Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 31

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.

8.31.1947: Arn, the first son of Prince Valiant and Aleta, Queen of the Misty Isles, is born in Hal Foster’s classic strip, Prince Valiant.

8.31.1960: Edgar Martin, the creator of Boots and Her Buddies, dies at 62, in Clearwater. Florida. The strip, which ran from 1924 to 1969, featured a central character (Boots) who was sometimes dubbed the "sweetheart of the comics."

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 30

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.

8.30.1903: Oskar Lebeck is born in Germany. He was the co-creator (with Al McWilliams) of Twin Earths (1952-1963), a science fiction strip in which aliens from another Earth on the opposite side of the sun visit our planet.

 

8.30.1942: Fearless Fosdick, a parody of Chester Gould's Dick Tracy, debuts in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner,  as a strip within a strip.

8.30.2015: Brad Anderson, who brought the Great Dane Marmaduke into the comics world, dies in The Woodlands, Texas, at 91.

Marmaduke

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 29

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.

8.29.1867: Gustave Verbeek, creator of The Upside Downs of Little Lady Lovekins and Old Man Muffaroo (1903-1905), is born in Nagasaki, Japan.

8.29.1905: Disney artist Al Taliaferro, best known for his work on the Donald Duck comic strip, is born in Montrose, Colorado.

 

8.29.1948: The shmoo (plural: shmoon or shmoos) first appears in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner (although some sources list the date as Aug. 31). The popular character went on to influence pop culture, language and science.

8.29.2023: Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi release Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz. In its review, The New York Times says Schulz "comes through in these pages."

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 28

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.

8.28.1904: Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of Oz, a strip written by L. Frak Baum and illustrated by Walt McDougall, is launched to promote one of Baum’s books in the Oz series.

8.28.1927: Jim Sasseville is born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He worked with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz on It’s Only a Game, a short-lived strip that Schulz created in 1957, focusing on sports and games.

8.28.1937: Frederick Burr Opper, the creator of Happy Hooligan, dies. His popular strip about a well-meaning hobo ran from 1900 to 1932.
 

Happy Hooligan

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 27

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. 

8.27.1946 American underground cartoonist, publisher, author and agent Denis Kitchen is born. He founded Kitchen Sink Press in 1970 to publish, among other works, reprints of classic comic strips. The company closed in 1999.

8.27.2011: Signe Wilkinson discontinues Family Tree after only four years. The strip explored the challenges faced by a family trying to live in an environmentally responsible way.

Family Tree

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 26

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.

8.26.1920: Brant Parker, who co-created The Wizard of Id with Johnny Hart and Crock with Bill Rechin, is born in Los Angeles, California. He was named 1984 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society. The same society honored him with Newspaper Comic Strip awards in 1971, 1976, 1980, 1982 and 1983.

8.26.2007: Kudzu makes its last Sunday appearance, shortly after the death of creator Doug Marlette in a traffic accident.

8.26.2007: Triple Take, which debuted in 2005, ends its run. Created by Todd Clark and Scott Nickel, it featured three separate punch lines in each daily installment.

The Wizard of Id

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 25

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.

8.25.1912: Ted Key, the creator of Hazel, is born in Fresno, California. His cartoon about a live-in maid first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post and found its way into newspapers after that magazine folded in 1969.

8.25.1913: Walt Kelly, the creator of Pogo, is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was named 1951 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society. At its peak, Pogo ran in nearly 500 newspapers in 14 countries.

Pogo

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 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.

8.24.1941: Jim Scancarelli is born in New York City. After working as an assistant on Gasoline Alley, he assumed control of the strip in 1986. In 1988 he was one of two recipients of a Newspaper Comic Strip award from the National Cartoonists Society. The other was Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes.

8.24.1956: A. D. Condo dies in Albany, California. He collaborated with J. W. Raper to create The Outbursts of Everett True (1905-1927). Flying solo, he created Mr. Skygack, from Mars (1907-1917).

The Outbursts of Everett True

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 23

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.

8.23.1905: Ernie Bushmiller, the creator of Nancy, is born in New York City. He was named 1976 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society, which had previously honored him with a Newspaper Comic Strip award in 1961.

8.23.1959: Sally Brown, Charlie Brown’s younger sister, makes her first appearance in Charles Schulz’s Peanuts.

Nancy

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 22

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.

8.22.1880: George Herriman, who gave the world Krazy Kat (1913-1944), is born in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Comics Journal has ranked Krazy Kat the greatest comic of the 20th century. 

8.22.1902: George Clark, who created The Neighbors and Side Glances, is born in the Oklahoma Territory. The strips explored middle-class humor.

8.22.1966: Peppermint Patty, who has a crush on Charlie Brown and calls him Chuck, makes her first appearance in Charles Schulz’s Peanuts.

8.22.1971: Merrill Blosser's Freckles and His Friends draws to a close with its final Sunday strip. The comic launched in 1915.

 

8.22.2022: In a story commemorating the 50th anniversary of Funky Winkerbean, The Washington Post reports that creator Tom Batiuk’s comic has become “the darkest strip on the comics pages” because of Batiuk’s willingness to realistically tackle such topics as terminal illness, suicide and abuse, among others.

Krazy Kat

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 21

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.

8.21.1918: Edwina Dumm debuts Cap Stubbs and Tippie, a strip about a mischievous boy and his dog. It ran until 1966.

8.21.1933: William Ritt launches Brick Bradford, as a daily strip. The science-fiction comic ran from 1933 to 1987, under various artists.
 

Brick Bradford

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 20

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.

8.20.1930: Bill Rechin, the co-creator of Crock and Out of Bounds, is born in Buffalo, New York. Crock, which ran from 1975 to 2012, has been described as a parody of the 1924 novel Beau Geste.

8.20.1972: Ray Helle cancels The Flibbertys, an 18-year-old family strip that also included a dog, a cat and a mouse. The animals could talk among themselves.

8.20.1977: Johnny Hazard, which dropped its Sunday strip on Aug. 14, 1977, disappears entirely by abandoning the daily strip as well.

8.20.2005: Trudy, which was launched in 1963, ends its run following the  death of creator Jerry Marcus. The strip focused on the homemaker of the title as she manages her family and its pets.

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 19

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.

8.19.1906: Wee Willie Winkie’s World, by famed artist Lyonel Feininger, begins its short run. The comic, which still has fans today, came to an end in 1907.

8.19.1954: Stephen Bentley is born in Los Angeles, California. In 1989, he launched Herb and Jamaal, a strip about two friends who run a diner.

Wee Willie Winkie's World

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.

Today in the history of the American comic strip: August 18

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.

8.18.1963: Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts makes its first named reference to Joe Shlabotnik, Charlie Brown's favorite baseball player and hero.

8.18.2009: Fantagraphics Books releases the first volume in a hardcover set reprinting Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant, which launched in 1937.

Peanuts

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.