Marsupilami figurines: a guide to official statuettes for collectors

TL;DR – The Marsupilami was created by André Franquin and first appeared in *Spirou* on 31 January 1952. The licence is now held by Dupuis, which acquired Marsu Productions in 2013. Official figurines cover a wide range: from affordable PVC models available from Plastoy, to high-end limited edition resin pieces from Fariboles, right through to Samuel Boulesteix’s bronze-composite sculptures. The most sought-after pieces are numbered, certified and produced in runs of just a few hundred pieces.

Who is the Marsupilami?

The Marsupilami first appeared on 31 January 1952 in the magazine *Spirou*, created by André Franquin. He made his first appearance in the album *Spirou and the Heirs* – initially as a silhouette, before being fully revealed. An imaginary creature with a prehensile tail measuring up to eight metres, yellow fur speckled with black, and Herculean strength: the character immediately stood out in the world of Franco-Belgian comics.

His homeland is Palombia, a fictional jungle in South America. This is where the Marsupilami family lives – the male (Marsu), the female (Bianca), and their young, including Bibi. The family nest, woven from braided vines and lined with feathers, is one of the iconic elements of this universe: the Marsupilami bed built by the female is even described in detail in *Le Nid des marsupilamis* (*The Marsupilami’s Nest*), a key comic book for understanding the species’ habits.

Franquin jealously guarded his rights to the character when he handed over *Spirou* and *Fantasio* to Jean-Claude Fournier. The Marsupilami got its own series in 1987, illustrated by Batem. In March 2013, Dupuis acquired Marsu Productions and consolidated the rights: the character was then able to rejoin Spirou in the pages of the eponymous magazine. This link with Spirou and Gomer Goof – two other pillars of the Franquin universe (see our Spirou selection and our Gomer Goof selection) – is central to understanding the logic behind a coherent collection.

The major companies that produce official Marsupilami figurines

Plastoy – affordability under official licence

Plastoy is a French manufacturer specialising in licensed figurines, with extensive experience of major comic book franchises. Its Marsupilami range consists of PVC and resin figurines produced under licence from Dupuis, in accessible sizes and at affordable prices.

The most iconic item in the entry-level range is the tube containing 7 Marsupilami figurines – which includes Spirou and Spip – ideal for starting a collection or as a gift. Plastoy’s open-ended series allow you to quickly build up a representative collection of the Palombian family without a major investment. It is the natural starting point for a collector discovering this universe.

Fariboles – high-end, limited edition resin figurines

Fariboles represents the other end of the spectrum. The manufacturer produces hand-painted resin Marsupilami statuettes, under official licence from Dupuis, with a strictly limited and numbered print run.

Two pieces are particularly iconic:

• “Spirou, Marsu and Spip” – 18 cm in height, with a limited print run of 350 pieces. An intimate composition bringing together the three characters, who have been historically linked since 1952.
• “Spirou, Fantasio, Spip and Marsupilami: Return from Palombia” – 63 cm in length, with a limited print run of 275 pieces. A monumental piece that re-enacts the heroes’ return to the Palombian jungle, with a meticulously crafted narrative scene.

These two Marsupilami statuettes, available in our Marsupilami selection, form the heart of any serious collection centred on the Spirou-Marsupilami universe. The limited editions and the quality of the painted resin mean these pieces are rapidly becoming scarce on the market.

Samuel Boulesteix – the artist’s sculpture

At the very top of the collectors’ pyramid stands Samuel Boulesteix’s Marsupilami sculpture. This French sculptor, based in Saujon (Charente-Maritime), works in composite bronze – a material that gives his pieces the look and patina of bronze whilst allowing for remarkable finesse of detail.

His Marsupilami sculpture measures 64 cm and was produced in 2022 in a limited edition of just 140 numbered pieces plus 7 artist’s proofs. Each piece comes with a unique, tamper-proof certificate, engraved beneath the sculpture. Boulesteix is contractually bound never to reissue an edition: the stated limited print run is final.

This piece forms part of a series dedicated to the world of Spirou – Spirou, Fantasio, Spip and the Marsupilami have each been the subject of a sculpture – making it a collector's item in its own right, at the crossroads of art and comic books.

Other manufacturers to be aware of

No official Marsupilami pieces by Aroutcheff have been confirmed to date – we do not list items that do not exist. However, the pre-owned market harbours rare vintage pieces: old licensed figurines from the 1990s and 2000s, out-of-print editions, and items from series that are no longer in production. Specialised platforms and comic book swap meets remain worthwhile hunting grounds for the patient collector.

The must-have Marsupilami figurines for any collector

Here is a selection of pieces that deserve a place in any serious collection:

• Fariboles “Return from Palombia” (275 copies, 63 cm) – the benchmark piece for the discerning Marsupilami collector. Its size and narrative presentation make it an instantly recognisable showpiece.
• Boulesteix bronze-composite (140 copies + 7 EA, 64 cm, 2022) – the artistic highlight of the collection, for those seeking an artist’s Marsupilami sculpture.
• Plastoy family set – to quickly assemble a representative collection at a lower cost.
• “Gaston in the Marsupilami’s Nest” – a rare piece that places Gomer Goof within the Palombian universe, bringing together two of Franquin’s greatest creations. The Marsupilami’s nest is depicted here with remarkable fidelity to the comic album *Le Nid des marsupilamis*.
• “Gaston dressed as a Marsupilami” – a direct reference to gags 601 and 606 in the Gaston series, where Lagaffe dons the yellow animal’s costume. A piece brimming with humour and nostalgia for any Franquin fan.

