Universal Uclick and GoComics Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries for Comics
Seven syndicated comic strips/panels hit major anniversaries ranging from 10 to 60 years.
Kansas City, Mo. (Feb. 3, 2014) – Universal Uclick and GoComics are excited to announce that seven syndicated comics will celebrate major anniversaries in 2014, marking decades of laughter, entertainment and success.
COMPU-TOON (20th Anniversary)
With a 20-year history under its belt this year, Compu-toon, by Charles Boyce, reminds us that technological innovations haven’t necessarily made our lives any easier — maybe just funnier. If you’ve ever struggled to turn your cellphone off, thought cookies were just a delicious snack or tried in vain to talk to a human customer service rep, Compu-toon is the strip for you. As technology continues to improve, there are sure to be frustrations, providing fresh inspiration for Boyce’s comic for years to come.
“As the 20th anniversary of Compu-Toon is unveiled this year, the path of how it got here is reassured ... this comic panel has a purpose,” Boyce said. “The growth of technology is constantly supplying humorous moments that will keep Compu-Toon running for years, giving readers an enjoyable ride into the next decades.”
DILBERT (25th Anniversary)
An icon of office humor around the globe, Dilbert, created by Scott Adams, turns 25 on April 16. Known for bringing humor to the frustrations of annoying co-workers, micromanagers and white-collar corporations, Dilbert has evolved throughout the years, making the comic as relevant today as it was when it was first syndicated in 1989. Like office workers around the world, Dilbert fought his way through fax machines and dial-up Internet and is now enjoying the new technology and casual dress code that recent years have introduced. Dilbert has won many awards, including the 1997 Harvey Award for Best Syndicated Strip. Dilbert appears in 2,000 newspapers and digital outlets in 65 countries and 25 languages.
"I've had the best job in the world for 25 years,” Adams said. “It feels like something bad is going to happen any day now just to even things out.”
GET FUZZY (15th Anniversary)
Celebrating its 15th birthday on Sept. 6, Get Fuzzy is a wry portrait of single life — with pets. At the center of this warm and fuzzy romp is Rob Wilco, a single, mild-mannered ad executive and guardian of anthropomorphic scamps Bucky, a temperamental cat, and Satchel, a gentle pooch. Together, this unlikely trio endures all the trials and tribulations of a typical family... more or less. In 2002, the National Cartoonists Society honored Get Fuzzy with the Best Newspaper Comic Strip Award. The popular comic strip, created by Darby Conley, appears in more than 650 newspapers and digital outlets.
JUMPSTART (25th Anniversary)
Created by Robb Armstrong 25 years ago, JumpStart offers an authentic, positive representation of middle-class African Americans. The comic strip features Joe and Marcy Cobb, a young couple trying to balance careers while raising their three children. Packed with humor and heart, JumpStart is a modern comic strip with a classic feel. Articles about Armstrong and JumpStart have appeared in Time, Ebony, The New York Times, Black Enterprise and People, among others. Armstrong has been a featured guest on ABC’s "Good Morning America," MSNBC and numerous local and national TV shows. With storylines often inspired by his own life, Armstrong is optimistic about JumpStart’s future.
“After 25 years, people sometimes ask if it is difficult to come up with a funny, fresh idea every day,” Armstrong said. “That’s not the case as love is helping me write, draw and create new adventures for JumpStart every morning. Twenty-five more years would be a good beginning.”
MARMADUKE (60th Anniversary)
The lovable Great Dane Marmaduke is turning 60 this year. Created by Brad Anderson, who was later joined by son Paul, the classic comic canine has delighted readers since 1954. Marmaduke lives with the Winslow family, who, try as they might, just can't seem to get him to obey. Despite his antics, the playful pooch is top dog in the neighborhood and on the comics page, where he has endeared himself to readers in more than 20 countries. Brad Anerson won the National Cartoonists Society awards for Best Comic Panel in 1976 and Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement in 2012.
Although he is celebrating his 60th birthday, Marmaduke is as lively as ever.
“I keep Marmaduke fresh by keeping up with the current events of today, like new technology and clothing styles,” Anderson said. “It seems to me that dogs are more popular than ever now. I anticipate that Marmaduke will continue creating laughs, chuckles and smiles as long as Paul keeps up with the times and develops new twists on old situations.”
PRICKLY CITY (10th Anniversary)
Scott Stantis’ Prickly City turns 10 this July. The comic strip centers around the friendship between Winslow, a coyote pup with political aspirations, and Carmen, a young, libertarian-conservative girl. In the ongoing storyline, the strip offers a conservative perspective on political and social events. An award-winning editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune, Stantis has been the subject of many interviews about his contribution to cartooning.
“Ten years ago, I launched Prickly City to fight against bloated government that grew debt by the minute while it invaded our privacy,” Stantis said. “Now, a decade later … oh, wait … crud …”
TANK MCNAMARA (40th Anniversary)
Fondly noted for bridging the comic and sports worlds for 40 years, TANK MCNAMARA was created by writer Jeff Millar and artist Bill Hinds in 1974. The partnership brought out the best in both creators, with Millar’s wit and experience at a large, athletically celebrated university and a personal passion for sports and Hinds’ gift for illustrated storytelling and comedic pacing. The end result has been the iconic comic strip impacting five decades with a chronology of major issues affecting pro and amateur sports. The strip also hosts the annual “Sports Jerk of the Year Award” contest, allowing readers to nominate and vote for the person whose actions they find the most offensive. While Millar passed away in November 2012 after a long illness, Hinds continues to create daily comics that highlight the humor, absurdities and socially relevant moments in today’s sports landscape. In January, Hinds continued the annual tradition of naming a “Sports Jerk of the Year” and added a 40-Year Sports Jerk competition as well. Determined primarily by fan voting, the winners will be announced in the comic on Feb. 14 and the week of Feb. 17.
“For 40 years, the theater of TANK McNAMARA has performed scenes of familiar sports themes, ego, greed and superhuman frailties, with a steady stream of new actors,” Hinds said. “The fresh characters and timeless foibles of the sports world provide the comic strip with a continuous vein of comedy gold. The late Jeff Millar and I have always been grateful to be able to make a career of mining that precious metal.”
Each of these celebrated comics is available for free via GoComics’ website and mobile app, home to many of the most popular comics and cartoons in the world.
About Universal Uclick
Universal Uclick is the largest independent content syndicate in the world and a leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comic strips, political cartoons and other content for print, Web and mobile devices. Universal Uclick provides editorial development, licensing and other distribution services for iconic brands such as Doonesbury, Dear Abby, Miss Manners and some of the most significant comics in history, including Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Peanuts, Dilbert, For Better or For Worse, Cathy and Ziggy. Recent standout successes include Lio, Cul de Sac, Pearls Before Swine, Get Fuzzy, Big Nate and The Argyle Sweater. A full comic catalog can be found at GoComics.com or via its mobile/tablet app on multiple platforms. For more information on Universal Uclick, visit UniversalUclick.com. To stay informed about news pertaining to Universal Uclick, its content and creators, follow the company’s Twitter handle @UniversalUclick.
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Media Contact:
Julie Halper, Universal Uclick/GoComics
816.581.7658
jhalper@amuniversal.com
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