Mandel Karlsson
Encyclopedia
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
(Eng
: № 91), created in 1932 by Rudolf Petersson
. The strip is now published in its own bi-weekly comic book
, 91:an
, and also as a single strip in the popular weekly women's magazine Året Runt.
. During his service he met a blond and ill tempered Småland
ian who turned soft by accordion music and a friendly, short haired person. Some of the attributes were switched and the result was 91:an and 87:an Axelsson. Mandel Karlsson has always been a likeable and sympathetic character
: willing to get up to all sorts of youthful mischief, but clearly a kind soul at heart. During the first three decades Mandel was very fond of fighting, but a less aggressive, gentler character was developed during the highly successful period of Nils Egerbrandt
's work, starting in the 1960s.
Mandel Karlsson is a young man, aged perhaps 20 or 21, doing conscribed military service in the Swedish Army
, 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
, an extremely unusual first name), or simply 91:an. It's not clear if Mandel is an actual name or just a nickname.
The son of Mandolina and Johan Karlsson, Mandel comes from a working-class rural background. He often uses non-standard dialect expressions and vocabulary, has a wonderful rapport with animals, and is a competent accordionist. Formerly a frequent smoker
, he has now kicked the habit.
He is very keen on his girlfriend Elvira Olsson, although they have regular fall-outs, but he is far from "forward" sexually: indeed Elvira often has to take the initiative in matters romantic. He has been known to express a lively interest in other young ladies who meet his acquaintance, although less so than some of his fellow conscripts at the Klackamo Regiment. His sidekick
, Lars Fjodor Axelsson, is a brasher, naughtier character, and has frequently tried to rival Mandel for the attentions of Elvira.
Mandel is well liked by the senior officers at the regiment and is soon forgiven his frequent transgression of the rules. He often does chores for Överste Gyllenskalp at home, for example walking his Great Dane
, Caesar.
Hero
A hero , in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion...
of the popular Swedish
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....
91:an
91:an (comic strip)
91:an is a popular Swedish comic strip, first created in 1932 with the title En beväringsmans upplevelser och äventyr. This name soon changed to 91:an Karlsson, by Rudolf Petersson...
(Eng
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: № 91), created in 1932 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:*...
. The strip 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.
Mandel's personality
Mandel Karlsson is based on two people Rudolf Petersson met during his national service at I16Hallands 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...
. During his service he met a blond and ill tempered Småland
Småland
' is a historical province in southern Sweden.Småland borders Blekinge, Scania or Skåne, Halland, Västergötland, Östergötland and the island Öland in the Baltic Sea. The name Småland literally means Small Lands. . The latinized form Smolandia has been used in other languages...
ian who turned soft by accordion music and a friendly, short haired person. Some of the attributes were switched and the result was 91:an and 87:an Axelsson. Mandel Karlsson has always been a likeable and sympathetic character
Sympathetic character
A sympathetic character is a fictional character in a story with whom the writer expects the reader to identify with and care about, if not necessarily admire. Protagonists, almost by definition, fit into the category of sympathetic character; so, however, do many supporting characters and even...
: willing to get up to all sorts of youthful mischief, but clearly a kind soul at heart. During the first three decades Mandel was very fond of fighting, but a less aggressive, gentler character was developed during the highly successful period of Nils Egerbrandt
Nils Egerbrandt
Nils Egerbrandt was a Swedish comic creator who created a few children's comics in the 1950s, such as Olli, about an adventurous eskimo boy....
's work, starting in the 1960s.
Mandel Karlsson is a young man, aged perhaps 20 or 21, doing conscribed 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...
, an extremely unusual first name), or simply 91:an. It's not clear if Mandel is an actual name or just a nickname.
The son of Mandolina and Johan Karlsson, Mandel comes from a working-class rural background. He often uses non-standard dialect expressions and vocabulary, has a wonderful rapport with animals, and is a competent accordionist. Formerly a frequent smoker
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
, he has now kicked the habit.
He is very keen on his girlfriend Elvira Olsson, although they have regular fall-outs, but he is far from "forward" sexually: indeed Elvira often has to take the initiative in matters romantic. He has been known to express a lively interest in other young ladies who meet his acquaintance, although less so than some of his fellow conscripts at the Klackamo Regiment. His sidekick
Sidekick
A 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...
, Lars Fjodor Axelsson, is a brasher, naughtier character, and has frequently tried to rival Mandel for the attentions of Elvira.
Mandel is well liked by the senior officers at the regiment and is soon forgiven his frequent transgression of the rules. He often does chores for Överste Gyllenskalp at home, for example walking his Great Dane
Great Dane
The Great Dane , also known as German Mastiff or Danish Hound , is a breed of domestic dog known for its giant size...
, Caesar.
See also
- 91:an (comic strip)91:an (comic strip)91:an is a popular Swedish comic strip, first created in 1932 with the title En beväringsmans upplevelser och äventyr. This name soon changed to 91:an Karlsson, by Rudolf Petersson...
- 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....
- 91 Stomperud, a Norwegian comic character initially based on Mandel Karlsson
- The Good Soldier ŠvejkThe Good Soldier ŠvejkThe Good Soldier Švejk , also spelled Schweik or Schwejk, is the abbreviated title of a unfinished satirical/dark comedy novel by Jaroslav Hašek. It was illustrated by Josef Lada and George Grosz after Hašek's death...
- The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan ChonkinThe Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan ChonkinThe Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin and its sequels, Pretender to the Throne: The Further Adventures of Private Ivan Chonkin , and Displaced Person , constitute the magnum opus of a Soviet dissident writer...