Of all the stories in 1934, one stands out: Krazy Kat’s attempt to write a memoir (July 9th to 21st). Herriman turned fifty-four this year and although nobody knew it at the time, his failing health would hold out for only another decade. It is intriguing to imagine a friend or colleague trying to persuade him to write down the story of his life and Herriman begging off with the same words used by Krazy Kat: “Wot I know about myself I’m ashamed to write, an’ wot I know about udda pippils, I’m afraid to write—.” — from the Introduction by Michael Tisserand
