12 Classic Comic Strips That Quietly Vanished
These once-popular comic strips entertained generations but eventually faded from the funny pages without much fanfare.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
The comics section was once a daily escape for readers. However, as tastes changed and newspapers declined, many classic strips slowly disappeared. Here’s a look at 12 once-popular comic strips that quietly vanished over time.
1. Bringing Up Father (1913–2000)
Mark Anderson on Flickr
This long-running strip followed Jiggs, an Irish immigrant who struck it rich but preferred his working-class roots, much to his wife Maggie’s frustration. It was a global phenomenon at its peak, but humor styles changed, and readership dwindled.
2. Lil’ Abner (1934–1977)
A.Davey on Flickr
Al Capp’s satirical take on small-town life in Dogpatch, USA, was wildly popular for decades. Featuring unforgettable characters like Daisy Mae and the bumbling Abner, the strip tackled social issues with humor.
3. The Katzenjammer Kids (1897–2006)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
As the longest-running comic strip in history, this mischievous-kid adventure had an impressive run. It gradually lost relevance as humor evolved, and after over a century, it was finally discontinued.
4. Pogo (1948–1975, revivals until 1993)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
Walt Kelly’s Pogo blended political satire with lovable swamp creatures, charming readers for decades. Though attempts were made to revive it, Kelly’s unique style was difficult to replicate.
5. B.C. (1958–2007, continued under new creators)
Morton1905 on Flickr
Johnny Hart’s prehistoric comic strip combined simple humor with occasional religious themes. After passing in 2007, his family continued the strip, but it lost its original wit and influence.
6. Peanuts (1950–2000)
Wally Gobetz on Flickr
Charles Schulz’s legendary strip ended when he passed away, as he had insisted no one else continue it. While reprints still appear in newspapers, no new Peanuts comics have been produced since 2000.
7. Dick Tracy (1931–1977, later revivals)
Brecht Bug on Flickr
This crime-fighting detective strip, famous for its rogues’ gallery of villains, lost steam in the late ’70s. Though it saw later revivals, its dominance in the comics world faded.
8. Bloom County (1980–1989, sporadic revivals)
The Pop Culture Geek Network on Flickr
Berkeley Breathed’s satirical masterpiece was a huge hit in the ’80s but ended when the creator moved on to new projects. It has seen several revivals, but none have captured the original magic.
9. For Better or For Worse (1979–2008, reprints continue)
Jonathan Morris on Flickr
Lynn Johnston’s family saga was unique in that its characters aged in real time. When it ended in 2008, Johnston opted for reprints rather than letting others continue it.
10. Cathy (1976–2010)
J Thornburg on Flickr
Cathy Guisewite’s comic about modern womanhood, career struggles, and diet woes resonated with readers for decades. When Guisewite decided to retire in 2010, the strip ended with no continuation.
11. The Far Side (1980–1995)
Greg Williams on Wikimedia Commons
Gary Larson’s bizarre, one-panel comic was a staple in newspapers but ended when he retired. Despite its popularity, he resisted bringing it back, choosing to preserve its legacy.
12. Calvin and Hobbes (1985–1995)
Daniel Schultz on Flickr
Bill Watterson’s imaginative and beautifully drawn comic strip about a mischievous boy and his stuffed tiger ended at its peak. Watterson refused to commercialize the characters or allow anyone else to continue the series.