I will agree that Winsor McCay was a superb artist. I will be sacrilegious enough to say that his dialogue – and the layout of his word balloons – not so much. At least not to our modern sensibilities. Perhaps that was common for strips in those days.
I will agree that Winsor McCay was a superb artist. I will be sacrilegious enough to say that his dialogue – and the layout of his word balloons – not so much. At least not to our modern sensibilities. Perhaps that was common for strips in those days.
What always seems weird is the contrast between the amazing draftsmanship and the word balloons, which look as if a child drew them. They look like those home-made signs fans bring to sporting events, with the shrinking words!
Yes, in general, early comics had bad dialog and bad lettering. (Editorial cartoons, going back to the 1700s, were generally just as bad.) McCay is no better and no worse than the others. It took about 20 years for cartoonists to learn that, instead of writing, “Oh dear! I have fallen in the sea, and now I am sure that I shall be drowned, for no one will rescue me,” it was better to write “HELP!”.
Buzza Wuzza over 10 years ago
Can you imagine how good this strip could have been if this guy could draw?
davidf42 over 10 years ago
Amazing and beautiful!@Buzza Wuzza, I’m going to guess you were being facetious, right? The artwork, to me, is terrific!
drbob456x over 10 years ago
The clown slightly resembes Jiggs from the strip ‘Bringing Up Father.’
Neo Stryder over 10 years ago
I must look if Little Nemo have its own section here.
ReneTray over 10 years ago
Ty.
WSR over 10 years ago
Brilliant!!
pauljmsn over 10 years ago
I will agree that Winsor McCay was a superb artist. I will be sacrilegious enough to say that his dialogue – and the layout of his word balloons – not so much. At least not to our modern sensibilities. Perhaps that was common for strips in those days.
pauljmsn over 10 years ago
I will agree that Winsor McCay was a superb artist. I will be sacrilegious enough to say that his dialogue – and the layout of his word balloons – not so much. At least not to our modern sensibilities. Perhaps that was common for strips in those days.
craigwestlake over 10 years ago
The only artwork (ot the day) that I can think of to compare would be the old Prince Valiant strips…
ceylondiver over 10 years ago
What always seems weird is the contrast between the amazing draftsmanship and the word balloons, which look as if a child drew them. They look like those home-made signs fans bring to sporting events, with the shrinking words!
John W Kennedy Premium Member over 10 years ago
Yes, in general, early comics had bad dialog and bad lettering. (Editorial cartoons, going back to the 1700s, were generally just as bad.) McCay is no better and no worse than the others. It took about 20 years for cartoonists to learn that, instead of writing, “Oh dear! I have fallen in the sea, and now I am sure that I shall be drowned, for no one will rescue me,” it was better to write “HELP!”.