20 Comic Strips Everyone Looked Forward to Reading
These 20 beloved comic strips entertained generations with humor, wit, and unforgettable characters.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Newspaper comic strips, which combined comedy, social criticism, and endearing storytelling, were a daily source of delight for decades. For readers of all ages, these comics produced enduring memories of sardonic animals and naughty children. Fans excitedly turned the pages of these 20 classic comics.
1. Peanuts (1950–2000)
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Charles Schulz’s Peanuts introduced the world to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and a cast of lovable yet melancholic characters. Its mix of humor and deep philosophical themes resonated across generations.
2. Calvin and Hobbes (1985–1995)
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Bill Watterson’s masterpiece followed an imaginative boy and his wisecracking tiger. Calvin and Hobbes captured childhood wonder, mischief, and existential musings with stunning artwork.
3. Garfield (1978–present)
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Jim Davis’ lasagna-loving, Monday-hating cat became a worldwide sensation. Garfield blended sarcasm and slapstick, often at the expense of his hapless owner, Jon.
4. The Far Side (1980–1995)
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Gary Larson’s The Far Side delivered surreal, offbeat humor unlike anything else in the funny pages. Single-panel gags featured absurd scenarios, talking cows, and nerdy scientists.
5. Dilbert (1989–present)
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Scott Adams’ Dilbert became the ultimate satire of corporate life, resonating with office workers everywhere. The socially awkward engineer and his cynical coworkers endured pointless meetings, clueless bosses, and endless bureaucracy.
6. Doonesbury (1970–present)
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Garry Trudeau’s Doonesbury combined humor with sharp political and social commentary. Spanning decades, the strip evolved with real-world events, tackling issues from Vietnam to modern politics.
7. Bloom County (1980–1989, revivals later)
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Berkeley Breathed’s Bloom County was a quirky, politically charged strip featuring a talking penguin, Opus, and his oddball friends. It blended social satire with absurd humor, making it a standout of the ’80s.
8. Beetle Bailey (1950–present)
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Mort Walker’s Beetle Bailey followed the antics of a lazy soldier and his over-the-top military superiors. Its lighthearted take on army life charmed readers for decades.
9. Cathy (1976–2010)
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Cathy Guisewite’s Cathy tackled the struggles of modern womanhood—career pressures, diets, relationships, and shopping sprees. The protagonist’s “ACK!” became an iconic expression of exasperation.
10. Hagar the Horrible (1973–present)
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Dik Browne’s Viking-themed comic featured a lovable brute juggling pillaging with domestic life. Hagar the Horrible played with modern-day frustrations through a medieval lens.
11. FoxTrot (1988–present)
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Bill Amend’s FoxTrot revolved around the chaotic lives of the Fox family. The nerdy youngest son, Jason, provided endless geeky humor while his siblings and parents balanced relatable family dynamics.
12. B.C. (1958–present)
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Johnny Hart’s prehistoric comic strip mixed caveman antics with witty one-liners and visual gags. Despite its ancient setting, B.C. often featured clever takes on modern issues.
13. The Family Circus (1960–present)
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Bil Keane’s The Family Circus delivered wholesome, heartwarming humor centered around a young family. Its circular panels and “kid logic” jokes made it instantly recognizable.
14. Zits (1997–present)
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Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman’s Zits humorously captured the trials of teenage life through 16-year-old Jeremy Duncan. With sharp writing and expressive art, it perfectly depicted the clash between teens and parents. Its relatable scenarios struck a chord with readers of all ages.
15. Mother Goose & Grimm (1984–present)
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Mike Peters’ talking dog, Grimm, led the charge in this irreverent, fast-paced comic. Mother Goose & Grimm delivered wacky humor with a mix of pop culture and slapstick.
16. Shoe (1977–present)
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Jeff MacNelly’s Shoe featured a newsroom staffed by birds with distinctly human quirks. The strip’s witty take on journalism, politics, and life made it a hit.
17. Pogo (1948–1975, revivals later)
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Walt Kelly’s Pogo was equal parts political satire and whimsical storytelling. Set in a Southern swamp, it used animal characters to tackle real-world issues.
18. Baby Blues (1990–present)
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Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott’s Baby Blues chronicled the chaos of raising kids. The strip hilariously captured the exhaustion and joys of parenting.
19. Little Nemo in Slumberland (1905–1927)
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Winsor McCay’s groundbreaking strip took readers on surreal adventures through a dreamlike world. With breathtaking artwork and imaginative storytelling, Little Nemo was ahead of its time.
20. The Boondocks (1996–2006)
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Aaron McGruder’s The Boondocks brought a sharp, politically charged perspective to the comics page. Featuring Huey and Riley Freeman, the strip tackled race, society, and pop culture with biting satire.