The Mortadelo and Filemón comics They are a classic in Spain and in the rest of the world. Practically all children will have read some comics about these two agents who have a peculiar way of working. If you can call it what they do. But, Have you ever wondered how many Mortadelo and Filemón comics there are?
In this article we are going to focus not only on that question, but also on getting to know some of the most important comics, knowing which was the first one that came out (and when it came out) and some other details. Shall we start?
When the first Mortadelo and Filemón comic came out
As you know, and if not we already told you, Mortadelo and Filemón are two characters created by Francisco Ibáñez, who died in July 2023. Of all his comics, this is one of the most popular, but the truth is that there are many further.
In fact, Mortadelo y Filemón was not Ibáñez's first creation, but one that made him begin to be recognized. AND His first comic was published in Pulgarcito magazine in 1958.. Specifically, the magazine number is 1394 (in case you want to get it from collectors or second-hand). In it, Ibáñez introduced us to Mortadelo y Filemón, an information agency.
At first it was just a comic strip. But it was so successful that it ended up becoming its own comic.
Already in those first drawings we had the characters characterized as they are known now (although they have been evolving, we also warn you). On the one hand, Mortadelo was tall, bald, and loved to dress up. Philemon only had two hairs on his head, he was always angry and anything irritated him.
How many Mortadelo and Filemón comics are there?
You already know the first Mortadelo and Filemón comic. But many years have passed since 1958. And taking into account that it was a complete success and they began to ask Ibáñez for more about these characters, it is logical to think that there will be many comics about these two agents.
But there aren't that many, really. As of July 2023, when its original author died, you could find 224 publications by Mortadelo y Filemón on the market. The last one was the 2023 Basketball World Cup.
All of them can be purchased on Amazon, in specialized comic book stores or even online.
What are the most important Mortadelo and Filemón comics?
There is no doubt that 224 publications go a long way. But not all of them were equally successful, nor were they all liked equally. In this sense, some of the most important comics by Mortadelo y Filemón are the following:
atomic sulphate
Published in 1969, although it is easy to find now, The story is about a very dangerous invention, atomic sulfate. This object has been stolen and Mortadelo and Filemón will have to go after the thieves and recover it before it hurts anyone. Although we already know that this is not usually easy for agents.
Note that this was also the first long story for these characters. That's why it is so appreciated.
The fifth centenary
Another of the best Mortadelo and Filemón comics is this one, which was launched to celebrate the fifth centenary of the discovery of America. It came out in 1992, in case you don't want to do the math, and the plot centered on Professor Bacterio and his invention: a machine to travel to the past.
The Super decides not to risk it so he calls Mortadelo and Filemón to try it and send them to the time when Columbus discovered America. So you can be the first to witness those events.
So they end up in Seville in 1992 where they meet Colón, Fray Bartolomé de las Casas and help prepare the ships. Of course, with their help things are not going to turn out very well.
Courage and… to the bull!
Once again we have another of the comics that are very worthwhile. It was published in 1970 and our protagonists are going to have to recover the plans of the Bartolo Project, which have been stolen from the agronautical research center of the cosmos.
But of course, the Rat gang, who are the ones who robbed them, are not going to make it easy for them, especially because The hiding place of the plans is the horn of a brave bull.
The catastrophic ball
A little more modern, from 1982, is this comic that combines humor with football. And the plot takes place in the days before the World Cup final, which helped Ibáñez to satirize the sport a little.
The plot follows that catastrophic ball, a soccer ball that is filled with a special bacteriological gas. Everyone who aspires to it becomes a donkey. The problem is that they plan to use it to turn the entire population into these animals.
Now, Mortadelo and Filemón will have to recover it, destroy it, and at the same time find the terrorists and eliminate them.
Mission for Spain
Closer, from 2021, in which they decided to take a tour of Spanish geography. The plot continues the same as always, the Super calls Mortadelo and Filemon so that they can try to put an end to the drug business that is spreading throughout the country. So they will have to travel throughout Spain to Find out who the gang is and put an end to it little by little.
Lets recycle!
Published in 2011, this comic tried, in some way, to raise awareness about recycling. Of course, according to Ibáñez's comic and humorous style.
The plot has saving money as its central point. And it is that The TIA needs to save and to do so it eliminates technology and recovers the outdated methods of yesteryear: slingshots, catapults, cars...
Since they need to do tests to find out if they are effective against the "bad guys" of the time, they decide that Mortadelo and Filemón confront them using those objects. And, of course, things don't go as well as might be expected.
What other Mortadelo and Filemón comics do you know that you think should be on the list of the best? Leave them in comments.