John Voytek :: Terry & the Pirates

Terry and the Pirates daily 03/21/1946 -Dragon Lady

Artist: Milton Caniff (All)

7 Comments - 500 Views - 4 Likes

Terry and the Pirates daily 03/21/1946 -Dragon Lady Comic Art

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Panel 3 detail

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Terry and the Pirates daily 06/12/1939 - Dragon Lady

Artwork Details

Title:	Terry and the Pirates daily 03/21/1946 -Dragon Lady
Artist:	Milton Caniff (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Comic Strip
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	500
Likes on CAF:	4 5
Comments:	7
Added to Site:	12/29/2023
Comic Art Archive:

Description

I was bitten by the comic strip collecting bug about two years ago and after visiting the Billy Ireland Museum, have always wanted to add a Caniff Terry & the Pirates daily to my collection. As collectors, some or most of us have come across art that simply speaks to us. Just looking at it once...you know that it's right for your collection and you have to have it. When I thought about getting a Caniff strip, I was sure that I wanted one with the Dragon Lady...and after reading quickly through this one, I knew it was the right one. My mom used to always say when her nose itched, she was going to be mad about something, so that last panel had me really intrigued, besides being one amazing portrait of the Dragon Lady. Culturally, in many places worldwide, "an itchy nose symbolizes an unexpected future visit by someone you know", among a few other strange things. So, with the prior encounters between Terry and the Dragon Lady and the conversation in the first three panels, this was a clever way for Caniff to prelude their upcoming meeting.
The sinister Slits is also featured in panel four, foreshadowing the assault and rape of the Dragon Lady later in the storyline. This daily was purchased from Jeff Singh, one of the kindest, most knowledgeable people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and this hobby is all the better because of collectors like him. I'm glad he decided to let it go, and I'm really glad that I was fortunate enough to come across it, as it was only up for sale for a limited time.
Here's to the Dragon Lady! I really love this one!

Provenance - The John Biernat Collection

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About the Owner

	John Voytek Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	October 2008
Last Login:	September 2025
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Benno Rothschild
Member Since 2003

1 - Posted on 12/29/2023

A fine example! Of course the Dragon Lady is always interesting and that shadow of Slits behind her seals the deal! The down shot in the second panel also adds visual interest to the conversation panels that precede it.

Ron S
Member Since 2007

1 - Posted on 12/29/2023

Great pick up! Wonderful choice and a great time in the strip.

Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 12/30/2023

Very happy this strip found a home with you. It is important to me to make sure that the art I part with finds the right owners, especially when the art came from the collection of my friend John Biernat who recently passed away. His legacy continues with these pieces and what a legacy that is. Thank you for the kind words, it was a pleasure getting to know you and to deal with you.

Mark Yanko
Member Since 2009

1 - Posted on 12/30/2023

I wanted to echo what you wrote about Jeff Singh. Jeff is one of the nicest people I've encountered among fellow collectors over the decades. And certainly among the most knowledgeable.

The strip itself has a great buildup to the punchline and closing panel with all that heavy dialogue coming before it. That's a wow of a shot with the Dragon Lady, and the slimey, sinister Slits (try saying that fast, akin to "seven slippery snakes, were slowly sliding Southward"). =D

Mark Levy
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 12/30/2023

I was curious about the 'itchy nose' looks like these are multiple possibilities - several apply to this strip:

17 itchy nose spiritual meanings and superstitions (complete guide) (ideapod.com)

Strip has awesome provenance as well!

gPrez ***
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 6/24/2024

As a veteran I love these Caniff strips & you scored a nice one! Dragon lady, can't go wrong! Nice!

Thomas Ward
Member Since 2004

1 - Posted on 6/30/2024

Great pick-up! That last panel is worth the full price of admission!

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