The Cracoucass: everything you need to know about Johan and Peewit’s bird (and its official figurine)
The Cracoucass: everything you need to know about Johan and Peewit’s bird (and its official figurine)
TL;DR – The Cracoucass is a monstrous bird of prey that appeared in the Smurfs universe, conceived and drawn by André Franquin. Its official Fariboles figurine, sculpted by Pascal Rodier in resin, measures 15 cm and is numbered with a limited run of 500 pieces. Long since sold out from the publisher, it has become a rare item on the collectors’ market.
Who is the Cracoucass?
Cracoucass is one of the few characters from Franco-Belgian comics to have succeeded in terrorising entire generations of young readers – simply with a comic book cover.
A monstrous bird, not just a villain. He is a gigantic vulture with green and black plumage, driven by purely destructive instincts. No speeches, no Machiavellian schemes: just raw fury and a blood-curdling ‘Cracoucass’ cry. This cry – ‘Cracoucass’ – is, in fact, the origin of his name, and it echoes through the forest like a warning signal for the whole village.
What makes the character particularly memorable is his origin. The Cracoucass was conceived and drawn by André Franquin, the creator of Gomer Goof and Marsupilami, who was invited by Peyo to collaborate on this story. Franquin brings his recognisable artistic style to the character: the bird is expressive, almost caricatured in its anger, yet visually menacing. A monster drawn with the talent of someone who knows how to make the absurd seem threatening.
Its origin in the story is as simple as it is effective: a bottle of magic fertiliser shatters above a nest, a baby bird swallows a drop of it, and the result is this colossal, uncontrollable and perpetually angry bird of prey.
The Cracoucass in the Smurfs’ universe
The story *The Smurfs and the Cracoucass* is the 14th adventure in Peyo’s *The Smurfs* series, co-written with Gos. It was published as a graphic novel in 1969 by Dupuis – it is volume 5 of the collection.
The connection with *Johan and Peewit* warrants some clarification. The Smurfs originated in that universe: they first appeared in 1958 in a *Johan and Peewit* adventure entitled *The Flute with Six Smurfs*. But by 1963, they had their own series. *The Smurfs and the Cracoucass* therefore forms an integral part of the standalone Smurfs series, even though the essence of *Johan and Peewit* remains evident in the medieval-fantasy atmosphere of the universe.
In the comic, the Cracoucass literally wreaks havoc on the Smurfs’ village. The little blue smurfs are forced to flee, taking refuge in an abandoned tower, and only manage to get the better of the bird by making it drink Gargamel’s shrinking potion. Once reduced to normal size, the Cracoucass loses all its menace – and flies off, offended.
It’s a story that’s part disaster film and part slapstick comedy. And it’s precisely this blend that has made it unforgettable in the pantheon of Franco-Belgian comics.
The Fariboles Cracoucass figurine – full technical specifications
Fariboles Productions, a Normandy-based manufacturer specialising in collectable comic book statuettes since 1993, released an official Cracoucass figurine in 2012. To date, it remains the only official, licensed three-dimensional representation of this character.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Fariboles Productions |
| Sculptor | Pascal Rodier |
| Material | Resin |
| Height | 15 cm |
| Weight | 2 kg |
| Edition | 500 numbered pieces |
| Year of release | 2012 |
| Certificate of authenticity | Included |
| Licence | © Peyo – Peyo Company (formerly IMPS, Brussels) |
Pascal Rodier is one of Fariboles’ in-house sculptors, responsible for several landmark pieces in the Smurfs collection. His version of Cracoucass faithfully recreates the menacing silhouette drawn by Franquin: wings spread, aggressive stance, fixed gaze. Crafted from hand-painted resin, this collector’s resin statuette achieves a level of detail that fully justifies its premium status.
The Fariboles figurine comes with a certificate of authenticity and a serial number engraved on the piece. Each piece is therefore traceable and unique in its numbering. Find the full product details and current availability of this piece at Zédibulle Éditions.
Why is this statuette sought after by collectors?
Simple: the run is sold out. Fariboles produced only 500 pieces, and the piece is no longer available new from the publisher. On the pre-owned market, the few pieces still in circulation are selling for prices well above the launch price.
Several factors account for this high value:
- Absolute rarity: 500 pieces for a cult character from Franco-Belgian comics is very few.
- The character’s origins: a collaboration between Peyo and Franquin, two giants of Belgian comics. This is no minor character – it is an icon.
- The quality of craftsmanship: Fariboles resin ages well, and the finish remains stable over time provided the piece is stored correctly.
- The limited edition Smurfs range remains a safe bet: Fariboles’ Smurfs collection is one of the most comprehensive and highly sought-after by European collectors.
A piece in perfect condition, complete with its original box and certificate, is now regarded as a collector's item in its own right – not merely a decorative object. Fancy discovering other pieces from the same universe? Browse all our certified, statuettes of The Smurfs with a limited print run.
How do you authenticate a Cracoucass figurine?
Before making any purchase on the secondary market, there are three points you must check without fail:
1. The certificate of authenticity Every Fariboles figurine comes with an official certificate stating the edition number, the sculptor’s name and the item’s reference number. Without this document, authenticity cannot be guaranteed.
2. The engraved serial number The serial number is engraved directly onto the figurine (usually beneath the base). It must match the number shown on the certificate. Any discrepancy between the two is an immediate red flag.
3. The original box The Fariboles box is distinctive: it bears the publisher’s logo, the character’s reference number and the legal licensing details. A generic or damaged box does not necessarily disqualify the item, but it does reduce its value on the collectors’ market.
In summary: no certificate = no purchase. This is the basic rule for any limited-edition collectable resin statuette. This principle applies to all collectable comic book figurines, regardless of the franchise or manufacturer.
FAQ
What exactly is the Cracoucass?
The Cracoucass is a monstrous bird from the Smurfs universe. Conceived and drawn by André Franquin for a story by Peyo published as a comic book in 1969 by Dupuis, it is a giant vulture with green and black plumage, born out of an accident involving Papa Smurf’s magic fertiliser. Its hot-tempered and destructive nature makes it one of the most memorable antagonists in Franco-Belgian comics.
What is the Cracoucass’s call?
The Cracoucass’s cry is simply ‘Cracoucass’ – a shrill, guttural caw that echoes through the forest and heralds the bird’s arrival. It is this distinctive cry that gave him his name in the comic book.
Is the Fariboles Cracoucass figurine still available for sale?
The Fariboles figurine is a limited edition of 500 pieces released in 2012. It is no longer in production. Pieces can still be found at certain retailers specialising in collectable comic book figurines, but stocks are extremely scarce.
What is the connection between Cracoucass and Johan and Peewit?
The link is indirect but fundamental. The Smurfs first appeared in the world of Johan and Peewit in 1958, before getting their own series in 1963. *The Smurfs and the Cracoucass* belongs to the standalone Smurfs series, but the medieval-fantasy atmosphere inherited from *Johan and Peewit* is still very much present in it.
Is it better to buy a new or pre-owned Fariboles Smurf figurine?
New with a certificate is always preferable – but for out-of-print items such as Cracoucass, the pre-owned market is the only option. In this case, make sure to ask for the original certificate of authenticity and check that the number engraved on the figurine matches the one on the certificate. The original box is a bonus, not a requirement, but it does affect the item’s value.
Fancy reliving the magic of the Smurf figurines from your childhood? Check out our guide to vintage Smurf marbles, the nostalgic counterpart to contemporary resin editions such as the Cracoucass.
