Journal de Tintin N°522 “Bugatti” Cover — Original 1958 — Franquin & Jean Graton — 2C85

An original issue of Journal de Tintin — the iconic Belgian-French weekly comic magazine for readers “aged 7 to 77” — this is N°522, dated October 23, 1958, and it may be the most visually arresting issue in the series. The cover is a masterpiece of mid-century graphic illustration: a vintage Bugatti racing car, number 13, thunders toward the viewer at full throttle, two goggled drivers hunched against the slipstream, a blue competitor bearing down from behind. The yellow background makes the deep cobalt blue of the Bugatti sing. The headline announces: “Notre Histoire Complète: BUGATTI” — a complete, self-contained story dedicated to the legendary French racing marque. For Bugatti enthusiasts, motorsport historians, and vintage racing collectors, this cover alone is a framing-worthy piece of automotive art.

The back cover delivers a full-page color episode of Modeste et Pompon by the incomparable Franquin — the long-suffering father discovers that his freshly commissioned oil portrait has been repurposed by the children as a dartboard. The escalating domestic catastrophe unfolds across eight panels of perfectly timed comic genius, rendered in Franquin’s warm, expressive ligne claire style.

Inside, L. & F. Funcken contribute a breathtaking double-page spread of L’Ombre du Glaive — a medieval adventure painted in the Funcken brothers’ signature rich palette of forest greens, crimson, and gold. Tibet and Greg team up for Chick Bill le Cow-Boy: “La Tête au Mur!” — a riotous Western saloon brawl in bold red-and-black. Jean-Michel Charlier — co-creator of the legendary Blueberry series — contributes “Le Pays du Vide”, an Apache Western adventure illustrated by Rey. Jean Graton’s Le Grand Défi delivers pit-lane tension and international racing glamour — Aston Martins, checkered flags, and the roar of engines. Willy Vandersteen’s La Cavale d’Or rounds out the issue with swashbuckling medieval fantasy.

Condition note: The magazine presents with a pronounced spine curl consistent with its age — honestly reflected in the price. Interior pages remain complete and colorful throughout.

Key Details

• Type: Original vintage comic magazine / illustrated weekly press
• Title: Journal de Tintin — N°522
• Date: October 23, 1958
• Publisher: Le Lombard (Belgium / France)
• Language: French
• Pages: 36
• Size: 21 × 30 cm / 8.3 × 11.8 in
• Condition: Fair — complete, interior colors vivid; pronounced spine curl (disclosed)
• Origin: Belgium / France
• Age: 67 years (1958)
• Notable content: Complete Bugatti racing story (cover feature) · Modeste et Pompon (Franquin) · L’Ombre du Glaive (L. & F. Funcken) · Chick Bill (Tibet/Greg) · Le Pays du Vide (J.M. Charlier/Rey) · Le Grand Défi / Michel Vaillant (Jean Graton) · La Cavale d’Or (Vandersteen)
• Collectibility: High — exceptional cover art; Bugatti + Franquin + Graton + Charlier + Tibet in one issue
• SKU: 2C85