Street art is sometimes inspired by local attractions and personal opinions, and we can’t always relate to them. But everybody can relate to the heroes of the cartoons and comic books that we all know and love.
Here’s where to find your favourite cartoon heroes around the walls of the world.
Tintin is kind of a big deal in Brussels in Belgium – he’s so fancy he gets trollied around town:
Batman complete with old-school underpants on the outside in Paris, France:
The Hulk reassuring inhabitants that he will smash any troublemakers in this neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. (Wish we had a picture of the Chief Wiggum and Ralph sign…)
The Joker getting under your feet at the 16th Annual Lake Worth Street Painting Festival in Florida:
Does Optimus Prime, the huge transformer truck, really need a laser gun? An artist in Berlin in Germany obviously thinks so.
Mickey Mouse welcoming people to the Fantasia that is Shoreditch in London:
Zoidberg from Futurama in stencil form in Melbourne, Australia. Why is he wearing a bathing costume? Well, why not?
Bart Simpson, otherwise known as El Barto, in Shoreditch, London:
Captain America and Iron Man chalking it up to experience in Toronto, Canada:
The Beano coverstars Dennis the Menace and Gnasher looking deadly in Dublin, Ireland:
The Punisher is probably the cutest-looking ultra-violent killer on the walls of Toulouse in France.
Batman and Superman are looking pretty cute too in Shanghai, China. Superman definitely suits that high quiff.
Nelson Muntz from The Simpsons looking pained in San Francisco, California. It’s probably because somebody’s pilfered the brick that had his ear on it.
Captain America looks like he’s been on a diet in Berlin, Germany. He should probably eat a few bratwurst.
Cyclops and Jean Grey shouting at somebody called Marsh in Poitiers, France. We like to think it’s Jodie Marsh.
Over in Shoreditch in London, Ryu and Spiderman come to blows in a recreation of the Marvel vs Capcom videogame series.
Probably the least heroic version of Batman possible can be found in Bushwick in Brooklyn. Honestly, what self-respecting superhero lets birds sit on his head?
Hulk and Mickey Mouse in Miami, Florida. At least, we think it’s them. It could just be a giant green baby and a nuclear power plant worker.
Superman in the East Village, Manhattan. Or rather, President Obama pretending to be Superman. Whether it’s praising or cynical is anybody’s guess.
Scrooge McDuck on the body of a schoolgirl on her bike. Standard Shoreditch, basically, as anybody in London will confirm.
Bugs Bunny is known for his whimsical nature, but he seems to have sunk into a nihilistic funk in Ladbroke Grove, London.
Robin, of Batman assistance fame, insists that you only live once in Sheffield, England.
Banksy’s version of Charlie Brown is a mischievous fire starter in Los Angeles, California.
Marge Simpson in Penang, Malaysia. Probably the greatest use of a bollard the world has ever known. They should all look like this.
Another baby version of Hulk, this time in the Lower East Side, Manhattan. Like many babies, Hulk appears to be having a bit of a tantrum.
This Mickey Mouse in Sydney, Australia, has replaced his eyes with a big cross. He seems remarkably happy about it though.
The cast of the Asterix comic strip support all the football and basketball games played here in Brussels, Belgium.
The substitute bench for when Bruce Wayne feels a bit tired of being Batman. He probably doesn’t visit Melbourne in Australia too often anyway, so this is all Melbournians have to protect them from the inhabitants of Arkham Asylum.
Spiderman and The Thing looking ultra-cartoony in Toulouse, France.
Cult comicbook hero Scott Pilgrim can be spotted in Halifax, Canada. Now we’re wondering where you might find a mural of Michael Cera, the actor who played him in the movie adaptation.
Chief Wiggum holding his gun dangerously close to Lou’s head in Adelaide, Australia. Yes, The Simpsons chief of police is hopeless, even in graffiti form.
This really cool close up of The Thing’s hand can be found in San Francisco, California.
Despite his billions of dollars, Mickey Mouse will work for cheese in Boston, Massachusetts.
These gritty-looking Transformers can be found in Miami, Florida
Batman scowling at all the rubbish strewn around Shoreditch in London.
One of the Ninja Turtles in Chicago, Illinois.
Tintin attempting to fit in in Dublin, Ireland.
In Manhattan’s East Village, Batman’s punching Hello Kitty for all those pencil cases and furry backpacks she’s inflicted on the world.
Is Marvel Babies a thing? We would totally watch that, even if it was only televised in Toulouse in France
Snoopy has landed in Tijuana in Mexico.
Thomson and Thompson have tracked Tintin all the way to Shanghai in China. Or they’ve gotten lost again.
Mickey Mouse, Betty Boo and Felix the Cat – a triumvirate of classic cartoon heroes in Berkeley, California.
Bart Simpson licking a wall in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Don’t try this at home, kids.
Hulk and Spiderman fighting a horde of vampires in Shoreditch in London.
Rather than installing the real fire escape demanded by health and safety regulations in Brussels in Belgium, this building’s owners have tried to appease the local council by painting Tintin and Captain Haddock on the wall.
