Mirko and Slavko

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Mirko and Slavko

Mirko and Slavko is a Yugoslav comic book series that ran from 1958 to 1979. It follows two Partisan couriers, Mirko and Slavko, during World War II. The creator was Desimir Žižović, nicknamed Buin. In the 1960s and early 1970s it was the most popular Yugoslav comic and the only Yugoslav comic to be adapted into a live‑action film during the country’s existence. Žižović later criticized the film, saying it was unrealistic and ruined the comic.

Publication and rise in popularity
The comics were published by Dečje novine in the magazine of the same publisher. Mirko appeared first, with Slavko joining the story in the fourth episode. The comics were originally 32 pages long, with 16 pages in color. At first, Dečje novine printed 35,000 to 50,000 copies; the popularity of Mirko and Slavko grew quickly, and some issues sold more than 200,000 copies at their peak. The stories were also published in Slovenian and Macedonian.

Plot and characters
Before the invasion of Yugoslavia, Mirko was a baker’s apprentice in Šumadija. After the Axis occupation, Mirko chooses to join the Partisans, trading two breads for a gun. In the early episodes, Mirko’s companions are Zoran and Boško, with Boško dying in battle. Slavko is introduced in episode four. Mirko is usually brave and uses an MP40, while Slavko is more hesitant and typically armed with a regular rifle.

Film adaptation
In 1973 a live-action film, Mirko i Slavko, was released. It was directed by Branimir “Tori” Janković and starred Vladimir Radenković as Mirko, Dragan Radonjić as Slavko, and Bata Živojinović as the Commander. The film was not liked by Buin, who called it unrealistic and said it ruined the comic.

Influence and legacy
After World War II, Yugoslav authorities were wary of comics, but Mirko and Slavko helped change attitudes. The series drew thousands of fan letters, and the characters appeared on merchandise like T-shirts and notebooks. In 2020, Belgrade held a 60th‑anniversary exhibition to celebrate the comic.

Urban legend
A famous line often cited is “Mirko, watch out for the bullet!” and Mirko’s reply “Thank you, Slavko! You saved my life!” These lines are widely known but did not appear in any issue; they are considered an urban legend.

End of the series
By the mid‑1970s the comic’s popularity had declined, and in 1979 Dečje novine cancelled Mirko and Slavko. The series remains a notable part of Yugoslav comic history and is remembered for its impact on popular culture during its time.