Does your favorite daily comic strip take place in your hometown?
Images (1, 3, 5): The Everett Collection, (2,4) AP Photo
In reading up on the Garfield comic strip recently, something struck us that we had never realized before. Garfield lives in Indiana.
That got us thinking about where other classic daily comic strips take place. A couple settings were fairly well known, while others were a surprise. In many cases, the location is never explicitly stated. So we apologize if you are a diehard FoxTrot or Marmaduke fan, as those funnies never declared an official setting.
Here are 11 hometowns for popular, long-running daily comic strips. Were you aware of these settings?
Garfield
Muncie, Indiana
The 1988 TV special Happy Birthday, Garfield explained that Jon Arbuckle and his cat reside in Muncie, Indiana. No wonder — it's the hometown of creator Jim Davis, who is pictured here in his Muncie studio.
Image: AP Photo / Michael Conroy
Peanuts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
In a 1954 Peanuts strip, Charlie Brown reads the engraving on a trophy that Lucy has just received: "Awarded to Lucille Van Pelt. 1954. Outstanding Fussbudget of Hennepin County." Hennepin County included Minneapolis and its surrounding burbs. It also happens to be the hometown of creator Charles Schulz. No wonder it was always snowing in those comics.
Image: The Everett Collection
Dennis the Menace
Wichita, Kansas
Hank Ketcham may have been from Seattle, but his most famous creation dwelled in Kansas, like Dorothy and Mary Ann.
Image: The Everett Collection
Family Circus
Scottsdale, Arizona
In this wholesome comic strip, the family often visits an ice cream parlor called The Sugar Bowl. It's a real restaurant in Arizona, near the home of Family Circus creator Bil Keane. Funny, then, that the animated television Christmas special from 1979 showed piles of pillowy snow on the ground.
Image: The Everett Collection
Blondie
Joplin, Missouri
A 1946 issue of The Joplin Globe cited creator Chic Young as declaring Joplin the hometown of the Bumsteads.
Image: Harvey Comics
Brenda Starr, Reporter
Chicago, Illinois
Dick Tracy, created by a Northwestern grad, took place in a very Chicago-like city. Brenda Starr, on the other hand, was explicitly set in the Windy City.
Image: Chicago Tribune Syndicate
Beetle Bailey
Parris Island, South Carolina
Campy Swampy was inspired by Camp Crowder, where Mort Walker had once been stationed in the Army. Though Camp Swampy is fictional, its location is not. As you can see in a panel from Hi and Lois (a Beetle Bailey spin-off), Bailey's address is listed as "Parris Is, SC," which lies just up the coast from Savannah.
Images: Gold Key Comics / King Features Syndicate
Calvin and Hobbes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Okay, to be honest, Calvin and Hobbes never outright declares its setting. However, ample evidence is there to suggest it takes place in Chagrin Falls, east of Cleveland. For starters, it is the hometown of creator Bill Waterson. Secondly, there is often snow on the ground. (Remember all those sledding scenes?) Thirdly, Calvin has buckeye trees growing in his neighborhood. If it's not specifically in Chagrin Falls, this masterpiece at least takes place in Ohio.
Image: AP Photo / Tony Dejak
For Better or For Worse
Toronto, Canada
And now we get to some international settings. The Patterson family saga takes place in Milborough, a made-up suburb of Toronto, Canada.
Image: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Andy Capp
Hartlepool, England
That would explain that "U" in "neighbour." When you read Andy Capp, do you imagine a thick accent in your head? Perhaps you should. Though, doesn't that mean those bags of "Andy Capp's Hot Fries" sold in vending machines should be called "Andy Capp's Hot Chips"?
Image: Creators Syndicate
Mutts
New Jersey
In 2002, New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced a new Animal Friendly license plate for his state, featuring Earl and Mooch from Mutts. It was a nice way to honor a comic strip set in the Garden State.