My Tiny Feed

theguardian.com

Belgian Comic Book Pulled Over Racist and Sexist Depictions

A Belgian comic book is pulled from shelves after an outcry over racist and sexist imagery.

Read original article in English

English

United Kingdom

Human Rights ViolationsEntertainmentControversyCensorshipRacismSexismComics

DupuisComic Strip Centre

Daniel HenrotinAndré FranquinIsabelle Debekker

What debate did this incident spark within the comics community?: While some defended the use of caricature in comic art, others criticized the book's stereotypical depictions, arguing that artists have a responsibility to avoid stigmatizing groups of people, especially in the context of modern sensibilities.
How did the cartoonist, Daniel Henrotin, respond to the criticism?: The cartoonist, Daniel Henrotin (Dany), defended his work by claiming he was emulating the style of a celebrated Belgian artist from a previous era, while acknowledging his mistake and apologizing for any offense caused.
Why was the comic book "Spirou and the Blue Gorgon" withdrawn from sale?: The Belgian publisher Dupuis withdrew the graphic novel "Spirou and the Blue Gorgon" from sale due to widespread criticism on social media regarding its racist depictions of black people and hyper-sexualized images of women.
How many copies of the comic book were withdrawn, and what is significant about this action?: Approximately 30,000 copies of the comic book were removed from sale, marking the first instance of such a large-scale withdrawal in Belgium. This decision came after a TikTok video denouncing the book's problematic imagery went viral.
What are the broader implications of this incident for the future of comic book creation and representation?: The incident sparked a debate in Belgium and France about the boundaries of caricature in comics and the responsibility of artists to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes in their work, highlighting the evolving standards for representation in the art form.

Jan 22, 04:11

Tsunami Relief Concert Raises £1.25 Million in Three Weeks

In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, three friends organized the Tsunami Relief concert at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in three weeks, securing Eric Clapton as the headliner and raising £1.25 million for the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Jan 22, 19:09

FireAid Concerts to Benefit Los Angeles Wildfire Relief

FireAid", a two-part charity concert series featuring 27 artists, will be held on January 30th at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, to raise funds for wildfire relief in Los Angeles following a devastating fire that killed 27 and scorched 2,400 acres on January 7th.

Jan 21, 01:10

Squid Game": Exploring Human Behavior Under Extreme Pressure

Squid Game," a wildly popular South Korean Netflix series, portrays financially desperate individuals competing in deadly children's games for a large cash prize, prompting a real-world competition and raising questions about human behavior under extreme stress.

Jan 18, 04:06

The Weeknd Donates $1 Million to LA Fire Relief

Singer The Weeknd donated $1 million to LA fire relief efforts, canceling his concert and album release to support first responders and wildfire victims, following devastating wildfires that destroyed over 12,000 structures and claimed 27 lives.