Comic Riffs: The Comic Strip


Posted at 03:23 PM ET, 01/12/2011

When DILBERT meets Star Trek: Top 10 'Pon Farr' Guesses
By Michael Cavna
Comic Riffs would have guessed that in the Venn diagram to represent crossover between "Dilbert" fans and Trekkies, the overlap would be almost complete and total -- as in synch as a full eclipse or a Vulcan mind-meld. Comic...

By Michael Cavna  |  03:23 PM ET, 01/12/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Dilbert, Scott Adams, Star Trek

Posted at 12:47 PM ET, 12/28/2010

'DILBERT's' new syndicate: Comic moves to cubicles of Universal Uclick
By Michael Cavna
Universal Uclick has wooed another major comic strip from United Feature Syndicate. After two decades at UFS, Scott Adams's "Dilbert" will move to the offices of the Kansas City syndicate, Universal tells Comic Riffs. Universal Uclick announced in a...

By Michael Cavna  |  12:47 PM ET, 12/28/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Dilbert, Peanuts, Scott Adams, United Feature Syndicate, Universal Uclick

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 11/19/2010

SHOUT-OUT OF THE DAY: Why 'Pearls' tips its (backward) cap to 'Cul de Sac'
By Michael Cavna
(click here for enlarged image) The comics pages aren't unlike a sports team, in that only a couple of superstars are required to spark a wider sense of excitement, daily devotion and -- with an eye on the bottom...

By Michael Cavna  |  01:45 PM ET, 11/19/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cul de Sac, Pearls Before Swine, Richard Thompson, Stephan Pastis

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 11/15/2010

BEHIND THE SCENES: See 'Cul de Sac,' 'Pearls,' 'Lio' cartoonists offer peeks behind the creative curtain
By Michael Cavna
RingTales co-founder Michael Fry recently told Comic Riffs that his animation studio would soon feature behind-the-scenes interviews with such cartoonists as Stephan Pastis ("Pearls Before Swine"), Richard Thompson ("Cul de Sac"), Mark Tatulli ("Lio") and Paul Gilligan ("Pooch Cafe"),...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:30 AM ET, 11/15/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cul de Sac, Lio, Mark Tatulli, Michael Fry, Pearls Before Swine, Richard Thompson, RingTales, Stephan Pastis

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 11/11/2010

VETERANS DAY GAFFE: 'Garfield' creator Jim Davis apologizes for 'Stupid Day' gag
By Michael Cavna
(click here for enlarged image) It's one of the perils of working months ahead, a cursed confluence that has befallen many a syndicated strip cartoonist. But it's especially unfortunate when it occurs on a date as poignantly important as...

By Michael Cavna  |  03:00 PM ET, 11/11/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Garfield, Jim Davis

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 11/10/2010

The Newspaper Will Be Satirized: 'NON SEQUITUR' skewers The Post
By Michael Cavna
Universal UClick (click here to view enlarged image) "Non Sequitur" creator Wiley Miller has never been one to shy away from criticizing the very medium that has delivered his comic since 1991. Years before "The Daily Show" was even...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:00 AM ET, 11/10/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Muhammad cartoons, Non Sequitur, Universal UClick, Wiley Miller

Posted at 09:30 AM ET, 10/08/2010

'CUL DE SAC,' Or: The Day's Favorite Funnypage Reference to Batman...
By Michael Cavna
Friend of Comic Riffs Richard Thompson really, really knows his comics. Which is why we especially appreciate the second-panel reference in today's "Cul de Sac": Alice saying "Adults are a sentimental lot" is, of course, a wonderful allusion to...

By Michael Cavna  |  09:30 AM ET, 10/08/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cul de Sac, Richard Thompson

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010

HILARY PRICE on why her 'Rhymes With Orange' will turn pink this Sunday
By Michael Cavna
King Features just announced that come this Sunday, more than 50 of its cartoons will turn pink as part of its initiative timed to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Besides the monochromatic hues, the participating strips will feature a pink-ribbon...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:30 AM ET, 10/05/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cartoonists Care initiative, Hilary Price, King Features, Rhymes With Orange

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 10/04/2010

A DAY OF PINK CARTOONS: King Features comics get new hues this Sunday for breast cancer awareness
By Michael Cavna
The comics proofs landed on my desk a couple of weeks ago, and for a moment, I was certain something was askew with a color printer at The Post. The Sunday funnies were strikingly, brilliantly pink. Then I saw...

