Low on Black Ink?
In the mid-1890s, the comics began
With The Yellow Kid gracing the papers.
While it hasn’t aged well, it is honored today
For the start of a long line of capers.
I’m impressed that the medium gained such momentum,
Considering how it debuted:
The whole point was to sell what the news alone couldn’t,
With drawings artistically crude.
Each comic strip takes us mere seconds to read;
That’s a punchline or two for the day,
Which is nothing compared to a comedy show,
So how long would the readership stay?
Nonetheless, a few genius cartoonists arrived,
And their work would amuse and amaze.
Some comics were made into full animations
Or live-action movies or plays.
I’m afraid that’s unlikely to happen again
As the newspaper business declines,
For the Net’s not as great for the fame and the money
From drawing hilarious lines.
With The Yellow Kid gracing the papers.
While it hasn’t aged well, it is honored today
For the start of a long line of capers.
I’m impressed that the medium gained such momentum,
Considering how it debuted:
The whole point was to sell what the news alone couldn’t,
With drawings artistically crude.
Each comic strip takes us mere seconds to read;
That’s a punchline or two for the day,
Which is nothing compared to a comedy show,
So how long would the readership stay?
Nonetheless, a few genius cartoonists arrived,
And their work would amuse and amaze.
Some comics were made into full animations
Or live-action movies or plays.
I’m afraid that’s unlikely to happen again
As the newspaper business declines,
For the Net’s not as great for the fame and the money
From drawing hilarious lines.