“Pogo” (March 5, 1955)
by Walter Crawford “Walt” Kelly, Jr (1913-1973)
6 x 17.5 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

He began his animation career in 1936 at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Dumbo. In 1941, at the age of 28, Kelly transferred to work at Dell Comics, where he created Pogo, which eventually became his platform for political and philosophical commentary.

As a chemist, the last panel on this one is worth twice the price of admission. The classic Organic Chemistry textbook by Morrison and Boyd used a Donald Duck panel where Donald is talking chemical gibberish to his nephews. I want to incorporate this panel into a book I am doing, particularly because the chemistry is sensible.