Gasoline Alley - September 3, 1945

Dated 9-3-1945, this four-panel daily example has an image area measuring 19.5” x 6” and is titled “Home Folks” (in pencil to the left of the art). A groundbreaking strip in its day, Gasoline Alley was the first strip to present characters that aged naturally as the strip progressed. Skeezix, featured here with his wife Nina, was first seen as a baby abandoned on the doorstep of bachelor Walt Wallet in 1921. Skeezix grew up, married, fought in World War II, and is a grandfather today. The strip's creator, Frank King, kept his hand in the strip until his death in 1969, and was certainly both writer and artist on this example featuring all three of the aforementioned key characters. This daily is titled “Home Folks” in pencil to the left of the art. Skeezix and Nina (looking simply gorgeous) are working around the house when Uncle Walt comes for an unexpected visit. Walt and Skeezix are happy to see each other, but Nina sweeps in and Walt’s hat goes flying as she throws her arms around him. King’s dialogue and feel for everyday conversation and life is simply dead on. Great contrast of black and white and wonderful shading by a true master of the form. Kings’s legendary feel for storytelling was married to a deft mastery of pen and ink. His technique is simply breathtaking, particularly the shading of the backgrounds and Skeezix’s trousers. Simply brilliant. An excellent example of King’s virtuoso writing and art featuring three of the main Gasoline Alley characters, Walt, Skeezix and Nina.