La Ribambelle

La Ribambelle ("Ribambelle" is a French word for "Flock") is a Belgian comic series created by Jean Roba in 1962.

Inspired by The Rinkydinks, the series is centered of the adventures of a team of six kids: Phil (the leader), Dizzy (a black trumpetist), Archibald (a Scottish genius), Atchi and Atcha (Japanese twins, black belts in judo) and Grenadine (the girl). The only reoccuring adult is James, Archibald's butler, who can count as the seventh member of the team. Their main opponents are the Caimans, three little punks who want to make their lives miserable.

The stories are:


 * La Ribambelle gagne du terrain (The Ribambelle gains ground): When they learn that the yard they use as a playground is to be sold, the Ribambelle set about trying to get the money to buy it themselves, with advice from a mysterious tramp who has moved into their HQ. But a shady businessman, Grofilou ("Bigrascal"), is also after the ground and employs the Caïmans to deal with the competition.
 * La Ribambelle en Ecosse (The Ribambelle in Scotland): When the Golden Thistle, his family's emblem, is stolen by a rival clan, Archibald is summoned to Scotland by his Uncle Angus to recover it and takes his friends with him. But they soon discover that resolving a centuries-old feud is somewhat easier said than done.
 * La Ribambelle s’envole (The Ribambelle takes off): There is to be a competition in which the aim is to build a plane which is powered by its pilot. With great excitement, Archibald gets down to the design — even if Dizzy is not too keen on being the flyer. But the Caïmans are also out to build a plane, with no regard for rules or fair play.
 * La Ribambelle engage du monde (The Ribambelle recruits): Having failed to take over the Ribambelle's yard due to the traps, the Caïmans decide on a new strategy: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em — then beat 'em". But they've not counted on the Ribambelle's membership tests.
 * La Ribambelle au bassin (The Ribambelle at the pond): While pursued by police through the park, a man throws something into the pond. This inspires the curiosity of the Ribambelle, but also the Caïmans.
 * La Ribambelle aux Galopingos (The Ribambelle at the Galopingos Islands): Having won a competition to the Galopingos Islands in the Caribbean, the gang discovers that it is only for one person and thus give it to their friend Mister Berlingaud, sweet shop owner and amateur scientist who has never so much as seen the sea. But then Mister Berlingaud mysteriously disappears and so they hurry off to find him. However, an island which includes hostile natives and dragons is not the ideal place for a search.
 * La Ribambelle enquête (The Ribambelle investigates): A dealer in second-hand goods tries to discreetly break into the Ribambelle's yard only to fall foul of the traps and is forced to retreat. So when Archibald appears in his shop in order to buy a present for James, the dealer does not hesitate to lock him into a storehouse in order to get the details of the traps' locations. But he's counted without the concern and loyalty of Archibald's friends and the devoted James.
 * La Ribambelle contre–attaque (The Ribambelle strikes back): The gang's old enemy, Grofilou, has discovered the reason for Archibald's recent abduction and intends to put it to his own advantage with the help of the Caïmans. This however is the least of the worries of the re-united Ribambelle, especially after Dizzy's quip about Scottish cuisine.

The series ended in 1975 because Roba had to focus on Boule et Bill.

In 2011, Zidrou and Jean-Marc Krings launched back the series.

La Ribambelle provides examples of:

 * Badass Adorable: Atchi and Atcha.
 * Beware the Nice Ones: Atchi and Atcha, again.
 * James is a Quintessential British Gentleman, but if you lay a finger on Archibald...
 * Complete Monster: Except the ones in La Ribambelle en Ecosse and maybe in La Ribambelle enquête, the adult enemies of the Ribambelle are this trope without any doubt.
 * Cool Old Guy: James.
 * Five-Man Band:
 * The Hero: Phil
 * The Lancer: Dizzy
 * The Big Guy: Atchi and Atcha
 * The Smart Guy: Archibald
 * The Chick: Grenadine
 * Team Dad: James
 * Jerkass: The Caimans, but especially Tatane, their leader.
 * There Are No Adults: The kids' parents are often mentioned but never appear. Some adults appear and play important roles, but James is the only reoccuring one.
 * Those Wacky Nazis: The villains of La Ribambelle aux Galopingos. Even though it's never explicitely stated, they're still Germans and are based on fugitive nazis like Mengele.
 * Would Hurt a Child: ALL of the adult villains. No exception.