By Michael Cavna  |  12:01 PM ET, 10/04/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cartoonists Care Initiative, ComicsGoPink, King Features

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 10/03/2010

'Muhammad' does -- and does not -- appear in today's 'NON SEQUITUR' comic
By Michael Cavna
Depending on what newspaper you take, you may or may not see today's "Non Sequitur" comic that's captioned, in part, "...Where's Muhammad?" Some newspapers chose instead to run a Sunday replacement strip featuring the recurring character Obvious-Man. So what...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:30 AM ET, 10/03/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Non Sequitur, Universal UClick, Wiley Miller

Posted at 11:45 AM ET, 10/02/2010

'CATHY'S' FAREWELL: Video pays tribute as Guisewite ends her strip's 34-year run Sunday
By Michael Cavna
"Cathy" creator Cathy Guisewite told Comic Riffs in August that she had no idea what her final strip would be. "After all these years," she said, "I still can't think more than two weeks ahead." On Sunday, the world...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:45 AM ET, 10/02/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 10/01/2010

'PEANUTS' TURNS 60: Smithsonian pays tribute this weekend with portrait unveiling & Family Day
By Michael Cavna
(1966 Peanuts LLC) When I met Charles Schulz in 1998, there was already much talk about how to tout the golden anniversary of his beloved "Peanuts" in 2000. If possible, tomorrow's 60th anniversary of the comic's launch has the...

By Michael Cavna  |  09:45 AM ET, 10/01/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Charles M. Schulz, Jean Schulz, Lee Mendelson, Peanuts

Posted at 01:25 PM ET, 09/09/2010

Good grief: 'PEANUTS' will leave syndicate in February for Universal [UPDATED]
By Michael Cavna
It's official: Come next February, United Feature Syndicate will no longer distribute "Peanuts." After 60 years, Charlie Brown is moving to the syndicate Universal Uclick. "We feel Universal is a natural partnership for us," Jean Schulz, wife of late...

By Michael Cavna  |  01:25 PM ET, 09/09/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Charles M. Schulz, Jean Schulz, Lee Salem, Peanuts, United Feature Syndicate, Universal UClick

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 08/26/2010

FAREWELL: His dream shot down, 'MY CAGE' cartoonist has a word for comics fans
By Michael Cavna
Speaking straight from the heart, cartoonist Ed Power has some hard-won words of advice for comics fans: Support your favorite comic strip very, very vocally. The reason for Power's impassioned plea now? Because not enough readers were vocal enough...

By Michael Cavna  |  09:45 AM ET, 08/26/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Ed Power, King Features, Melissa DeJesus, My Cage

Posted at 10:01 AM ET, 08/11/2010

ASK 'DOONESBURY': Now's your chance to ask Garry Trudeau a question
By Michael Cavna
"In the past four decades, 'Doonesbury' creator Garry Trudeau has rarely been available for interviews. Now is your chance to interview him." So promises the wording on the "Ask Doonesbury" page, where readers can go to submit their question...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:01 AM ET, 08/11/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Doonesbury, Garry Trudeau

Posted at 10:55 AM ET, 08/03/2010

New 'OH, BROTHER!' website hopes to follow in 'Big Nate's' big steps
By Michael Cavna
Comic Riffs recently met with a King Features salesman who wasn't just excited by his syndicate's new comic panel "Oh, Brother!" He also enthused something serious about the comic's dedicated interactive website. Now, that very site is beginning to...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:55 AM ET, 08/03/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Bob Weber Jr., Jay Stephens, King Features, Oh Brother!

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 06/23/2010

Tony Murphy's comics-newspaper project hits pledge goal
By Michael Cavna
Tony Murphy's message to his comics donors: It's all about you! Murphy, creator of the Washington Post Writers Group-syndicated comic strip "It's All About You," wants to launch "a weekly comic-strip newspaper" called Coffee Talk. And today, Murphy announces...

