My Resolutions, by Buster Brown

My Resolutions, By Buster Brown Buster Brown, the creation of comic pioneer R.F. Outcault, is preternaturally modern in his style and outlook. A beautifully dressed child of angelic mien he sailed through the first two decades of the twentieth century with his faithful dog Tige (the first talking pet in American comics). Buster misbehaved constantly and was generally caught and punished, but like a modern sitcom child responds not with tears or remorse but a snappy comeback. In Buster’s case this took the form of the resolutions which ended every Buster Brown strip. The resolutions are little gems of comic writing, skewering parental piety at every opportunity:

RESOLVED: That if you are going to insist on being truthful, learn to hold your tongue. The truth is a dangerous thing and must be handled by a master. ‘Truth is mighty and will prevail’ it doesn’t need your assistance. Just let it alone. Tact will help you a great deal & extreme kindness will help you to keep unwelcome truths to yourself. Don’t let anyone know you are honest. They will think you are a ‘come on’ and will take advantage of you.”