For the same reason the blokes all have 48" rippling chests and 6 packs...

I don't know... Asterix looks pretty aveage

We are clearly confusing the term "comic book" - it means more than the DC/Marvel outpourings from the USA.

Tintin, Lucky Luke, and the Smurfs are also "comic books" - though I expect the Europeans would prefer the term "bande dessinee" as generally these strips were drawn originally for newspapers and were later collected into albums (though, yes, more recent outings for all those were complete albums first).

I'm not a comic book connoisseur

You are, of course, absolutely correct.
However, with the exception (I think) of Madam Castafiore, the women in the European trope aren't so heavy chested? Or are they?

Rubbish. Some of them are lesbians...

I'm thinking of heading to What Katie Did in Notting Hill this weekend.

here is a redhead model.

You are, of course, absolutely correct.
However, with the exception (I think) of Madam Castafiore, the women in the European trope aren't so heavy chested? Or are they?[/quote]

You clearly have not read Fluide Glacial then (reinforce the NSFW bit here):
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fluid ... 68&bih=928

But then, you don't need conflated anatomy to tell a story. Roger LeLoup's YokoTsuno:



You have to remember that the European trope relies on a style known as Ligne Clair ("clear line" which was pioneered by Herge). This relies on more realism in the artwork, and far less on distorted body forms. Your typical American super hero stands a good 7 heads tall. The European school will draw to a more natural 5.5, maybe less.

On, then there's Smurfette.

Interesting.
That really puts in me mind of some of the 60s west coast US styles, I can certainly see comparisons to Robert Crumb's work in there. I wonder who was influencing who, or if there was any cross-pollination going on.
Even in the US, there's vastly different schools of art in comics, not just your mainstream Marvel/DC types (although even here there's been vast differences in style).



Jack Kirby had a very influential style (linked because shrinking his art will do it no favours).
Evan Dorkin's style was/is pretty stripped back as well.

The 90s was a bit a of a low for many of the US titles, it has to be said.

I love BD. my all time favourite is this one by Weyland.

I loved Aria, but not heard of that one.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aria_(manga)

Stephanie Davis (Hollyoaks, God save us)



And just for good measure



Suit you!

She's a bitch. Don't like her lol

Another Hollyoaker

Carli Norris

Heh, sort of the English version of Hendricks