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8 comic strips everyone read in the '70s

Image credit: The Everett Collection

Many comic strip fans used to look forward to grabbing a newspaper, sitting down with a hot cup of coffee and reading PeanutsArchie and other famous comic strips that gripped us from week to week. It is true nostalgia. 

Comic strips are a chance for readers to not only experience the words on the page, but the art too. Let's take a look back at eight of the best comic strips in the '70s.

In this decade, Peanuts, wasn't the only popular comic strip. Which comic strip was your favorite read?

1

'Peanuts,' by Charles M. Schulz

Image credit: The Everett Collection

The Peanuts has gone down in history for being one of the greatest and longest stories ever created. Charles M. Schulz had much success during his long career.

The Peanuts followed the story of its main character, Charlie Brown. But, there was also Lucy, Pigpen and Snoopy, too. 

In total, Schulz had around 17,000 comic strips published. It was also published in over 75 countries and in 21 different languages. 

From newspapers to movies and more, Peanuts really made an impact.

2

'Doonesbury,' by Garry Trudeau

Image credit: TIME Magazine

Doonesbury was first published in 1970. This comic strip captures the adventures and the lives of a wide variety of characters. Over the many years of this comic strip's publication, the strip went from a handful of characters to generations of families.

The lead character, Mike Doonesbury, has progressed from a college student to an old man over the past few decades.

Doonesbury tends to cover more hot topics, such as politics. In 1975, Doonesbury won a Pulitzer Prize Award for Editorial Cartooning.

3

'Garfield,' by Jim Davis

Image credit: Garfield.com

This is a obvious favorite from any decade, not just the '70s. Garfield was published nationwide starting in 1978.

The comic strip follows the adventures of a big, orange, tabby cat named Garfield. He's lazy and loves lasagna. Who knew that would be the premise that would change history?

Garfield takes place in Jim Davis's hometown of Munice, Indiana. Davis got inspiration from his personal life when making Garfield.

Garfield even has the world record for the most syndicated comic strip, ever.

4

'Hagar the Horrible,' by Dik Browne

This comic strip first appeared in 1973 and quickly became a huge success. Hagar the Horrible was originally created by Dik Browne but after his death in 1989, his son Chris Browne, took over the beloved comic strip.

This comic strip comments on everyday life through a very loose interpretation of Viking Age Scandinavian Life.

Hagar the Horrible is distributed in 19,000 newspapers in 56 countries and is translated in 12 other languages. Were you a fan of Hagar the Horrible?

5

'B.C.,' by Johnny Hart

B.C. has (no pun intended) been around for quite some time. Maybe not since B.C., but definitely before the 1960s.

The comic strip was set in prehistoric times, and featured an assortment of quirky characters. B.C. follows a gag format, featuring mostly unrelated jokes, shameless puns and slapstick comedy.

Although B.C. had a few controversial issues, it still remains as many people's favorite comic strip.

6

'Blondie,' by Chic Young

Image credit: Gamespot.com

Blondie became one of the most iconic comic strips very quickly, it even surpased the long-time favorite, Dagwood, which was also created by Chic Young.

Blondie tells the story of a blonde-haired woman and her sandwich-loving husband. This simple storyline has led to a long-running film series and a popular radio program, both titled Blondie.

Blondie has appeared in over 2,000 newspapers in 47 countries and has been translated into 35 different languages. 


7

'Nancy,' by Ernie Bushmiller

Image credit: Gamespot.com

Nancy was originally called Fritzi Ritz, but over several years the focus of the comic strip changed from Fritzi to her niece, Nancy.

This is one of the most popular comic strips of all time, so we had to add it to our list. 

It's so iconic, in fact, that Nancy was the subject of one of Andy Warhol's 1961 painting, of course titled, Nancy.

8

'The Born Loser,' by Art Sansom

Image credit: dailycartoonist.com

The Born Loser was created by Art Sansom in 1965 and his son, Chip Sansom, started assisting on the strip in 1989.

The Sansoms won the 1987 National Cartoonist Society Humor Comic Strip Award and the 1990 Newspaper Comic Strip Award.

Have you read this classic comic strip?

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