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Description

This article examines Ramadan Hardcore, a graphic novel by Hicham Habchi and Mehdi Yassire, through a visual and contextual analysis. It explores how the novel’s raw illustrative style reinforces its title and narrative, creating a powerful emotional impact while presenting an authentic, and at times deliberately exaggerated, representation of reality. Using visual semiotic analysis, the study demonstrates how the artwork reflects the authors’ lived experiences and contributes to the novel’s gritty, direct atmosphere. The article also discusses the controversy surrounding the graphic novel’s provocative title, noting that although it initially attracted considerable attention, interest quickly declined and copies have since become difficult to obtain. This decline is interpreted as evidence of the limited long-term support for creative and artistic expression in Morocco. The study further argues that innovative artists such as Habchi and Yassire have often faced resistance from audiences reluctant to embrace unconventional artistic narratives. It also suggests that the limited reach of Ramadan Hardcore can be attributed to the relatively small readership of adult comics in Morocco and the use of localized Arabic dialects, which may reduce accessibility for wider audiences. Finally, the article highlights the lack of institutional support for the arts as a barrier to the growth and international recognition of Morocco’s creative sector, concluding that Ramadan Hardcore has largely faded into obscurity, mirroring the broader cultural shifts and normalization that followed the Arab Spring.

Publication Date

2026

Publisher

Associazione Giuseppe Acerbi

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities

Ramadan Hardcore by Hicham Habchi e Mehdi Yassire

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