From Library Journal
This 1986 volume collects a large portion of Herriman's Krazy Kat comic strips, which appeared in newspapers nationwide for 31 years (until he died) as well as a smattering of his other artwork (158 illustrations, 48 in color). Though the strips were initially created for humor, critics now see a heavier surrealistic quality to Herriman's style. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM OUR EDITORS

This comprehensive monograph of the gifted and great cartoon artist George Herriman combines a major biography with a detailed account of Herriman's cartoon masterpiece, Krazy Kat, as well as many of his other comic creations. Originally created "to fill up waste space" beneath another cartoon, Krazy Kat became a comic strip in its own right in 1913, making its debut in William Randolph Hearst's New York Evening Journal. The strip ran until Herriman's death in 1944. The premise was a role-reversal of the cat-and-mouse game -- Ignatz mouse the tireless tormentor of Kat, striking a blow for emancipation of rodents "from the rule of despotic cats." Before long, the clobbered Kat and Ignatz created a world of slapstick antics, much of it against a background of surreal beauty (attributed to Herriman's love of the stark landscapes of the Southwest). The authors have collected more than 150 comic strips, 48 of which are in color. Includes never-before-published drawings, archival photographs, and personal letters. A brilliant essay by Gilbert Seldes, a contemporary of Herriman, is entitled "The Krazy Kat That Walks by Himself": "Krazy Kat, the daily comic strip of George Herriman is, to me, the most amusing and fantastic and satisfactory work of art produced in America today." Contains a chronology and bibliography. "Out of a ludicrous triangle -- a dogged dog named Offissa B. Pupp loves the cat named Krazy, who, in turn, loves Ignatz, a most unromantic and cynical mouse -- Mr. Herriman succeeded in creating an oddly touching love story, as well as an enduring parable about innocence and knowledge, hope and redemption." -- Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times. 9" x 11 3/4".

ANNOTATION

158 illustrations, 48 in full cover, 224 pages, 8-1/2 x 11-1/2".

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The illustrations in this book have been gathered from several different sources. A brief explanation should help the reader to better understand and enjoy them. In comic-strip terminology there are 'Sunday pages' and 'dailies.' The Krazy Kat Sunday pages in black and white, consisting of pen and ink drawings, each measuring approximately 20 by 17 inches, have almost all been reproduced from the original artwork. Relatively large, Herriman's drawings are skillfully rendered with a strength and clarity which give them an energetic presence.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal