King - Gasoline Alley - March 25 1939

This particular daily comic strip was published on March 25, 1939 and features four panels. The artwork area is approximately 20” by 6”. The strip is signed “King” in the final panel and is dated “3-25” in the first panel. The strip is © 1939 by The Chicago Tribune-N.Y. News Syndicate, Inc., as per the copyright notices in the fourth panel.

Great contrast of black and white and wonderful details 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. Strategically placed blocks of black ink and shading frame the action and story. Just brilliant. A superb pre-WWII example of King’s virtuoso writing and art, featuring Jessica and Gootch.

This daily is titled “All's well” in pencil to the left of the art. The day before, Jessica, Gootch's girlfriend (who always seems to get herself in trouble) parked Skeezix's and Gootch's car on the wrong side of the street and next to a fire hydrant. Of course she got a parking ticket and of course she was offended at being issued a ticket. On this day, she's supposed to appear in court, but instead tears up the ticket and goes her merry way. Gootch and Skeezix are in for trouble, but Jessica says nothing to Gootch. Great late 1930's strip featuring Jessica and Gootch. King's dialogue and feel for everyday conversation and life is simply dead on. His love of these wonderfully human characters pours through in every panel. Don't you love how self-assured Jessica looks as she tears up the ticket. Great backgrounds.