At the end of last month, the publisher Éditions Dupuis announced the withdrawal of some 30,000 copies of the album"Spirou et la Gorgone bleue" with drawings by Dani and script by Yann and apologised for its publication.
On Thursday 31 October, the publisher reacted to a wave of criticism and accusations on social media that the comic book depicted racist depictions of black people with stereotypical, ape-like features such as oversized lips, prognathous jaws, etc. A historical classic of the basest racism.
The play was also labelled sexist for its hyper-sexualised portrayal of women.
La Gorgone Bleue, a humorous adventure by Spirou, deals with issues such as eco-terrorism, ocean pollution,greenwashing, media ethics, etc.
The publisher announced the withdrawal of the publication from the points of sale, claiming that it was a work produced in "a style inherited from another era".
"In recent days, more and more people have come out to express their indignation at the representation of black people and women in Dany and Yann Spirou's play "seen by": "La Gorgone bleue", published in September 2023.
We are deeply sorry if this album has shocked or hurt anyone. This album is part of a cartoonish style of representation inherited from another era. More aware than ever of our moral duty and of the importance of comics as a publisher, and of books in general, in the evolution of society, we take full responsibility today for this error of judgement.
For this, we offer our sincere apologies. We have taken steps to withdraw the book from all outlets.
Piece on the subject on the public broadcaster RTS (Radio Television Switzerland).
