Two classic French responses to the Charlie Hebdo tragedy

Asterix creator Albert Uderzo came out of retirement at the age of eighty-seven to show his support for the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo (which translates as “Charlie Weekly”; “Charlie” is a reference to comic strip character Charlie Brown) in the best way he knew how: with his classic creation, Asterix the Gaul, pictured above saying “I’m Charlie too!”

Another good way to show your support for Charlie Hebdo is to enjoy this classic ditty by the great Serge Gainsbourg — his single, Comic Strip, featuring Brigitte Bardot:

Serge Gainsbourg – Comic Strip from Platform on Vimeo.

Here’s how the lyrics translate:

Come with me let’s get together in my comic strip
Let’s talk in bubbles let’s go BANG and ZIP
Forget your troubles and go
SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!

I’m the hero and when I’m fighting
I go BOMP and BOFF
And have a ball so
WHIN! VLAM! ZONK! and ZOMP!
And also
SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!

Come with me let’s get together in my comic strip
Let’s talk in bubbles let’s go BANG and ZIP
Forget your troubles and go
SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!

If you want to fly above the city
Follow me and PSSCHT just like a feather
WHOOSH and WIP we’ll fly along together
SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!

Come with me let’s get together in my comic strip
Let’s talk in bubbles let’s go BANG and ZIP
Forget your troubles and go
SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZ!

So my dear come here
Hang on to me SPLASH
I am near SMASH
I just remember this CRASH
Have nno fear
And CRACK give me a kiss
SMACK! SHEBAM! POW! BLOP! WIZZZZZ!