Yoko Tsuno

Yoko Tsuno is a young Japanese electronics engineer and adventurer who travels the world — and sometimes beyond — solving mysteries and encountering both advanced technology and extraterrestrial beings. Created by Belgian cartoonist Roger Leloup, she is a pioneering female protagonist in Franco-Belgian comics.

Few characters in Bronze Age comics carry the quiet distinction of Yoko Tsuno, a creation of Roger Leloup and Velle Espeland who made her catalog debut in 1981 under Interpresse. Spanning a run through the late '80s, she anchors her own eponymous series — a rare honor that speaks to a character compelling enough to carry a title on her name alone. With nine appearances logged, she may be a focused presence rather than a sprawling one, but for collectors who've discovered her, that tight, dedicated run has its own appeal. If you're exploring the corners of Bronze Age international comics, Yoko Tsuno is a name worth seeking out.