History ComicStrip / TheBoondocks

* LessEmbarrassingTerm: A strip has Granddad defending his "Man-Bag" (similar to a purse) as being manly in a strip introducing the UnusualEuphemism "{{Brokeback|Mountain}}", for something of dubious masculinity.

** If there's one thing he hates almost as much as Bush, it's annoying black celebrities and media. Especially BlackEntertainmentTelevision, which he blames for dumbing down African-American culture and against whom he maintains a vendetta to this day. In the strip and the show, he's never ''ever'' missed an opportunity to deliver a seething TakeThat to BET.

The comics are centered around the lives of [[FishOutOfWater the Freemans]], a black family from [[TheCity inner-city]] [[TheWindyCity Chicago, Illinois]] who move into the mostly white {{suburb|ia}} of Woodcrest, Maryland. The main protagonist is Huey Freeman, a [[ChildProdigy smart]] yet [[TheCynic cynical]] little boy who is a far-left-wing political activist, constantly railing against problems affecting the black community. His little brother is Riley Freeman, a juvenile {{delinquent}} who imitates {{gangsta rap}} culture too closely. The two boys are being raised by their single grandfather Robert Freeman, a {{grumpy old man}} who takes a disciplinarian approach to parenting.

** One whole storyline revolves around Huey trying to have MichaelBolton murdered. At least one hitman implied that he'd ''love'' to do it, if only Huey could pay him enough to cover the expenses (he couldn't). And don't get Huey started on Jar Jar Binks.

'''''The Boondocks''''' is a newspaper comic strip created by Aaron [=McGruder=], which was published by the Universal Press Syndicate from 1999 to 2006. All of the comics can be found [[http://www.gocomics.com/boondocks/1999/04/19/ here]]. It was adapted into an [[WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks animated television series of the same name]] that aired intermittently on Creator/AdultSwim from 2005 to 2014.

Most of the comic strip's humor was very satirical and topical in nature. Aaron [=McGruder=] used the comic as a [[AuthorTract vehicle for his social views]], covering a lot of [[RippedFromTheHeadlines then-current news events]] on African-Americans and the United States in general. His favorite subjects of mockery were annoying black celebrities and right-wing politicians (especially the UsefulNotes/GeorgeWBush administration). Unsurprisingly, this comic strip attracted a lot of controversy, but also a lot of popularity over the years.

Not to be confused with ''TheBoondockSaints''.

* FollowTheLeader: Inverted. [=McGruder=] has stated that what drove him to take the book into a hardline left political direction was a conversation he had with [[ComicStrip/{{Doonesbury}} Garry Trudeau]] over the issue of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks. Trudeau told [=McGruder=] that he was going to wait until around December before he would begin incorporating the terrorist attacks and the political fallout the attacks would have upon America. This led to [=McGruder=] deciding to immediately incorporate 9-11 and the political fall-out into the comic strip, since no one else was doing this.

* XMeetsY: ''The Boondocks'' can be described as ''{{ComicStrip/Peanuts}}'' meets ''WesternAnimation/BebesKids''.

* FollowTheLeader: Inverted. [=McGruder=] has stated that what drove him to take the book into a hardline left political direction was a conversation he had with [[{{Doonesbury}} Garry Trudeau]] over the issue of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks. Trudeau told [=McGruder=] that he was going to wait until around December before he would begin incorporating the terrorist attacks and the political fallout the attacks would have upon America. This led to [=McGruder=] deciding to immediately incorporate 9-11 and the political fall-out into the comic strip, since no one else was doing this.

* SpiritualSuccessor: The comic strip to ''BloomCounty''.

** In a series of "80s-centric" ''Boondocks'' strips, Granddad threatens to take away Huey's ''BloomCounty'' books. ''Bloom County'', of course being a highly influential comic strip that mixed pop culture and politics that has considerably influenced ''The Boondocks''.

'''Caesar''': "Oh, and before I forget, congratulations to your moms - I heard she got that part as the stunt monkey in the "PlanetOfTheApes" sequel."\\

* BeforeMyTime: Tom asks Huey whether he's named after [[HueyLewisAndTheNews Huey Lewis]], and Huey actually responds, "Before my time." The subversion comes in the fact that Huey has just given an erudite lecture on Black Panther [[AngryBlackMan Huey Newton]], who is older than Lewis.

* TheWarOnTerror: A target of the later strips.

''The Boondocks'' is a newspaper comic strip created by Aaron [=McGruder=], which was published by the Universal Press Syndicate from 1999 to 2006. All of the comics can be found [[http://www.gocomics.com/boondocks/1999/04/19/ here]]. It was adapted into an [[WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks animated television series of the same name]] that aired intermittently on Creator/AdultSwim from 2005 to 2014.

[[[BeatPanel Beat]]]\\
'''Caesar:''' [[LampshadeHanging Funny, seems like we haven't aged a day...]]\\
'''Huey:''' Stop that.

