Buzz
This ranking is based on two key criteria: the comic strips must have been syndicated in newspapers and must be widely regarded as exceptional. Superheroes such as Superman and Batman are excluded from this list.
10. Krazy Kat
Created by George Herriman, Krazy Kat was published in newspapers from 1913 to 1944. It served as a major inspiration for Chuck Jones’s Coyote and Roadrunner animations. Set in Coconino County, Arizona, Herriman’s birthplace, the strip features a mix of arid desert landscapes and lush green vistas with mountains and lakes.
The strip’s humor is rooted in classic slapstick, yet it carries a surreal undertone that gives it a timeless appeal. While it may seem simplistic by modern standards, it profoundly influenced countless cartoonists who came after.
The story revolves around three central characters: Krazy Kat, Ignatz Mouse, and Offissa Bull Pup. Krazy is infatuated with Ignatz, who despises Krazy and devises elaborate schemes to hurl bricks at them. Krazy, either deeply in love or naive, interprets the brick-throwing as a sign of Ignatz’s affection.
Before delving into pronouns, it’s worth noting that Herriman intentionally alternated between referring to Krazy as male or female. He described Krazy as a sprite or elf, devoid of gender. This ambiguity is often humorously highlighted in the strips. Ignatz Mouse is generally male, though it’s rarely relevant. Krazy’s dialogue is a peculiar blend of English, Yiddish, and other dialects.
Offissa Bull Pup is unmistakably male and constantly pursues Ignatz for targeting Krazy with bricks. By the strip’s conclusion, Herriman suggested that Krazy and Ignatz were destined for each other, with Ignatz teaming up with Krazy to outsmart Pup.
The comic occasionally delves into surreal territory, with strips where Krazy is seen reading the very comic the audience is enjoying. Strange, yet consistently engaging.
9. Liberty Meadows
Frank Cho’s Liberty Meadows was syndicated from 1997 to 2001 and later released as an independent comic book until 2004, with a revival in 2006. This strip frequently clashed with syndicates due to its content, as newspapers typically demand G or PG-rated material. Liberty Meadows, however, reveled in profanity, risqué characters, and sexual themes, which often led to conflicts.
The humor mirrors the chaotic energy of classic Looney Tunes, featuring rapid-fire slapstick and absurd physical comedy, including characters attacking each other with outrageous props. The plot centers on anthropomorphic animals undergoing rehabilitation at Liberty Meadows Animal Hospital, overseen by veterinarians Frank and Brandy. A recurring joke involves Frank’s unspoken love for Brandy, as he lacks the courage to confess his feelings.
Cho is renowned for his work beyond this strip, often featuring exaggeratedly proportioned female characters in minimal attire, which likely contributed to syndicate disputes over Liberty Meadows. Brandy, inspired by Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman) and Bettie Page, stands as Cho’s most iconic female creation. She shares an apartment with Jen, who shares her physique but has blonde hair and a mole. Personality-wise, they are opposites: Brandy is reserved and courteous, while Jen is overtly flirtatious and embraces extreme fetishism.
Ralph, this lister’s top pick, is a miniature circus bear with a near-constant squint. A mechanical engineering prodigy, he was saved from his death-defying stunts, which he now deeply misses. His closest companions are Leslie the Bullfrog and Dean the Pig, a self-proclaimed male chauvinist who constantly attempts, and fails, to impress women at bars.
Julius, the sanctuary’s owner, is obsessed with capturing Khan, the most notorious catfish in the galaxy (with numerous nods to “Wrath of Khan”). Brandy’s pets, Truman the duck and Oscar the dachshund, also play key roles. Cho frequently appears as a chimpanzee. While it’s tough to pick the best storyline, the one where Ralph swaps Frank and Dean’s brains is a standout.
8. Garfield
Garfield holds the title of the most widely syndicated comic strip globally. While it’s often criticized today for being dull and non-controversial, its storylines in the ’80s and ’90s were notably more intricate and engaging.
Notable moments include Garfield tossing Nermal out the door, shipping Nermal to Abu Dhabi, Garfield’s infamous hatred of Mondays, and this lister’s favorite: the 1989 Halloween week strip, where Garfield awakens in a desolate, abandoned house, utterly alone. Some fans theorize that every Garfield strip since then has been a hallucination of a lonely, starving cat trapped in that empty house.
7. Li’l Abner
Al Capp created and illustrated Li’l Abner for 43 years, chronicling the lives of the Yokum family and their neighbors in Dogpatch, Kentucky. Capp portrayed the outside world as corrupt and bleak, while Li’l Abner, standing at 6 feet 3 inches, remained a beacon of hope. Though not the sharpest, his innocence and naivety are endearing, often leading him to be easily fooled by even 5-year-olds, as he sees only the best in everyone.
