2006. citing Tolvanen 2000.
  11. 1 2 "Moomin comics art style – The boundaries between the panels in Moomin comics". Moomin.com. 1 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Sirén, Juhani (2004). "Muumin pimeämpi puoli" [The darker side of Moomin]. City (in Finnish). No. 18/2004. Archived from the original on 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2026-05-31.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ↑ "Puupäät" (in Finnish). Suomen Sarjakuvaseura (Finnish Comics Society). Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Clements, Jonathan; McCarthy, Helen (2006). The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 (Revised and Expanded ed.). Berkeley, California: Stone Bridge Press. p. 428. ISBN 978-1933330105.
  15. ↑ "Helsingin Sanomat – Tuomas Kaseva: Snufkin and the sea: Moomin animator at 60". Archived from the original on April 28, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Moomins on the Riviera - About the Film". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Glamour on koitua Muumien kohtaloksi Rivieralla" [Glamour is destined to become the Moomins' fate on the Riviera]. Nordiskfilm.fi (in Finnish). 29 May 2013. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  18. ↑ "Moomins on the Riviera - Characters". Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  19. ↑ Zépé's Virtuelles Muminforschungszentrum (in German)
  20. ↑ Tolvanen 2000.

Sources

Further reading

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