Max and Moritz (1865) by William Busch is one of the first ever comic books. The boys create mayhem with violent booby-traps that torment animals and authority figures; but they are finally, justly, eaten by ducks. The exaggerated wickness follows the style of Shock-headed Peter (1845).

Through the chimney now, with pleasure

They behold the tempting treasure.

Busch was the first comic artist to use motion lines to show rapid movements, such as his eye-popping piano virtuoso playing furioso:

Tags: children's books, comics, humour

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