[hootbootscoot]

Think of it as some sort of elaborate Dilbert, rather. The essence of it is the dysfunction of corporate office life.

[teddyh]

Even Dilbert wasn’t usually mean, and certainly never to people who didn’t really deserve it.

[hpoe]

You sure you've been reading the same strip because the PHB and Dogbert have both been deliberately mean on multiple occasions.

EDIT: Also catbert whose whole character is about being cruel.

[teddyh]

The PHB isn’t a viewpoint character. And Dogbert is usually only mean to people who can said to be (in some sense) deserving.

[rob74]

Dilbert himself: no. Most of the other characters: yes (mostly to Dilbert).