Marsupilami and Gomer Goof: two Franquin worlds, a cohesive collection

Franquin did not create his characters in isolation. Marsupilami and Spirou share the same origins, and the Marsupilami crosses paths with Gomer Goof in several classic gags. In the original strips, Gaston dresses up as Marsupilami (gags 601 and 606); in others, he finds himself in the Marsupilami’s nest in Palombia.

For a collector interested in Franquin’s body of work as a whole – much as our guide for beginner collectors of comic book figurines recommends – building a collection that spans both universes makes perfect sense. The pieces ‘Gaston in the Marsupilami’s nest’ and ‘Gaston dressed as a Marsupilami’ are precisely those ‘bridge’ objects that embody the coherence of the body of work. They are rare, highly sought-after, and their symbolic value far exceeds their purely decorative aspect.

How to choose your Marsupilami figurine?

Here are a few practical criteria to guide your choice:

Budget and material

• PVC / Plastoy resin: entry-level, open series, ideal for starting or adding to a themed collection.
• Fariboles painted resin: mid-to-high-end, limited numbered editions, excellent value for money in terms of quality and rarity.
• Boulesteix bronze composite: ultra-premium segment, artist-created sculpture, long-term investment.

Open run vs limited print run An open run (Plastoy) guarantees availability but not rarity. A limited print run (Fariboles, Boulesteix) creates demand on the secondary market – sold-out items often fetch well above the launch price.

With or without Spirou / Gaston The composite Marsupilami and Spirou figurine (Fariboles) has a narrative dimension that a single-character figurine lacks. For a collector focused on the Franquin universe, multi-character pieces are often the most significant.

Mint vs pre-owned Mint condition guarantees the item’s condition and traceability. The pre-owned market allows you to find out-of-print items, but requires rigorous verification of authenticity (see next section), as outlined in our advice on distinguishing between figurines, statuettes and comic-book sculptures.

Authenticating and preserving your Marsupilami figurines

Authentication

For any limited-edition Marsupilami figurine, always check:

• The Dupuis licence mark on the box and the base of the figurine.
• The individual certificate of authenticity, with a number matching the one engraved on the item.
• The numbering: this must match the stated print run (e.g. 147/275 for ‘Le Retour de Palombie’).
• For Boulesteix pieces: the number is engraved beneath the sculpture, not simply printed on a sticker.

A piece without a certificate, without verifiable numbering or with a generic box should be treated with the utmost caution – the same vigilance we recommend in our comparison of comic book figurine manufacturers.

Storage

• Resin: avoid direct exposure to UV light (which causes paint to fade) and significant fluctuations in humidity. A closed display cabinet with UV protection is ideal.
• Bronze composite: a more stable material, but sensitive to impact. Avoid vibrating surfaces.
• In both cases: handle with cotton gloves to avoid fingerprints on painted or patinated surfaces.

FAQ

Who created the Marsupilami and when? The Marsupilami was created by André Franquin, a Belgian cartoonist, and first appeared in the magazine *Spirou* on 31 January 1952, in the comic book *Spirou et les Héritiers*. The licence is now held by Dupuis, which acquired Marsu Productions in March 2013.

Which Marsupilami figurine is best for beginners? The Plastoy set of 7 figurines (including Spirou and Spip) is the ideal place to start: affordable, officially licensed and a faithful representation of the characters. For a first limited edition purchase, the Fariboles ‘Spirou, Marsu and Spip’ statuette (350 pieces, 18 cm) offers an excellent balance between relative affordability and collector’s value.

What is the difference between Plastoy and Fariboles when it comes to Marsupilami figurines? Plastoy produces PVC and resin figurines in open-ended or large-scale, affordable runs, under licence from Dupuis. Fariboles specialises in high-end, hand-painted resin figures, with a strictly limited print run (275 to 350 pieces). The level of detail, the size of the pieces and their rarity are in a league of their own – as is the price point.

How can you authenticate a limited-edition Marsupilami figurine? Three non-negotiable points: the mention of the Dupuis licence on the box, the individual certificate of authenticity with a number matching that engraved on the figurine, and the consistency of the numbering with the announced print run. For Boulesteix sculptures, the number is engraved directly beneath the figurine and accompanied by a forgery-proof certificate.

Where can you find official Marsupilami figurines? Shops specialising in collectable comic book figurines (online or in-store) are the most reliable sources for brand-new limited editions. For out-of-print items, resale platforms between collectors and comic book fairs can help you find rare items – provided you carefully verify authenticity before making any purchase.

Useful sources

• Marsupilami – Wikipedia – comprehensive history of the character, chronology of appearances
• boulesteix-collection.com – Marsupilami bronze-composite sculpture, edition details and terms of purchase
• plastoy.fr – official range of PVC and resin figurines under licence from Dupuis
• bullesenboite.com – Marsupilami catalogue and collection, items currently available and out of print

To take your Franquin collection further, do also check out our pillar page on collectable comic book figurines.