Gbich!

Gbich! is a weekly satirical newspaper published in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, dedicated to humour and comic strips. It is widely regarded as the first publication of its kind in the country and a barometer of Ivorian social life. The paper was founded in 1999 by a team of cartoonists, journalists and a financier: Zohoré Lassane and Illary Simplice (cartoonists), Bledson Mathieu (journalist) and Adrien Bonné (financier). Its unusual name is a transcription of an onomatopoeia representing the sound of a violent punch, echoed in its slogan: 'Le journal d'humour et de bande dessinée qui frappe fort!' (The humour and comic-strip newspaper that hits hard!). Gbich! blends comic strips with written columns that comment on daily life and politics. Its best-known comic strip is Cauphy Gombo, featuring a swindler who will stop at nothing for profit; the character was even adapted into a television series with Michel Gohou in the title role. Other comics include Tommy Lapoasse, Jo' Bleck, Papou (created by Willy Zekid, Gnamankoundji Zekinan) and Sergent Deutogo (by Bob Kanza). Written sections include 'Enquête Exprès' (the week's dossier), 'Et dit tôt' (editorial), 'Z yeux voient pas, bouche parle' (gossip), 'Courrier Drap' (marital advice), 'Affaires Moussocologiques' (about women) and 'Gbichaaan!' (satirical jabs at anything going wrong). The newspaper quickly became a reference for satire in Côte d'Ivoire, and many similar publications appeared in the following years, inspired by its model. It continues to be published weekly in Abidjan, offering a humorous take on Ivorian society and politics.

Gbich! was born in 1999 from an idea by Zohoré Lassane and Illary Simplice (cartoonists), Bledson Mathieu (journalist) and Adrien Bonné (financier). It was created as a weekly publication in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and is considered the first satirical publication of its kind in the country. The name 'Gbich!' is a transcription of an onomatopoeia representing the sound of a violent punch, which is also reflected in the newspaper's slogan: 'Le journal d'humour et de bande dessinée qui frappe fort!' (The humour and comic-strip newspaper that hits hard!). The newspaper quickly gained popularity for its unique blend of comic strips and written columns that comment on Ivorian daily life and politics. Its most famous comic strip, Cauphy Gombo, features a swindler who will stop at nothing for profit; the character was adapted into a television series with Michel Gohou in the title role. Other comics include Tommy Lapoasse, Jo' Bleck, Papou (created by Willy Zekid, Gnamankoundji Zekinan) and Sergent Deutogo (by Bob Kanza). Written sections include 'Enquête Exprès' (the week's dossier), 'Et dit tôt' (editorial), 'Z yeux voient pas, bouche parle' (gossip), 'Courrier Drap' (marital advice), 'Affaires Moussocologiques' (about women) and 'Gbichaaan!' (satirical jabs at anything going wrong). In the years following its launch, many newspapers modelled on Gbich! appeared, cementing its role as a pioneer of satirical press in Côte d'Ivoire. The publication has been noted in works such as the Dictionnaire de la bande dessinée d'Afrique francophone (2013) and has been featured in articles by Slate Afrique (2012) and Le Temps (2011). It continues to be published weekly in Abidjan, serving as a barometer of Ivorian social life.

• 2013

  Gbich! is included in the Dictionnaire de la bande dessinée d'Afrique francophone.

• 2012

  Slate Afrique features Gbich! in an article titled 'Gbich!, un éclat de rire ivoirien'.

• 2011

  Le Temps publishes an article on Gbich! and its humour in Abidjan.

• 1999

  Gbich! is founded in Abidjan by Zohoré Lassane, Illary Simplice, Bledson Mathieu and Adrien Bonné.

Pioneering satirical humour and comic-strip weekly in Côte d'Ivoire, known for its punchy slogan and social commentary.

• Cauphy Gombo

  Comic strip about a swindler who will stop at nothing for profit; adapted into a TV series with Michel Gohou.

• Tommy Lapoasse

  Comic strip.

• Jo' Bleck

  Comic strip.

• Papou

  Comic strip created by Willy Zekid and Gnamankoundji Zekinan.

• Sergent Deutogo

  Comic strip by Bob Kanza.

• Enquête Exprès

  Written section: the week's dossier.

• Et dit tôt

  Written section: editorial.

• Z yeux voient pas, bouche parle

  Written section: gossip.

• Courrier Drap

  Written section: marital advice.

• Affaires Moussocologiques

  Written section: all about women.

• Gbichaaan!

  Written section: satirical jabs at anything going wrong.

1. 1Gbich - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Gbich - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org