The Dingbat Family: One name stands out as a true innovator and trailblazer – George Herriman- in the rich tapestry of American comics. His remarkable contributions to the comic strip medium have left an indelible mark on popular culture. While many are familiar with his most famous creation, Krazy Kat, not everyone may know that this beloved character originated in a comic strip called “The Dingbat Family,” which later morphed into “The Family Upstairs.” This article will delve into the Dingbat Family’s fascinating history, tracing the characters’ evolution and the series that ultimately gave rise to one of the most iconic duos in the comic world: Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse.

The Dingbat Family

Author(s)	George Herriman
Launch date	July 20, 1910
End date	January 4, 1916
Alternate name(s)	The Family Upstairs
Syndicate(s)	King Features Syndicate
Genre(s)	Gag-a-day
Followed by	Krazy Kat

Publication and History

George Herriman moved from California to New York to work for the New York Evening Journal. Six days after his arrival, Herriman began the daily strip The Dingbat Family, starring E. Pluribus Dingbat and his family.

From August 10, 1910, to November 15, 1911, the strip ran under the title The Family Upstairs. During this period, the Dingbats fruitlessly attempted to deal with their irritating, noisy neighbors who lived in the apartment above them; the family upstairs was never seen in the strip. The original title returned after the strip of November 15, 1911, when the Dingbats’ building was demolished to make room for a department store and they and their upstairs nemeses parted paths.

Critics do not regard the strip highly, but it provided the vehicle for a fruitful situation: a cat-and-mouse that began as filler in the bottom of the strip’s panels and later graduated to a tier of its own at the bottom of the strip.

The Dingbat Family ended on January 4, 1916, and Herriman replaced it the next day with Baron Bean (1916–1919).

The word “dingbat” was, and remains, commonly used in the printing and publishing industry, to denote a typographic ornament. Herriman was probably the first to use it to describe a certain type of person, i.e., one about as smart, with about as much personality, as a small lump of unliving lead.

The Birth of “The Dingbat Family”

In the early 20th century, George Herriman embarked on a journey that would forever alter the comic strip landscape. After moving from California to New York to work for the New York Evening Journal, Herriman set his creative gears in motion. Just six days after his arrival, he introduced “The Dingbat Family” to the world on July 20, 1910. This comic strip revolved around the misadventures of a family led by the irascible E. Pluribus Dingbat, who worked as a clerk in an office of unspecified nature. Alongside him were his imposing wife, Minnie, their son Cicero, daughter Imogene, a nameless baby, and a pet cat. They all resided in the Sooptareen Arms, a typical New York apartment building.

The term “dingbat” was already well-established in the printing and publishing industry and used to describe typographic ornaments that broke up the “gray space” on a printed page. Herriman cleverly adapted this term to depict a particular type of person with as much personality as a small lump of unliving lead. The name “Dingbat” was not coincidental but somewhat reflective of the comic’s purpose as a daily filler, akin to a typographic dingbat.

Dingbats vs. “The Family Upstairs”

The Dingbat Family initially started as an ordinary domestic comedy, typical of the comic strips of the time, including “Toots & Casper,” “The Nebbs,” and, eventually, “Blondie.” However, what set “The Dingbat Family” apart was its unique twist involving their unseen neighbors, known as “The Family Upstairs.” This neighboring family played a central role in the series, and their actions set the stage for a host of humorous and absurd situations in the Dingbats’ lives.

“The Family Upstairs” was never seen within the comic strip; they remained enigmatic. The Dingbat family’s dealings with their neighbors were characterized by chaos, as water would pour into their apartment when the upstairs neighbors watered their plants, plaster from the ceiling would fall on them during noisy parties, and even their son would occasionally get into altercations with Cicero.

E. Pluribus Dingbat, in particular, became obsessed with seeking revenge on their neighbors or, at the very least, catching a glimpse of them. His attempts to resolve these conflicts often took hilariously exaggerated forms, such as hiring detectives, thugs, and even hypnotists to achieve his ends. At one point, he even sought the assistance of another comic strip character, “Desperate Desmond,” in his relentless quest.

“The Family Upstairs” brought a unique dynamic to the comic strip. It allowed Herriman to craft humorous narratives driven by the unseen but ever-present neighbors. The ongoing feud between the Dingbats and their upstairs nemeses added a layer of complexity to the series and elevated it beyond a typical domestic comedy.

The Transition to “The Family Upstairs”

The comic strip underwent a significant transformation a month and a half into its run. On August 10, the title of “The Dingbat Family” was changed to “The Family Upstairs.” This change was unusual, marking one of the first instances in comic strip history where the title characters did not appear in their series.

This situation continued until November 15, 1911, when the building where the Dingbats and “The Family Upstairs” resided was demolished to make way for a department store. This development marked a significant turning point, as the Dingbats and their neighbors parted ways, and the strip’s title reverted to “The Dingbat Family.”

It is worth noting that Herriman’s unique storytelling and humor continued to evolve during this period, setting the stage for the comic’s eventual transformation into something entirely different.

The Birth of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse

As “The Dingbat Family” concluded on January 4, 1916, George Herriman’s creative journey was far from over. He replaced the series with “Baron Bean,” but his desire to innovate and explore new narrative possibilities continued to drive his work.

