First Cartoon Ever?

[Mr. Moog]

The Yellow Kid is one of the first comic strips. I don't think it was ever animated.

 

[ilysm]

I don't recall the character ever making it to animation.

 

[emily_brightside]

there was an cave drawing or vase that is thousands of years old

 

[inoffensive nickname]

...... you know... you may have something there...

 

[agameros]

Here: http://www.emaki.net/blog/2006/02/burnt-city-animation-vl.html

 

[Mango Kiwi]

I know felix the cat was the first cartoon charter
some say mickey mouse but it was really felix

 

[siew]

If you mean the first character to star in a series, then that'd be Colonel Heeza Lia, who predates Felix by six years.