The Wasp — 1894 — page 503: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This six-panel comic strip appears to satirize a wealthy man's New Year's resolution to reform his behavior. Panel 1 shows "Insurance Willie" in Golden Gate Park. By panel 2, he claims he'll "turn over a new leaf," but panels 3-6 depict his repeated failures—he progressively loses control, ending with a dramatic fall and chairs scattering. The satire targets a common human failing: making grand New Year's promises that quickly unravel. The specific reference to "Insurance Willie" suggests a known San Francisco figure, likely someone notorious for scandals or moral lapses. The physical comedy escalates to show his reform efforts literally collapsing, mocking the gap between good intentions and actual character change.