Cartoon strips that survived after their originators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on cartoon strips that have continued after the death of their original creators, exploring the factors influencing their longevity, such as drawing style and content. Participants share examples of specific strips and their transitions, as well as the impact of guest artists and changes in artistic style over time.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that "Peanuts" continued briefly after Charles Schulz's death, but the style changed and was eventually replaced by re-publications of older strips.
  • One participant suggests that changes in Charlie Brown's head shape occurred during Schulz's lifetime, questioning the impact of other artists on the strip's style.
  • It is mentioned that Dik Browne passed "Hagar the Horrible" to his son, who has been drawing it since 1989.
  • Another participant adds "Prince Valiant" and "Beetle Bailey" to the list of strips that have survived their originators, noting a change in tone for "Wizard of Id" and "B. C." without confirming if they have new artists.
  • A participant discusses the survival of original Marvel characters like the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man, suggesting they have outlived their creators, while also referencing the detective genre in comic strips.
  • It is noted that the comic strip "Cul de Sac" continues after its creator Richard Thompson's passing.
  • Another participant mentions that Piraro is handing over "Bizarro" to Wayno.
  • One participant questions the accuracy of the claim regarding "Peanuts," stating that Schulz did not want anyone else drawing his strip and attributing changes in style to Schulz's health issues rather than external artists.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the impact of guest artists and the changes in drawing styles of various strips. There is no consensus on the reasons for the survival of these strips or the extent to which they have changed after their originators.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on personal recollections and interpretations of artistic changes, which may not be universally agreed upon. The discussion includes assumptions about the influence of health on artistic style and the nature of creative control after an originator's passing.

Stephen Tashi
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The drawing styles in newspaper cartoon strips are as distinct as handwriting. What are cartoon strips that have (or have not) survived longer than their originator's? How much of the survival was based on drawing style and how much on the content?

I recall that the strip "Peanuts" continued for a short time after the death of Charles Shulz, but it looked different and was soon replaced by re-publication of old Peanuts cartoons.

The originator of "Dilbert" occasionally has the strip drawn by guest artists.

Several artists draw the cartoon strip "Blondie". I notice slight differences in their styles, but the differences aren't jarring. It think this is remarkable given the idiosyncrasies involved in drawing Blondie's hair and eyes.
 
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I'm not sure that's due to other artists. Charlie Brown's head turned from oblate to spherical while Schultz was drawing it.
 
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Dik Browne passed Hagar the Horrible on to his son who has been doing the strip since '89.
 
I think you can add "Prince Valiant" and "Beetle Bailey" to that list. I have noticed a distinct change in tone of "Wizard of Id" and "B. C.", but I don't know for sure that another person has taken over either of those strips.
 
Though rarely seen in strips these days, the original Marvel pantheon including the Incredible Hulk, Amazing Spiderman, Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, The Avengers and old Captain Marvel, himself; survive the passing of their originators.

The FF are actually an amalgam of individual old-time comic strips Plastic Man, the Human Torch, Invisible Girl ('cause, ya' know, no clothes while sleuthing) teamed with a "more likable" Hulk; according to Stan Lee.

On firmer ground the Detective Comics (DC) sci-fi superheroes Superman, Batman and Catwoman, Flash and company appeared as individual strips and books at least back to the 1930's. BTW the label 'detective' refers to the nature of the typical adventure comic strip as well as actual detectives such as Dick Tracy. Also common to mystery novels, a main character becomes 'our detective' in order to solve the mystery.

Back to modern comic strips, the entertaining 'suburbs through the eye of a child' and endearing comic strip Cul de Sac outlives its creator Richard Thompson.
 
Piraro is turning Bizarro over to Wayno.
 
Stephen Tashi said:
I recall that the strip "Peanuts" continued for a short time after the death of Charles Shultz, but it looked different and was soon replaced by re-publication of old Peanuts cartoons.

Are you sure of this? Shultz didn't want anyone else drawing his strip. Shultz's art looked different in the last year or so due to his stroke. Could it have been this you saw?
 

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