Mark Kausler’s CatBlog

Felix and Danny

Howdy Readers, As our introduction to this post, we present “Felix On His Stick Horse”, drawn by my most beloved cartoonist, Cathy Hill. I love the chunky feeling of the wooden horse and Felix’s joyful attitude at being on board for a ride! In our post, here’s Felix in more from his finest year in comics, 1932, specifically 19321106 to 19321119. A lot of pathos this time out, with Felix leaving his new friend Danny Dooit, because Danny’s mother doesn’t understand their friendship. Felix and Danny keep missing each other, until Felix stays up all night to protect Danny, calling himself “a no-count cat” in the 11-18. Felix makes another sacrifice in the 11-19 as he takes Danny home to his Mother and saves the boy from a freezing snow storm. I love the poignancy in the last panel of the 11-19 as Felix  exits Danny’s window saying, “Well, that’s that.” I am fond of the last panel in the 11-10, demonstrating that Otto Messmer could draw 9 different black cats, all funny and not like Felix (along with funny people to boot). The last panel of the 11-11 is also nicely designed, with 9 forest animals surrounding the dozing Felix, “…sleeping here in the woods—and all ALONE.” Otto must have favored the number nine, since both panels contain 9 different animals. The Sunday pages, 11-6 and 11-13, both feature a moose, which Felix saves from cold weather and hunters. Happy New Year everyone. Mark and Itza