"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated December 13, 1925:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (NOVEMBER 7, 2021):
Momentarily putting aside the strips most obvious and glaring flaws, I thoughts this was an interesting entry that really leveraged the malleability of the series' setting within the dreamscape. - 1/16
This element of something that *looked* like one things actually *Being* another is a pretty great use of the dreamscape and makes the setting an impactful part of the narrative. - 2/16
It's a nice visual sleight of hand that stands out quite well; particularly when we reach the penultimate panel and see the full transformation from the palace exit in panel 1 to Aurora Borealis' bedroom. - 3/16
Again, the personification of a natural force is nothing new to McCay's work, but I wonder if this one works in the same way that his past examples have? - 4/16
What I mean is… why is this Aurora Borealis? I'm not sure that I fully understand. What special quality about this sleeping giant helps us to identify him as the personification of the Northern Lights? - 5/16
Maybe there is none? Maybe there is something I'm missing. Let me know what you think. - 6/16
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room… the narrative of this strip is largely built upon Impie being taken advantage of and used for the purposes and gains of the other characters (namely Flip). - 7/16
Flip, in an effort to have some blameless fun, intends to use two of his friends (Slivvers is also used here, though in such a way as not to be directly in the path of any repercussions) to get away with his mischief. - 8/16
Before cocking and aiming Slivvers' arm (who we know from past entries into #LittleNemo is a damn good shot) to hit Pill and Figures, he tells Impie that he intends to blame him for it and instructors Impie where to stand. - 9/16
Of course, Pill immediately blames Impie and even Nemo and the Princess believe the lie. It's while he is being scolded that Slivvers and Flip pelt AB right in the "snoot," waking him up, that the strip moves away from the snowball conceit. - 10/16
It's frustrating to see Impie being used in this way. We've been seeing incremental improvement in his handling over the past while, but this represented a marked step backwards, in my opinoin. - 11/16
Most interestingly, Impie too seems quite upset about it. In panel 1, Flip asks Impie, "What's the matter with you? You've got your face on backwards." - 12/16
Impie is standing with a frown and forlorn look on his face… does he know what's coming (there's certainly a meta reading here where Impie can see his future at the bottom of the page and is simply not excited to live it…)? - 13/16
Does he simply fear the cold? I'm not sure, but at least they give him some winter clothes to help keep him warm. - 14/16
It's upsetting because this element really tarnishes an otherwise pretty good entry into the revival series (for me anyway). What do you all think? - 15/16
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #494. What’s yours? - 16/16