| Archy & Mehitabel | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Archy |
|
First Appearance |
The Evening Sun (1916) |
|
Original Publisher |
The Sun |
|
Created by |
Don Marquis |
Origin[]
The first illustration of Archy. Seen in an advertisement in the New-York Tribune on September 11, 1922, introducing the new column.
Archy is a cockroach who was once a free-verse poet in a previous life. In his current incarnation, he writes his thoughts and observations by diving onto a typewriter—resulting in texts without capital letters or punctuation because, as a cockroach, he cannot operate the shift key. His poetic musings are full of wit and philosophical insights that comment on society, the struggles of life, and the nature of creativity. His character embodies the idea that artistic expression can transcend even the most unlikely forms of existence.
Mehitabel is a streetwise alley cat who boldly claims she was once Cleopatra. Despite her grand assertions of aristocratic past and refined taste, she navigates life on the fringes of society with a rebellious spirit and a resilient sense of humor. Her motto, “toujours gai,” captures her determination to remain cheerful and defiant in the face of life’s hardships. Mehitabel’s adventures and romantic misadventures add a lively, humanizing contrast to Archy’s more reflective observations.
Together, the duo offered a satirical, humorous, and often poignant look at urban life—melding high aspirations with the realities of living at the bottom of the social ladder. Their escapades not only entertained but also served as a commentary on the nature of art and the human condition.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Archy and Mehitabel from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Comic Strip Appearances[]
- Archy and Mehitabel (1916-1929)
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Archy and Mehitabel (1927)