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The story features three main characters named Croquignol, Filochard, and Ribouldingue, three brothers who are good hearted but at the same time are indolent crooks and slackers, characteristics of anarchists.[5]
Les Pieds Nickelés was originally drawn in text comics format, with the text written beneath the images.[6] Louis Forton had to struggle with his editors to use actual speech balloons, as was common in American comics.[7]
At the beginning of their "career", the 'nickel-plated feet' constantly clash with the police in various adventures where they rarely have the upper hand. Gradually, as the comic book became increasingly popular, the Pied-Nickelés gain widened scope, complexity, and audacity. Over time, they are seen rubbing shoulders with the elite of their time, such as the President of France, the King of England, and the Kaiser of Germany.[8][9]
With the arrival of First World War, the personalities of the Pied-Nickelés takes a new turn. They embody the popular French values of ingenuity and resourcefulness known as "System D". Operating behind the enemy lines under multiple guises, they constantly fool the "Boches" (French derogatory nickname for the Germans), portrayed like big heavy oafs without any finesse and easily fooled.
Louis Forton continued to draw the Pied Nickelés until his death in 1934, after which the series was taken over by Aristide Perré and Albert Badert.[10] However, it was not until Pellos took over in 1948 that the Nickelés returned to success. The successive authors of the Nickelés thus changed the comics and evolved the comics in new directions.
In 2010, Onapratut publishes a compilation of the contributions of Michel Baril, Aurélien Bédéneau, Fabien Bertrand, Paul Burckel, Ced, Clotka, Dib, François Duprat, Frédéric Duprat, Elric, Filak, Stéphane Girod and Olivier Ka. , Lommsek, Alejandro Milà, Pasto, Radi, Loïc Senan, Thibaut Soulcié, Unter, Waltch, Wayne, Wouzit, Carali, Caza, Hardy, Hugot, Lamorthe, Laurel, Thierry Martin, O'Groj, Obion, Nancy Peña, Jeff Pourquié, Olivier Schwartz, Al Séverin, Walthéry, and Wasterlain. The cover design is the work of Pascal Rabaté.[11]
Derivatives and parodiesEditIn French informal speech of the early twentieth century, "nickel-plated feet" was a moniker for slackers, workshy people. The meaning extended later to include in the 21st century characters not very commendable, conspiracy minded, rogue, both dishonest and clumsy. For example, this expression was used by the media in the Clearstream affair, where it was widely used to describe the various protagonists. The same was true of the operation of the "Ark of Zoe".[12]
Les Pieds Nickelés also inspired a 1972 magazine where the cartoonist Régis Loisel made his debut.[13]
In 2011, the cartoonist Luz replaced the headband of the one-eyed character Filochard with adjustable sunglasses.
EditLouis Forton lead the publication under a pen name. In 1934, he decided to focus on other projects, and let someone take over.
Starting from 1991, a series of new "Pieds Nickeles" to represent the "New Adventures" premiered, a collaboration of multiple publishers.
The comics center on 3 principal protagonists, Croquignol, Filochard, and Ribouldingue, who evolve greatly over the run of the comics. Under the authorship of Louis Forton, all drawn to the same size and proportions with Croquignol being the leader of the trio. All three, under the purview of Pellos developed their own personalities:
Although they disguise themselves regularly, they also have the same recurrent style:
Among the recurring characters of the series, one crosses in some episodes:
On retrouve aussi, parmi les adversaires traditionnels :
The travels of the Les Pieds Nickelés generally crosses the paths of the rich, the bourgeois, the peasants, who are distinguished by their stupidity and naivety, making them the privileged prey of the nickel-plated feet. The representatives of the public forces are also among the regular characters, regularly in the series of opponents of the three companions.
