Tumbleweed's Comics Page

Ever since I was a kid I've been a big fan of the comics page. When I was younger, I didn't get all the jokes... comics were often more for adults. But nevertheless the comics were always the first page I'd turn to each morning, even today. That's not to say I don't fulfill my news fix, but with everything going on in the world, isn't it nicer to start your day with a chuckle instead of a frown? ^_^

Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found that many of my favorite comics are available on the Internet! What's even better is that many of the comics I loved as a kid are still out there.

Well to share in the goodness, I've got a sample of some of my favorites below. If you want to read more, follow the link and you'll find the most recent printing of the strip (updated daily!) as well as archives of past strips. Explore a bit, and maybe you'll find a piece of your past as well!

By the way, I can't possibly keep up with updating this page daily. I'll update the samples every now and then, but I strongly recommend you follow the links yourself. ^_^

Note: The samples presented below are the sole property of their copyright holders and are presented solely for purposes of review.

Enjoy!

Tumbleweeds by Tom K. Ryan I had to start off my comics page with the one I chose for a namesake oh so many years ago. Visit the dusty little town of Grimy Gulch, population barely over a hundred. Visit the might Poohawk Nation. This strip has changed a bit over the years, silent Lotsa Luck has regained his voice and acquired a valet, a few new characters have come into play. This is a classic keeper. You can read this strip either at King Features' Tumbleweeds, or better yet, check out Tom Ryan's Tumbleweed's home page.

Dilbert by Scott Adams This strip has become wildly popular among computer geeks and office drones alike. The scary thing is that this strip reminds me of my own job more and more. Yeeesh! All I need now is a talking dog with plans to take over the world. Fortunately my cat seems to be making no plans ... yet! Visit the internet-famous Dilbert Zone!

Foxtrot by Bill Amend This strip quickly became a favorite of mine after stumbling across it a few years ago. Since then I've watched the Family Foxtrot grow as Amend's artwork improved. It's a totally thumb's up recommendation for those who like family-oriented strips with something for everyone. Young Jason (my favorite) reminds me too much of myself at a certain age. Amend has built a great website with archives and software and all sort of background information. Go visit The Official Foxtrot Web Site!

Andy Capp by Reg Smythe I cannot figure out how this strip still makes it to the page every day. Thankfully it's tamed a bit over the years. Andy still spend most of his time in the boozer, and his family relations make "Married with Children" look like "Touched by an Angel" Regardless, it's a fun trip to the land of kings and queens, even if it's just king-sized pints at the Queens Arms Pub. For your daily draft, hobble along to King Features' Andy Capp.

Beetle Bailey by Mort Walker This is another one of those strips that I had the pleasure to watch grow and develop with the times. I guess that's the sign of a successful strip, if it can stay up with the changes, and Mort Walker has always had a reputation for keeping abreast and ahead of the times. Beetle Bailey dealt with issues such as race relations and gender issues in the military. Peace and war. War and peace, and bellybuttons and censorship. Beetle himself started off as a college student, with many of his familiar friends with him. When the nation entered the Korean War, Beetle signed up, but never saw the front. Now he is everyone's favorite non-aging, life-time private. March on up, raise your right hand and read this strip at King FeaturesBeetle Bailey.

Crock by Bill Rechin and Don Wilder While we're talking about army strips, here are the loveable losers of the French Foreign Legion. Herm... does anyone remember who they're supposed to be fighting? It's been over 15 years since I last read this strip on a daily basis, so I don't know how much it's changed over the years. The artwork looks a little different, but check it out yourself and cross the burning desert sands to King Features' Crock.

Funky Winkerbean by Tom Batuik This was another pleasant surprise. I hadn't thought about this comic strip in years, but vividly remembered the storyline which covered teen pregnancy, back when this was rarely an issue discussed in public, let alone the comics page. Many papers boycotted the strip during this run, but now you can read it in its entirety at this site. But out friends are till out there. Les is a teacher now at the same school he used to be stuffed in his locker at. Funky runs the old pizza parlor. Lately they've been discussing issues of dating violence and drunk driving. It may not always be a chuckle, but the strip is well worth reading! Go to King Features' Funky Winkerbean.

