La Ribambelle

La Ribambelle
Main characters with the series logo
Author(s)André Franquin, Marcel Denis, Jean Roba, Vicq, Yvan Delporte, Maurice Tillieux, Zidrou
Illustrator(s)Jo-El Azara, Jean Roba, Jidéhem, Jean-Marc Krings
Current status/scheduleDiscontinued
Launch date1958
End date2012
Publisher(s)Dupuis, Le Lombard
Genre(s)Adventure

La Ribambelle (French for "flock" or "throng") is a Belgian comics series about a gang of kids living in the same neighbourhood. There were two versions of this strip: Joseph Loeckx (better known under the pen-name of "Jo-El Azara") drew a one-off story in 1958, but the longer-lasting version was that of Jean Roba (best known for Boule et Bill) who created a whole new set of characters who came from various countries and ethnic backgrounds but lived in the same city. They played in a local yard and even had adventures abroad. Others who contributed to the strip included writers Vicq, Maurice Tillieux and artist Jidéhem.

Roba's version was published in Spirou magazine between 1962 and 1975 and in book form.