91:an (comic strip)
Encyclopedia
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
comic strip
Comic strip
A comic strip is a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels to display brief humor or form a narrative, often serialized, with text in balloons and captions....
, first created in 1932 with the title En beväringsmans upplevelser och äventyr("A military man's experiences and adventures"). This name soon changed to 91:an Karlsson, by Rudolf Petersson
Rudolf Petersson
Rudolf Petersson was a Swedish comic creator and the father of one of the most popular Swedish comics of all time: 91:an.-External links:*...
. It is now published in its own bi-weekly comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
, 91:an
91:an (comic book)
91:an is a popular bi-weekly Swedish comic book published by Egmont Kärnan AB. First brought out in 1956, it primarily publishes comic strips by Swedish cartoonists....
, and also as a single strip in the popular weekly women's magazine Året Runt.
The principal character in the strip is Mandel Karlsson
Mandel Karlsson
Mandel Karlsson, also known as 91:an Karlsson or simply 91:an, is a cartoon character, the hero of the popular Swedish comic strip 91:an , created in 1932 by Rudolf Petersson...
, a young man (aged perhaps 20 or 21) doing conscript military service in the Swedish Army
Swedish Army
The Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
, based at the fictional Klackamo Regiment. His number is "91", thus he is widely known in Sweden as "91:an Karlsson", although in the comic strip itself he is almost always referred to as Mandel (Eng: Almond
Almond
The almond , is a species of tree native to the Middle East and South Asia. Almond is also the name of the edible and widely cultivated seed of this tree...
, a very unusual first name), or simply 91:an. It's not clear if Mandel is an actual name or just a nickname.
Several of the officers are based on real people Rudolf Petersson met during his national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
at I 16
Hallands regemente
Hallands regemente , designations I 16 and I 16/Fo 31, was a Swedish Army infantry regiment that traced its origins back to the 16th century. It was disbanded in 2000...
regiment, in Halmstad
Halmstad
Halmstad is a port, university, industrial and recreational city at the mouth of Nissan in the province of Halland on the Swedish west coast. Halmstad is the seat of Halmstad Municipality and the capital of Halland County...
, Halland
Halland
' is one of the traditional provinces of Sweden , on the western coast of Sweden. It borders Västergötland, Småland, Scania and the sea of Kattegat.-Administration:...
, during 1916-1918. The premises of Klackamo Regiment, and the small town hosting it, Klackamo, are assumed to also be loosely based on the real regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
I 16, plus a quaint depiction of small-town and rural
Rural
Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...
Sweden loosely based on places in Halland.
Originally all the characters wore the blue uniform with brass buttons (possibly a late 19th century model), but when it was replaced by a more modern uniform in 1939 the new uniform was applied to all characters but 91:an, who kept the outdated version. Since then the uniform of the Swedish army has been changed in 1959 and 1990, but has not resulted in any changes in the uniforms used in the comic strip.
91:an cartoonists
- Rudolf PeterssonRudolf PeterssonRudolf Petersson was a Swedish comic creator and the father of one of the most popular Swedish comics of all time: 91:an.-External links:*...
(creator) - Jonas Darnell
- Nils EgerbrandtNils EgerbrandtNils Egerbrandt was a Swedish comic creator who created a few children's comics in the 1950s, such as Olli, about an adventurous eskimo boy....
- Jan GissbergJan GissbergJan Gissberg is a Swedish cartoonist, animator and film director. After studying at Konstfack in Stockholm he started working as an animator under Stig Lasseby, and later went on to direct by himself...
- Gösta Gummesson
- Görgen Kronberg
- Gert Lozell
- Olle Nilsson
- Jonny Nordlund
- Patrik Norrman
- Ola Nyberg
- Gunnar PerssonGunnar PerssonGunnar Persson is a Swedish cartoonist and comic creator. He is the son of Elov Persson, creator of one of Sweden's oldest comic strip characters, Kronblom. Gunnar began drawing the Kronblom comic strip in 1968 when his father's health got worse...
