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There’s a lot less “Beetle” in international versions of Beetle Bailey

Alan Gardner31 mins

Finish version of Beetle Bailey

King Feature’s The Archivist has a interesting post on the internationalization of Mort Walker’s Beetle Bailey:

Ever since the 1950’s, BEETLE BAILEY has been embraced by many nations outside the United States, because like most good strips, the series exhibits universal human foibles that all can identify with. In this case, the world of army life and the role of authority.

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The word “Beetle” means little beyond the bounds of English, so he’s been rechristened many times to fit a local idiom:

The Archivist reports that Beetle Bailey has been renamed “Recruta Zero” (Brazil), “Flippi Flink” (Germany), “Knasen” (Sweden), “Billy” (Norway) among others. Check out the covers of some of the book collections from foreign countries.

3 thoughts on “There’s a lot less “Beetle” in international versions of Beetle Bailey”

  1. I always thought the strip was a little out dated.

    well that goes for a lot of strips in the newspapers actually.

  2. I love Beetle Bailey yet do admit it’s a bit “out dated” but to me that is part of the charm. I love escaping into strips that take me back to my childhood…. something I have never actually left behind according to people who know me.

  3. Can anyone articulate this for me? I’ve long agreed that Beetle Bailey feels dated, but for the life of me I can’t put my finger on WHY it feels that way. Is it the character types? The setting? The style of humor? None of those answers seem right. Yet the dated feeling is definitely there. I’d be interested in any answers you guys come up with.

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