Not sure he can claim the phrase. On cursory glance, can find the phrase in multiple books prior to the publication of the cartoon, using the same phrase. Seems it was already in the vernacular.
1986: "How about the afternoon?" "How about never?”
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Wild_Nights/IaAA0LV0zWk...
1981:
there had to be someone else in the whole school he could talk to besides her. "How about never?" She turned back to her notes and didn't even notice when Harry left the room.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_New_Voice/4pQSCfcy4...