By Brian WalkerIn the five-decades after the Yellow Kid first appeared in 1895, the funnies became an essential element of American life. Comic strip characters - Buster Brown, Tarzan, Dick Tracy, Popeye, Blondie, Li'l Abner - where everywhere. This visually stunning, comprehensive survey - copiously illustrated with rare original art - is the most authoritative history of prewar American newspaper comics currently in print. It documents the major trends in the funnies business, decade-by-decade, and presents in-depth biographies of 21 of the most influential creators of the era. HC, 9x12, 336pg, FC.