short American cartoons featuring a meanminded, accident-pronecat named Tom and his adversary, a mouse named Jerry. The original cartoons, drawn by William Hanna and Joe Barbera, were in production from 1937 and known for their excessive violence along with their humor and impossible situations (such a s Tom being brutally bashed over the head, instantly recovering his vivacity, and continuing on despite any and all odds). The cartoon also appeared in comic books from the 1940s on. —SHSBC Binder 20 Approved Glossary