Hägar the Horrible

Hägar the Horrible
Hägar the Horrible
Author(s)	Dik Browne Chris Browne
Current status / schedule	Running
Launch date	February 4, 1973
Syndicate(s)	King Features Syndicate
Genre(s)	Humor

Hägar the Horrible is the title and the name of the main character of a syndicated comic strip by Dik Browne, first seen in February 1973 and distributed to 1,900 newspapers in 58 countries, in 13 languages. The strip is loosely based on a caricature of medieval Norwegian life as presented in Henrik Ibsen's play The Vikings at Helgeland.

Hägar the Viking warrior

Hägar is an overweight Viking warrior who regularly goes off to invade Europe. The humor of the comic strip comes from his interactions with his longship crew. His first mate, contrary to depictions of Vikings as big muscled warriors, is a short, naïve fellow named Lucky Eddie. When he is not on his voyages he is with his family with his wife Helga, their son Hamlet, daughter Honi, Helga's pet duck Kvack, and his dog Snert. For a brief time, the strip had its own brand of sponsored soda, which was unfortunately named "Hägar the Horrible Cola." It is generally recalled as one of the funnier flops of the marketing industry.^[1] In the UK, Hägar the Horrible and other characters from the strip were used in the late 1980s to advertise the beer, Skol Lager, produced in the UK by Danish brewers Carlsberg, on billboards and in a series of popular television commercials. The commercials were animated and were mainly in black and white, like the daily newspaper comic strip itself, although the actual beer always appeared in color. [1][2][3][4]. From 1981 until the mid 1990s, a representation of Hägar served as the mascot for the Cleveland State University Vikings. Since Dik's retirement in 1988 (and subsequent death), his son Chris has continued the comic himself.

Books on the strip

The strip is popular enough to warrant a book, Hägar the Horrible's Viking Handbook, which advises how to loot, where to loot, and how to be a good Viking. It includes a list of the Top Ten Most Sackable Cities (of 10th century Europe): London, Paris, Venice, Madrid, Novgorod, Minsk, Cologne, Geneva, Dublin, and Byzantium. ^[2]

Characters

In this 2006 Christmas day strip, seen left to right are, Snert the dog, Hamlet, Helga, Hagar, Honi and Kvack the duck.

Hägar He may look like a fierce warrior, but once you get past the sword and shield, Hägar is illiterate, a loving husband, a devoted father, family man, and a reluctant taxpayer. While he has a voracious appetite for pillaging and plundering, they pale in comparison to his appetite for alcohol and Helga's home-cooked meals. Hägar also hates taking baths; once a year he can be pushed into having one. Hägar's annual bath is the subject of much celebration in the local community. In Spanish-speaking countries his name has been changed to Olafo; the original translator thought Hagar wasn't a recognizable name for the readers, so he changed it to Olafo (Olav), a more typical nordic name. In 2005, Hagar used time-travel to attend Blondie and Dagwood's anniversary party in the comic strip Blondie. Helga Hägar's demanding wife. Dressed always in her horned helmet, she is a true Valkyrie, besting the beleaguered Hägar in battles on the home front. She always wants Hägar to take a bath, but he won't. While Hägar may instill terror in the outside world, it's Helga who "wears the skins" in the family. Although she is more than a match for her sword-bearing ruffian husband, she also has a tender side. Helga is a devoted wife and mother, often doing what's best for her family whether they want it or not. Honi Hägar and Helga's beautiful daughter — an old maid of 16. Not overly bright, she nonetheless is enduringly sweet. Her metallic blouse would ward off most suitors, but her love for Lute continues unabated. Lute A poet and troubadour who can neither rhyme nor sing. Fortunately, Honi is so much in love that she really can't tell the difference. Hamlet Hägar's brilliant son, and a mystery to his father. Industrious, clean and studious, Hamlet would rather read than pillage, or make a daisy chain than take up chain mail. Introspective and serious, Hamlet is plagued by Hernia, the local tomboy, who thinks he's dreamy. Lucky Eddie He's everything a Viking shouldn't be — not too bright, but very gentle. Totally without chin or aggression and wearing a funnel for a helmet, Lucky Eddie makes the perfect foil for Hägar. And he may be the only man in history to be knocked out by a slowly-descending rainbow. Kvack Kvack, the family duck, who, as his name implies, speaks with an accent. In actuality, Kvack is Helga's pet, who usually favors him greatly. Also written Qvack Snert Hägar's dog, who's as rumpled and harassed as his owner. Dr. Zook Dr. Zook is Hägar's personal physician. He also happens to be a Druid. Because of this he is always seen wearing a hooded cloak. The only part of his face you can see is his nose. The Tax Collector & The Executioner This pair travel around in service to the King. The tax collector is a small shrimpy man who wears an uniform that looks almost like a graduation cap and gown. The executioner is the stereotypical big beefy man. He is masked and carries a huge axe. When they come and visit, you are in trouble because you're either going to be taxed to death or sentenced to it. Helga's mother She is the stereotypical mother-in-law. She hates Hagar, but often visits just to see Helga. Hägar only lets her into his home because of his wife. She wears a viking helmet with moose antlers. Koya the Lawyer An occasional character, he usually appears trying to show Hägar some legal sense, but to no avail.