- Krister Petersson
- Tobias Sjölund
- Tommy Strindholt
- Bertil Wilhelmsson
Conscripts
- 91:an Karlsson: Mandel Karlsson (principal character)
- 87:an Axelsson: Lars Fjodor Axelsson (the sidekickSidekickA sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
) (now has his own comic book of republished 91:an strips) - 52:an Johansson
- 55:an "Bamsefar"
- 57:an Kvist
- 63:an Gustavsson
- 64:an
- 68:an Andersson
- 72:an Pettersson
- 89:an Olofsson
- 106:an Anderberg
- 110:an Jyckenberg
- Rosmarie Nilsson
Klackamo Regiment
- ÖversteÖversteFinnish Defense Forces rank of Eversti is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-5- 1600 - 1700 :Commander of a regiment that consisted of 1200 troops split into eight companies held this rank. One of the companies was called lifeguard company and was commanded by the överste himself...
Hector Gyllenskalp (ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Gyllenskalp: surname translates as Goldenscalp, a reference to the character's bald head) - MajorMajor (Sweden)Finnish Defence Forces rank of Majuri is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-3- 1600 - 1700 :The original title was Sergeant Major, which means the most senior servant to the Överste....
Hampus Morgonkröök (Major Morgonkröök: surname roughly translates as morning bend, bend being vernacular expression for alcohol, fr. verb 'Att Kröka' To Bend,) - Doktor Krank (Regimental doctor, with the rank of Major)
- KaptenKaptenFinnish Defence Forces rank of Kapteeni is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-2.-Origin:The basic military unit during the Middle Ages was the company raised by a vassal lord on behalf of his lord usually the King. The lord was commissioned by the king as Kapten to lead the unit...
Julius Berån (Captain) - LöjtnantLöjtnantFinnish Defence Forces rank of Luutnantti is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-1- Obtaining the rank in Finland :The Finnish army is bilingual; the rank is known in Swedish as löjtnant and Finnish as luutnantti....
Ferdinand Bourdong (1st Lieutenant) - FänrikFänrik-Professional officer:A minimum of 11 months of basic military training or 6 months as an aspirant followed by a three year programme at an officer school . - Conscript officer :...
Filip von Fikonstrååle (2nd Lieutenant) - FanjunkareFanjunkareThe word 'Fanjunkare' is derived from German 'Fahnenjunker', and denotes a standard-bearer, hence 'Colour Sergeant'. 'Styckjunkare' comes from German 'Stückjunker', and denotes a gentleman of ordnance, hence 'Master Gunner'.-1925:...
Ansgar Fridht (Warrant OfficerWarrant OfficerA warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
) - SergeantMajor (Sweden)Finnish Defence Forces rank of Majuri is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-3- 1600 - 1700 :The original title was Sergeant Major, which means the most senior servant to the Överste....
Emil Korn (Staff SergeantStaff SergeantStaff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
) - Sergeant Livén (disappeared from the strip in the 1930s)
- FurirFurir-Origin 1600:The responsibility of a furir was to arrange for housing as well as the distribution of food in a Company.-1875:Holders of the rank Furir were elevated to Sergeant and the rank was removed.-1914:...
Rickard Revär (SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
, frequently the fall guyFall guyA fall guy is a person used as a scapegoat to take the blame for someone else's actions, or someone at the butt of jokes. One placed in the position of fall guy is often referred to as "taking the fall". In the film industry, a fall guy is a form of stock character.-Origin:The origin of "fall guy"...
) - FurirFurir-Origin 1600:The responsibility of a furir was to arrange for housing as well as the distribution of food in a Company.-1875:Holders of the rank Furir were elevated to Sergeant and the rank was removed.-1914:...
Konrad Mild - KorpralKorpral- Swedish insignias before 2009 :-1600 - 1700:A korpral held the position as platoon leader of 24 men during the Swedish allotment system. The korpralskap consisted of four rote of 6 men each...
