'B.C.' cartoonist dies at storyboard

[ABlairican Pie]

MSNBC.com


‘B.C.’ cartoonist dies at storyboard

Creator of long-running caveman comic had stroke at age 76

The Associated Press
Updated: 10:35 p.m. PT April 8, 2007

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


In this undated photo released by the Hart family, Cartoonist Johnny Hart is seen. Hart whose award-winning "B.C." comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, died at his New York state home on Saturday, April 7, 2007. He was 76. (AP Photo/Hart family)

“He had a stroke,” Hart’s wife, Bobby, said on 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.

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 it 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.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[gilligan fanatic]

It's sad, I have always liked The Wizard of ID.

Some users at another board I go to might answer some questions you might have about what happens to the comics now.
http://forums.goldenagecartoons.com/...2&page=1&pp=10

[Courtnee]

Aw, I heard about this on CNN this morning. Sad stuff.

[Central Perk]

Hart lived near my area so I'm sure it will be a big story for awhile. Rest in Peace.

[PZelda]

Originally Posted by Rock Princess

Aw, I heard about this on CNN this morning. Sad stuff.

Ditto. I think I was watching CNN at about 4 this morning when they ran a bit on him. I was soooo shocked. I'm not a comics reader like I was when I was growing up, but BC is a comic strip that I have ALWAYS enjoyed reading, every time I read the comics page. I'm going to miss seeing his comic strips.

[Brian Damage]

[catlover79]

I've always enjoyed Johnny Hart's comics. God bless him and may he

[Dusty's Fan]

[sara]

I heard this today I always looked forward to his Christmas and Easter comics. But there is no doubt that he is in a much better place.

[bossradio93]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070409/...t/obit_hart_27

Johnny Hart, 'B.C.' creator, dies at 76

By MARY ESCH, Associated Press Writer

Mon Apr 9, 5:13 AM ET

ALBANY, N.Y. - Cartoonist Johnny Hart, whose award-winning "B.C." comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, has died. He was 76.

Hart died Saturday while working at his home in Endicott.

"He had a stroke," his 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.

He won numerous awards for his work, including the National Cartoonist Society's prestigious Reuben Award twice for Cartoonist of the Year.

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 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."

Newcombe said "B.C." and "Wizard of Id" would continue. Family members have been helping produce the strips for years, and they have an extensive computer archive of Hart's drawings to work with, he said.

When "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz died in 2000, United Media, which held the rights to the strip featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, started running old panels of the cartoon.

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.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Nineveh Presbyterian Church.

Yahoo! News/AP-April 9, 2007