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Friday, September 24, 2010

2010 Record Year for Syndicated Comic Strips

So far, seven features have been launched this year -- four more than in 2009 -- and most were launched prior to Cathy Guisewite's announcement that she is ending her long-running, award-winning feature, Cathy, after 34 years. The Chicago Tribune enlarged its comics features earlier this year, as well, leading one to wonder if the Comics page is on its way back in?

Obviously, this is an attempt to improve circulation and save the newspaper -- which is quickly fading, largely due to the rise of the Internet and smart phones. Will it work? It certainly can't hurt. In fact, the newspaper industry owes a lot to the Comics page, and it could be argued -- probably isn't anywhere near the truth, but it still could be argued -- that newspapers survived the advent of TV with the Comics page, yet isn't faring so well with the advent of the Internet... without said Comics page. Huh? Right?

Our colleagues over to Comics Alliance have a Rundown on all seven features, including samples from each.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

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