Krevad (CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
, disappeared from the strip in the 1930s)
Others
- GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Rufus Bäävenhielm - General Fredrik Bäävenhielm (no longer in the strip)
- General Jävelberg
- General Knakenplast
- General Herved Pölsen
- Överste Klaage
Civilians
- Elvira Olsson, occasionally named "Johansson", Kapten Berån's maidMaidA maidservant or in current usage housemaid or maid is a female employed in domestic service.-Description:Once part of an elaborate hierarchy in great houses, today a single maid may be the only domestic worker that upper and even middle-income households can afford, as was historically the case...
, and Mandel Karlsson's (and often Lars Fjodor Axelsson's and Rickard Revär's) love interest - Jenny Andersson, occasionally named "Jonsson", Elvira's cousin, has worked in the Regimental office
- Bottina Axelsson, 87:an's mother, regularly works as a cleaner at the Regimental offices
- Monika Beatrix Berån (Kapten Berån's wife)
- Platina von Blomsterlöök, mother-in-law of Colonel Hector Gyllenskalp
- Doris von Bäävenhielm, wife of Rufus Bäävenhielm
- Tilda Fransson, Mandel's first girlfriendGirlfriendGirlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
- Kommunalråd Bertram Fjälkespjut, local councillorCouncillorA councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
- Harry Gnuthagen, Editor of the Klackamoposten, local newspaper
- Fröken (miss) Grandin, Colonel Hector Gyllenskalp's secretarySecretaryA secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
- Husmor Greta Gustavsson, the Regimental matronMatronMatron is the job title of a very senior nurse in several countries, including the United Kingdom, its former colonies, including the Republic of Ireland, although the title Clinical Nurse Manager has become acceptable as an alternative.-History:...
- Adéle Charlotte Gyllenskalp, wife of Colonel Hector Gyllenskalp
- Johan Karlsson, Mandel's father
- Mandolina Karlsson , Mandel's mother
- Janne Tosesson, TV-reporter for "Uppdrag Förvanskning"
- "Gamle Mäster", works in the Regimental stores
- Hulda, Elvira's aunt
- Ulrika "Ulle", the CanteenCanteenCanteen has several different meanings:*Canteen , a water container*Canteen , a cafe, restaurant, or cafeteria provided for the use of students, workers, or soldiers at a particular school, office, or military base...
girl - Toftaligan, a local band of petty criminals, drives a hot-rod
- Tomteligan, another local band of criminals, slightly more dangerous than Toftaligan
Films based on the comic strip
- 91:an Karlsson. "Hela Sveriges lilla beväringsman" (1946)
- 91:an Karlssons permis (1947)
- 91 Karlssons bravader (1951)
- Alla tiders 91 Karlsson (1953)
- 91 Karlsson rycker in (1955)
- 91:an Karlsson slår knock out (1957)
- 91:an Karlsson muckar (tror han) (1959)
- 91:an och generalernas fnatt (1977)
See also
- 91:an (comic book)91:an (comic book)91:an is a popular bi-weekly Swedish comic book published by Egmont Kärnan AB. First brought out in 1956, it primarily publishes comic strips by Swedish cartoonists....
- Mandel KarlssonMandel KarlssonMandel Karlsson, also known as 91:an Karlsson or simply 91:an, is a cartoon character, the hero of the popular Swedish comic strip 91:an , created in 1932 by Rudolf Petersson...
- 91 Stomperud, a Norwegian comic character initially based on the Swedish character
- KronblomKronblomKronblom is a popular Swedish comic strip created by Elov Persson in 1927. It is published biweekly in Sweden in the comic book 91:an, along with a number of other comic strips, and in the weekly magazine Allers....
- Adamson AwardsAdamson AwardsAdamson Awards is a Swedish award awarded to notable cartoonists, named after the famous Swedish comic strip "Adamson" .They have been presented by the Swedish Academy of Comic Art at the annual Gothenburg Book Fair since 1965...
External links
Note: links are in the Swedish languageSwedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
.