"Little Nemo in Slumberland" dated July 18, 1926:
Transcript of Tweets by @LittleNemo1905 (DECEMBER 13, 2021):
So… I think I've got whiplash. Can someone please explain to me what is going on? - 1/15
The strip begins with the surprising revelation that PERCIVAL Pill and FELIX Figures have barred Flip, Impie, and Slivvers from the palace! - 2/15
Side Note: Is this the first time that we've gotten the first names of Pill and Figures? I love it! The alliterations are wonderful. Good job, Winsor. - 3/15
Where did this come from? What was the impetus for it? We never get an answer… - 4/15
The second act of the strip sees Flip and the boys following Figures and Pill out on a date with two ladies who are implied to have been long-time friends of theirs. Possibly from their school days? - 5/15
This is interesting because we learn some fascinating things about them… - 6/15
First, it seems as though Pill and Figures aren't from Slumberland. In panel 3, Figures' date mentions how the path reminds her of Lover's Lane "back in the old home town." I wonder where they’re from? - 7/15
Also, Pill's consort tells us that Pill was a pretty precocious kid… Panel 5 reveals that he too had a knack for trickery and mischief. Maybe he is more similar to Flip then we previously realized? - 8/15
While the pair are with their dates, Flip and the gang take their photos… apparently, this is compromising? Because almost immediately they are not only permitted back into the palace, but they are given a reception! - 9/15
I truly find this interesting… why would these photos be compromising? Aren't older fellows allowed to date? Even if it *isn't* a date, aren't older fellows allowed to see old friends? - 10/15
I'm not sure why this causes the result that it does… Does anyone have any thoughts here? - 11/15
I'll end by mentioning that panel 9 is a problematic panel… Impie is completely without definition; he literally blends into the background… - 12/15
This visual racism really reflects the way that McCay has treated Impie over the years… Rarely has Impie been treated as a distinctive character; he is almost always there for abuse, mistreatment, or not acknowledged at all. - 13/15
This panel is pretty representative of the problematic treatment of Impie and resonated heavily with me… - 14/15
This is my reading of "Little Nemo in Slumberland" #524. What’s yours? - 15/15