Contributors included Melvin Van Peebles, Reiser, Roland Topor, Moebius, Wolinski, Gébé, Cabu, Delfeil de Ton [fr], Fournier, Jean-Pierre Bouyxou and Willem.
Hara-Kiri editions, subtitled "Journal bête et méchant" ("Stupid and nasty newspaper"), were constantly aiming at established social structures, be they political parties or institutions like the Church or the state.
In November 1970, following the death of Charles de Gaulle at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, the weekly Hara-Kiri Hebdo bore the headline « Bal tragique à Colombey : 1 mort » (Eng: "Tragic ball in Colombey: 1 death").
By way of contradistinction, the choice of the title refers to the far greater loss of life the same month: a fire at a discothèque in which 146 mostly young people died.
The government felt this editorial choice was an offence of lèse-majesté against the deceased President, and its then minister of the interior Raymond Marcellin ordered an immediate and permanent ban on publicity and on sale to minors.