The other Smurfs rallied against him, and freed the kidnapped Smurf. When Gargamel first appeared in Le Voleur de schtroumpf ("The Smurfnapper"), published in 1959, he captured a Smurf, which he needed as an ingredient for a potion to make gold in accordance with the famed alchemic legend of the Philosopher's Stone. However, no matter how elaborate Gargamel's plans, they invariably end in failure, causing him to spout his catchphrase: "I hate Smurfs!". He has a seemingly endless library of spellbooks (grimoires), potions, and gimmicks for his life's passion. Some of his schemes to catch Smurfs border on the bizarre (such as a "blue magnet" that attracts solely blue items). In another episode, Balthazar wants to kill a wildcat that Azrael befriended for his fur, and Gargamel begs him not to. In one episode of The Smurfs, Gargamel is depressed and saddened that Azrael had run away, and wishes he would come back. Gargamel frequently denigrates, insults, and abuses Azrael (who typically returns Gargamel's abuse and displays amusement when Gargamel is humiliated), but Gargamel does in fact love him. Gargamel lives in a run-down, though solidly built hovel with his mangy cat, Azrael.
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He is a misanthrope, hating pretty much everyone and the Smurfs in particular, though he will sometimes feign friendship if there is something in it for him that he can either earn or steal. His dark robe is worn and patched, and his teeth are rotten. Gargamel is a man who is perpetually stooped.