Mutt & Jeff #11

Bud Fisher's beloved mismatched duo are at their funniest in this 1943 Fall issue, with a cover by Sheldon Mayer that drops the pair squarely into military life. A fuming sergeant towers over the diminutive Jeff, who — buried in an oversized uniform, helmet askew, and rifle propped beside him — cheerfully insists he is standing at attention; it's just his uniform that's "at ease." A small cat lurks at the corner, and tiny character sketches dot the bright red border, giving the whole thing a lively, carnival-poster energy that perfectly captures the strip's gentle, good-natured wit.