Saturday, July 20, 2024

Today in the history of the American comic strip: July 20


American cartoonists and writers may not have invented the comic strip, but some argue that the comics, as we know them today, are an American creation. Clearly, the United States has played an outsize role in the development of this underappreciated art form.

7.20.1946: Flyin' Jenny, an aviation adventure strip by Russell Keaton, is grounded after seven years.

7.20.1963: Walt Kelly's Pogo (1948-1975) wraps up a week-long tribute to George Herriman's legendary Krazy Kat (1913-1944). 

7.20.1971: The introverted and insightful Marcie appears for the first time in Charles Schulz's Peanuts.

7.20.1975: Pogo ends its run after more than 26 years. A subsequent attempt to revive Walt Kelly's strip failed.


Most of the information listed here from one day to the next comes from two online sites -- Wikipedia, and Don Markstein's Toonopedia -- as well as 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics, edited by Maurice Horn. Note that my focus is on American newspaper comic strips (and the occasional foreign strip that gained popularity in the United States). Thus, comic books and exclusively online comics are not included here.

No comments:

Post a Comment