Thursday, January 5, 2023

The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-18

Collecting the first appearances of Krazy Kat in 1913 before getting his own full-page Sunday strips in 1916, The George Herriman Library: Crazy & Ignatz 1916-1918 is over two years worth of inventive writing and witty comedy. George Herriman was an American cartoonist from the early to mid 20th century, with some of his pre-1913 work also featured, whose best known work was the recurring strip Krazy Kat for William Randolph Hearst's New York Evening Journal. The series centered around a carefree and simple-minded cat named Krazy and a cast of other anthropomorphic animals in a small little town based on Herriman's vacation spot in Coconino County, Arizona. Krazy saw a rambunctious and short-tempered mouse named Ignatz as his best friend despite the mouse not liking him and frequently throwing bricks at his head. The stories in the strips were simple, considering the time period, but the exquisite artwork, detailed characterization, and inventive gags all by Herriman give it a very timeless feel. Some of these stories include Ignatz going crazy from not throwing bricks at Krazy as part of a New Years resolution, Krazy keeping an eye for foreign enemies during World War 1, and Krazy visiting a sick Ignatz. The strips are fun, but considering when they were made, some things haven't aged as well such as one character written in a stereotypical Asian way of the time but is at least respected and isn't criminalized. Another is the abuse that Ignatz often inflicts on Krazy, despite the cat's obliviousness, which could often get old quickly. Despite these faults, I can understand how the collection in The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918 is such an influence to later comic strips due to how fun and engaging they are. Over all: 100%
Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
4. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
5. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
6. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
7. Superman vs. Predator
8. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1
9. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800
10. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
11. DC First: Flash/Superman #1
12. Aliens: Defiance #1
13. Iron Man (2020-) #1
14. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened
16. DC Universe: Legacies #1
17. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image
18. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One
19. Champions (2020-) #1
20. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0
21. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76
22. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1
23. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
24. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
25. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
26. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)
27. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
28. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
29. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

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