The Pink Panther

The cartoon character known as The Pink Panther first appeared in the animated main title sequence for the 1963 European release of the comedy caper bearing his name. Although the *real* Pink Panther is a fantabulous diamond targeted by thieves, the quirky, slinky, sketched cat soon spun-off into his own series of stylish theatrical short subjects, even winning an Oscar for the debut episode, The Pink Phink (1964).

The Pink Panther has orchestrated a successful comeback and added luster to his star status with a recent hit film with Steve Martin (and another promised), plus an all-new run in the Sunday funnies. The peculiar feline is depicted in a wide variety of surreal, mostly silent settings in the offerings by Bill and Eric Teitelbaum, the cartoonists behind a daily business strip, Bottom Liners.

Returning from the cast of The Pink Panther movie house cartoons is his foil, the (apparently) unnamed, little, all-white guy. To clarify that stooge's presence, the infamous Inspector Clouseau had his own spinoff cartoon series in the '60s, The Inspector, so he was unavailable to be the butt of the Pink Panther's gags. In the comic strip, however, Clouseau makes occasional appearances, as do the Ant and the Aardvark, characters from a third, yet unrelated United Artists cartoon series.

The current Pink Panther of the week can be seen at goComics, along with a color archive.

View: The Pink Panther Comic Strip