Before you begin to read this article, allow me to quickly summarize what you’ll learn in this article, you’ll be learning today, or, if not, relearning about Little Nemo in Slumberland and all its glory! Along with also seeing what sets to get so that you can read them for yourself. At the bottom of this page, is also a video that you can watch on youtube to learn more about these different collections. Now, with no further delay, please enjoy this “what’s the difference between” article.
Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid Sundays!
When dealing with a collection of material this old, there are always wide variations among pages in the printing inks, color separation, and paper quality. These differences become magnified because of the time span of the work, different newspapers, and changing print processes. Restoration is a complex effort as we strive for continuity and a common appearance of these strips through the years.
As with previous Sunday Press titles, our goal is to recreate the experience of reading the Sunday comic pages as they originally appeared a century ago. Most of the natural flaws that appeared in the original form, such as off-register colors, ink smudges, and paper imperfections, can still be seen. Those imperfections that have come about through time or neglect: stains, tears, and excessive yellowing have been digitally repaired. The paper for this book is uncoated wood-free, selected to duplicate the way colors appeared on newsprint, but without newsprint’s ephemeral characteristics.
The result is another opportunity to enjoy Little Nemo in Slumberland printed in full 16” x 21” tabloid newspaper size on premium acid-free matte paper, as it was intended to be seen.
Pros: Printed in full 16” x 21” tabloid newspaper size on premium acid-free matte paper, as these comic strips were initially meant to be seen. Fully restored artwork showing the beautiful original colors.
Cons: These two volumes include a curated number of the Little Nemo comics, but not the complete series.
The Complete Little Nemo in Slumberland
Published in Six Volumes by Fantagraphics from 1989 – 1983, each volume 96 pages, 10¾” x 10½
Pros: Printed in full color on acid-free glossy paper and includes all of the Little Nemo comics created by Winsor McCay.
Cons: Comics were originally printed on matte paper and these books were printed at about half the size newspaper readers originally saw the comics.
Little Nemo in Slumberland comic strip printed in 1909 Sunday newspaper
Pro: This large tabloid size is how artists like Winsor McCay intended readers to view their comic strips.
Con: Printed on newsprint paper with inexpensive ink, since newspapers were meant to be disposable. Colors have faded over time and paper has become brown and brittle from the acids in the newsprint.
To learn more about their differences but also how they are the same; watch:
What is LITTLE NEMO IN SLUMBERLAND? (plus three GORGEOUS editions of the classic by Winsor McCay!)
I hope not only to have you learn something new but, also to have something new to talk about with comic fans and family everywhere!