While animated films are nothing new today, the oldest cartoon character may have popped up in a work from famed cartoonist Winsor McCay in 1911.

Cartoon continuity is a fickle beast that serves up more existential dread than you’d think possible. In serialized shows like BoJack Horseman, the malaise comes straight from its ongoing storyline.

Big head cartoon characters like Stewie and Megamind have captured hearts in animation history. Which modern and classic ...