* NotAllowedToGrowUp: All the kids. Even if you don't count the comics, Huey's been ten since the Bush administration.
-->'''Caesar:''' Another Presidential Election...\\
'''Huey:''' Yep.\\
'''Caesar:''' Can you believe it's been four years since the last one?\\
'''Huey:''' Yeah...\\

** [[http://24.media.tumblr.com/7af39f3a04445d529de60f084e5ca2e2/tumblr_mi4lc81i6Q1rgam01o1_1280.gif This strip]] gives a nod to Peanuts, featuring Cindy pulling a Lucy on Riley (leading Huey to comment that Riley should read more). A later strip gives a nod to CalvinAndHobbes in a conversation between Huey and Caesar.

** The TV show can be described as a mix of ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'', Creator/SpikeLee, and {{Anime}}.

* BitingTheHandHumor:
** Lots and ''lots'' of jokes lampooning the newspaper editing and censorship process - there are countless series of gags in the strip where the papers "remove" ''The Boondocks'' from syndication in favor of something ridiculously propagandist, saccharine or [[MoralGuardians overly "child-friendly"]], or just downright strange. So much so that one of these gags is accompanied by an editorial [[LampshadeHanging "we mean it this time."]]
** "You better not be watching any of that Creator/AdultSwim!"

* BlackComedy: There's a fairly morbid sense of humor in here, but not nearly as much as the TV series.

!!Tropes used in the comic strip:

* AdorablyPrecociousChild: Completely intentional in the case of the brothers, and often played for laughs.

* AuthorAppeal: [=McGruder=] is OneOfUs and a self-proclaimed nerd, especially when it comes to ''Franchise/StarWars''. As a result, the comic and (to a somewhat lesser extent) the show are chock full of ''Star Wars'' references, and Huey himself is a fan. His status of an AuthorAvatar for [=McGruder=]'s interests was [[http://hueyfreemanonlyspeaksthetruth.tumblr.com/post/60598131229/the-boondocks-comic-strip-843 lampshaded,]] sometimes.
** He also enjoys anime, and (in the show) it shows to say the least.
* AuthorTract: [=McGruder=] really doesn't like the George W. Bush administration and their policies. From 2001 and onward, the comic almost never forgot to harshly criticize the government of the time.
** If there's one thing [=McGruder=] hates almost as much as Bush, it's annoying black celebrities and media. Especially BlackEntertainmentTelevision, which he blames for dumbing down African-American culture and against whom he maintains a vendetta to this day. In the strip and the show, he's never - ''ever'' - missed an opportunity to deliver a seething TakeThat to BET.
* BeforeMyTime: The Freemans' neighbor asks Huey whether he's named after [[HueyLewisAndTheNews Huey Lewis]], and Huey actually responds, "Before my time." The subversion comes in the fact that Huey has just given an erudite lecture on Black Panther Huey Newton. He may just be baiting the poor guy.
* BitingTheHandHumor: In-universe and out.

** Lots and ''lots'' of jokes lampooning the newspaper editing and censorship process - there are countless series of gags in the strip where the papers "remove" Boondocks from syndication in favor of something ridiculously propagandist, saccharine or [[MoralGuardians overly "child-friendly,"]] or just downright strange. So much so that one of these gags is accompanied by an editorial [[LampshadeHanging "we mean it this time."]]
* BlackComedy: There's quite a lot of morbid humor in here, but not nearly as much as the TV series.

* DemotedToExtra: Inverted in the comic strip - following 9/11, this happened to everybody except Huey and Ceasar.
--->'''Jazmine:''' I guess you were too busy sitting here and making mean-spirited comments about the world to realize we hadn't '''seen each other for two years!!'''\\

* TheDitz: Cindy in the early comics.
* {{Flanderization}}: Tom [=DuBois=] was initially a posh but intelligent middle class lawyer that Huey could have conversations with, but over time the comic exaggerated his foppishness and the "desperate democrat" aspect of his character, until finally settling on a mix of both.

* FreeRangeChildren: In the comic, Huey, Riley and Caesar are able to go wherever they want and do quite a bit without supervision (though there isn't much to do in Woodcrest).

* InsufferableGenius: Huey, particularly moreso in the comic as time went on.

** In the comic Huey often shows more jerkassish traits - from self-righteousness to callousness to downright arrogance at times: in general comic Huey is very wise but [[InsufferableGenius also very full of himself.]] Due to the majority of the other characters being retooled to show more of those traits themselves in the show, Huey's negative traits became more subdued so he could foil the others more effectively.
** A notable instance for Granddad would be when Huey confesses that sometimes he feels like nobody listens to him, only to have Granddad yell, "How many times do I have to tell you to shut up?! I can't hear the people singing badly on [[Series/AmericanIdol Idol]]!"

