"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated December 30, 1906:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (JULY 30, 2020):
Though a fairly sparse strip, this is one that just does so many really fantastic things! It is not just an effective #HolidayStrip, but (like the recent Christmas one) also plays with really interesting concepts! - 1/25
First, I love the moment-to-moment transitions that bring the rise of the sun/coming of the new year. The sparse backgrounds beautifully emphasize the dawn and the vast emptiness of the place where they are. - 2/25
The Princess tells Nemo that they are at the "end of the world", and McCay does a brilliant job at making the reader believe her. - 3/25
Panel 2 introduces us to the year, 1906, personified (a gag, as seen below, that McCay used last NYE, albeit not in as dramatic a fashion). He is old and sad at the thought of having to leave/being left behind. - 4/25 [INSERT IMAGE]
Though the Princess tries to comfort the old man, he cries massive tears that land forcefully at his feet as he begins to shuffle off beyond the panel's frame. - 5/25
Nemo's inquisitive questions about why 1906 is sad and why he can't stay show us that he is becoming less fearful of Slumberland's surreality… more and more his curiosity is driving him. - 6/25
In this case, I really like that it continues to show of the Nemo that is considerate and kind to the individuals that he encounters. I think Nemo knows fully well what is going on, he just wishes that it didn't have to be that way. - 7/25
The last time we see old 1906 (in panel 6), he is far off in the distance taking one last look at Nemo, the Princess, and the new year that has taken his place. - 8/25
I thought this was a really effective reversal of the traditional "look back" at a year that many of us are asked to do each new years eve. This example sees the year itself looking back at what he will never again have (because he is now in the past). - 9/25
But, Nemo and the Princess don't look back; they're transfixed on what's ahead (i.e. bringing the baby 1907 to see Morpheus). - 10/25
I got a kick out of Nemo's declaration in panel 3 about recognizing the incoming Father Time… his last encounter with the mythical figure was a… mixed bag, to say the least (#12 - Dec. 31, 1905). - 11/25
I also find it interesting that Father time comes bursting forth form the dawn riding on a chariot. Previously, Father time was winged and could fly himself… - 12/25
Since the turn of 1905 to 1906… what has happened? This Father Time is wingless, what has taken them away from him? Maybe, as a mythical figure, he can choose whether to present them or not? - 13/25
Again, there are likely no answers to be found here, but I'm ok with unanswered questions! Let our imaginations roll! - 14/25
The penultimate panel is also quite fun. Flip and Rose have found Nemo and the Princess again after being lost during the "Suplex Santa" incident (thanks to @Totter87 for the name!). - 15/25
Immediately, Nemo and the Princess both want to protect the new year; we can't let the first feeling it has be one of fear can we? What sort of year would that bring us? - 16/25
But, Flip only wants to offer the baby new year kind words and salutations! In general Flip fashion, however, he doesn't do it in the best way possible, rushing in and causing a bit of a disturbance. - 17/25
The gestural depiction of the little baby emphasizes this as he looks as though he wishes to climb over the Princess' head to get away from Flip's fast approach. - 18/25
Meanwhile, Granny Hag-Rose just stands there in and does nothing. - 19/25
Also, of particular interest to me, is the group of background Slumberlandians carrying bowls of "best wishes". They're fascinating because they are monochromatic and incredibly flat. - 20/25
They look almost as though they were added in as an afterthought before printing… my thoughts immediately jumped to the last big crowd I remembered (#31 - May 13, 1906) and what a difference. - 21/25 [INSERT IMAGE]
I recognize that the intention is to highlight the action in the foreground while muting the background, but I'm not sure that it totally works as McCay intended (though it does work on an affective level). - 22/25
That isn't to say the drawing is poor or anything silly like that, it's just that… it pulled me out of the brilliantly crafted moment that had been previously established by the "end of the world" moments and reminded me that I was reading a comic strip. - 23/25
That said, I didn't entirely *hate* that feeling, because it mimics how Nemo is woken up, as well. It was really affective for me because I felt the same way that Nemo felt; pulled out of the comics' storyworld as Nemo was dragged from the dreamscape by his father. - 24/25
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #64. What's yours? - 25/25