What if comic book heroes ran for president? The candidate Pif the dog, once close to the Communist Party

More than one in two French people say that the candidates’ proposals in favor of animal welfare could influence their presidential vote according to a recent Ifop poll. Pif, the most famous animal in French comics therefore has every chance.

I went to make sure with a renowned pifophile, Jean-Luc Muller. This author and director is a fine connoisseur of the universe of the anthropomorphic dog and its magazine which has made it extremely popular, Pip Gadget. Jean-Luc Muller made a documentary about Rahan and his cartoonist André Chéret. In 2019, he wrote a book titled Pif 50 years of magic which gave rise to an exhibition in Blois.

Pif would be the defender of animals, perhaps even the candidate of the animalist party?

Jean-Luc Muller: Not necessarily. Pif is the defender of noble causes in general. Children, ecology, the fight against racism, these are themes he has defended through major campaigns including Pip Gadget echoed. He is naturally concerned with animal welfare, but Pif’s concerns go far beyond his animal condition.

Posted in Humanity, it was created by a press group close to the French Communist Party. Pif could then be the communist candidate?

Jean-Luc Muller: I believe that Pif is without label. At its beginnings, in 1948, it was published in the daily Humanity and Humanity Sunday. It is true that in these titles, it could, for example, be used to promote the festival of humanity. In 1952, we find him in the children’s newspaper Valiant then finally, in 1969, he will have his own magazine, Pip Gadget. The transition to the specialized youth press will somehow depoliticize it. He will have a protected status which will keep him away from any ideology. The dog Pif, like the American mouse Mickey, must talk to all children. The candidate Pif, that of Pip Gadgetwould appeal to a wider electorate than just communist party sympathizers.

Claim the people, many candidates do. But wouldn’t Pif be the most legitimate to be this people’s candidate?

Jean-Luc Muller: In his first gag imagined by the Spanish cartoonist José Cabrero Arnal, Pif pricks a bone. He’s a stray dog. He comes from the street and has no race. He will then become the pet of a modest French family. Undoubtedly Pif comes from the working class and will be very popular. Pip Gadget, which was a weekly, will be published in the 1970s with an average of 450,000 copies. With records of over a million for certain numbers such as Pip Gadget Mexico’s famous jumping peas.

Pif close to the people and popular, defender of just causes, he has everything to be elected, right?

Jean-Luc Muller: Pif is more generous, not hesitating to come to the aid of others, and he is intrepid. He has a very strong capital of sympathy. So much for the advantages. What could make voters doubt is his sometimes a little naive side. And he can be easily put together when something gets on his nerves. But in the end, I don’t know what he would do with such a responsibility. He has always stayed away from elections through his magazine. I believe that the name of the President of the Republic never appeared in one of his stories. Pif is independent, I think he wants to stay that way.