A Brief Overview of A Brief Overview of Comic Strips Comic Strips

Early Comic Strips Early Comic Strips

As we have discussed, the first comics As we have discussed, the first comics as as

we know them today were created by we know them today were created by

Rolpohe Topffer in the early 19Rolpohe Topffer in the early 19thth century century

(1800’s). (1800’s).

Early Comic Strips Early Comic Strips

The Yellow Kid The Yellow Kid

► 18931893► First long running First long running

Sunday comic strip in Sunday comic strip in American papersAmerican papers

►Words and ideas were Words and ideas were expressed on his shirtexpressed on his shirt

► The use of color can The use of color can account for a lot of its account for a lot of its popularity popularity

Dailies and Sundays Dailies and Sundays

Dailies and Sundays – Dailies and Sundays – The FunniesThe Funnies

Most of the early comic strips were funny Most of the early comic strips were funny

(we would probably call them silly). (we would probably call them silly).

However, by the 1930s readership became However, by the 1930s readership became

so high that strips with more serious topics so high that strips with more serious topics

arise. arise.

Dailies and Sundays - Dailies and Sundays - Super Hero Comics Super Hero Comics

►Mostly Sunday Strips Mostly Sunday Strips

► It is hard for superhero strips to have It is hard for superhero strips to have the same action as a comic book in only the same action as a comic book in only four to five frames.four to five frames.

►The notable exception is the Spiderman The notable exception is the Spiderman strip which is still written by Stan Lee to strip which is still written by Stan Lee to this day. this day.

Dailies and SundaysDailies and Sundays

Many of the dramatic comics run their Many of the dramatic comics run their

course as television becomes the course as television becomes the primary primary

form of entertainment in America. form of entertainment in America.

Today’s Comics Today’s Comics

Most comic strips today are silly, Most comic strips today are silly,

heartwarming, or political. heartwarming, or political.

Notable Comics Notable Comics

Peanuts Peanuts ►Regarded as the most influential and Regarded as the most influential and

well-written comic strip.well-written comic strip.

►Charles M. Schultz Charles M. Schultz

►1950-20001950-2000

► Internationally recognizable charactersInternationally recognizable characters

Kratzenjammer Kids Kratzenjammer Kids

►1897-present1897-present

►Very influential in early cartoonsVery influential in early cartoons

►Stolen from German styleStolen from German style

►Sparks legal battles between Hearst Sparks legal battles between Hearst and Pulitzer. and Pulitzer.

The Spirit The Spirit

►Will Eisner Will Eisner

►19401940

►Launched Eisner’s career as a comic Launched Eisner’s career as a comic book/graphic novel pioneer.book/graphic novel pioneer.

►Considered sexist and racist today. Considered sexist and racist today.

Calvin and Hobbes Calvin and Hobbes

►Relatively short runRelatively short run

►Beloved by most readers at the timeBeloved by most readers at the time

►Very whimsical Very whimsical

Brenda Starr Brenda Starr

►First comic strip written by a woman First comic strip written by a woman

►1940-20111940-2011

Boondocks Boondocks

►1996-20061996-2006

►Very political and risqueVery political and risque

►Many paper began putting it on the Many paper began putting it on the editorial page editorial page

The Anatomy of a Comic The Anatomy of a Comic Strip Strip

►PanelPanel

►Gutter Gutter

►Speech BubbleSpeech Bubble

►Thought BubbleThought Bubble

The Anatomy of a Comic The Anatomy of a Comic Strip Strip

►Comic Strips on the whole are very Comic Strips on the whole are very easy to follow because they read in a easy to follow because they read in a straight line. straight line.

Anatomy of a Comic Strip Anatomy of a Comic Strip

►Comic strips in the 1920s and 30’s Comic strips in the 1920s and 30’s were much larger. However, printed were much larger. However, printed larger color comics was expensive. As larger color comics was expensive. As a result, from WWII on the size of a result, from WWII on the size of comics decreased, both in actual size comics decreased, both in actual size of the panels and the number of of the panels and the number of panels included. The last full page panels included. The last full page comic strip was printed in 1971. comic strip was printed in 1971.

Challenges of Comic Strip Challenges of Comic Strip Writing Writing