Comic strips originated in around 1897 in the form of colorful Sunday supplements in major American newspapers. They were the first illustrated mass medium to reach tens of millions of readers a day and soon ranked first in the entertainment industry. Just how innovative and experimental the early comic strip pioneers were and that their works were on a par with the artistic avant-garde of the period went without notice for a long time. Beginning in 1905, Winsor McCay prefigured Surrealism, just as George Herriman established aspects of Absurd Theater in Krazy Kat (starting in 1913). Cliff Sterrett's scenarios from the late twenties recall Expressionist silent films, while Frank King tested the real-time narrative with Gasoline Alley. Not to forget Lyonel Feininger, who in 1906/07 tread the path of artistic independence with two comic strips. Exhibition: Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 23.6.-18.9.2016