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"I write the story with pictures - I don't illustrate the story with the pictures."

Chris Ware (illustrator)

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1886, Michigan. The young Winsor McCay is on his way to a small city near Detroit. He’s off to study business, but his heart’s not in it. His true passion: drawing!

McCay doesn’t get too far with his classes. Instead, he starts touring the vaudeville circuit, sketching portraits for 25 cents a pop at Wonderland, a museum/amusement park. It’s an unusual work environment, one that exposes him to zaney characters and costumes, and makes quite an impression!

Thanks to his talent, McCay soon gets bigger projects. Before long, he’s making promotional posters and taking private lessons with a local artist.

Winsor McCay, "Little Nemo in Slumberland", February 11, 1906 edition of the New York Herald.
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Some 15 years later, McCay creates Little Nemo in Slumberland, a comic strip series that follows Little Nemo, a young boy, on his imaginary adventures. Every night when he drifts off to sleep, Nemo tumbles into a magical dreamworld.

Though the stories are made up, McCay’s talents are 100% real. Each hand-drawn scene is incredibly detailed, remarkable for its depth and perspective.

Winsor McCay, "Little Nemo in Slumberland", July 26, 1908 edition of the New York Herald.
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Slumberland is dotted with references to the wacky images and oddities McCay witnessed at Wonderland—and elsewhere. The Slumberland Palace, with its rounded domes and striking verticality, reminds many of the architecture in the Chicago School style, on display at the 1893 World’s Fair.

Left: photo of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Right: Winsor McCay, "Little Nemo in Slumberland", December 17, 1905 edition of the New York Herald.
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Though fictional, the character of Nemo has some roots in reality. Wanting to share his memories of Wonderland with his son, the artist comes up with a cool way to help him feel connected. How? By giving Nemo the same features as little McCay, jr.!