"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated July 14, 1907:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (AUGUST 27, 2020):
Yesterday, @AlexxKay mentioned how the ending of the last strip was suspenseful because though we know *Nemo* can't be harmed, it's entirely possible that we lose Flip for a while (it's happened in the past). - 1/12
It was, of course, a wonderful point! And for readers of the weekly strip, it might have been a really worrying moment! I didn't notice it because I knew that Flip's triumphant return was happening here in this strip. - 2/12
I mention this because it reinforces how our perspective shifts how we read a strip. I actually read this strip immediately following yesterday's so I never considered the impact that seeing Flip stolen into the Jungle would cause another reader, but it's very meaningful! - 3/12
Thankfully, Flip comes racing back to the beach just as the Slumberlandians arrive at the shore to get him. That said, he also brings with him a massive box that he is quite protective of throughout. - 4/12
As Nemo and the Princess dress for their arrival in Slumberland, Flip remains very close to the box; even helping to open it. - 5/12
Panel 5 finally reveals the boxes contents to be… a jungle imp. Troublingly, Flip tells the Princess and Nemo how he was one of the party who tried to kidnap him and that he "belongs to [him]" now. - 6/12
Obviously, we should be challenging Flip's assertion that Impy [the name this new addition to the group will eventually go by] is a possession and can belong to anyone. - 7/12
The idea that he is taken from his native land, assumed as a possession, and brought to another land establishes an uncomfortable association with slavery and creates a troubling undercurrent to the moment. - 8/12
Over the next few strips, we'll talk a lot about Impy; what purpose his character serves the strip, how he's problematic, and how we can grapple with him as 21st Century readers. I'm going to save those conversations for now. - 9/12
Beyond introducing us to a new recurring character, there is also a lot that happens (temporally) in this strip. We go from the shores of Candy Island with the Ship in the distance, to being on the ship and having travelled so far that we see Slumberland in the distance… - 10/12
It's not impossible that this ship travels at unimaginable speeds (as other vehicles in Slumberland). In fact, it would almost have to in order to align with the action on the deck. - 11/12
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #92. What’s yours? - 12/12