Lambik

Origin

After the divorce of his parents, a young Lambik felt neglected by his mother. Taking care of his brother Arthur, who had developed a syndrome called zoanthropy (he thought he was a dog), Lambik did all the household chores. Lambik’s father went insane after he gave all his money to the taxes. As a child, Lambik admired Barry Bowler, a British detective. On one his quests to become a detective himself, Lambik found a bowler hat, which quickly became his trademark. After his mother had died unexpectedly, he took a job as a plumber to make ends meet. As an adult, he and Arthur (he then thought he was a bird), retrieved their father from the asylum and together went to Africa. Lambik quickly returned to Belgium.

Later in life he met Suske and Wiske and became friends with them. From there on he always went with them on adventures.

Creation

Lambik made his first appearance in the comic book ‘De Sprietatoom’ in 1946. He was created by writer and artist Willy Vandersteen who gained the title of spiritual father to Suske & Wiske. He received his own spin off comic book ‘De Grappen van Lambik’.

Character Evolution

Lambik has always been the comedic note in the comic book. He started out as a terribly dumb character but over time he grew smarter, although not a lot smarter. His usual appearance hasn’t changed over time, he wears a white shirt, black pants and bow tie. Sometimes he wear a black bowler hat. He’s extremely protective of the six hairs he has left and will do anything to protect them.

Lambik’s Family

Lambik has a brother named Arthur. Their father was a poet, but his poems were misunderstood and he was locked away in an asylum in Voorburg. When he was released, he went to the South American country Surinam and lived there ever since.

One of his earliest ancestors is the head of the Eburonen, who lived 54 B.C., called Lambiorix.

One of his more recent forefathers is a member of the Buckriders, called Johan Matheus Lambik (1730-1772).