Hägar the Horrible: The Viking Comic Strip That’s Been Entertaining Readers for over 50 Years

Hägar the Horrible: In the vast realm of comic strips, some have transcended time, cultures, and generations to become beloved icons. One such timeless character is Hägar the Horrible, the scruffy, red-bearded Viking who debuted in 1973 and continues entertaining readers worldwide. Created by cartoonist Dik Browne and later carried on by his son Chris Browne, Hägar’s humor and adventures provide a unique blend of history, wit, and caricature.

This article delves into the fascinating world of Hägar the Horrible, exploring the origins of the character, the comic strip’s setting, the colorful cast of characters, its unique illustration style, and the various adaptations and media appearances that have cemented Hägar’s place in the annals of comic history.

Origins of Hägar the Horrible

Hägar the Horrible, while known as a Viking raider, actually has an interesting origin story of his own. Dik Browne, the character’s creator, was lovingly called “Hagar the Terrible” by his sons. To add an element of alliteration and for comic aesthetics, Browne adapted the name to Hägar the Horrible. This whimsical transformation marked the birth of a character who would become a household name in the world of comics.

Browne’s sons’ nickname for him was more than just a source of inspiration for the comic strip’s title. It was an embodiment of the character’s essence. Hägar, much like the man behind his creation, is a Viking with a big heart beneath his rugged exterior.

Hägar: The Endearing Viking

At the center of Hägar, the Horrible is the eponymous protagonist, Hägar himself. Hägar is not your typical Viking warrior. He is scruffy, overweight, and sports a distinctive red beard. However, despite his rough exterior and Viking raider persona, Hägar’s character possesses a unique duality. Terence J. Sacks, an animation-industry writer, aptly describes this duality, stating, “Hägar’s horned helmet, rough beard, and shaggy tunic make him look somewhat like a caveman or Opera-Viking, but you also know Hägar has a soft underbelly occasionally exposed.”

This soft underbelly is what endears Hägar to readers. He’s a fierce warrior and a family man struggling with daily challenges like a modern suburbanite. This blend of Viking savagery and relatable human flaws makes Hägar an enduring character.

The Setting and Format

The strip is set in an unnamed coastal village in Norway in the Middle Ages. While anachronisms do occur, they are not deliberate mainstays of the strip, as Hägar offers a humorous twist on Viking life while maintaining some historical accuracy.

The comic strip predominantly follows a standard gag-a-day format in daily newspapers, with extended color sequences on Sundays. The humor primarily revolves around Hägar’s interactions with his longship crew, including his best friend and first mate, Lucky Eddie. Hägar’s family, especially his overbearing wife Helga and their children, Hamlet and Honi, provide ample fodder for comedic scenarios.

The Cast of Characters

The inhabitants of Hägar’s world are as diverse as they are entertaining, each adding their unique flavor to the comic strip:

1. Helga: Hägar’s bossy, large-framed wife constantly nags him about his habits and attempts to instill traditional values in their children.
2. Lucky Eddie: Hägar’s first mate, a short, skinny, and somewhat awkward Viking who is ironically named “Lucky” despite being notoriously unlucky.
3. Hamlet: Hägar and Helga’s intelligent, academic, and clean son who aspires to be a dentist rather than a Viking warrior.
4. Honi: The couple’s beloved, beautiful, 16-year-old daughter, who is a skilled Viking warrior but often clueless about more traditionally feminine interests.
5. Lute: An inept bard and Honi’s boyfriend whose terrible singing and romantic escapades often lead to comedic situations.
6. Hernia: A tomboyish girl with an unrequited love for Hamlet.
7. Snert: Hägar’s dog, who understands commands but often refuses to follow them.
8. Kvack: Helga’s German duck who serves as a watchdog for Hägar’s misdeeds.
9. Dr. Zook: A quack “physician” known for providing questionable nutritional and psychiatric advice.
10. Helga’s Father: A geriatric Viking with a penchant for young women.
11. Helga’s Mother: A stereotypical shrewish mother-in-law with antlers on her helmet.
12. The Tax Collector: The King’s officious emissary.
13. Mr. Giggles: A torturer who uses tickling to torment captives.
14. Koyer the Lawyer: An unpleasant but effective barrister.
15. The Executioner: Often accompanies the Tax Collector.
16. Brother Olaf: A monk who attempts to explain the concept of sin to Hägar.

The strip also features minor characters, including a psychic or soothsayer, a balding waiter at Helga’s favorite restaurant, and Anglo-Saxon raiders serving as Hägar’s friends and rivals.

Illustration Style

One distinctive aspect of Hägar the Horrible is its unique illustration style. The comic strip utilizes clear, sparse editorial-style line drawings with minimal foreground or background detail, shading, or embellishment. This simplicity in the artwork is believed to have been influenced by Dik Browne’s background as a courtroom illustrator, map illustrator for World War II battles, and technical illustrator for the U.S. Army. This clean and straightforward visual style complements the humor in the strip, allowing readers to focus on the characters and their comedic interactions.

