This week, a few more beautiful comics from the 19th century. The Yellow Kid presents the Social Event of the Year in Shantytown, and a Football Match to remember.
Enjoy the comics, and enjoy your weekend.
The world’s first comic strip was Richard F. Outcault’s beautiful The Yellow Kid. This week’s entry shows us what a 19th century July 4th was like in the Kid’s tenement neighborhood. Not much has changed.
The Yellow Kid, by Richard F. Outcault, is credited as the first comic strip ever (partly because Outcault invented the dialogue balloon). Originally titled Hogan’s Alley, the strips told the story of ranbunctious kids in a New York city slum, and eventually came to focus on the youngster at left. In its prime, the strip was wildly popular.
While not a household name today, the Kid’s influence is sweeping and outsized, and his influence is acknowledged here and there. Caillou, for example.
In addition to its historical, groundbreaking cred, it’s also a great work of art.
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