Tor Alosson
The Little Bears: Comic strips have long been a beloved form of entertainment, bringing laughter, joy, and sometimes even profound insight into the lives of their readers. While iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Superman have dominated the comic strip world for generations, it’s essential to recognize the trailblazers who paved the way for these enduring favorites. “The Little Bears,” a comic strip created by Jimmy Swinnerton, is one such pioneering work that holds a unique place in the history of American comics.
“The Little Bears” is one of the earliest American comic strips featuring talking animals and one of the first to introduce recurring characters, the titular bears. The strip debuted in the late 19th century, and although it had a relatively short run, its impact on the comic strip medium is immeasurable. In this article, we will explore the history, characters, and legacy of “The Little Bears,” shedding light on the creative genius of Jimmy Swinnerton and the evolution of the comic strip genre in America.
The Little Bears
| Creator | Jimmy Swinnerton |
|---|---|
| First Published | October 14, 1893 |
| Final Strip | June 7, 1897 |
| Genre | American comic strip |
| Notable Features | First American comic strip featuring talking animals One of the first with recurring characters |
A Humble Beginning: Jimmy Swinnerton and the San Francisco Examiner
To understand the origins of “The Little Bears,” we must delve into the early career of its creator, Jimmy Swinnerton. In 1892, Swinnerton began his journey as a young illustrator for the San Francisco Examiner, a newspaper owned by the influential William Randolph Hearst. Swinnerton’s primary responsibility was to provide drawings for news stories in an era before the widespread use of photoengraving. However, his artistic talents extended beyond news illustrations, as he also contributed editorial cartoons and other artwork to the paper.
The Birth of a Mascot: The San Francisco Mid-Winter Exposition
In 1893, a significant event unfolded to set the stage for creating “The Little Bears.” The San Francisco Examiner adopted a bear as its mascot for the upcoming San Francisco Mid-Winter Exposition in 1894. This decision began an enduring connection between the newspaper and these beloved animals.
Frank “Cozy” Noble, another talented illustrator, created the first bear illustration to become the newspaper’s mascot. This illustration served as the inspiration for Jimmy Swinnerton’s involvement with the bears. Swinnerton was tasked with providing a bear illustration each day to accompany the newspaper’s coverage of the exposition, and this collaboration laid the foundation for something extraordinary.
The Emergence of “The Little Bears”
On October 14, 1893, Swinnerton’s first bear illustration appeared in the San Francisco Examiner. What began as a simple bear quickly evolved into a charming little bear cub. Although the Mid-Winter Exposition concluded, “The Little Bear” did not disappear from the newspaper entirely. On September 10, 1894, the bear cub returned triumphantly, accompanying the daily weather reports. This association with weather forecasts added an element of endearment to the character, making it a beloved daily presence for readers.
The Transition to a Regular Feature
The next significant milestone in the history of “The Little Bears” occurred on June 2, 1895, when the comic strip became a regular feature on the children’s page of the San Francisco Examiner. This transition began with a more structured and recurring format for the strip. Each installment of “The Little Bears” now consisted of multiple illustrations of the bears, all connected by a central theme for the day. Swinnerton’s ability to craft engaging and heartwarming stories around these characters endeared the little bears to a broader audience.
Human Companions: The Introduction of Children
As “The Little Bears” continued to captivate readers, Swinnerton introduced a significant development on January 26, 1896. Human children were incorporated into the strip, expanding the cast of characters and allowing for more diverse storytelling. With this change, the comic strip’s title was also updated to “Little Bears & Tykes,” reflecting the inclusion of bears and children in its narratives.
The End of an Era: June 7, 1897
Despite its growing popularity, “The Little Bears” had a relatively short run in the San Francisco Examiner. On June 7, 1897, the strip ended as Jimmy Swinnerton made a significant career move. He left San Francisco and headed to New York City to draw cartoons for another newspaper under the Hearst banner, the New York Journal. In his new role, Swinnerton transitioned from drawing bears to a different animal, tigers, and launched “The Little Tigers” on February 20, 1898, with Hearst’s apparent request to change animal characters.
From Little Bears to Mr. Jack: The Evolution Continues
The transition from bears to tigers significantly shifted Swinnerton’s career. As he continued to develop his characters, a well-defined and somewhat philandering character emerged from the strip. On October 4, 1903, the Sunday feature was retitled “Mr. Jack,” demonstrating the artist’s versatility and ability to adapt to changing times and audience preferences.
The Legacy of “The Little Bears”
While the regular run of “The Little Bears” ended in 1897, its legacy endured. After Swinnerton left the strip, “The Little Bear” continued sporadic appearances in the San Francisco Examiner. Various artists, including Grant Wallace, Ralph Yardley, and Bob Edgren, took up the task of drawing the beloved bear in spot cartoons and alongside weather forecasts for several years.
“The Little Bears” is a significant milestone in the grand tapestry of American comic strip history. It was one of the earliest comic strips to feature talking animals and recurring characters, paving the way for the iconic characters that would follow in the medium. The strip’s charming simplicity and heartwarming tales of bears and children resonated with readers, leaving a lasting impression.
Conclusion
“The Little Bears” may not have enjoyed the enduring popularity of some of its comic strip successors, but its contribution to the medium’s evolution is undeniable. Jimmy Swinnerton’s creation introduced talking animals and recurring characters to American comic strips, setting the stage for the rich and diverse world of characters that would follow. While the bears may have left the pages of newspapers, their legacy lives on as a testament to the creativity and innovation that drives the world of comics.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about “The Little Bears” comic strip
1. Who created “The Little Bears” comic strip?
“The Little Bears” was created by Jimmy Swinnerton.
2. When did “The Little Bears” first appear in print?
The bear illustrations that later evolved into “The Little Bears” first appeared in The San Francisco Examiner on October 14, 1893.
3. What makes “The Little Bears” significant in the history of American comic strips?
“The Little Bears” is one of the first American comic strips to feature talking animals and one of the earliest to have recurring characters, specifically the titular bears.
4. When did “The Little Bears” become a regular feature in the newspaper?
“The Little Bears” became a regular feature on the children’s page of The San Francisco Examiner on June 2, 1895.
5. How long did “The Little Bears” comic strip run?
“The Little Bears” comic strip ran from June 2, 1895, to June 7, 1897.
6. What led to the “The Little Bears” comic strip?
The creation of the comic strip was prompted by an illustration of a bear used as the San Francisco Examiner’s mascot for the San Francisco Mid-Winter Exposition of 1894. Jimmy Swinnerton was then asked to provide daily bear illustrations for the newspaper.
7. Why did the title of the comic strip change to “Little Bears & Tykes”?
Human children were introduced into the strip on January 26, 1896, which changed the title to “Little Bears & Tykes.”
8. Why did Jimmy Swinnerton switch from bears to tigers in his comic strip?
The change of animals from bears to tigers occurred at the request of William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper publisher. This change led to the launch of “The Little Tigers” on February 20, 1898.
9. What happened to “The Little Bears” after Jimmy Swinnerton ended the regular strip?
After Swinnerton ended the regular “Little Bears” strip, the Little Bear continued to appear in spot cartoons and with the weather forecast for several years, drawn by other artists, including Grant Wallace, Ralph Yardley, and Bob Edgren.
10. Did Jimmy Swinnerton continue to work on comic strips after “The Little Bears”?
After “The Little Bears,” Swinnerton moved to New York City to draw cartoons for another Hearst paper, the New York Journal, where he launched a new comic strip called “The Little Tigers” on February 20, 1898.
References
- Holtz, Allan (2012). American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedia
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