Pogo, the comic strip character, is a beloved and iconic figure in the world of comics. Created by cartoonist Walt Kelly in the 1940s, Pogo was a central character in the strip that ran for 27 years until Kelly’s death in 1973. One of the most commonly asked questions about Pogo is, what kind of animal was he?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it may seem. Pogo was not just one kind of animal; he was a composite character made up of various animals. Some people believe that Pogo was a possum, while others think he may have been a frog or a combination of both.
Kelly himself described Pogo as “an opossum with an identity crisis.” In the early years of the comic strip, Pogo was depicted as a possum who lived in the Okefenokee Swamp. However, over time, Kelly began to introduce other animals into the strip and gave them anthropomorphic qualities.
One such character was Albert Alligator. Albert was introduced as a secondary character but quickly became popular with readers. Kelly also introduced other characters such as Porky Pine and Churchy LaFemme, who were also depicted as anthropomorphic animals.
Despite this mix of characters, Kelly continued to refer to Pogo as a possum throughout the comic strip’s run. This has led many fans to believe that Pogo is primarily a possum.
However, there are several arguments for why Pogo might be part frog. For one thing, he has webbed feet like a frog, which could suggest that he has some frog DNA in him. Additionally, his catchphrase “We have met the enemy and he is us” is often attributed to an old proverb that originated from observing frogs’ behavior during wartime.
Regardless of whether you think Pogo is more possum or more frog-like, there’s no denying his lasting impact on the world of comics. Kelly’s unique blend of humor, political satire, and anthropomorphic characters made Pogo a beloved character that’s still remembered fondly today.
In conclusion, Pogo was a composite character made up of various animals. While he was primarily referred to as a possum throughout the comic strip, he also had some frog-like qualities. Regardless of his exact species, Pogo remains an iconic and beloved character in the world of comics.