Licensing and Adaptations

The popularity of Hägar the Horrible extends beyond the comic strip itself. It has ventured into various forms of media and marketing:

• Sponsored Soda: In the 1970s, the strip had its brand of sponsored soda, “Sunday Funnies Cola,” featuring Hägar on the can.
• Mug Root Beer Endorsement: From 1989 to 1991, Hägar was used in a successful series of radio and TV ads for Mug root beer.
• Advertising Skol Lager: In the UK, Hägar and other characters were used to advertise Skol Lager beer in the late 1980s.
• Cleveland State University Mascot: From 1981 to the mid-1990s, Hägar served as the mascot for the Cleveland State University Vikings.
• IBM RS/6000 Print Ads: Hägar was featured in print ads for the IBM RS/6000 in the early 1990s.
• Television Appearances: Hägar made his first animated appearance in a sketch paired with an interview with creator Dik Browne in the special “The Fantastic Funnies.” A live-action Hägar sketch was included in the special “Mother’s Day Sunday Funnies.”
• Television Special: In 1989, an animated television special, “Hägar the Horrible: Hägar Knows Best, ” aired based on the comic strip’s early plotline. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and featured a cast of voice actors.
• Movie Project: The film rights to Hägar the Horrible were acquired by Abandon Pictures in 2003, and later, a deal was made with Sony Pictures in 2014 to produce a film based on the character.
• Animated Sitcom: A CGI animated series co-produced by King Features and The Jim Henson Company was announced in 2020.
• Video Games: A scrolling platform game based on Hägar the Horrible was released for the Amiga in 1991.
• Theme Park: Hägar the Horrible is featured in the Universal Studios Florida theme park Islands of Adventure.

Book Collections and Reprints

Hägar the Horrible’s adventures have been compiled into various book collections. These collections offer fans a chance to relive the Viking’s escapades and humor:

• Hägar the Horrible: The comic strip’s initial publications by Dik Browne.
• The Wit and Wisdom of Hägar the Horrible: A collection of humorous and insightful moments from the strip.
• The Best of Hägar the Horrible: A compilation of the strip’s finest moments, showcasing the character’s enduring appeal.

Conclusion

Hägar the Horrible, born out of familial affection and humor, has become a beloved comic-strip figure. The juxtaposition of Viking raiding and modern suburban family life, a distinct illustration style, and a colorful cast of characters have endeared Hägar to readers for nearly five decades. From print to screen, Hägar’s adventures have continued to captivate audiences and serve as a testament to the enduring power of humor and storytelling.

As Hägar continues to raid and navigate the complexities of life in his coastal village, his legacy as a lovable, albeit clueless Viking remains a source of joy and laughter for readers of all ages, proving that sometimes even the most “horrible” of characters can capture the hearts of a global audience.

Hägar the Horrible Gallery

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Read also

• Dik Browne (1917-1989): The Man Behind Hägar the Horrible and Hi and Lois
• Comic Strips and Their Vast Popularity!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Hägar the Horrible

1. Who is Hägar the Horrible?

Hägar the Horrible is the character of an American comic strip created by cartoonist Dik Browne. It first appeared in Sunday papers on February 4, 1973, and immediately gained popularity. The strip is a humorous commentary on modern-day life in the United States, set in a Viking Age Scandinavian environment.

2. Who were the creators of Hägar the Horrible?

Dik Browne was the original creator of Hägar the Horrible and worked on the strip from 1973 until his retirement in 1988. After Dik Browne’s retirement and subsequent passing, his son, Chris Browne, took over the strip from 1989 until his passing in 2023.

3. How is Hägar the Horrible pronounced?

Hägar is pronounced as “Hay-gar,” according to Chris Browne, the original creator’s son, Dik Browne.

4. What is the setting of Hägar the Horrible?

The strip is set in the Middle Ages in an unnamed coastal village in Norway. It often features Hägar’s adventures and interactions with his Viking crew and family.

5. Who are some of the main characters in Hägar the Horrible?

The main characters in Hägar the Horrible include:

• Hägar the Horrible: The slovenly, overfed Viking protagonist.
• Helga: Hägar’s bossy and overbearing wife.
• Lucky Eddie: Hägar’s first mate and best friend.
• Hamlet: Hägar and Helga’s intelligent and educated son.
• Honi: Hägar and Helga’s beautiful and cheerful daughter.
• Lute: An inept bard and Honi’s boyfriend.
• Snert: Hägar’s loyal and clever dog.
• Kvack: Helga’s pet German duck.

6. What is the illustration style of Hägar the Horrible?

Hägar the Horrible features a precise, sparse, editorial-style line drawing with minimal foreground or background detail. This style is derived from Dik Browne’s experience as a courtroom illustrator and illustrator of maps during World War II.

7. Is Hägar the Horrible distributed in other countries and languages?

As of 2010, Hägar the Horrible is distributed to 1,900 newspapers in 56 countries and has been translated into 12 languages, making it a globally recognized comic strip.

8. Has Hägar the Horrible been adapted into other media?

Yes, Hägar the Horrible has had various adaptations and appearances, including animated television specials, licensed merchandise, and even plans for a live-action theatrical feature. It also had its brand of sponsored soda in the 1970s.

9. Are there book collections or reprints of Hägar the Horrible?

Yes, several book collections and reprints of Hägar the Horrible strips, including mass-market paperbacks authored by Dik Browne, with various titles and themes.

10. Is there a developed animated series based on Hägar the Horrible?

Yes, as of November 2020, a CGI animated series co-produced by King Features and The Jim Henson Company was announced to be in development. Henson Digital Puppetry Studio animates this series.