A Belgian publisher has withdrawn the sale of a comic book after controversy erupted over the books' racist depiction of black people and 'hyper-sexualised' images of women.
The publisher Dupuis announced that its graphic novel, Spirou and the Blue Gorgon, would be removed from shops after the book was called out on social media.
In an announcement last week, Dupuis said it was “profoundly sorry if this album has been shocking and hurtful”, adding that it had been done in a “caricatured style of representation from another era”.
The publisher added that it was “more aware than ever of our moral duty and the importance of comics,” adding: “We take full responsibility today for this error of judgment.”
Spirou and the Blue Gorgon, a satirical tale of so-called “eco-terrorists”, junk food and plastic rubbish, was first published in September 2023. The comic book was widely reviewed in the Francophone press back at the time of its release, and there was no controversy around it.
However, in October 2024, a TikTok video denounced its portrayal of black people and women. The viral video led to a great deal of criticism. One internet user noted that all the white characters were human beings, while black characters were depicted as monkeys in the book. The user also pointed out that the women were typically drawn with plunging cleavage and tiny waists, and were “hyper-sexualised”.
After the publisher’s decision, local media reported that approximately 30,000 copies would be removed from sale, a decision said to be the first of its kind in Belgium.
Comic strips are considered an art form in Belgium and France, but some works have been strongly criticised for their stereotypical depictions of women and people of colour.
A similar uproar had occurred in 2011, with many seeking a ban on the 1930 comic book Tintin and the Congo over its portrayal of Africans. The request was turned down by Belgian courts.
The cartoonist behind the Blue Gorgon, Daniel Henrotin, who uses the pen name Dany, said he had been emulating the style of the late Belgian comic strip artist, André Franquin, who was celebrated in the 1950s. Dany said he recognised he had “made a mistake” and was “truly sorry if I could have hurt anyone”.
The 81-year-old artist denied having any racist or misogynist intentions and added that his goal was not to mock or denigrate people of colour and women.
“I heard it said that we cannot draw like that today. I respond that humour and caricature are in the DNA of the Belgian school of bande dessinée," the artist reportedly said.
Why not let the market decide if it's appropriate or not, you fucking faggots
There's nothing wrong with the depiction of blacks and women...
I'm just gonna leave this here
Fun fact: Those Tintin comics where they go to the Congo are BELOVED in the actual Congo.
Not because of quality, but because they find it hilarious that THIS is what Europeans thought of them.
They can take a joke. I respect that.
They know the Europeans aren't wrong
Hahah exactly, I thought of Tintin when I saw the headline
Yup. Nothing wrong with that.
This has a few pics so you can see what they're talking about. It's pretty meh. https://bleedingcool.com/comics/30000-copies-of-spirou-graphic-novel-pulled-from-shelves-over-racism/
Wait. So the characters they’ve gotten their panties twisted over are literally monkeys?
Planet of the Apes is more racist than Birth of a Nation.
That's awesome.
They are against realistic depictions now?
Sounds like he took "return to monke" to heart.
The user also pointed out that the women were typically drawn with plunging cleavage and tiny waists, and were “hyper-sexualised”.
Sounds like "the user" hasn't met any real women.
bending the knee is only a show of weakness, it only means it is safe to hit you.
agreed shouldn’t have bent the knee
“Evolution of society” my ass.
Does this mean I can get The Boondocks removed from history now because of its hateful depictions of white people?!
Opening with some time-relevant trivia :
The main character is called ''Spirou'' which is Walloon for ''Squirrel''.
So the woke took another beloved squirrel from the public.
1- Fuck these woke censors.
2- What a bunch of groveling cucks who instantly prostrate themselves in apoplogies.
I'm glad they stopped making Tiny Tin. Also, the Mechabarrons are angered.