* LessEmbarrassingTerm: A strip has Granddad defending his "Man-Bag" as being manly in a strip introducing the Unusual Euphemism "Brokeback," for something of dubious masculinity.

* RedOniBlueOni: Riley and Huey, respectively.
** Also, Caesar and Huey, respectively.

** '''IT'S REVOLUTION TIME!!!''' in the strip.

* ShoutOut:

* SpiritualSuccessor: The comic strip to BloomCounty.

** One whole storyline revolves around Huey trying to have Michael Bolton murdered. At least one hitman implied that he'd ''love'' to do it, if only Huey could pay him enough to cover the expenses (he couldn't). And don't get Huey started on Jar Jar Binks.

--->'''Caesar:''' "Well Huey, congratulations on making it to another year on planet Earth!"\\

** Lots and ''lots'' of jokes lampooning the newspaper editing and censorship process - there are countless series of gags in the strip where the papers "remove" Boondocks from syndication in favor of something ridiculously propagandist, [[TastesLikeDiabetes saccharine]] or [[MoralGuardians overly "child-friendly,"]] or just downright strange. So much so that one of these gags is accompanied by an editorial [[LampshadeHanging "we mean it this time."]]

* BitingTheHandHumor:

* AbusiveParents: Grandad Freeman falls into that gray area between "corporal punishment" and "abuse", though his ham-handed approach to it leans towards the latter but also falls under HilariouslyAbusiveChildhood, though his actual abuse tends to be more his failings as a parental figure and role model, as his instances of physical punishments is usually well deserved.
* AdorablyPrecociousChild:
** Completely intentional in the case of the brothers, and often played for laughs. There is a whole Sunday strip where Riley practices intimidating "thug shot" expressions, but fails because he is adorable.
** And ''way'' earlier was a strip where Huey is declaring dramatically from a hill to his new neighborhood things like, "My knowledge of self shines boldly in the face of the beast!" A little old lady interrupts, calling him [[http://www.gocomics.com/boondocks/1999/04/24/ "just a big ole cutie pie."]]

** Lots and ''lots'' of jokes lampooning the newspaper editing and censorship process - there are countless series of gags in the strip where the papers "remove" Boondocks from syndication in favor of something ridiculously propagandist, TastesLikeDiabetes or [[MoralGuardians overly "child-friendly,"]] or just downright strange. So much so that one of these gags is accompanied by an editorial [[LampshadeHanging "we mean it this time."]]

* TakeThat:
** And there's plenty more in the comic strip. One whole storyline revolves around Huey trying to have Michael Bolton murdered. At least one hitman implied that he'd ''love'' to do it, if only Huey could pay him enough to cover the expenses (he couldn't). And don't get Huey started on Jar Jar Binks.

* WiseBeyondTheirYears:
** Huey and Caeser.
** Dewey ''[[TedBaxter thinks]]'' he's this.

* YourMom: Oh yeah.
** Caesar thinks he's perfected these into an art form, much to Huey's continued annoyance. For fun, [[NonSequitur he tends to spring them in the middle of otherwise normal conversations.]]

* XMeetsY: ''The Boondocks'' is what happens when ''{{Peanuts}}'' meets ''BebesKids''.
** The TV show is ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' meets ''Anime/AfroSamurai''.
*** Weirder when you realize that ''Anime/AfroSamurai'' is ''The Boondocks'' meets ''SamuraiChamploo''.
** During it's first season, the show was {{Anime}} meets ''Creator/SpikeLee''.

The comics are centered around the lives of the Freemans, a black family from inner-city [[TheWindyCity Chicago, Illinois]] who move into the mostly white {{suburb|ia}} of Woodcrest, Maryland. The main protagonist is Huey Freeman, a smart yet cynical little boy who is a far-left-wing political activist, constantly railing against problems affecting the black community. His little brother is Riley Freeman, a juvenile {{delinquent}} who imitates gangsta rap culture too closely. The two boys are being raised by their single grandfather Robert Freeman, a grumpy old man who takes a disciplinarian approach to parenting.

Other important characters include Huey's best friend Michael Caesar, another black kid who is also a newcomer to Woodcrest. Even though he didn't appear until a year into the comics' run, Caesar quickly became a co-protagonist to Huey, and often provided additional commentary to Huey's rants. There's also the multiracial Dubois family; Tom Dubois is a successful black lawyer married to a white woman (Sarah), whose moderate left-wing beliefs clash with Huey's radicalism. Jazmine Dubois is Tom's biracial daughter and Huey's only other friend, whose overwhelming naivete makes her believe everything she is told by adults.

Most of the comic strip's humor was very satirical and topical in nature. Aaron [=McGruder=] used the comic as a vehicle for his social views, covering a lot of then-current news events on African-Americans and the United States in general. His favorite subjects of mockery were annoying black celebrities and right-wing politicians (especially the George W. Bush administration). Unsurprisingly, this comic strip attracted a lot of controversy, but also popularity over the years.