By Michael Cavna  |  04:45 PM ET, 06/23/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  It's All About You, Tony Murphy, Washington Post Writers Group

Posted at 11:01 AM ET, 06/13/2010

TODAY'S FAREWELL: 7 Reasons why 'Little Orphan Annie' will never see another tomorrow
By Michael Cavna
(Courtesy of TMS -- to see a larger version, click here ) "Poor Mr. Warbucks! It's painful for him -- he's resigning himself to Miss Annie's being lost forever -- " And so, just seven weeks shy of 86...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:01 AM ET, 06/13/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Harold Gray, Jay Maeder, Little Orphan Annie, Ted Slampyak, Tribune Media Services

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 06/11/2010

'CALVIN MINUS HOBBES': Even Miss Wormwood might shudder at this new math
By Michael Cavna
courtesy of Jeff Ocean / Calvin Minus Hobbes "Garfield Minus Garfield" is a joy to read, with a twist that's not just sending up the strip but also spinning it with a winningly surreal bent. Then, on the flip...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:30 AM ET, 06/11/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Bill Watterson, Calvin Minus Hobbes, Dan Walsh, Garfield Minus Garfield, Jeff Ocean, Jim David

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 06/08/2010

READERS: Which strips would YOU pick to anchor your comics page?
By Michael Cavna
A change in The Post's comics lineup always makes for a heftier mailbag. And when that change involves the rightly beloved "Cul de Sac," then woe to the virtual mailboy who must lug that fatted satchel. With Gene Weingarten...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:15 AM ET, 06/08/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Barney & Clyde, Comics Reporter, Cul de Sac, Doonesbury, Tom Spurgeon

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 06/07/2010

POST HUNT: When a comic strip stands between you and $2K
By Michael Cavna
Gene Weingarten fairly warned us that his new strip, "Barney & Clyde," would make a conspicuous appearance at yesterday's 2010 Post Hunt in D.C. Hoo-boy, did it ever -- in large, glorious color. A prominently displayed "Barney & Clyde"...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:45 AM ET, 06/07/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Barney & Clyde, Dan Weingarten, David Clark, Gene Weingarten, The Washington Post Writers Group

Posted at 08:30 AM ET, 04/07/2010

The Riff: It's high time to make CUL DE SAC an animated show
By Michael Cavna
Maybe it's seeing those fluidly loose lines in motion. Perhaps it's the thrill of watching Dill rock back and forth, back and forth, just so. Or it could be, simply, the just-right sound of Alice Otterloop's voice. Whatever the...

By Michael Cavna  |  08:30 AM ET, 04/07/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Comic Riffs blogger Michael Cavna on Richard Thompson's Cul de Sac deserving an animated TV show; RingTales.com creates Cul de Sac animations; animated Dilbert & Baby Blues & Boondocks & Ugly Americans

Posted at 06:10 AM ET, 03/24/2010

Post comics changes: Of Barney, Clyde & Gene (Weingarten)
By Michael Cavna
A coupla years back, I heard a rumor about my esteemed colleague Gene Weingarten -- whom I would refer to properly as The Post's Pulitzer Prize-Winning Humor Columnist, but I'm apparently legally bound to cut him a royalty check...

By Michael Cavna  |  06:10 AM ET, 03/24/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Amy Lago, Barney & Clyde, Dan Weingarten, David Clark, Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Writers Group

Posted at 05:55 AM ET, 03/18/2010

This Just In: Cartooning's 'Oscars' announce the division nominees
By Michael Cavna
Not only is MAD magazine artist Tom Richmond overwhelmed, in disbelief and "suitably humbled." He also is awaiting a "hanging-chad controversy" to emerge. So says Richmond on his "Mad Blog," in acknowledging that he's up for three -- count...

By Michael Cavna  |  05:55 AM ET, 03/18/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  National Cartoonists Society, Reuben Awards

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 03/17/2010

'CUL DE SAC' in action: Deftly, Richard Thompson is quick on the draw
By Michael Cavna
Forget Wonderland's Alice for a while. Today, our favorite three-dimensional Alice goes by the name Otterloop. "Cul de Sac's" Reuben-nominated creator, RICHARD THOMPSON, recently turned his pen toward drawing a three-minute Alice (and company). And thankfully, someone turned a...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:45 AM ET, 03/17/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cul de Sac, Richard Thompson

Posted at 02:05 PM ET, 03/15/2010

The 'Riffs Interview: Artist Mike Manley makes his 'Judge Parker' debut today
By Michael Cavna
"Judge Parker's" new artist debuts today. (KFS) The call came just weeks back. Would Mike Manley be interested in drawing "Judge Parker"? The strip's artist, Eduardo Barreto, had become severely ill, and King Features's comics editor, Brendan Burford, needed...

