What makes someone so desperate to capture a smurf? So desperate in fact that no matter how many times they fail, they become even more determined. No – I am not talking about a die hard collector, that’s another story for some other time. I am referring to the evil wizard Gargamel and his flea bitten cat Azrael.
Gargamel was introduced in a smurf comic written in 1959 called “Le Voleur des Schtroumpfs” which loosely translates as The Smurfnapper. The first time Gargamel sees a smurf is at wizard school, upon where he captures Brainy Smurf. Gargamel releases that a boiled smurf is the missing ingredient to his potion that turns a base metal into gold.
Luckily Papa Smurf saves the day by saving Brainy Smurf. However from then on Gargamel has always sworn to capture the smurfs. Through Gargamel’s own incompetence the smurfs always find a way to escape.
When Bully first made their version of Gargamel, it was given the German name of Gurgelhals. Bully sold this between 1976 to 1979 and was never sold by Schleich. This version is highly regarded by collectors and can be hard to find in mint condition.
Around 1982, Schleich changed its name to Gargamel. This may have been to coincide with the cartoon series being shown in the USA at around this time.
It was also around this time that Wallace Berrie sold Gargamel & Azrael as a Supersmurf (40211). Like a lot of smurfs of this time, there are different marking variations to be found. Wallace Berrie sold Gargamel & Azrael between 1982 to 1985. This Supersmurf was also sold in Europe.
Over the years Schleich has released a number of different Gargamel & Azrael figurines. This has included individual figurines, Supersmurfs and also playsets. For collectors who seek playsets, the Gargamel Castle is considered a must!
Here I have included some information about the Gargamel and Azrael figurines that have been released by Schleich.
Gargamel with net, #20181 released in 1984 to 1986/1990 to 1991. There are two versions to be found, one with yellow net & rod and one with a yellow net & brown rod.
Gargamel with lab glasses, ref#20232 released in 1992 until 1999. Gargamel is pouring a pink lab glass into a purple lab glass.
Gargamel with arms raised up, ref#20418 released in 1993 until 2014.
Gargamel with hands on hips, ref#20425 released in 1994 until 2000.
Party Gargamel, ref#20702 released in 2008 until 2011. This was part of 50th anniversary themed smurfs released in 2008.
Azrael ref#20411 released in 1993 until 2014. The early versions can be found with blue on the end of Azrael’s nose. These early versions can be found with a notch in Azrael’s ear.
Azrael sitting ref#20439 released in 1996 to 2000. This can sometimes also be referred as Frightened Azrael .
To go with Party Gargamel, there is also a Party Azrael ref#20703 released in 2008 to 2011.
Gargamel & Azrael, ref#20759 released in 2013 as part of The Smurfs 2 movie release. This is a two part mould.
The other interesting thing is that Schleich has also released two smurfs mimicking Gargamel.
The first is Gargamel Mask ref#20199 upon where we find a smurf wearing a Gargamel mask. This was originally released by Wallace Berrie as part of a Halloween special in 1985.
The second is Jokey with a Gargamel head in a box ref#40247. Jokey carries a yellow box that when it opens Gargamel’s head pops out! This Supersmurf is extremely hard to find especially still with its original box and in mint condition.
Whenever I ask my husband why some task has not been done, he just blames Gargamel.
Gargamel’s theme music from the cartoon series
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B