Walt Kelly was an American cartoonist, best known for creating the comic strip Pogo. Born on August 25, 1913, in Philadelphia, Kelly began his career working as a storyboard artist for Walt Disney Studios before moving into comic strips.

Pogo, which debuted in 1948, features a possum named Pogo Possum and is set in the Okefenokee Swamp. The strip is known for its satirical and often political humor, addressing contemporary issues through the antics of its anthropomorphic animal characters. Kelly’s sharp wit and playful use of language made Pogo immensely popular, resonating with readers and critics alike.

One of the most famous quotes from Pogo is “We have met the enemy, and he is us,” a reflection on human nature and environmentalism that has been widely cited and remains relevant today.

Kelly’s work on Pogo earned him a place among the great American cartoonists, and his influence can be seen in the work of many later cartoonists. He continued to draw Pogo until his death on October 18, 1973. Walt Kelly was a great cartoonist and I’m happy to share a couple of examples of his work from my collection.

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