Krazy Kat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Krazy Kat |
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Ignatz hurls a brick at Krazy Kat, who misinterprets it as an expression of love
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| Author(s) | George Herriman |
| Launch date | October 28, 1913 |
| End date | June 25, 1944 |
| Syndicate(s) | King Features Syndicate |
| Genre(s) | Gag-a-day, Funny animal, Romance comics, Self-reflexive comics, Experimental comics. |
Krazy Kat (sometimes called Krazy & Ignatz) is a famous American comic strip. It was created by a very talented cartoonist named George Herriman. The comic strip first appeared in 1913 and ran until 1944. It was published in the New York Evening Journal. George Herriman drew Krazy Kat until he passed away in 1944. After he died, the comic strip ended. This was because William Randolph Hearst, who owned the newspapers, didn't want anyone else to draw it.
Contents
How Krazy Kat Began
Before Krazy Kat became its own comic strip, the characters first showed up in another comic by Herriman. This earlier comic was called "The Dingbat Family." The cat and mouse characters would appear at the bottom of "The Dingbat Family" comic. People liked them so much that they eventually got their very own comic strip! The name "Krazy Kat" actually came from the mouse in those early comics.
Where Does the Story Happen?
The Krazy Kat comic strip is set in a place called Coconino County, Arizona. But it's not a normal place! Herriman made it look like a dreamy, imaginative version of Arizona. The landscapes and backgrounds in the comic are very unique. They often change a lot, even within the same picture in the comic strip!
Meet the Main Characters
- Krazy Kat: Krazy is a cat who is very innocent and happy. Krazy speaks in a funny way, mixing up different languages and using silly words. Krazy is also in love with Ignatz Mouse, even though Ignatz doesn't feel the same way.
- Ignatz Mouse: Ignatz is a mouse who can get a bit angry. He likes to throw bricks at Krazy Kat's head! But Krazy doesn't mind. Krazy thinks it's a sign of love!
- Officer Bull Pupp: Officer Pupp is a police dog. He tries to protect Krazy from Ignatz. He puts Ignatz in jail whenever he catches him throwing bricks. Later on, Officer Pupp also falls in love with Krazy.
Other Fun Characters
- Joe Stork: Joe delivers babies to everyone in Coconino County.
- Kolin Kelly: Kolin makes bricks in his brickyard. Ignatz often gets his bricks from Kolin, even though Kolin doesn't trust him.
- Mrs. Kwakk Wakk: Mrs. Kwakk Wakk is a duck who loves to gossip. She often sees Ignatz making his plans and tells Officer Pupp.
- Mimi: Mimi is a French poodle who works as a schoolteacher. Everyone in Coconino County likes her.
- Walter Cephus Austridge: Walter is an ostrich who doesn't stand out too much.
- Bum Bill Bee: Bill is a bee who travels around and has a beard.
- Don Kiyote: Don is a Mexican coyote who is a bit different from everyone else.
- Mock Duck: Mock is a duck who can see the future. He also runs a cleaning business.
- Gooseberry Sprig: Gooseberry is a duck who used to have his own comic strip before Krazy Kat.
- Krazy's Family: Krazy has an Aunt Tabby and Uncle Tom. Krazy also has cousins who are a bird and a fish!
- Ignatz's Family: Ignatz has a wife named Mathilda. They have three sons named Milton, Marshall, and Irving.
What Makes the Comic Look Unique?
Herriman filled the comic with funny-looking plants, animals, and rock formations. The backgrounds would change a lot. This happened even if the characters were standing in the same spot. Some places, like Officer Pupp's jailhouse and Kolin Kelly's brickyard, appeared often. Herriman also used a Southwestern style in his drawings. This included clay roofs and decorations inspired by Native American art. Sometimes, he even added things from the theater, like curtains and backdrops!
How Herriman Used Words
Herriman loved to play with words! He used funny, rhyming language and made up silly words. He also wrote the characters' dialogue in a way that sounded like they were speaking in different accents. It made the comic even more fun and interesting to read!
Was Krazy Kat Popular?
People had different opinions about Krazy Kat when it first came out. Some people didn't understand it because it was so different from other comics. But a very important person named William Randolph Hearst loved the comic strip. He made sure it stayed in his newspapers.
Why Krazy Kat Became Famous
Even though Krazy Kat wasn't super popular with everyone, it had many fans. These fans were often smart and creative people. In 1922, there was even a jazz ballet made about the comic strip! Famous writers and artists like T. S. Eliot, H. L. Mencken, and Paul Nash loved Krazy Kat. One artist said that "no country has produced, in the narrow limits of this medium, a fantastic philosopher such as George Herriman". Even President Woodrow Wilson enjoyed reading the comic strip!
Krazy Kat on Screen
Krazy Kat was also made into cartoons! The first cartoons were made in 1916. Later, in the 1920s, more cartoons were made. These were closer to the original comic strip. In the 1930s, the cartoons changed. Krazy looked more like Mickey Mouse then. In the 1960s, new Krazy Kat cartoons were made for TV. These were more like the original comic strip.
Krazy Kat in Comic Books
In 1951, Krazy Kat also appeared in comic books. The comic books were drawn in a different style than the original comic strip. In these books, Krazy was a boy while Ignatz was a girl.
Images for kids
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Notice the ever-changing backgrounds in this January 21, 1922 page as Krazy tries to understand why Door Mouse is carrying a door.
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Krazy Kat in The Film Daily, May 1926
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Ignatz being marched off by Officer Pupp for trying to throw a brick at Krazy Kat. Behind the newspaper, Krazy is reading and describing aloud the very same cartoon in which they are all appearing.
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Ignatz Mouse resolves not to throw any more bricks at Krazy. Temptation follows him at every turn, and ultimately he finds a loophole to indulge his passion (January 6, 1918).
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Ad from The Film Daily, 1929
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See also
In Spanish: Krazy Kat para niños
