Henryk Chmielewski (comics)

'''Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski''' (7 June 1923 – 22 January 2021), also known under his pseudonym '''Papcio Chmiel''', was a Polish [[comic book artist]] and journalist.

'''Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski''' (7 June 1923 – 22 January 2021), also known under his pseudonym '''Papcio Chmiel''', was a Polish [[comic book artist]] and journalist.

During [[World War II]], Chmielewski served in the [[Home Army]] and took part in the [[Warsaw Uprising]]. After the war, he started working as a graphic artist in the ''[[Świat Młodych]]'' magazine, where he also published comics. Since the debut of his first ''[[Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek]]'' comic book in 1966, he focused his career almost entirely on this series, telling the story of Tytus de Zoo, an [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]], talking [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzee]] who wants to become a human. The last, thirty first book of the main series was published in 2008, but Chmielewski continued to create other works, such as [[artbook]]s, with his characters.

During [[World War II]], Chmielewski served in the [[Home Army]] and took part in the [[Warsaw Uprising]]. After the war, he started working as a graphic artist in the ''[[Świat Młodych]]'' magazine, where he also published comics. Since the debut of his first ''[[Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek]]'' comic book in 1966, he focused his career almost entirely on this series, telling the story of Tytus de Zoo, an [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]], talking [[Common chimpanzee|chimpanzee]] who wants to become a human. The last, thirty first book of the main series was published in 2008, but Chmielewski continued to create other works, such as [[Coffee_table_book#As_media_tie-in_publications|artbook]]s, with his characters.

Chmielewski's comics are known for the use of [[absurdist humour]], [[pun]]s and [[word play]]s. Aimed at children and teenagers, with the goal of being both entertaining and educational, his works often explore history (especially [[history of Poland]]), science, art or have the characters trying different [[profession]]s.

Chmielewski's comics are known for the use of [[absurdist humour]], [[pun]]s and [[word play]]s. Aimed at children and teenagers, with the goal of being both entertaining and educational, his works often explore history (especially [[history of Poland]]), science, art or have the characters trying different [[profession]]s.

Although the comics were initially not planned to be a series, Chmielewski was asked to create a second book, this time dealing with traffic laws.Chmielewski (2006), p. 235 ''Tytus otrzymuje prawko jazdy'' (''Tytus gets a Driving License'') debuted in 1967, in 50,000 copies, which were also sold-out very quickly.Chmielewski (2006), p. 244 Following the success, Wydawnictwo Harcerskie ordered another three books: ''Tytus kosmonautą'' (''Tytus the [[Cosmonaut]]'', released in 1968), ''Tytus żołnierzem'' (''Tytus the Soldier'', 1969) and ''Podróż do ćwierć koła świata'' (''Journey around a Quarter of the World'', 1970).

Although the comics were initially not planned to be a series, Chmielewski was asked to create a second book, this time dealing with traffic laws.Chmielewski (2006), p. 235 ''Tytus otrzymuje prawko jazdy'' (''Tytus gets a Driving License'') debuted in 1967, in 50,000 copies, which were also sold-out very quickly.Chmielewski (2006), p. 244 Following the success, Wydawnictwo Harcerskie ordered another three books: ''Tytus kosmonautą'' (''Tytus the [[Cosmonaut]]'', released in 1968), ''Tytus żołnierzem'' (''Tytus the Soldier'', 1969) and ''Podróż do ćwierć koła świata'' (''Journey around a Quarter of the World'', 1970).

In his later years, Chmielewski created "albums" (or [[artbook]]s) with his characters. Unlike comics, they have no plot, being composed of separate satirical pictures. The first album, featuring Tytus and his friends as soldiers during the [[Battle of Warsaw (1920)|Battle of Warsaw]], was published in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.tytus.pl/main.php?go=11 |title=Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek w bitwie warszawskiej|trans-title=Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek in the Battle of Warsaw |language=pl |work=Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek official website |access-date=19 November 2012}}

In his later years, Chmielewski created "albums" (or [[Coffee_table_book#As_media_tie-in_publications|artbook]]s) with his characters. Unlike comics, they have no plot, being composed of separate satirical pictures. The first album, featuring Tytus and his friends as soldiers during the [[Battle of Warsaw (1920)|Battle of Warsaw]], was published in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.tytus.pl/main.php?go=11 |title=Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek w bitwie warszawskiej|trans-title=Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek in the Battle of Warsaw |language=pl |work=Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek official website |access-date=19 November 2012}}

===Common themes===

===Common themes===