McCay was ahead of his time with his illustrations. When the comic first ran, it didn't quite catch on because it wasn't particularily funny. It's understandable; many of the strips are dark and some aren't dreams but more night-mares, so i can see why a boy Nemo's age wouldnt care for it. Reading it now, it's easy to forget how novel McCay's work was; swallowing moons, glass caverns, spaghetti-legged beds--it's really remarkable.
I'm reading through them as they were published, and i havent even made a dent, but i love it so far. in particular these:
Nemo is taken to a cave of glass, where he meets the Queen Crystallette. The guards warn Nemo not to hold her hand because she is so fragile, but she is so beautiful that he cannot resist. He kisses her and she shatters, causing the entire cave to break with her.
Just breaking some art nouveau shrooms. (okay, McCay... shrooms... freaking out... its all a little trippy)Finally, this one is wonderful. Cupid lets Nemo take his pick of any of the fine Valentines to be his:
i am in love with these. especially the art style, so beautiful. i'll post some more that i find.
** i know they get cut off, so click on the pictures to see them in full!
