"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated November 18, 1906:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (JULY 24, 2020):
This is a strip that I've been really looking forward to talking about because, as one of the first (if not the actual fist) #LittleNemo strip(s) that I ever read, it's shaped my own presumptions about Nemo as a character. - 1/29
I'd of course *seen* other strips before and could recognize much of what had become visually iconic (the walking beds, carnival mirror episode, circular moon layout, etc.), but this is one of the earliest strips I remember *reading* in it's entirety. -2/29
One of the things that stood out to me as I began reading chronologically for this project was how frequently terrified Nemo is at the beginning. I (thought I) knew him as a bit more brave, confident, and "heroic". - 3/29
It took me some time to find my bearings and recognize that much of my perception of Nemo comes from the later strips. So, I'm really glad that we're finally here to discuss this particular one. - 4/29
Fed up with Flip's continued disruption, King Morpheus has finally decided to do away with the nuisance… by firing squad. Nemo, who is immediately concerned by the roughness with which Flip is handled, narrowly saves him certain death. - 5/29
The first panel has a tremendous dynamic energy to it… On either side of Nemo are forces that pull him in both directions… - 6/29
To the left is the tail of Morpheus' royal mantle making its way to the Banquet Hall and the Princess who pleads with Nemo to come with her there, as well. - 7/29
On the right, we have the farthest right guard aggressively yanking on Flip as if to drag him off-panel to the right and another guard, in a wide stance, assisting with a shove. - 8/29
In the middle (though off centred in the panel) is Nemo, metaphorically being pulled in two different directions! Left, because he wants to enjoy the Carnival (as evidenced by the previous strips) and right, because he doesn't "like the way they handle [Flip]". - 9/29
As we move to the second tier the background becomes vital to the progression. While Nemo and the Princess argue in the foreground of the panel, we see an army of riflemen (panel 2) and a cavalry of horses and cannons (panel 3) moving towards the right-side of the strip… - 10/29
The same side that Flip had (through closure) been dragged off in only moments ago… - 11/29
The reader should by now, be clued into what is happening. Even if, somehow, they hadn't yet taken in the entire page through iconic solidarity, there is enough visual evidence for one to make an inference about what is going on. - 12/29
We should also realize that, by now, the Princess is in on it; her words implicate her in the execution: "Let him go, Nemo! He's only a disturber!" - 13/29
I get that Flip is difficult, but is he THIS difficult? What has he done to warrant an execution… besides break into the royal palace and crash the parade of Nations? - 14/29
Literally, four strips ago (Oct. 21, 1906) Morpheus was afraid to kick him out less Dawn take retribution… but now he's willing to execute him?! That's quite the about face…- 15/29
Panel 4 and 5 are brilliantly designed so as to reuse the "perspective" technique from a few strips ago (particularly #48 and #49), which enhances the moment and shows off the massive horde of executioners that have been assembled to deal with Flip. - 16/29
It's overkill, but, if Morpheus is going to do this, I guess he's thinking that he may as well go all out… When Flip says, "I can see my finish" it's hard for the reader not to agree… until our eye scans across the panel and we see our hero running in to save the day! - 17/29
Though, that said, it isn't really Nemo who saves the day, is it? We only see the firing squad leader yell, "Hold! Don't shoot!" because the Princess has run onto the scene chasing after Nemo… - 18/29
We don't actually know whether or not the firing squad would have held if only Nemo had been between Flip and their bullets… and, in this way, the heroism is somewhat stolen from Nemo and given to the Princess (which I definitely didn't notice in the past)… - 19/29
Then again, Flip recognizes Nemo. His "You're all right, kid!" seems like the moment where maybe Flip is willing to let go of some of the upset that he's harboured against Nemo for so many strips. - 20/29
The rest of Flip's comment in panel 5 is also interesting… "I will go. I'll leave you alone. Gwan. In and eat!" almost reads as though he's telling Nemo to LET him be executed because it means Nemo will be free of him… what gives? - 21/29
I think this is a heroic moment for Flip, too. He has accepted that this is his punishment for his behaviour and doesn't see a reason that Nemo should be taken down with him. Telling him to "Gwan" (go on) is his way of trying to save Nemo's life. - 22/29
In a way then, all three of our main characters can be said to act heroically in this strip (though we can't forget the Princess' original complicity…), which I like. - 23/29
Finally, I want to discuss the wake-up panel of this strip, momentarily. - 24/29
Only yesterday, @AlexxKay and I were discussing how Nemo is most frequently woken up; external stimuli versus internal stimuli? - 25/29
While I think there's a lot of final gags that rely on external stimuli interrupting his visit to Slumberland (pan and water gag), I also think there are a number that involve dream stimuli waking him up. - 26/29
Here is one of those moments. Nemo's fear of the firing squad wakes him up; his mother all but confirms it when she comforts him saying, "…no one is going to shoot". - 27/29
What I really love about this is it emphasizes Nemo's bravery. He acted to save flip *in spite* of the fact that he was afraid. Challenging your fears is the sign of a real hero, and this is the Nemo that I love best. - 28/29
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #58. What's yours? - 29/29