Photo Gallery

This January 1, 1963, installment marks the Bullwinkle newspaper strip’s first New Year’s Day appearance. The daily feature had debuted on July 23, 1962, making this its inaugural “1-1” strip—a small but distinctive milestone in its brief publication history. Written and drawn by Al Kilgore, the strip was distributed by the Bell-McClure Syndicate and ran through September 11, 1965.

Kilgore celebrates the occasion by gathering the cast beneath a greeting from the “Bullwinkle Players.” Natasha finds Boris welcoming 1927, while Bullwinkle and Rocky take on the traditional New Year roles of Father Time and the incoming year. Their exchanges turn the calendar change into a showcase for the puns and comic misunderstandings that defined the characters’ humor.

The handwritten “1-1” date and references to 1963 place the artwork at this first annual turning point for the newspaper feature. Its visible production guides and pasted copyright notice also preserve traces of the practical work behind bringing the television characters to the printed comics page.

Alfred R. “Al” Kilgore (1927–1983), born in Newark, New Jersey, was a cartoonist, illustrator, and caricaturist. His Bullwinkle strip translated the personalities and humor of Jay Ward’s animated cast into daily newspaper adventures. Although the feature had limited circulation, Kilgore’s expressive drawing and verbal play captured much of the television cartoons’ appeal.

Beyond his work with Rocky and Bullwinkle, Kilgore was admired for caricatures of classic movie stars. His enthusiasm for Laurel and Hardy led him to help found the Sons of the Desert appreciation society in 1965 and design its crest. The National Cartoonists Society recognized his service to the profession with its Silver T-Square award in 1976. 

This first New Year’s installment brings those interests together: a cast presented as theatrical players, a holiday performance, and the affectionate absurdity of classic screen comedy.