We'll See You In The Funny Papers #2 Quiz

Answer: Sluggo Smith

Sluggo was a character introduced into the strip by one of the strip's original cartoonists, Ernie Bushmiller. The comic strip had been started by another artist, Larry Whittington, and was known by another name, "Fritzi Ritz".

"Fritzi Ritz", Nancy's aunt Fritzi, was originally the main character, but by 1933, the character of "Nancy" was introduced to the strip. By 1938, hers was the dominant character with Fritzi nearly fading off into oblivion in the mid-1980s, but returning with a more modern characterization in the mid-'90s.

Sluggo Smith was introduced into the strip in 1938, as the "bad" boy from the wrong side of town. Mischievous, impish, yet appealing in his own way, in many episodes he appeared as a sort of boyfriend to Nancy. While she attempted to make improvements upon him, she was also competitive and jealous of any girl who attempted to even talk with him.

Nancy has appeared in comic book form, as well as in newspapers. In the U.K. the strip appeared in "The Topper" for over twenty years.

The strip has enjoyed international appeal in Japan, Norway and several South American nations where it is known by its Spanish name, "Periquita".

Answer: Dick Tracy

As organized crime slowly gave way to organized police forces, the comic strip "Dick Tracy" gained in popularity. The strip underwent many changes throughout the years; characters were developed to a higher than average degree and police procedures were often explained in detail, but the most memorable aspect of the strip was the introduction of the famous "Two-Way Wrist Radio" which made its debut in the strip in 1946, and a new era of technology was introduced into the comics.

Answer: 1897

"The Katzenjammer Kids" made its publishing debut in December 1897; the same year that the New York Times had begun using the slogan, "All the News That's Fit to Print" and William McKinley had been inaugurated as the 25th president of U.S. Earlier in that same year, the novel "Dracula", was published by an Irish author named Bram Stoker, and Thomas Alva Edison had patented his movie camera.

Answer: Terry and the Pirates

The character of a young boy, Terry Lee along with his friend, journalist Pat Ryan arrived in China in this action comic strip. The strip's creator, Milton Caniff, grew increasingly alarmed as the Sino-Japanese prelude to WWII heated up. The comic had originally begun as simply an "action" strip, but as WWII came more and more to the forefront of the international community, the comic also became more "war" oriented.

Answer: Li'l Abner

Li'l Abner was a whopping 6'3" "boy" who was a Yokum by birth. After eighteen years of attempting to avoid a girl who was deeply in love with him, Mammy and Pappy Yokum eventually got to see Abner get married to this family rival, Daisy Mae Scragg.
The two families had been "feuding" for years, but the marriage between the simple-minded Abner and the well, shall we say, "upper-torso gifted" Daisy Mae helped to slow the feuding down a bit.

Not only had long-time readers become devoted to the storyline of the comic strip, "Life" magazine had even gotten into the act; announcing the nuptials of the bride and groom, when they were wed by a preacher named Marryin' Sam, who charged two-dollar rates as a general rule.

In the long running strip, the character known as Mammy Yokum had been born Pansy Hunks and Pappy's full name was Lucifer Ornamental Yokum.

Answer: B.C.

Other characters in the comic strip "B.C." include Thor, The Fat Broad, The Cute Chick, Wiley, Peter, Clumsy Carp, the Anteater, the Dinosaur, the Clams, the Apteryx, the Snake and the Turkey. Oh yeah, and B.C. himself!

After Johnny Hart's death in 2007, his grandsons Mick and Mason Mastroianni continued the comic strip.

Answer: Mort Walker, who also wrote "Beetle Bailey"

Mort Walker, the author of "Beetle Bailey" introduced the character of "Boner" to the comics lineup in 1968.

The confused and often befuddled, but lovable captain of the ark, "Boner" had misadventures and comedy galore as he sailed around looking for land. With a boat full of animals and a wife, "Miss Boner", whom he once saved from a drifting raft, he floated for years as he searched for a haven of land.

Some members of his "crew" include "Cubcake", the first mate who was also sometimes called Boner's nephew; "Aarnie", an aardvark who serves as First Mate; "Dum-Dum", the gorilla; and a giraffe named "Lookout".

Answer: Hagar the Horrible

Hagar the Horrible was a red-bearded Viking explorer, exploiter and plunderer from somewhere in Norway. Not only was Hagar presented as a fierce warrior, he also proved to be a "family man", at least as far as his slightly dysfunctional family would allow. His daughter, Honi, was a beautiful but hopelessly inept housekeeper, his son Hamlet was a sensitive intellectual type, and his wife, Helga tolerated little if any of his gruff cloddishness and uncouth manner.

Lucky Eddie, Hagar's first mate, was anything BUT a Viking prototype. Chinless, spineless, weak and inoffensive, he was often proven to be anything but lucky, as well.

After the strip's creator, Dik Browne passed away his son Chris continued producing it for publication.

Answer: Specialist Gizmo

Specialist Chip Gizmo was named by a write-in contest in 2002, which was sponsored by Dell Computer Corp. It raised more than $100,000 for the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides housing for families of patients at military and veterans hospitals.

Beetle Bailey had begun as a comic strip featuring Beetle as a college student, but eventually morphed into his army career choice. Corporal Yo was a more recent addition to the strip, joining it in the 1990s, while Private Cosmo had been around in the 1950s. Lieutenant Sonny Fuzz, who was introduced in 1956, was based on Mort Walker himself, since Mort claimed that he took himself way too seriously after graduating from O.C.S. (Officer's Candidate School).

Answer: Tumbleweeds

Tumbleweeds was a cowboy. Sort of. Probably the laziest and most shiftless character to ever accurately be called a cow-"poke", he was seldom seen to be in a hurry, except to escape the clutches of the only woman in the town of Grimy Gulch, Hildegarde Hamhocker.

Colonel G. Armageddon Fluster, (a pun on the name General George Armstrong Custer) was the commander of the 6 7/8 Cavalry stationed at Fort Ridiculous. The Poohawk Indian chieftain frequently called him "Goldilocks" and "Poopsie".

Little Pigeon, the chief's only daughter, was a "rose among the thorns" of her tribe, the Poohawks.

Limpid Lizard was a totally incompetent brave, who was constantly trying to win the approval of the chief's daughter, Little Pigeon. Alas, he was not alone in his endeavors; many of the rest of the tribe also had her in their sights.

Tom K. Ryan wrote this quite successful comic strip for 42 years.