Life — September 11, 1931 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of "Sinbad: Anyway—he tried!" This is a satirical comic strip about Sinbad the Sailor, the legendary character from *Arabian Nights*. The sequence depicts Sinbad repeatedly attempting various schemes or adventures, only to fail each time—shown through a series of panels where he encounters obstacles, gets chased by animals (appears to be dogs), is thrown down stairs, and otherwise comes to comedic grief. The phrase "Anyway—he tried!" suggests the humor lies in Sinbad's persistent but hapless efforts despite constant failure. This likely parodies both the famous adventurer's legendary exploits and contemporary attitudes about ambition versus reality. The artist's signature appears to be "EDWillard" or similar.