Judge, 1907-11-30 · page 10 of 16
Judge — November 30, 1907 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a slapstick comedy comic strip, not political satire. The character "Nervy Nat" attends a college football game and becomes accidentally entangled in the action, despite being a spectator. The joke relies on physical comedy: Nat boasts about his college football days, then gets repeatedly knocked down, trampled, and ejected into the game itself by colliding players. His repeated insistence that he's "headed straight for the goal" contrasts with his actual chaotic involvement. The strip plays on turn-of-the-century nostalgia (Nat waxes sentimental about his playing days) and the increasingly rough nature of early American football. The final panel suggests he inadvertently scores a winning touchdown, accidentally becoming the hero. The advertisement at bottom promotes the "First Series of Nervy Nat's Adventures" as a bound collection, indicating this was a popular recurring character in *Judge* magazine.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LON OR AD WAVY LNW i fouls 1, Nexvy Nat—"" Feetball! How it reminds me of my college days, when 2. Bang! I was the crack half-back on the eleven! Would like to, be in there on the Nervy Nat—‘' I'd like to know who In blazes did that! I'm becoming side-lines to do a little rooting for the T1""—— rather nauseated with these circus-stunts; but it looks as if | would be in the game In about 2} seconds."” Bay vay Aik Daal cal 3. Carrain—"* 16, 42, 86, 11 "— 4, Nervy Nat—‘ Well, look who's here! The pigskin, by heck! and those jervy Nat—''23! Off-side play! Ten yards for interference! ‘Rah rough-housers don't know that I've got it. Nat, here's your chance to save for the Tigers! Erin go bragh! Bing!" the day.” 5. Nexvy Nat—"' Me for a touchdown! I'm headed straight for the goal, 6. Nervy Nat—"'A goal, and it's all over but the shouting! Nat, you've with nothing to oppose me but my lid. | hope the fair ones in the grand-stand saved the day for the Tigers. You certainly should have a brand of imper- Insist upon raiding me for this."* fectos named after you for this."* NO. 26.—NERVY NAT SEES THE FOOTBALL GAME COPYRIGHT 1907 BY JUDGE COMPANY, FUBLISNERS, 225 FOURTH AVE., NEW YORK. NOTE—The First Series of Nervy Nat's Adventures is now ready, handsomely bound, form. Price, 75 cents; 10 cents additional for postage when ordered by mail. Address JUDGE COMPANY, 225 Fourth Avenue, New York. comicbooks.com