Today in the history of the American comic strip: May 24

American cartoonists and writers may not have invented the comic strip, but some argue that the comics, as we know them today, are an American creation. Clearly, the United States has played an outsize role in the development of this underappreciated art form.

5.24.1912: Alfred Andriola, the artist on the Kerry Drake detective strip, is born in New York City. He was named 1970 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society. Launched in 1943, Kerry Drake ran for 40 years. 

5.24.1959: Frank Giaccia’s Johnny Reb and Billy Yank, a Civil War strip, ends its run after less than three years.

5.24.2016: Mell Lazarus, the creator of Miss Peach (1957-2002) and Momma (1970-2016), dies in Los Angeles at 89. Lazarus is a member of the National Cartoonists Society Hall of Fame.
 

Miss Peach

 

Most of the information listed here from one day to the next comes from two online sites -- Wikipedia, and Don Markstein's Toonopedia -- as well as 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics, edited by Maurice Horn. Note that my focus is on American newspaper comic strips (and the occasional foreign strip that gained popularity in the United States). Thus, comic books and exclusively online comics are not included here.