Mr. Jack: In the colorful world of comic strips, a character paved the path for countless others who followed in his unique way. “Mr. Jack,” a philandering playboy tiger, burst onto the scene in 1903 and quickly became an iconic character in the world of comics. Created by Jimmy Swinnerton, this charismatic feline marked a turning point in the evolution of comic strip characters. This article delves into the history and impact of Mr. Jack, exploring how he emerged as one of the first fully realized funny animal characters, setting a precedent for the future of the comic medium.

Mr. Jack
Author(s)	Jimmy Swinnerton
Current status/schedule	Concluded weekly strip (daily 1912–c. 1919)
Launch date	c. August 30, 1903
End date	1935
Alternate name(s)	The Escapades of Mr. Jack
Syndicate(s)	King Features Syndicate (c. 1914–1935)
Genre(s)	Humor

The Birth of Mr. Jack

Jimmy Swinnerton, the creator of Mr. Jack, embarked on his career as a young illustrator for the San Francisco Examiner, a newspaper owned by the influential William Randolph Hearst. It was in 1893 that Swinnerton’s artistic talents were first showcased, as he drew adorable bear cub illustrations for the paper. These illustrations accompanied the newspaper’s coverage of the San Francisco Mid-Winter Exposition of 1894, captivating readers with their charm.

After the exposition, Swinnerton continued to feature his beloved bear characters in the newspaper, this time in association with the weather forecast. These bear cartoons grew in popularity, leading Swinnerton to create a regular feature called “The Little Bears,” which commenced on June 2, 1895. Significantly, this marked the birth of one of the earliest American comic strips with recurring characters, setting a precedent for the genre.

A Shifting Focus

Swinnerton’s creative genius did not go unnoticed within the Hearst newspaper chain. In 1898, at Hearst’s request, Swinnerton relocated to New York City to work on cartoons for the New York Journal. Here, he transitioned his characters from bears to tigers, the emblem of Tammany Hall, a significant political organization of the time. This marked the inception of “The Little Tigers,” a comic strip that debuted on February 20, 1898.

Initially, “The Little Tigers” featured fairly generic characters. However, distinctive personalities emerged, the most notable being the womanizing playboy tiger, Mr. Jack. This charismatic character first graced the comic strip pages on May 17, 1903. Shortly after that, the strip’s title officially changed to “Mr. Jack” on August 30, 1903, and this name remained consistent from the October 4, 1903 strip onward.

A Groundbreaking Character

What set Mr. Jack apart from previous animal characters in the world of art and fiction was his unique portrayal. While earlier animal characters often possessed human-like qualities, such as clothing and speech, Swinnerton took it further with Mr. Jack. He bestowed upon Mr. Jack an essentially human body beneath his tiger head, complete with hands rather than paws and an upright stance. This innovative approach to character design set Mr. Jack apart as perhaps the “first fully-realized funny animal” character. This groundbreaking development laid the foundation for a well-established character type that would later flourish in comics and other media.

Controversy and Evolution

Despite Mr. Jack’s popularity, his rakish behavior led to protests, with concerns that he set a bad example for children. As a result, the comic strip was relocated to the newspaper’s sports section after 1904, as it was deemed more suitable for an adult and predominantly male audience. Furthermore, Mr. Jack’s appearances in the strip became less frequent as Swinnerton shifted his focus to his new creation, “Little Jimmy,” which gained more widespread popularity.

After a brief hiatus, Mr. Jack returned to the Sunday pages in January 1905, only occasionally appearing until January 21, 1906. The character was revived as a weekday strip on October 3, 1907, with sporadic runs during specific periods, particularly in 1912 and 1915. There was a temporary alteration to the strip’s title from March to September 1916, when it was referred to as “The Escapades of Mr. Jack.” According to some sources, It reverted to the original “Mr. Jack” title, and the strip continued until at least 1919.

Despite this endpoint, there is some debate among historians about the exact timeline of Mr. Jack’s adventures, as specific strips depicted him surreptitiously drinking alcohol behind the backs of police officers. These strips appear to be associated with the Prohibition era of the 1920s, suggesting that Mr. Jack’s legacy may have extended beyond the documented years.

The Final Days

On January 24, 1926, a new chapter began for Mr. Jack as his strip transformed into a topper above the “Little Jimmy” Sunday page. This change also brought about a notable shift in the character’s portrayal, with a more toned-down approach. Nevertheless, this incarnation of Mr. Jack continued until 1935, when it was discontinued, making way for a new comic strip, “Li’l Ole Orvie.”

Despite the conclusion of his comic strip, Swinnerton continued to draw “Little Jimmy” until 1958, cementing his place in the world of comics. Tragically, Jimmy Swinnerton passed away in 1974, but the legacy of Mr. Jack and the contributions of his creator lived on.

