'Captain Underpants' Comic Book Pulled For Racist Stereotypes; Author's Royalties To Be Donated To Asian Organizations

One of the comic book spinoffs from Captain Underpants franchise has been pulled from distribution.

Scholastic announced that they have stopped distribution of “The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future”, because of the “passive” racist stereotypes and imagery of Asians.

The graphic novel was published in 2010 and centers on Ook and Gluk, two “cavekids” from the fictional town of Caveland in 500,001 B.C. After they get transported to the future and discover an evil corporation is stealing natural resources from their town, they befriend a martial arts instructor named Master Wong, who trains them in kung fu and ultimately helps them save the day.

“Together, we recognize that this book perpetuates passive racism,” Scholastic said in a statement. “We are deeply sorry for this serious mistake.”

The publishing house is also seeking a return of all inventory, adding that it was informing retail partners, schools and libraries, and have taken the material off their websites and catalog.

Dav Pilkey, the author, made a formal apology in a YouTube video about the content.

“About ten years ago I created a book about a group of friends who save the world using Kung Fu and the principles found in Chinese philosophy. ‘The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future’ was intended to showcase diversity, equality, and non-violent conflict resolution,” he said. “I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly apologize for this. It was and is wrong and harmful to my Asian readers, friends, and family, and to all Asian people.”

Dav and wife, Sayuri, will be donating his advances and royalties that he received from the book to several non-profit organizations, including ones that fight anti-Asian racism and violence and promote diversity in children’s books and publishing.

The decision to pull the “Captain Underpants” comic book comes just weeks after six Dr. Seuss books were pulled for racist imagery.