Skeezix (1923)

On Feb. 14, 1921 the orphan who came to be known as Skeezix landed on Walt Wallet’s doorstep, forever changing the trajectory of the Gasoline Alley comic strip and making it a singular American work of art. Until then, Walt had been the main character in a small tribe of neighborhood fellas who loved to tinker with cars (hence “Gasoline Alley”) and trade quips and jibes. Male bonding, circa 1919. With the introduction of Skeezix, however, the strip became a uniquely introspective saga of everyday human connections. Unlike anything else on a comics page. Gasoline Alley explored the progression of generations, community dynamics and values, the emotional cadence of everyday human interaction. .
Gasoline Alley is best known for being the only major American strip that let its characters age and even pass away. By the 1930s, Skeezix would hit early adolescence, and the strip became one of the first works of pop culture to focus on this modern phenomenon of the “teenager.” ... Lyrics and music by Haven Gillespie, Egbert Van Alstyne, and Louise Field. Copyrighted by the artist Frank King (1883- 1969) of the Chicago Tribune. Published by Jerome H. Remick and Co., Detroit.