By Michael Cavna  |  02:05 PM ET, 03/15/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Eduardo Barreto, Judge Parker, King Features, Mike Manley, Woody Wilson

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 02/24/2010

AWARDS: 'Cul de Sac' cartoonist 'gobsmacked' by Reubens nod; Pastis & Piraro also nominated
By Michael Cavna
The call so blindsided "Cul de Sac" cartoonist Richard Thompson, he says he didn't even quite understand the news. National Cartoonists Society prez Jeff Keane was calling to tell Thompson that he was a finalist for the Reuben "Cartoonist...

By Michael Cavna  |  11:00 AM ET, 02/24/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip | Tags:  Bizarro, Cul de Sac, Dan Piraro, Jeff Keane, National Cartoonists Society, Pearls Before Swine, Reuben Awards, Richard Thompson, Stephan Pastis

Posted at 07:25 AM ET, 02/24/2010

'Judge Parker' names Mike Manley as strip's new artist [UPDATED]
By Michael Cavna
[Note: This Tuesday-evening post has been updated with more details on Mike Manley and Eduardo Barreto.] On Monday, Comic Riffs noted -- with a tip of the cap to reader "brainiac1077" -- that artist Mike Manley said he was ghosting...

By Michael Cavna  |  07:25 AM ET, 02/24/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Eduardo Barreto, Graham Nolan, Judge Parker, King Features Syndicate, Michael Manley, Woody Wilson

Posted at 12:22 PM ET, 02/22/2010

'Judge Parker' Minus Barreto: Readers speak out about the art -- and the artist
By Michael Cavna
Reader "samalexander" wishes "Judge Parker" artist Eduardo Barreto well. Her sincere good thoughts go out to the gravely ill illustrator. Oh, and on a personal note artistically: Please return. The strip isn't the same without you! And ever since...

By Michael Cavna  |  12:22 PM ET, 02/22/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Diego Barreto, Eduardo Barreto, John Heebink, Judge Parker

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 02/07/2010

Bo Knows: 'Shoe' spoofs White House reporting
By Christian Hettinger
Because we here at Comic Riffs can usually laugh at journalism's foibles, we long appreciated the skewering of newspapers by the late, great Jeff MacNelly. Which is why today, we pause to point out a "Shoe" worthy of the...

By Christian Hettinger  |  02:00 PM ET, 02/07/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip

Posted at 04:45 PM ET, 01/19/2010

'CUL DE SAC's Richard Thompson spills some trade secrets
By Michael Cavna
"Cul de Sac's" Richard Thompson (Courtesy of Richard Thompson) Gotta share my fave link from over the weekend... Some of my favorite art from "CUL DE SAC" cartoonist and longtime Post contributor Richard Thompson comes when he works in...

By Michael Cavna  |  04:45 PM ET, 01/19/2010 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Cul de Sac, Richard Thompson

Posted at 09:30 AM ET, 12/09/2009

The Great 'Non Sequitur' Vote: A D.C. entrant cracks the Final Four
By Michael Cavna
Hearty congratulations go out to Washington Post reader "W. Parham," who's a national finalist in the Great Non Sequitur Sign-Off [Caption] Contest. Universal Press Syndicate has announced that Parham -- who lists The Post as "hometown newspaper" -- reached...

By Michael Cavna  |  09:30 AM ET, 12/09/2009 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip | Tags:  Non Sequitur, Wiley Miller

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 11/30/2009

How soon till a newspaper dumps ALL its comics?
By Michael Cavna
It's counterintuitive. It's unthinkable. It's blasphemous. And yet someday, perhaps sooner than we'd like to entertain, the prospect will be made real in print. Namely: A major newspaper that currently carries comics will, well, won't. As print papes wrestle...

By Michael Cavna  |  09:05 AM ET, 11/30/2009 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip

Posted at 10:05 AM ET, 11/13/2009

You want 'CUL DE SAC' in color? Well. 'You've got to get mad'
By Michael Cavna
When Richard Thompson's warm and whimsical strip "CUL DE SAC" moved into a new neighborhood recently -- migrating from its native Post Magazine to take up residence in Sunday's Arts&Style -- we were mildly shocked. Like some sort of...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:05 AM ET, 11/13/2009 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip, The Comic Strip

Posted at 10:30 AM ET, 10/29/2009

The next cartoon superstar? Pick your favorite NEW comic strip here
By Michael Cavna
Ah, I love the smell of new talent in the morning. Word comes from Andrews McMeel Publishing, sponsoring a contest by Amazon, that the 10 finalists have been named in the Comic Strip Superstar contest. And I must say:...

By Michael Cavna  |  10:30 AM ET, 10/29/2009 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  The Comic Strip