Comic books - the magic of humour

HUMOROUS COMIC STRIPS WE'VE ALL GROWN TO LOVE

For many, the Sunday comics are a must-read. For generations, many of the comics our parents grew up with have survived and are still as popular today. Though many are reprints, as many of their creators have passed away, we can't seem to get enough of them. Who doesn't remember growing up with Peanuts, Beetle Bailey, Blondie, Dennis the Menace, and B.C.? There are so many that have become a part of our everyday lives and have flourished through the decades, syndicated in newspapers and finding new life through television specials, movies, and merchandizing. Many of those classics never cease to make us smile, even laugh out loud. They are a part of us, and in some ways, we are a part of them. For without our devotion to them, they would not continue to entertain us today.

Listed here are just some of the many comic strips that have been around for as long as many of us can remember and continue to run in newspapers throughout the United States. It may be difficult to pin down the number one favorite as there are so many we can't get enough of.

Dick Tracy - First appeared in the Detroit Free Press in 1931, by Chester Gould

Alley Oop - First appeared in the "Funnies on Parade" comic book for Proctor and Gamble as a promotional item in 1933, by Vincent T. Hamlin

Lil Abner - First appeared in "Skippy's Own Book of Comics" in 1934, the first four-color comic book, by Al Capp

Archie - First appeared in Pep Comics #4 in 1941, by Bob Montana

Peanuts - First appeared as a comic strip in 1950, but was previously featured in a magazine with the name "Lil Folks," by Charles Schulz

Beetle Bailey - First appeared as a comic strip in 1950, by Mort Walker

Dennis the Menace - First appeared as a comic strip in 1951, by Hank Ketcham

Hi & Lois - First created in 1954, by Mort Walker and Dik Browne

Andy Capp - First published in England in 1957, by Reg Smythe

B.C. - First appeared in 1958, by Johnny Hart

Wizard of Id - First appeared in 1964, by Johnny Hart and Brant Parker

Doonesbury- First syndicated in 1970, by Garry Trudeau

Hagar the Horrible - First appeared in 1973, by Dik Browne

This collection of classic comic strips is as relevent today as it was decades ago and will continue to bring future generations smiles and fond memories. Without them, our daily and Sunday comics just wouldn't be the same.

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