by Kim Deitch Publisher: Fantagraphics Books (March 1, 1992)
Softcover, 64 Pages
Waldo is an unspade cartoon black cat who is always depicted with his penis in the appropriate spot. If you find that image distasteful, don't bother with the rest of this article.
The author, Kim Deitch (a man, for those who are interested) has been around the underground comix scene since there was some scene, but never really rose above his indie roots until after the millennium with his book The Boulevard of Broken Dreams.
Waldo is a reprehensible, mean-spirited alcoholic, with a number one branded on his stomach. He is the result of genetic engineering...kind of. In each of the stories presented here he screws, drinks, shoots heroin, and murders people without hesitation or remorse. Very entertaining.
There are a few autobiographical pieces included in the volume. One if them defends Waldo’s appearance. Apparently many people over the decades have accused him of ripping off Felix the Cat. Deitch defends his creation, by pointing out in the 30s every animation unit had a black cat character and all of them looked similar. Felix the Cat, Krazy Kat, Julius the Cat from Disney, all looked very similar. And he has a point. Waldo is a unique character and acts like none of the others.
For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.
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