Henry: Anderson's Wordless Children's Comic Masterpiece

Author: Carl Thomas Anderson [USA]
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Henry is a masterpiece of comic strips by the American humorist Carl Thomas Anderson. It is one of the most popular works in the dying art of silent comic strips, debuting in the Saturday Evening Post in the United States on March 19, 1932. The protagonist of Henry is a bald little boy with a slender neck and tiny, clever eyes. Regardless of whether he is happy or getting beaten, his face shows almost no obvious expression, which pairs perfectly with his Charlie Chaplin-style silent comedy movements, making him particularly funny. From an appearance standpoint, another distinctive feature of Henry is that he wears shorts year-round, no matter how cold or hot it is. This has led many innocent young readers to write to Anderson, asking why Henry isn’t cold, and some have even sent him clothes. At school, Henry is a poor student who doesn’t study hard, and being made to stand in the corner is a common punishment. His report cards are his biggest headache. Although he is mischievous and often plays pranks, he is not a bad-hearted boy. He loves small animals, and his dog, Snowy, is his best companion. Additionally, Henry’s early maturity often leads to humorous situations. Mary is the little girl he admires, and for her sake, he has endured quite a bit of trouble from bullies. At first, this big-headed little protagonist would speak a few words, but later Anderson settled on its silent comedy format, strictly making Henry express his thoughts through gestures.