With the Anti-Defamation League’s recent pronouncement that Pepe the Frog is a hate symbol, Fantagraphics Books and creator Matt Furie have released a statement condemning the appropriation of the character by racist fringe groups.
Pepe the Frog first appeared in Furie’s impish Boy’s Club comics as a laid-back, fun-loving anthropomorphic amphibian whose main interest in life was getting stoned. The comics were collected into a trade paperback released last summer.
Individuals on the Internet repurposed the beloved character in myriad memes, many of which were initially innocuous. In recent months, the character has been incorporated into racist messaging, resulting in the Anti-Defamation League’s labeling the character as a hate symbol.
In their statement, Fantagraphics and Furie reject the association of the character with racism. They are urging fans and others to "block, report, and denounce the illegal uses of the character by individuals and groups pirating him to foment hatred."
Collection Released this Summer
Posted by Betsy Gomez on October 13, 2016 @ 6:06 pm CT
MORE COMICS
With a Mix of Manga and French Graphic Novels
April 26, 2024
The catalog will include both manga and French graphic novels.
From Frank Miller Presents
April 25, 2024
Abrams ComicArts will publish book format products by comics auteur Frank Miller, from his eponymous company Frank Miller Presents.
MORE NEWS
For Fall
April 26, 2024
WizKids will release a new range of Critical Role Unpainted Miniatures for Fall.
With Excalibur and Holy Grail Promo Meeples
April 26, 2024
WizKids will release Tales of the Arthurian Knights, a standalone sequel to Z-Man’s Tales of the Arabian Nights, with Excalibur and Holy Grail Promo Meeples with every case.