On: The Bastard Operator from Hell (1999)

[teddyh]

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

[hpoe → teddyh]

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 → hpoe]

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 → teddyh]

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