To expand the lesser-known properties of Smurfs creator Pierre Culliford (a.k.a. Peyo) and bring all of his comic book universes under one banner, Belgium’s IMPS has rebranded as The Peyo Company and is already teeing up new animated series concepts inspired by the Johan & Peewit and Benny Breakiron IPs.

Under the leadership of Peyo’s daughter and IMPS founder Véronique Culliford, The Peyo Company is developing The Tales of Johan & Peewit (pictured) and Benny Breakiron as TV shows for tweens. 

The Tales of Johan & Peewit (10 x 26 minutes) will feature a mix of 2D and 3D animation, updating Peyo’s signature blend of humor, fantasy and adventure for a 12 and up audience.

First published in 1947, these sword-and-sorcery adventure comics set in Medieval Europe revolve around a brave young squire and his bumbling sidekick. Interestingly, before the Smurfs became a global phenomenon, the little blue creatures made their first appearance in a 1958 Johan & Peewit book called The Smurfs & the Magic Flute, which was adapted as an animated movie in 1976.        

Benny Breakiron is still in early development, so key details are still being worked out. But a 26 x 22-minute series set in a contemporary environment is in the plans. About a little boy with superhuman strength, the first Benny Breakiron comic appeared in Franco-Belgian magazine Spirou in 1960.

The Peyo Company is looking for writers, directors, designers, musicians, storyboarders, animators and concept artists to work on both productions.  

Though Peyo (who died in 1992) has other kids IPs in his vault—including comic book series Pussycat—the company is concentrating for now on the IPs that he would have continued working on if not for the success of the Smurfs, which took up all of his time, says Nele De Wilde, CCO of audiovisual and music.

As for his most popular franchise, a fourth season of CG-animated TV series The Smurfs is in pre-development now, and new concepts for Smurfs shorts and spinoffs are also in the works. 

Netflix is set to launch the second season of The Smurfs on June 30, and Nickelodeon will debut season three later this summer.