POLEMIC OVER A RACIST JUDGE ALBUM BY DUPUIS
Accused of racism and sexism, Dupuis editions withdraw the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” from sale
Published on Thursday October 31, 2024 at 8:24 p.m. | Estimated reading time: 3 min.
Editions Dupuis announced this Thursday, October 31, 2024 the withdrawal of the sale of the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” signed by Belgian Daniel Henrotin, alias Dany and Frenchman Yann Le Pennetier, known as Yann. Since last weekend, the album has come under fire from critics denouncing denigrating caricatures of black people, even racist, and “misogynistic” drawings towards women.
Dupuis editions make amends: “We are deeply sorry if this album could shock and hurt. This album is part of a caricature style of representation inherited from another era,” they say, invoking “an error of appreciation.” On sale since September 2023, the album has reportedly sold more than 30,000 copies and is now “out of print” at certain booksellers. Will this withdrawal put an end to the controversy? Only time will tell!
Mea culpa from Dupuis editions
The managers of Editions Dupuis recognize that the album “is part of a caricature style of representation inherited from another era.” They seem to have finally grasped the idea that maybe, just maybe, depicting people in a cartoon as thick-lipped caricatures resembling monkeys isn’t quite in vogue anymore—unless of course, it’s Halloween.
Today, we take full responsibility for this error of assessment. This is why we would like to offer our most sincere apologies.
Many critics have rubbed their brows in disbelief at the “hypersexualization of women” and the blatant racism that drips from the pages. A young French internet user on TikTok was spot on when she remarked, “In the 60s, this was not acceptable, but we say to ourselves, they (were) not woke. But in 2024, you can’t do that!” The irony is simply exquisite—like serving tea at a mud wrestling match.
A comic book sold in more than 30,000 copies
You’ve got to hand it to Dupuis—selling over 30,000 copies of this comic must’ve been a financial dream, and now it’s their worst nightmare. While the world spins forward, some folks have apparently still got their heads stuck in sepia-toned nostalgia, thinking they can keep making the same tasteless jokes. It seems that in 2024—even retro has its limits!
In the 60s, this was not acceptable, but we say to ourselves, they (were) not woke. But in 2024, you can’t do that.
The hype surrounding “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” serves as a powerful reminder of how far society has traveled and how some people are still left standing at the station, lost in the past. The artwork, described as “reminding us of comics of the past,” had critics quivering in their virtual boots, armed with their smartphones. Apparently, the irony of sitting at home while critiquing absurdity isn’t lost on them.
To make matters even more deliciously ironic, Dupuis offers a summary claiming the Gorgon tackles contemporary themes like eco-terrorism and media ethics. Clearly, someone thought they could be deep and meaningful while riding the coattails of controversy. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.
So, what is the takeaway? If you’re going to make humor, especially in comic form, maybe think about your audience—and possibly your press release strategy! Because the only thing worse than a bad comic today is pretending the ‘good old days’ had no major flaws. Note to self: mock, don’t malign!
POLEMIC OVER A RACIST JUDGE ALBUM BY DUPUIS
Accused of racism and sexism, Dupuis editions withdraw the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” from sale
Published on Thursday October 31, 2024 at 8:24 p.m. | Estimated reading time: 3 min.
Journalist – Editor-in-chief.
Editions Dupuis announced this Thursday, October 31, 2024 the withdrawal of the sale of the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” signed by the Belgian Daniel Henrotin, alias Dany and the Frenchman Yann Le Pennetier, known as Yann. Since last weekend, the album has come under fire from critics denouncing denigrating caricatures of black people, even racist, and “misogynistic” drawings towards women. Dupuis editions make amends. “We are deeply sorry if this album could shock and hurt. This album is part of a caricature style of representation inherited from another era”, recognize Dupuis editions and evoke “an error of appreciation”. On sale since September 2023, the album has reportedly sold more than 30,000 copies and is also announced as “out of print” at certain booksellers. It remains to be seen whether the withdrawal of the sale of the album will succeed in putting an end to the controversy.