Running Gags

• Hagar and Lucky Eddie shipwrecked on a tiny island.
• The tax collector and his assistant paying him a visit to collect taxes for the King.
• Hagar and Lucky Eddie stranded at the edge of a cliff with a hoard of enemy warriors getting close to them.
• Hagar and Lucky Eddie strung up by their hands and legs to the wall of a dungeon.
• Hagar's mother-in-law paying a visit.
• Hagar's annual bath ritual.

Names in other countries

• Belgium (Flanders): Hagar de Verschrikkelijke (Dutch for Hagar the Horrible/Terrifying)
• Colombia: Olafo el Amargado (Spanish for Olaf the Sour)
• Estonia: Hagar Hirmus (Estonian for Hagar the Dreadful)
• Finland: Harald Hirmuinen (Finnish for Harald the Terrible)
• France: Hägar Dünor Le Viking (French for Hägar Dunor the Viking, Dünor being a pun for of the north, La Gare du Nord being one of Paris' main train stations)
• Germany: Hägar der Schreckliche (Germ. for Hägar the Horrible/Terrifying)
• Iceland: Hrólfur Hræðilegi (Icelandic for Hrólfur the Horrible/Terrifying)
• Norway: Hårek den hardballne (Norwegian for Hårek the hard-balled, but hard-balled has a different meaning in Norwegian)
• Paraguay: Olaf, el Vikingo (Spanish for Olaf the Viking)
• Portuguese Hagar, o Horrível (same meaning as in German)
• Serbia: Hogar Strašni ((same meaning as in German/Portuguese))
• South Africa: Hager die Verskriklike - (Afrikaans: same meaning as Dutch, Portuguese etc.)
• Sweden: Hagbard Handfaste (Swedish for Hagbard the strong-handed. Hagbard was a legendary scandinavian warrior.)

