Pepe the Frog: From Comic Strip to Cultural Symbol
Pepe the Frog is a cartoon character created by American artist Matt Furie in the early 2000s. Pepe originated in Furie’s comic series Boy’s Club, first published in 2005. The character, a laid-back green frog with human-like features, became popular on the internet for his relatable catchphrase: "feels good man."
Internet Meme Rise
Pepe gained massive popularity as a meme around 2008, especially on platforms like 4chan, Reddit, and Tumblr. The character's simple design and expressive features made it easy for internet users to modify and repurpose Pepe in a variety of emotional contexts—from happy and smug to sad and angry. This led to the development of various forms such as “Sad Pepe,” “Smug Pepe,” “Angry Pepe,” and “Feels Bad Man.”
Controversy and Misappropriation
Despite its innocent origins, Pepe the Frog was later co-opted by fringe and extremist internet groups, particularly during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Some variations of Pepe were used in offensive or politically charged contexts. This prompted the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to add certain hate-related versions of Pepe to its database of hate symbols—though the ADL also emphasized that Pepe is not inherently a hate symbol.
Matt Furie responded by launching efforts to reclaim Pepe’s image, including the “#SavePepe” campaign and a lawsuit against those misusing his character. His efforts culminated in the 2020 documentary Feels Good Man, which chronicles the character's turbulent journey and Furie’s attempts to restore its original message.
Pepe Today: A Symbol in Flux
Pepe continues to be a prominent figure on the internet. In recent years, it has found renewed popularity among cryptocurrency and NFT communities, where it’s often used as a symbol of inside humor, rebellion, and digital identity. In global contexts, particularly in places like Hong Kong during the 2019 protests, Pepe was repurposed again—this time as a symbol of resistance.
Conclusion
Pepe the Frog’s journey from comic book pages to a symbol of global cultural significance is a testament to how internet culture can both create and transform meaning. While his image has been marred by controversy, many still see Pepe as a versatile and expressive character that belongs to the broader online community.
