Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay
Lets get talking about Nemo!
Not that Nemo!
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Little Nemo in Slumberland
is not only a wonderful comic to read but also an entire fantastic,
artful experience within itself. From the moment I first saw Little Nemo
in class, I was enraptured with the playful colors and drawn into the
whimsical story lines of each comic strip. Left is the comic strip that
really caught my attention.
Winsor McCay's inventive panel layouts lend itself to the whimsical nature of the comic and also to the action-to-action panel transitions, as per Scott McCloud's discussion in Understanding Comics.
The
elongated, narrow panels in the comic to the left make the viewer feel not
only miniscule but the elephant larger than life and the setting grand.
Keep in mind that Little Nemo was originally published at a size of 16x21 inches in the newspaper...
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| LOVE THIS! <3 |
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| Jim Steranko |
Each panel represents a different point in time, but together, ingeniously creates one overall view of the entire scene. McCay's smart use of panel layout,
and mastery of color and perspective are just some of the reasons he is
one of the most influential artists in the history of comics. McCay's influence is evident in the work of artists such as Jim Steranko in the late 1960's.
But what is Little Nemo in Slumberland all about?
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| Nemo is often shown wearing a long nighty and with disheveled hair. |
The first Little Nemo strip appeared in the New York Herald in 1905.
The comic revolved around the daily dreams of the comic strip's 7-year old main character, Nemo, as he attempts to reach Slumberland in order to save the princess, each night. His dreams are always fantastic, and often times dangerous. He is seen falling from cliffs, dangling from gigantic mushrooms and avoiding certain death by way of giant fish. Each comic strip ends with Nemo back in his bed at home, crying out loud in his sleep and eventually being comforted or scolded by either his parents or grandparents. They all have quite funny responses to Nemo's cries, such as, "The next time your mother lets you eat raw onions and ice cream at bed time, I'll, well..."
The comic revolved around the daily dreams of the comic strip's 7-year old main character, Nemo, as he attempts to reach Slumberland in order to save the princess, each night. His dreams are always fantastic, and often times dangerous. He is seen falling from cliffs, dangling from gigantic mushrooms and avoiding certain death by way of giant fish. Each comic strip ends with Nemo back in his bed at home, crying out loud in his sleep and eventually being comforted or scolded by either his parents or grandparents. They all have quite funny responses to Nemo's cries, such as, "The next time your mother lets you eat raw onions and ice cream at bed time, I'll, well..."
Some other recurring characters are Flip (left), a character that woke up Nemo when he finally did reach Slumberland later on in the strip...
King Morpheus (right), who wanted Nemo as a companion for his daughter, Princess Camille...
The Imp (left)...
and the Princess (right)...
Nemo didn't rescue the princess until 1906, where they both went on a series of adventures in Slumberland together and met characters such as Santa Clause and Morpheus.
There is a distinct visual difference between the "real world" and "Slumberland." Each strip begins with Nemo in his bed as elements of Slumberland are slowly introduced until Nemo is engulfed entirely into this fantastic kingdom of King Morpheus. The energy of Slumberland is displayed through the vibrant and playful colors, the intense movement between each panel (by way of panel layout and also the common topsy-turvy movements of Nemo and his surroundings, and also the detail of the shifting settings.
Nemo didn't rescue the princess until 1906, where they both went on a series of adventures in Slumberland together and met characters such as Santa Clause and Morpheus.
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| yayyyy the princess & Nemo! |
There is a distinct visual difference between the "real world" and "Slumberland." Each strip begins with Nemo in his bed as elements of Slumberland are slowly introduced until Nemo is engulfed entirely into this fantastic kingdom of King Morpheus. The energy of Slumberland is displayed through the vibrant and playful colors, the intense movement between each panel (by way of panel layout and also the common topsy-turvy movements of Nemo and his surroundings, and also the detail of the shifting settings.
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| example of dynamic movement between each panel |
Who is Winsor McCay?
Zenas Winsor McCay was born in 1869 in Spring Lake, Michigan.
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| There he is! |
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| McCay |
McCay is the original creator of Little Nemo!
He not only worked on Little Nemo, but several other successful comics such as...
Dream of the Rarebit Fiend
which he worked on under the pen name Silas. This strip launched on September 10, 1904. Just like Little Nemo, this strip centered around a character (there were no recurring characters) who would have a bizarre nightmare and always awoke by the end of the strip.
McCay is also known for Little Sammy Sneeze. This strip launched on July 24, 1904 and centered around Little Sammy who would always sneeze himself into a disastrous situation.
McCay was not only a cartoonist but also an animator! Between 1911 and 1921 he produced ten animated films. What a talented guy!!!
Among these animated films was Gertie the Dinosaur, which he used as an interactive part of his vaudeville act. was a 1914 animated short film and was the earliest animated film to feature a dinosaur. Its obvious that McCay was ahead of the game and thinking out of the box in not only his comic strips, but in all of his other realms of work. This film in particular was the first to use certain animation techniques and influenced the next generation of animators, including the Fleischer brothers and even Walt Disney!
If you haven't seen Gertie the Dinosaur, you can view it here! It is quite entertaining and draws laughs from viewers of all ages today-a film that is almost 100 years old! McCay sure knew what he was doing.
McCay was married to Maude Leonore in 1891, whom he had two children with. McCay died on July 26, 1934 in Brooklyn. McCay's work is far from forgotten though! Before I even knew what Little Nemo was, I remember Google celebrating its 107th Anniversary by way of an interactive "Google Doodle" on the homepage. This stands out in my mind now because it was so beautifully presented and recalled one of McCay's most notable strips of Little Nemo--where his bed grows legs and walks along the city. You can experience this beautiful doodle here!!! :) And the doodle ends just as every Nemo strip does–with Nemo falling back into his bed.
