From the exhibition
Mr. Al Most by Gene Carr
· January 21, 1912

Gene Carr's *Mr. Al Most* exemplifies the Sunday newspaper comic strip format that emerged in the early 1900s. The strip follows its titular character through a sequence of mishaps, using sequential panels and speech balloons to convey narrative and humor. Carr's draftsmanship—economical line work, clear staging, expressive caricature—establishes visual continuity across panels while maintaining the rapid pace demanded by the comic page. By 1912, strips like this had become essential features of the Sunday papers, establishing conventions of layout, character design, and comedic timing that would become foundational to the comic book medium.
Public domain, restored and presented by comicbooks.com public-domain