Hagar the Horrible by Chris Browne Started by Dik Browne, the father of Chris Browne, Hagar is a big favorite of mine. Maybe it has something to do with the medieval/Viking setting, maybe it's more his love of beer and food. Maybe it's because despite his occupation (marauding Viking invader) he's a big loveable bear. For a smile, rampage on over to King Features' Hagar the Horrible and read it yourself! ^_^

B.C. by Johnny Hart This is another old classic. With it's small cave-dweller cast and sparse prehistoric setting, they manage to bring a grin with a variety of old jokes, odd observations, and original humor. Read it at Comics Creators Syndicate.

The Wizard of Id by Brent Parker and Johnny Hart Similar to Crock and B.C., this strip takes place in the magical Kingdom of Id (I guess that makes the citizenry Idiots). Meet the pint-sized king, the chicken-hearted Sir Rodney, the perpetually boozled Bung, and, of course, the Wiz! Read it at Comics Creators Syndicate.

Doonesbury by Gary Trudeau For the longest time, this has been one of all-time favorite strips. It's not as funny as it used to be, but it's not down for the count just yet! The characters have changed and grown over the years, maybe not for the better, but that's for you to decide. Gary Trudeau, more than any comic strip artist, keeps on top of the world of politics and current events. When people call the comics page a barometer of social trends, they're usually thinking of Doonesbury. For a thoughtful and sometimes amusing look at the world, check out The Official Doonesbury comic strip web site. This site also has archives, background info, controversial issues and a link to the Doonesbury Electronic Town Hall!

Looking for a particle strip that I haven't mentioned yet? Maybe this will help, at

King Features

The Amazing Spider-Man, Apartment 3-G, Baby Blues, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, The Better Half, Between Friends, Blondie, Boner's Ark, Bringing Up Father, Buckles, Claire and Weber, Curtis, Dennis the Menace, Dinette Set, Ernie, The Family Circus, Flash Gordon, Free For All, Grin and Bear It, Hazel, The Heart of Juliet Jones, Henry, Hi and Lois, Horrorscope, I Need Help, Judge Parker, The Katzenjammer Kids, Laff-a-Day, The Lockhorns, Mallard Fillmore, Mandrake the Magician, Mark Trail, Marvin, Mary Worth, Moose Miller, Mutts, The New Breed, The Norm, On the Fastrack, The Phantom, Popeye, Pops Place, Prince Valiant, Ralph, Redeye, Rex Morgan, M.D., Rhymes with Orange, Rip Kirby, Safe Havens, Sally Forth, Sam and Silo, Shylock Fox and Comics for Kids, The Small Society, Steve Roper and Mike Nomad, They'll Do It Every Time, Tiger, Trudy, Walnut Cove, Where's Waldo, Willy 'n Ethel, Zippy the Pinhead, Zits.

United Press Syndicate

Adam, Bliss, Bizarro, Calvin and Hobbes, Cathy, Citizen Dog, Close to Home, Cornered, Crabby Road, Crankshaft, Duplex, Fair Game, Fluff, The Fusco Brothers, The Fifth Wave, Garfield, Geech, In the Bleachers, Mister Boffo, Overboard, Pavlov, Quality Time, Real Life Adventures, Second Chances, Stone Soup, Tank McNamara, Tight Corner, Tom the Dancing Bug, Tradin' Paint, Us and Them, Ziggy

United Media

Alley Oop, Arlo and Janis, Betty, Big Nate, The Born Loser, The Buckets, Committed, Drabble, Eek and Meek, For Better or For Worse, Frank and Ernest, The Grizzwells, Herman, Jump Start, Kit 'N' Carlyle, Luann, Marmaduke, Meatloaf Night, Meg!, Nancy, Over the Hedge, Peanuts, Reality Check, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, Robotman, Rose is a Rose, Tarzan, Tommy, Top of the World!, Warped

Comics Creators Syndicate

One Big Happy, Rugrats, Archie, Rubes, Momma, Liberty Meadows, Speedbump, Ninja Turtles, Ask Shagg, Ballard Street, Strange Brew, Miss Peach, Penmen

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