Books

Note: In alphabetical, not chronological order

1. A Turn for the Worse (Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible) by Chris Browne
2. Animal Haus (Hägar the Horrible, No 11) by Dik Browne
3. Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - January 1993)
4. Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible: Funny Bunnies by Chris Browne
5. Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible: Hägar the Huggable by Chris Browne
6. Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible: Plunder Blunder by Chris Browne
7. Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible: That Dreaded...Bed Head by Chris Browne
8. Excuse Me (Hägar the Horrible No. 16) by Dik Browne (Paperback - December 1984)
9. Feeling "Fortune"-Ate? (Dik Browne's Hägar the Horrible) by Chris Browne
10. Gangway (Hägar the Horrible) by Dik Browne (Mass Market Paperback - August 1989)
11. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - February 1986)
12. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - April 1986)
13. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - May 1987)
14. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - November 1987)
15. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - April 1991)
16. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - October 1991)
17. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - November 1991)
18. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - August 1992)
19. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - February 1993)
20. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - March 1993)
21. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - April 1993)
22. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - August 1993)
23. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - November 1993)
24. Hägar the Horrible (Paperback - July 1994)
25. Hägar the Horrible and the Golden Maiden by Dik Browne
26. Hägar the Horrible and the Golden Maiden: Volume III of the Best of Hägar the Horrible by Dik Browne
27. Hägar the Horrible Cartoons by Dik Browne
28. Hägar the Horrible Excuse Me! (Paperback - August 1991)
29. Hägar the Horrible Norse Code (Paperback - April 1992)
30. Hägar the Horrible on the Loose (Paperback - January 1992)
31. Hägar the Horrible on the Rack (Paperback - October 1992)
32. Hägar the Horrible Puzzles by Dik Browne (Paperback - December 1984)
33. Hägar the Horrible Spring Cleaning by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1988)
34. Hägar the Horrible, No 2 (Paperback - January 1990)
35. Hägar the Horrible, No. 1 by Dik Brown (Paperback - April 1986)
36. Hägar the Horrible: A Piece of the Pie by Dik Browne
37. Hägar the Horrible: Again & Again by Dik Browne
38. Hägar the Horrible: All the World Loves a Lover O 8 by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
39. Hägar the Horrible: Another Fish Story by Dik Browne, Chris Browne
40. Hägar the Horrible: Born Leader by Dik Browne (Paperback - February 1986)
41. Hägar the Horrible: Brings 'Em Back Alive! by Dik Browne
42. Hägar the Horrible: Face-Stuffer's Anonymous (Hägar the Horrible, No 9) by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
43. Hägar the Horrible: Hägar's Knight Out by Dik Browne (Paperback - April 1986)
44. Hägar the Horrible: Happy Hour by Dik Browne (Paperback - February 1987)
45. Hägar the Horrible: Have You Been Uptight Lately? by Dik Browne
46. Hägar the Horrible: Hear No Evil (Do No Work) by Dik Browne
47. Hägar the Horrible: Helga's Revenge by Dik Browne
48. Hägar the Horrible: Hi Dear, Your Hair Looks Great by Dik Browne (Mass Market Paperback - June 1988)
49. Hägar the Horrible: Horns of Plenty by Dik Browne (Hardcover - January 1985)
50. Hägar the Horrible: I Dream of Genie? by Dik Browne
51. Hägar the Horrible: Look Sharp! by Dik Browne
52. Hägar the Horrible: Midnight Munchies by Dik Browne, Mort Walker
53. Hägar the Horrible: Motley Crew by Dik Browne
54. Hägar the Horrible: My Feet Are Drunk by Dik Browne
55. Hägar the Horrible: My Feet Are Really Killing Me by Dik Browne (Paperback - February 1983)
56. Hägar the Horrible: On the Rack by Dik Browne (Paperback - February 1983)
57. Hägar the Horrible: Out on a Limb by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
58. Hägar the Horrible: Pillage Idiot No. 11 by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
59. Hägar the Horrible: Roman Holiday by Dik Browne
60. Hägar the Horrible: Room for One More (Hägar Series, No 6) by Dik Browne
61. Hägar the Horrible: Sack Time by Dik Browne (Paperback - October 1986)
62. Hägar the Horrible: Sacking Paris on a Budget by Dik Browne
63. Hägar the Horrible: Silly Sailing by Dik Browne
64. Hägar the Horrible: Smotherly Love by Dik Browne
65. Hägar the Horrible: Special Delivery by Dik Browne
66. Hägar the Horrible: Start the Invasion Without Me by Dik Browne
67. Hägar the Horrible: Strapped for Cash by Dik Browne (Paperback - May 1987)
68. Hägar the Horrible: The British Are Coming by Dik Browne (Paperback - July 1986)
69. Hägar the Horrible: The Brutish Are Coming by Dik Browne
70. Hägar the Horrible: The Nord Star by Dik Browne
71. Hägar the Horrible: The Simple Life by Dik Browne (Paperback - June 1987)
72. Hägar the Horrible: Things That Go Bump by Dik Browne
73. Hägar the Horrible: Vikings Are Fun by Dik Browne (Mass Market Paperback - April 1989)
74. Hägar the Horrible: We're Doing Lunch by Dik Browne
75. Hägar the Horrible's Very Nearly Complete Viking Handbook by Dik Browne, Christopher Browne
76. Hägar: The Horrible Fish Fly by Dik Browne (Mass Market Paperback - November 1991)
77. Handyman Special (Hägar the Horrible) by Dik Browne
78. Happy Hour (Hägar the Horrible Series, No 13) by Dik Browne (Paperback - September 1984)
79. Have You Been Uptight Lately (Hägar the Horrible, No 17) by Dik Browne (Paperback - February 1986)
80. Hear No Evil (Hägar the Horrible Series) by Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
81. Midnight Munchies (Hägar the Horrible Series, No 12) by D. Browne (Paperback - February 1982)
82. On the Loose (Hägar the Horrible Series, No 3) by Dik Browne (Paperback - September 1983)
83. Roman Holiday (Hägar the Horrible, No 20) by Dik Browne (Paperback - November 1986)
84. The Best of Hägar the Horrible by Dik Browne, Brian Walker (Photographer)
85. The Horrible Tall Tales (Hägar Series, No. 4) by Dirk Browne, Dik Browne (Paperback - March 1998)
86. The Simple Life (Hägar the Horrible Series, No 17) by Dik Browne (Paperback - April 1984)
87. The Very Best of Hägar the Horrible by Dik Browne
88. The Wit and Wisdom of Hägar the Horrible by Dik. Browne

References

1. ^ Hendon, Donald W.; Classic Failures in Product Marketing: Marketing Principles Violations and How to Avoid Them; ISBN 0844234583
2. ^ Browne, Dik; Hägar the Horrible's Very Nearly Complete Viking Handbook; ISBN 0894809377

External links

• Hägar at King Features
• Hägar The Horrible (unofficial)
• Toonopedia