Charles Dupuis, 84; Publisher of Smurfs, Other Comic Strips

Charles Dupuis, 84, whose family printing house was behind the success of comic-strip characters including the Smurfs, died Thursday of unstated causes in his hometown of Marcinelle, Belgium.

In 1938, Dupuis’ publisher father, Jean, created a comic book called Spirou to compete throughout Belgium with such Disney imports as Mickey Mouse translated into French.

Charles Dupuis increased the production of comics by hiring cartoonists who became stars in a country that reveres the comic strip as a serious art form. Among those he encouraged were Peyo, who drew the Smurfs; and Morris, who created Lucky Luke.

Under Charles Dupuis’ guidance, the family publishing company expanded after World War II, moving successfully into comic-strip albums and animated films for cinema and television. He retired in 1985 when the family sold the firm.