Li’l Abner contrasts sharply with his diminutive parents, Mammy and Pappy. Pappy is credited with Abner’s lack of intellect, while both parents contribute to his honesty. Mammy dominates the household, resolving conflicts with her signature line, “Ah has spoken!” If words fail, she resorts to her powerful uppercut. She prepares eight daily meals of pork chops and turnips for the family. Capp revealed that Mammy was largely based on himself and was his favorite character.
Daisy Mae Scragg, from the Yokum family’s rival clan, is another central figure. She is deeply infatuated with Abner’s rugged charm, but his obliviousness prevents him from noticing her advances for 18 years. His eventual proposal in 1952 became a significant cultural moment.
Sadie Hawkins is arguably the strip’s most iconic character, as the fictional Sadie Hawkins Day Dances are celebrated in high schools across the United States.
6. Opus
Opus stands out as one of the most endearing comics, largely thanks to Opus the Penguin’s oversized nose and innocent nature. The strip also features a cast of lively characters who inject humor, often venturing into political satire. Created by Berkeley Breathed, who intentionally concluded the series, Opus ran from 2003 to 2008. The storyline follows Opus as he returns from Antarctica to his former home in Bloom County. Originally from the Falkland Islands, located 800 miles from the Antarctic Peninsula, Opus’s journey is both heartwarming and humorous.
Opus the Penguin had already been a prominent figure in three other Breathed creations: Academia Waltz, Bloom County, and Outland, all of which are equally brilliant as Opus. Breathed explained his choice of a penguin, stating, “there was no shortage of cartoon dogs.”
Opus’s companions include Milo Bloom, a precocious 10-year-old journalist who often appears as the strip’s wisest figure, Binkley, the most neurotic (a significant feat in this cast), Steve Dallas, the local defense attorney, and Bill the Cat, a parody of the titular character from #8. Bill is arguably the dimmest character in comic history, having fried his brain with excessive drug use in his youth. Over the years, Bill has been a heavy metal star, a Chernobyl technician, Donald Trump, and a frequent presidential candidate.
One standout storyline involves Opus trying to squash Milquetoast the Cockroach, only to end up in court accused of sexual misconduct and eventually in jail. Throughout the ordeal, Opus insists he was merely trying to kill Milquetoast, who retorts, “You lingered.”
5. Doonesbury
Doonesbury stands out as one of the most politically charged strips to grace the funny pages. Despite Garry Trudeau’s liberal leanings, the strip has garnered widespread appeal across the political spectrum. Trudeau began with Bull Tales, a comic for Yale University’s student newspaper, and Doonesbury evolved from those characters, introducing many new ones. It was the first comic strip to win a Pulitzer Prize and is notable for allowing its characters to age realistically, rather than remaining perpetually unchanged.
Trudeau took a hiatus from the strip in 1983 and 1984, during which he adapted it for Broadway, graduated the characters from Walden College (modeled after Yale), and progressed their lives. A standout joke involves Zonker, the group’s hippie, who attends medical school at Baby Doc College in Haiti—a nod to Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, Haiti’s former dictator. Zonker wins $23 million in the Haitian lottery, spending most of it to free his Uncle Duke from the zombie slave trade.
The strip features several openly gay characters, which, along with its political themes, has sparked controversy over the years. Trudeau fearlessly writes according to his own standards, such as when he wrote out Andy Lippincott, a gay character, who died of AIDS in 1990. Despite being dropped by numerous major newspapers over four decades, fan demand has repeatedly brought it back.
4. Peanuts
Peanuts is arguably the most iconic comic strip on this list, especially in America. Charles Schulz created and illustrated it for 50 years, from 1950 until his retirement in 2000, just before his passing. Schulz, battling cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, which made drawing increasingly challenging, passed away in his sleep from a heart attack in February 2000. The final strip was published the following day, and over a dozen cartoonists paid tribute to him in their own works.
The strip revolves around a quirky group of neighborhood kids who find themselves in various amusing situations. The most renowned is Charlie Brown, but the cast also includes his sister Sally, his best friend Linus van Pelt (who relies on his blanket for comfort), and Linus’s domineering, know-it-all sister Lucy. Lucy operates a makeshift psychiatric booth, offering often unhelpful advice for a nickel.
Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s pet dog, is arguably the strip’s most beloved character, even surpassing Charlie Brown in popularity. Snoopy’s imaginative adventures, such as battling the Red Baron or aspiring to be a novelist (despite always starting with “It was a dark and stormy night…”), are a cornerstone of the strip’s charm. