BRUSEL, Brussels

Much like in Japan, it's entirely commonplace to spot Belgian adults reading comic books in public. Comics are bestsellers in Belgium, with an astonishing array of titles catering to all age groups. Given Belgium's bilingual nature, both language regions have developed distinct comic book styles, but they all converge in the capital city of Brussels. Throughout the city center, you'll encounter immense comic book murals, and the comic book museum is well worth a visit.

With the abundance of comic book stores, it's a bit challenging to decide where to shop. One centrally located shop, BRUSEL, caters to both novices and devoted comic book enthusiasts. It also serves as a publishing house for local talent and features original artworks on its first floor.

You can expect to find beloved characters like Calvin and Hobbes, as well as Tintin, represented in a multitude of languages. Additionally, the store offers the complete works of the renowned Belgian comic book artist Schuiten, most famous for his controversial comic "Brüsel", which portrays the destruction of a city (hint: Brussels) in the 1960s.

BRUSEL becomes an even more compelling destination when it hosts pop art or comic book exhibitions.