Rient de valent cap a la democràcia: Butifarra!, Cul-de-Sac i el còmic català de la Transició

The dominant narrative of the Spanish Transition as a period of consensus and unity has been effectively challenged, making way for a growing recognition of the political role of urban culture and grassroots movements, as well as the importance of collective action. Rooted in Catalonia’s long tradition of graphic satire, this article examines the role of Catalan comics as a vehicle for social critique during an intense, but brief period of revival for the medium. It focuses on two emblematic publications— Butifarra! (1975–1979) and Cul-de-Sac (1982) — alongside the work of one of their pioneering contributors, Montse Clavé, to explore how satire, caricature, and humour were employed in response to the political and social transformations of the period. The article considers localised comics as a tool for social contestation and a means of civic engagement, analysing their impact on the collective consciousness of Catalonia’s working-class and feminist communities.