Judge, 1897-07-31 · page 16 of 16
Judge — July 31, 1897 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1897 *Judge* cartoon series titled "Down in the Infernal Regions" uses Hell as a satirical setting to mock various American regional stereotypes and contemporary social types. The humor revolves around the premise that different groups—Philadelphians, "scorchers" (reckless bicyclists), a Brooklyn man, a Texas man, and a janitor—experience Hell according to their earthly nature. A Philadelphian claims indifference to damnation; bicycle riders (who apparently caused pedestrian hazards) now dodge vehicles; regional types suffer punishments fitting their character flaws. The satire reflects 1890s anxieties about rapid urbanization, transportation dangers (bicycles were new and controversial), and regional American identity. The cartoon implicitly asks whether certain behaviors warrant damnation, using Hell as a comedic mirror to judge contemporary society's vices. The overall message: *Judge* magazine used infernal imagery to critique American social problems and regional stereotypes with darkly comic irony.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Fiast stnwzx—"' How do yoa like being dead 7” Seconp stvwen—"* Oh, I don't mind ; I'm from Philadelphia.” On earth they were scorchers; now they know how Suh Gn med econ Hoe gt stn ig he” Ja MS Dee Satan—'‘ No marks against you for misconduct ?” When the weather do be cold they Nano et nn poe tightens uct tors ofl the bent; whi gia wart “e i” Barcoxtyy “an—" This is h——I, and no mistake.” COPMmONT 1897 BY THE JUDGE PUBLISHING COMPANY OF HEW YORK. Texas MAN—"'Say, did I have a First stapr—"* What's happened to emia watmece we coe trettaes ere e trousers along ? Well, T guess yes.” bys feces he wes alvad T woul DOWN IN THE INFERNAL REGIONS. ace Some incidents that shed a little light on the much-discussed question, ‘Is there a hell?” Suche Wan Le AVG Co Rew Yor comicbooks.com