Characters and Stories

At the heart of Mr. Jack’s comic strip was the charismatic titular character, a married yet philandering tiger with a penchant for flirting with any lady who crossed his path. This playful and often shameless behavior earned him the ire of his long-suffering spouse, affectionately called “Wifey.” In many episodes, “Wifey” was left with the unenviable task of seeking forgiveness for her husband’s misbehavior, only to ultimately take matters into her paws, so to speak, and deliver a well-deserved punishment. Despite the humorous consequences of Mr. Jack’s actions, he often concluded that his adventures were well worth the trouble.

In the universe of Mr. Jack, this charismatic tiger was often seen as the life of the party, charming to women and admired by men. While his antics sometimes led to trouble, his enduring popularity among less conservative characters in his world showcased the lasting appeal of his character.

Legacy

Although Mr. Jack never attained the same level of popularity as “Little Jimmy,” his influence on the comic strip genre is undeniable. One clear derivative of Mr. Jack’s character was “Mr. George,” created by Harold Knerr, who also took the helm of “The Katzenjammer Kids.” This spin-off character, “Mr. George,” further underscores the enduring impact of Mr. Jack in the world of comic strips.

Conclusion

Mr. Jack, the charismatic playboy tiger created by Jimmy Swinnerton, marked a significant milestone in the history of comic strips. He emerged as one of the first fully realized funny animal characters, setting a precedent for future developments in the medium. Despite his ups and downs and occasional controversies, Mr. Jack’s enduring popularity and influence are a testament to the lasting power of a well-crafted character in comics. His legacy lives on not only in the annals of comic strip history but also in the hearts of those who continue to appreciate the art of storytelling through illustration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Mr. Jack Comic Strip

1. What is “Mr. Jack”?

Mr. Jack is an American comic strip created by Jimmy Swinnerton that ran in William Randolph Hearst newspapers from August 30, 1903, until 1935. It features the adventures of a philandering playboy tiger named Mr. Jack.

2. Who is Jimmy Swinnerton?

Jimmy Swinnerton was the cartoonist and creator of the “Mr. Jack” comic strip. He began his career as an illustrator for the San Francisco Examiner in 1892 and later moved to New York City to work for the New York Journal, where he transitioned from drawing bears to tigers in his comic strips.

3. How did “Mr. Jack” originate?

Mr. Jack initially emerged as a character in Swinnerton’s Hearst feature, “The Little Tigers,” which started on February 20, 1898. Mr. Jack first appeared on May 17, 1903, and subsequently took over the strip, renamed “Mr. Jack.”

4. What makes Mr. Jack unique among comic characters?

Mr. Jack is one of comics’ earliest fully realized “funny animal” characters. Unlike earlier animal characters who exhibited some human-like features, Mr. Jack had an essentially human body below his tiger head, complete with hands and an upright stance.

5. How did the public react to Mr. Jack’s character?

Mr. Jack’s character, with his flirtatious and philandering nature, led to protests that he set a bad example for children. Consequently, the strip was moved to the newspaper’s sports section, seen as more suitable for an adult audience.

6. When did “Mr. Jack” go on hiatus, and when did it return?

“Mr. Jack” went on hiatus in 1905 but was revived as a weekday strip on October 3, 1907. It appeared sporadically during specific periods, with title variations, until at least 1919.

7. What was the final fate of the “Mr. Jack” comic strip?

The “Mr. Jack” strip was discontinued in 1935 and replaced by another comic titled “Li’l Ole Orvie.” Swinnerton continued to draw another famous comic strip, “Little Jimmy,” until 1958.

8. Who are the main characters in “Mr. Jack”?

The central character is Mr. Jack, a philandering tiger. His wife, known as “Wifey,” frequently has to seek forgiveness for her husband’s misbehavior and often responds by beating him. The comic features other characters in Mr. Jack’s universe, including the boyfriends of his victims and other less conservative characters who view him as the joyous life of the party.

9. What influence did “Mr. Jack” have on the world of comics?

While “Mr. Jack” may not have achieved the same level of popularity as some other comic strips, it had a considerable influence. One notable derivative was “Mr. George” by Harold Knerr, the second author of “The Katzenjammer Kids” comic strip.

10. Where can I read or find “Mr. Jack” comic strips today?

“Mr. Jack” comic strips are considered a part of comic strip history and may be available in archives, libraries, or through collectors of vintage comics. Online comic archives and specialized comic strip collections may also have “Mr. Jack” copies available for viewing or purchase.

References

Holtz, Allan (2012). American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide. Published by The University of Michigan Press in Ann Arbor. Pages 237, 242, and 272. ISBN 9780472117567.
Markstein, Don. “Jimmy Swinnerton.” Retrieved from Don Markstein’s Toonopedia on July 3, 2013.
Markstein, Don. “Mr. Jack.” Retrieved from Don Markstein’s Toonopedia on July 3, 2013.
Holmes! (2005-11-16). “New strip! Mr. Jack!” Retrieved from Barnacle Press on May 14, 2007. Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. The text contains information about Swinnerton’s introduction of anthropomorphic bears and tigers in 1892.
Jim Lowe (2002-06-25). Information about Harold H. Knerr. Retrieved on May 14, 2007.