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Day #217: The Thaw That Brought on Christmas

"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated December 05, 1909:


Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (JANUARY 12, 2021):


Now, here's a strip worth waiting for! - 1/13

I have to start with that penultimate panel; how gorgeous is it? - 2/13

We've seen Santa's palace before, in it's immaculate, well-defined and detailed glory, all the way back on December 17, 1905 (strip #10)! Probably a few other times, as well, but this one is most memorable for me: - 3/13

Though I'm no architecture scholar, it certainly does look as though the structures are similar from way back in 1905 to this rendering of it here. I like the continuity of that, myself! - 4/13

It feels like forever since we've seen McCay stretch those Art Nouveau muscles, so it's really nice to see such a gorgeous depiction here. It really makes for a statement; we've been working towards this moment. - 5/13

For that reason, it feels like a conclusion. I'm hopeful that a new series is on the horizon… we're nearing the New Year, and it would be nice to see a fresh direction soon, as well. - 6/13

As with the decision to leave Doctor Pill and the Dancing Missionary, Flip again takes the lead and the other boys follow. You might think that after the ice cold events of the last strip, Flip's leadership might be called into question… - 7/13

…, but though Nemo doesn't agree, he follows along… and while Flip does fail to get them to Slumberland (contrary to his claims), Santa's palace might be the next best thing? - 8/13

So, personally, I consider that a win for Flip… sorry, Nemo. - 9/13

Finally, I really love the style that McCay uses to depict the Northern Lights… It is simplistic, but beautiful; the colours really stand out and I found myself almost mesmerized by the top tier. - 10/13

Sadly, this didn't distract me from the lack of scientific basis with which McCay suggests the Northern Lights would that out the boys… the aurora borealis doesn't give off nearly enough hear for that (see fact 6, "Cold Fire"). - 11/13

I can forgive that though, because this strip is, though simple, both beautiful and narratively important! - 12/13

This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #217. What's yours? - 13/13

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