In Belgium, the comic book publisher Dupuis announced, Thursday October 31, the withdrawal of the album from newsstands Spirou and the blue gorgon (Dany on drawing, Yann on script). Released more than a year ago, the album recently created controversy on social networks. The drawing was accused of conveying racist stereotypes about black characters with quasi-apelike features and enormous lips. Dupuis apologized.
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With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
Until October 31, 2024, the Dupuis editions website stated “ ”Spirou and the Blue Gorgon” does not hesitate to address some burning current issues: eco-terrorism, ocean pollution, greenwashing, media ethics “. But the promotion of the album was replaced by a notice of withdrawal of the work. According to Dupuis, who apologized in a press release, this album is “ in a caricature style of representation from another time “.
However, in an interview during the release of this album by Spirouthe designer Dany revealed that Dupuis had asked him to redraw black women who had “ too big lips “. There had therefore already been questions at the time of publication, September 8, 2023.
Since then, readers have criticized the saucy and macho aspect of the album, but since last week, it has also been accused of racism, caricatured features of African-American characters with exaggerated lips. The publisher therefore backed away from accusations of racism. “ 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 », insist Dupuis editions.
Spirou and the blue gorgon is therefore no longer available, unlike Tintin in the Congo which has never been removed. However, this Hergé album has been released since last year with a preface warning of the colonialist context when it was published in 1930.
Also readHergé and Tintin in the Congo “I was a colonialist like everyone else at the time”