Thanks to McGrath for pointing out some of Windsor McKay's amazing achievements. He wasn't the first animator, but he was the first really good one. In animation he is regarded as one of the Saints.

Alley Oop could be pretty dull, but he inspired an unforgettably silly (and secretly very rude: he was a mean motorscooter!) 50's pop song.

Our Boarding House; terrible drawings, but one great character, the greatest BS artist of all time, Major Hoople.

Gasoline Alley, the opposite. Dull stories, but amazing artwork (in the early days).

I am currently rereading my Herman collection. A total mix, sometimes dull, but sometimes brilliant. And almost no formula.

I don't think anyone's mentioned my favourite, although it comes from long before even I was born. Thimble Theater, which spawned Popeye. Long rambling stories, wild adventures, and the early Popeye wasn't nearly as sweet, (or as smart) as he later became.