Krazy Kat 1922-04-02 original - Drawing. Public domain image.

George Herriman (1880-1944) was an American cartoonist and comic strip creator, best known for his creation of the comic strip "Krazy Kat". The strip, which ran from 1913 to 1944, was known for its surreal and bizarre humour, as well as its innovative use of language and visual storytelling. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Herriman began his cartooning career in the early 1900s, working for various newspapers and magazines. In 1910, he moved to New York City and began working for William Randolph Hearst's newspaper empire, where he created "The Dingbat Family" and other comic strips. In 1913, Herriman created "Krazy Kat", which quickly became his most famous and enduring work. The strip followed the adventures of Krazy Kat, a love-struck cat who was constantly pursued by Ignatz Mouse, who threw bricks at Krazy's head. The strip also featured a cast of eccentric characters, including Offissa Pupp, a dog policeman who was in love with Krazy. Herriman's work on "Krazy Kat" was praised for its innovative use of language, with characters speaking in a unique dialect that blended various regional and ethnic influences. The strip also featured surreal and dreamlike imagery, with characters often floating through the air or transforming into strange creatures. Despite its critical acclaim, Krazy Kat was never a commercial success during Herriman's lifetime, and he struggled financially for much of his career. However, the strip has since been recognised as a seminal work of American comics, and Herriman is now regarded as one of the medium's most important pioneers.