Little Nemo in Slumberland hard cover copies are also available on amazon.com and other noted sellers at the original 16 x 21 newspaper size. The first edition of Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid Sundays! sold out in the first three months and is now out of print...but the second printing is out now!
McCay's unique use of words & pictures
Early on, McCay used captions and numbers underneath each panel in Little Nemo to help narrate the story.
He used these captions alongside his regular usage of word balloons. McCay rarely had panels without any word balloons at all. I think these word balloons work, but at the same time don't work for me...alongside the captions underneath each panel, it becomes a lot to read. However, the strip flows perfectly smooth and the reader gets the same information whether they read the strip with or without the captions. All this text also slows down the reader so they can appreciate each moment throughout the strip.
The scenery in Little Nemo is highly detailed and his pen work is intricate and beautiful. His usage of flat color alongside this pen work is reminiscent of Art Nouveau artists, such as Lautrec and his famous posters promoting the Moulin Rouge.
McCay also used imaginative architectural forms throughout Little Nemo, literally transporting the reader to Slumberland.
As I had previously mentioned, McCay was also noted for his inventive use of panels. Instead of just using a symmetrical grid-like format, he smartly combined different shapes and rectangular proportions to create an overall piece of artwork.
I feel as if each comic strip could be expanded into an entire story book within itself because slumberland each time is so fantastically explored. The costumes and characters are given a personality within the first panel of their introduction, and there is always a climax and the ultimate resolution of Nemo returning safely to his bed back in the real world.
Little Nemo lives on forever!
Stories of visits to an exotic world and eventual return to the real world has been an ever-popular theme in comic strips, story books and movies–evident in media such as the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan...
Little Nemo in Slumberland is one of the earliest and most notable among this genre.
Little Nemo has been adapted and marketed across all different types of media over the years!
In 1941, Little Nemo children's storybook was published
In 1987, a reprint of Little Nemo issues were produced with 3D glasses
The characters and themes from the comic strip were also used in the music industry...
used in the song "Scenes from a Night's Dream" by Phil Collins and Anthony Banks.
He not only worked on Little Nemo, but several other successful comics such as...
Dream of the Rarebit Fiend
which he worked on under the pen name Silas. This strip launched on September 10, 1904. Just like Little Nemo, this strip centered around a character (there were no recurring characters) who would have a bizarre nightmare and always awoke by the end of the strip.
McCay is also known for Little Sammy Sneeze. This strip launched on July 24, 1904 and centered around Little Sammy who would always sneeze himself into a disastrous situation.
McCay was not only a cartoonist but also an animator! Between 1911 and 1921 he produced ten animated films. What a talented guy!!!
If you haven't seen Gertie the Dinosaur, you can view it here! It is quite entertaining and draws laughs from viewers of all ages today-a film that is almost 100 years old! McCay sure knew what he was doing.
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| 107th Anniversary of Little Nemo--Google Doodle |
Little Nemo in Slumberland hard cover copies are also available on amazon.com and other noted sellers at the original 16 x 21 newspaper size. The first edition of Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid Sundays! sold out in the first three months and is now out of print...but the second printing is out now!
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| Screenshot of a section of the animated doodle |
McCay's unique use of words & pictures
Early on, McCay used captions and numbers underneath each panel in Little Nemo to help narrate the story.
He used these captions alongside his regular usage of word balloons. McCay rarely had panels without any word balloons at all. I think these word balloons work, but at the same time don't work for me...alongside the captions underneath each panel, it becomes a lot to read. However, the strip flows perfectly smooth and the reader gets the same information whether they read the strip with or without the captions. All this text also slows down the reader so they can appreciate each moment throughout the strip.
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| The panels with the trapeze artist and Nemo COULD function without word balloons, but the usage of them helps express Nemo's character and personality and also adds humor to the strip. |
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| Lautrec poster |
McCay also used imaginative architectural forms throughout Little Nemo, literally transporting the reader to Slumberland.
As I had previously mentioned, McCay was also noted for his inventive use of panels. Instead of just using a symmetrical grid-like format, he smartly combined different shapes and rectangular proportions to create an overall piece of artwork.
 | |
| How many cartoonists used a layout like this ?! |
I feel as if each comic strip could be expanded into an entire story book within itself because slumberland each time is so fantastically explored. The costumes and characters are given a personality within the first panel of their introduction, and there is always a climax and the ultimate resolution of Nemo returning safely to his bed back in the real world.
Little Nemo lives on forever!
Stories of visits to an exotic world and eventual return to the real world has been an ever-popular theme in comic strips, story books and movies–evident in media such as the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan...
Little Nemo in Slumberland is one of the earliest and most notable among this genre.
Little Nemo has been adapted and marketed across all different types of media over the years!
 |
| In 1990 Capcom produced a video game called Little Nemo: The Dream Master. |
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In 1941, Little Nemo children's storybook was published
In 1987, a reprint of Little Nemo issues were produced with 3D glasses
The characters and themes from the comic strip were also used in the music industry...
used in the song "Scenes from a Night's Dream" by Phil Collins and Anthony Banks.
Great layout and I love the humor you added to your blog! You went into great detail about the history of the comic which was very insightful. This comic is beautiful and I love the panels that Windsor McCay created!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE TOP with Finding Nemo !
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