Life in London; or, The Sprees of Tom and Jerry

Based on the 1821 stage play of the same name, Life in London; or, The Sprees of Tom and Jerry is a landmark comic published by Catnach, chronicling the raucous adventures of its titular characters through the streets of Regency-era London. Illustrated by the celebrated father-and-son team of Isaac and George Cruikshank, this single 1822 issue is widely recognized as one of the earliest true comic books, capturing the rowdy spirit and social satire of its time. Its enduring historical significance lies in pioneering the sequential storytelling and mass-market publication that would define the medium for centuries to come.