Fans of any kind of comic are familiar with symbols in comic dialogue. 1 / 8
The symbols stand in for profanity, which general comics cannot include. 2 / 8
Using the symbols, though, give the writers the effect of profanity without literally using it. 3 / 8
It has become a standard part of comic book history. 4 / 8
The late Mort Walker coined the term 'grawlix' to describe these symbols. 5 / 8
It was believed that Rudolph Dirks' Katzenjammer Kids used them first. 6 / 8
Then Gene Carr's Lady Bountiful appeared to take the victory with a 1901 strip. 7 / 8
The current leader, though, is an 1877 comic strip by James J. Calahan. 8 / 8