Johnny Hart 1931-2007

[Zaaphod]

Many things have been said about him, not all of them complimentary, but he did write, draw, and ink every strip himself. No army of assistants, unlike some newspaper cartoonists...

'B.C.' cartoonist Johnny Hart dies at 76

MARY ESCH
Associated Press
Sun, Apr. 08, 2007

ALBANY, N.Y. - Cartoonist Johnny Hart, whose award-winning "B.C." comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, died Saturday while working at his home in Endicott. He was 76.

"He had a stroke," Hart's wife, Bobby, said Sunday. "He died at his storyboard."

"B.C.," populated by prehistoric cavemen and dinosaurs, was launched in 1958 and eventually appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers with an audience of 100 million, according to Creators Syndicate Inc., which distributes it.

"He was generally regarded as one of the best cartoonists we've ever had," Hart's friend Mell Lazarus, creator of the "Momma" and "Miss Peach" comic strips, said from his California home. "He was totally original. 'B.C' broke ground and led the way for a number of imitators, none of which ever came close."

After he graduated from Union-Endicott High School, Hart met Brant Parker, a young cartoonist who became a prime influence and co-creator with Hart of the "Wizard of Id" comic strip.

Hart enlisted in the Air Force and began producing cartoons for Pacific Stars and Stripes. He sold his first freelance cartoon to the Saturday Evening Post after his discharge from the military in 1954.

Later in his career, some of Hart's cartoons had religious themes, a reflection of his own Christian faith. That sometimes led to controversy.

A strip published on Easter Sunday in 2001 drew protests from Jewish groups and led several newspapers to drop the strip. The cartoon depicted a menorah transforming into a cross, with accompanying text quoting some of Jesus Christ's dying words. Critics said it implied that Christianity supersedes Judaism.

Hart said he intended the strip as a tribute to both faiths.

"He had such an emphasis on kindness, generosity, and patience," said Richard Newcombe, founder and president of Creators Syndicate in Los Angeles.

Newcombe said Hart was the first cartoonist to sign on when the syndicate was created 20 years ago. "Traditionally, comic strips were owned by syndicates," Newcombe said. "We were different because we allowed cartoonists to own their own work. It was because of Johnny's commitment to this idea that made us a success."

Besides his wife, Hart is survived by two daughters, Patti and Perri. He was a native of Endicott, about 135 miles northwest of New York City, and drew his comic strip at a studio in his home there until the day he died.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced.

[Llewthepoet]

R.I.P. Mr. Hart!

[Luke B.]

Wow.

Aside from anything else, he was one of the greats, and his earlier work especially is something I treasure.

[Dr. Doog]

well that's sad. I wonder what they'll replace his sunday strip with in my newspaper.

although, I must say that dying from "a stroke on your drawing board" sounds rather much like a pun <_<

[Llewthepoet]

well that's sad. I wonder what they'll replace his sunday strip with in my newspaper.

although, I must say that dying from "a stroke on your drawing board" sounds rather much like a pun <_<

Probably With Classic B.C. and Wizard Of Id...Just like when Charles Schultz died.

[Dr. Doog]

nah, my newspaper has a thing about not displaying comics that aren't currently being made. they'll probably run some old strips for a week, and then replace them with new comics.

[osprey]

R.I.P.

[Muninn]

Charles Schultz

It's Schulz, not Schultz.

[Tom Flapwell]

It's Schulz, not Schultz.

Yeah, I used to pronounce it "Skulls."

The death of Hart has awakened me to the fact that I don't have to like a cartoonist or his comics to feel sad at his death. I must regard all cartoonists as something like family.

[Steve the Pocket]

well that's sad. I wonder what they'll replace his sunday strip with in my newspaper.

Theoretically, they won't have to...

Prior to his death, Hart had built up a detailed computer archive of his drawings, and been working with family members to produce his strips, both of which mean that B.C. and The Wizard of Id can continue to be published.

I suppose Brant Parker could take over writing on The Wizard of Id, but I don't know about B.C. Normally I support comics dying with their creators, but I for one am genuinely curious to see what happens if they find someone new to write B.C.

[Muninn]

Maybe the new person will put B.C. on a more Rastafarian theme than a Christian one.