MuseumChick | Danee Gilmartin

Tin Tin mania! Everywhere you turn in Brussels you can see the proud comic strip heritage. Belgium considers the comic strip to be an art form. Around the city you can see comic scenes scaling the side of 6 story buildings, Tin Tin overload in the stores and an entire museum dedicated to comic strips- The Belgian Comic Strip Center/Museum. This museum is perfect for children (and nerdy husbands, like mine). An added architecture buff bonus- The Comic Strip Center is located in the The Waucquez Warehouses, a masterpiece of famous Belgian Art Nouveau architect, Victor Horta.

First thing as I enter the museum- of course a dedication to Tin Tin is necessary. Mr. Museumchick informs me, “Did you know Tin Tin was translated into as many languages as the Bible?” With forced enthusiasm I reply, "Wow, I didn't know that!" I have to say, I still really wasn't interested in seeing the Comic Strip Museum but I drag him to many museums I like (ones I'm sure he could go without seeing- the fashion museums for example). So the least I could do was play along, "Oh, sweetie, go stand by the Tin Tin rocket ship while I take your picture".

I found that once I got inside, I didn't have to play along anymore. I genuinely had fun reading about the history of comics and playing in the kid-like comic props. The welcoming reception woman gave us a booklet that translated information about the museum in English but it really wasn't necessary. It was more fun just getting lost in the temporary walls installed in this historic Art Nouveau building.  

More Tin-Tin…

Looking out the window…more comics! I'm surrounded!

Mr. MuseumChick having fun in the spaceship, mind stealer, bluething-y.  Don't you think you're too big for that?

A maze of comics…

A small exhibit dedicated to Art Nouveau architecture in Belgium is on the ground floor (I found this the most interesting). One section recounts the many Victor Horta buildings around Belgium, highlighting his famous staircase designs.

This is one of Victor Horta's staircase designs in the Comic Museum.

©2010 Danee Gilmartin All rights reserved