Spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas, erected a statue to honor E.C. Segar 
and his comic strip character Popeye for their positive influence on America’s
eating habits, making Popeye the first cartoon character to be immortalized in
public sculpture. 

E.C. Segar

Hank Ketcham and his son Dennis

 
      
Henry (Hank) King Ketcham  (March 14, 1920 – June 1, 2001)

Hank Ketcham created the Dennis the Menace comic strip, which he both
wrote and drew from 1951 to 1994, when he retired from working with the
daily cartoon and took up painting full time in his studio. Ketcham, who
was born in Seattle, Washington, received the Reuben Award for the
strip, which continues in the hands of capable artists today.

      Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 — September 24, 1991)

Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was a writer and cartoonist, best known for his  
classic children’s books including The Cat the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and
How the Grench Stole Christmas. Seuss died following several years of illness
in La Jolla, California.

A cartoon by Thomas Nast titled "A Live Jackass Kicking a Dead Lion" appeared 
the January 15, 1870 issue of "Harper’s Weekly." The cartoon used the donkey to symbolize the Democratic Party for the first time.

Thomas H. Nast, "Father of the American Cartoon"

Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Woodstock of Charles Schulz’ "Peanuts" comic strip.