Herriman was known for experimenting with various characters and scenarios, never hesitating to abandon a concept if it no longer captivated him. This approach allowed him to push the boundaries of comic strip storytelling continually. His journey had already taken him through a multitude of characters, including “Musical Mose,” “Major Ozone’s Fresh Air Crusade,” “Acrobatic Archie,” “Professor Otto & His Auto,” “Gooseberry Sprigg,” and “Baron Mooch,” among others.

In this era of experimentation, Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse emerged from the “waste space” at the bottom of “The Dingbat Family.” Herriman had initially introduced the cat-and-mouse dynamic as a humorous filler, aiming to “fill up the waste space.” In the July 26, 1910 episode, Ignatz Mouse threw a pebble at the family cat, known simply as “Kat,” setting the stage for a recurring gag. This interaction between the mouse and “Kat” became a staple of “The Dingbat Family,” with their antics filling the bottom portion of the comic.

A month after their first encounter, “Kat” approached the sleeping mouse and kissed it loudly. The mouse woke up exclaiming, “I dreamed an angel kissed me,” while “Kat” snuck away, saying, “Sweet thing.” This seemingly innocuous interaction began a relationship that would capture readers’ hearts for years.

In July 1912, during the Dingbats’ vacation, Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse took center stage, and the strip was retitled “Krazy Kat and I. Mouse” for the duration. By October 28, 1913, “Krazy Kat” debuted as an independent strip on the daily comics page. George Herriman’s innovative approach to storytelling and humor had given rise to one of history’s most enduring and beloved comic strips.

Conclusion

“The Dingbat Family” may not be celebrated as a classic in comic strips, but its legacy is undeniable. George Herriman’s decision to experiment with the Dingbats and their unseen neighbors, “The Family Upstairs,” paved the way for the creation of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse, a pair of characters that would capture the imagination of readers for generations to come.

Herriman’s ability to evolve and adapt his storytelling, even within the confines of a seemingly straightforward domestic comedy, showcased his creative genius.

The Dingbat Family, with its zany characters and absurd situations, laid the groundwork for a comic strip that would transcend the boundaries of time and continue to be celebrated for its wit, charm, and the enduring love story between Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse.

While “The Dingbat Family” may have ended on January 4, 1916, its impact on the world of comics was far from over. With its whimsical charm and unique characters, Krazy Kat became an iconic representation of George Herriman’s unparalleled creativity and storytelling prowess. In the annals of comic strip history, the Dingbat Family’s journey from their quirky apartment to the whimsical landscapes of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse remains a testament to the boundless imagination of an actual comic visionary.

The Dingbat Family Gallery

IMG 9022 - The Dingbat Family (1910-1916): A Look into the Humor and History of a Classic Strip

FAQ – The Dingbat Family Comic Strip

1. What is The Dingbat Family comic strip?

The Dingbat Family, also known as The Family Upstairs, is a classic American comic strip created by George Herriman. It ran from July 20, 1910, to January 4, 1916, and introduced the famous characters Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse, who later starred in Herriman’s best-known strip, Krazy Kat (1913–1944).

2. Who is the creator of The Dingbat Family?

American cartoonist George Herriman created the comic strip.

3. Can you provide some background information on George Herriman?

George Herriman was a cartoonist who moved from California to New York to work for the New York Evening Journal. He introduced The Dingbat Family soon after he arrived in New York, marking the beginning of his career in comic strips.

4. What were the main characters in The Dingbat Family?

The Dingbat Family featured E. Pluribus Dingbat, the man of the household, his wife Minnie Dingbat, their son Cicero, their daughter Imogene, a baby with no specific name, and a pet cat. These characters lived in The Sooptareen Arms, a typical New York apartment building.

5. What was the comic’s storyline or theme?

The comic initially revolved around the daily adventures and interactions of the Dingbat family, depicting ordinary domestic comedy. However, it later introduced a significant element where the Dingbats had to deal with their noisy and troublesome neighbors who lived in the apartment above them, known as “The Family Upstairs.” This led to various comedic situations and conflicts.

6. Why is it called “The Dingbat Family”?

The term “dingbat” is commonly used in the printing and publishing industry to describe a typographic ornament that breaks up the page’s “gray space.” Herriman may have been the first to use this term to describe a specific type of person, implying someone with limited intelligence and personality. The comic’s name could have been chosen because it was considered small and used as filler in the newspaper, similar to a typographic dingbat.

7. How did Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse emerge from The Dingbat Family?

The comic introduced Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse as a secondary storyline. Initially, the cat-and-mouse interactions filled the “waste space” in the comic strip. Over time, Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse became more prominent, eventually leading to their strip, Krazy Kat, for which Herriman is best remembered.

8. What happened to The Dingbat Family comic strip?

The Dingbat Family ended on January 4, 1916, and was replaced by another comic strip called Baron Bean the following day. This was a common practice in the early years of the comics industry, where cartoonists frequently moved on to new projects.

9. Did The Dingbat Family influence other comics or media?

While Critics may not highly regard the Dingbat Family itself, it played a significant role in the creation of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse. These characters went on to become iconic in the world of comic strips.

10. Are any adaptations or related works based on The Dingbat Family?

There is a movie titled “The Family Upstairs,” but it features an entirely different family and is unrelated to the comic strip. The legacy of The Dingbat Family lives on primarily through Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse in the world of comics.

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