Since its launch in 1992, Bitterkomix has adapted to the evolving socio-political landscape in South Africa. It has explored a wide range of narratives and topics, including eroticism and violence, and various philosophical elements such as feminism, post-colonialism, and the like. This comic book is still intermittently published, with 19 issues currently in existence, along with multiple associated publications and side projects, such as Lag-Lag. In short, Bitterkomix challenges political and institutional censorship in South Africa by deconstructing stereotypes related to gender, sexuality, race, tradition, religion, and more.
The co-founders of Bitterkomix, Anton Kannemeyer (known as Joe Dog) and Conrad Botes (Konradski), have embraced an irreverent approach in their language and style. Over the past three decades, they have crafted a dark and caustic critique of mainstream conservative Afrikaner cultural norms. Despite their strong roots and ancestral ties to traditional Afrikaner culture, both artists employ hyperbole, satire, analogy, and parody to challenge past and present power structures in South Africa. Bitterkomix references various historical and contemporary social and political issues, delivering a biting critique of the conservative establishment, particularly the deeply entrenched Afrikaner ideologies that persistently contribute to ignorance, ineptitude, and bigotry in South Africa, echoing back to the Apartheid era.
Bitterkomix has consistently faced criticism for its approach, which thrives on eliciting reactions. In an era marked by growing nationalism and conservatism, concepts such as hyperbole, satire, parody, metaphor, and even appropriation have become progressively challenging for people to comprehend. This conservative environment, where almost anything can be deemed offensive, highlights a lack of lateral, abstract, or sound critical thinking skills. So, ironically, Bitterkomix is often seen as offensive by perceived liberals as well as conservatives, who seem to misunderstand the deeper meanings and underlying concepts innate to these comics.
Good day,
what a find this website is! I am sommer very exited.
I would like to enquire about the available Bitterkomix et el, books you have.
I have a few but would like the compete collection….it will be a very long mission, I know.
Thanks,
FP
0609765873
Hi FP, thanks for your kind words. Sure thing, happy to chat about the available books.
This is great stuff, I love what Conrad Botes does with illustration. I have a few of the bitterkomix but would also like to have them all, not to mention some of Konradski’s newer pieces. Please let me know if there are any books available. Thanx
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Hi Alberto, thanks for your comment. Have you visited our online shop, accessible in the dropdown menu? There are a number of Bitterkomix issues available, and related publications, including a rare copy of ADA #11, which has one of Conrad’s earliest works in it.
Hi, love what you are doing. Is any of these items available for viewing or likely to be digitised? Thanks.
Hi Dave. Thanks for reaching out. Nothing is available for viewing yet, as there is no physical space at present, and no exhibitions planned for the near future. Many items on the site are available for sale in the site’s shop. Aside from that, if there is a specific publication that you are interested in, don’t hesitate to send an email to: info@colophon.co.za