Comical Coons

Comical Coons, a single-issue comic published by R.H. Russell in 1898, is a historical artifact from the earliest days of the American comic strip. While its brief run offers little narrative scope, it stands as a stark example of the racial caricature and stereotyping that pervaded popular entertainment at the turn of the 20th century. Its significance today lies not in its artistry or storytelling, but in its documentation of the troubling cultural norms of its era.