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An “R” rated absurdist comic strip for the 12 year old boy hidden in all of us, Dickie critiques western cultural pillars in an age of political and social tribalism.
Imagine Charlie Brown dropping out of highschool, moving to Belgium, and developing a bit of a drinking problem. Meet Dickie, a Belgian yokel with good intentions but dubious critical thinking skills, navigating a modern world with inadequate emotional intelligence. Like the football yanked out from under Charlie, he always ends up on the wrong side of every situation.
This satirical cartoon skewers modern society, shining an uncomfortable light into the dark recesses of our civilization, where our individual, well-meaning choices conflict with our culture’s values and morals. It’s the dark humor of The Far Side and the social/political satire of The Simpsons, a sophisticated humor wrapped in disarmingly simple illustrations with unending tragic consequences for our favorite antihero. Dickie will cause you to laugh out loud while simultaneously blushing – hoping no one will ask you to explain what is so funny.
"The Belgian artist Pieter de Poortere is the creator of the comic strip originally titled Boerke, which has also appeared in English for some time as Dickie. Fourie Botha has now translated the largely wordless strip into Afrikaans, and Boerke has become Boykie. On the front cover, it says: "Disturbing and hilarious." Do not make the mistake of thinking these are innocent pictures that will only make you laugh. Yes, it is funny, but also quite crude, because Boykie visits prostitutes and has an active (and interesting) sex life. Dark humor is also employed. The line drawings are simple but striking. Very few words accompany the pictures. Where words are used, they contribute to the humor. The back cover explains who Boykie actually is: "He is no Charlie Brown. He couldn't pass high school. He’s from Belgium and he sometimes looks too deep into the bottle. The lad might have good intentions, but he has a few screws loose, and the modern world is speeding past him. Boykie always ends up on the wrong side of things." No subject is safe in De Poortere’s hands—or should I rather say, imagination. He mocks everything from climate change, the left and right spectrums of politics, artists and their artworks, and fairy tales to love. Be warned! I recommend this book for the "tough-skinned," not for "sensitive Sallies." — Phyllis Green, Netwerk24 (South Africa)
Le Monde describes "Dickie" as a comic that blends "cynical wit with an innocent drawing style," highlighting Pieter De Poortere's unique ability to juxtapose dark humor with a seemingly harmless aesthetic.
Libération praises "Dickie" for its "biting black humor" and commends the series for its portrayal of an anti-hero who consistently finds himself in bizarre and tragicomic situations. The review emphasizes how De Poortere's work manages to be both "disturbing and hilarious".
Télérama notes that the comic's humor lies in its absurdity, with Dickie often facing the most unfortunate and exaggerated outcomes to mundane scenarios. The publication appreciates how the comic's straightforward, simple art style contrasts with the complex and often dark narratives.
ActuaBD highlights how Pieter De Poortere's work is a satire on popular heroes, with "Dickie" offering a biting critique of both real and fictional figures. The comic is praised for its clever humor and the way it "elegantly mocks" various iconic characters.
BDTheque mentions that "Dickie" confronts the absurdity of international situations and revisits human history in a humorous manner. The publication appreciates the comic's ability to blend historical references with modern-day absurdities.
Fnac commends "Dickie" for its trashy and satirical style, which has made it a cult favorite in the French comic scene. The collection is noted for its "sarcasm and humor" without the need for dialogue, making it universally appealing.
Pieter De Poortere is the award winning illustrator/author of the Dickie comics. He was born and lives in Ghent, Belgium and is a Dutch speaking European. He has written and directed a cartoon series on Adult Swim and his work has been published in magazines, newspapers and books.