Here is an advertisement that the directors of Editions Dupuis would have done well without and which is belatedly splashing them. They announced this Thursday, October 31, 2024 the withdrawal of the sale of the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” following the controversy which continues to swell around the book signed by the Belgian comic strip artist (BD), Daniel Henrotin, alias Dany, and the French comic book writer, Yann Le Pennetier, known as Yann. “ In recent days, people have been speaking out more and more to express the anger felt at the representation of black people and women in the Spirou “seen by” Dany and Yann: “ The Blue Gorgon published in September 2023. We are deeply sorry if this album could shock and hurt », Communicated this Thursday, October 31, 2024, Dupuis editions.
Mea culpa from Dupuis editions
The managers of Editions Dupuis recognize that the pinned album “is part of a caricature style of representation inherited from another era. More aware than ever of our moral duty and the importance of comics as a publisher and more broadly of books in the evolution of societies, today we take full responsibility for this error of assessment. This is why we would like to offer our most sincere apologies. We have implemented the withdrawal of the work from all points of sale ».
Today, we take full responsibility for this error of assessment. This is why we would like to offer our most sincere apologies.
Many critics have denounced the “hypersexualization of women,” the misogynistic side of the drawings and the racism that emerges from the comics. “ It’s a very old comic strip. We could say that they keep the illustrations of the time. Back then, they drew black people like that. In the 60s, this was not acceptable, but we say to ourselves, they (were) not woke. But in 2024, I’m sure you want to keep the artistic direction from before, but not on that, you can’t do that », castigated a young French Internet user on TikTok, indicating that even her sister who loves comics was not able to complete the work. His video has had more than 770,000 views and continues to climb.
A comic book sold in more than 30,000 copies
It is true that the images in the book are reminiscent of comics of the past with crudely drawn black people with thick lips or strongly resembling monkeys. They are also placed in situations of inferiority compared to the well-dressed and well-shaped white settler.
In the 60s, this was not acceptable, but we say to ourselves, they (were) not woke. But in 2024, you can’t do that.
Contacted by us to find out the number of copies of the album that have been published and how many are sold, the press officer for Dupuis editions, Ines Cuesta Guerra told us Thursday that she was “not unfortunately not in possession of this information “. But according to observers, the album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” has sold more than 30,000 copies since its release in September 2023 (18.95 euros per comic book). The work was also announced as “out of print” among certain booksellers (Filigranes, etc.). “ With the Blue Gorgon, Yann and Dany give us a great humorous adventure from Spirou who does not hesitate to tackle some current themes: eco-terrorism, ocean pollution, greenwashing, media ethics, etc. », We read in the summary which accompanies the comic on the Fnac website.
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Tistic choices of that time, but you can’t depict people like that anymore,” stated a young French TikTok user, summarizing the prevailing sentiment. The deep-seated issues surrounding representations of race and gender in media have sparked a broader conversation about how comics and other forms of art evolve, or fail to evolve, alongside societal values.
The album “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” was not just a commercial success—selling over 30,000 copies since its release in September 2023—but also a flashpoint for discussions about representation in media. Critics have pointed out that the work harked back to a bygone era of caricature that many have rightly acknowledged as problematic in today’s increasingly diverse and inclusive society.
Dupuis Editions’ acknowledgment of their “error of appreciation” and their subsequent apology suggest a shift in awareness regarding the implications of artistic representation. Their statement, “We are deeply sorry if this album could shock and hurt,” highlights the growing sensitivity toward racial and gender issues in art and entertainment.
Unfortunately, the situation also underscores the difficulty many in the creative industry have in recognizing when their work perpetuates harmful stereotypes. As social media continues to amplify voices calling for accountability, companies are being forced to reassess their practices and the messages they propagate through their products.
Looking back at cultural artifacts, it’s vital to hold them accountable without romanticizing past choices. The backlash against the “Spirou et la Gorgone bleue” serves as a reminder that, while the freedom of expression is essential, it must be exercised with an awareness of its potential impact on various communities. The withdrawal of the album may not entirely silence the criticism, but it represents a critical step towards acknowledging the need for sensitivity in representation.
this incident will likely resonate beyond the realms of comic book publishing. It will prompt all creators and publishers to reconsider their obligations in this evolving cultural landscape. The lesson is clear: As society shifts, so too must the narrative and aesthetic choices made by artists and publishers—because there’s simply no room for antiquated views in today’s storytelling.
