Week 3

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For this week, I read the comics Little Nemo by Windsor McKay, Krazy Kat by George Herriman, Peanuts by Schulz, and Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. Each comic reflected their respective times and purposes. First, Little Nemo delved into the world of a child's dreams. It is in full color and features fantastical backgrounds and environments. It feels like a more sophisticated comic because of this. When I read it, I feel like I am going on a grand adventure with Little Nemo. The panels are varied in shapes and sizes, and the characters are often small in comparison to the backgrounds. It is clear that Little Nemo in Slumberland was made in older times due to the racist depictions of African characters. Through this we can see that these were times when racism was comedic and widely accepted. Krazy Kat, by Geroge Herriman is about the interactions between a cat and a mouse. Krazy Kat is in love with the mouse, called Ignatz, however Ignatz constantly makes fun of him. There is a certain innocence in this comic, in that Krazy Kat does not understand the world and is very naive. The simple 4 panel format is similar to that of Peanuts. The first panel establishes the situation, and the punchline is delivered in the last panel. Both of these comics are entertaining, but neither would make you laugh out loud. Peanuts in particular has a sense of dark humor, where the characters never laugh and they rarely benefit from a situation. Calvin and Hobbes on the other hand, feels more childlike in nature, and upfront with its comedy. The main character is a mischievous boy with a wild imagination. This type of comic may be more appealing to a younger audience.

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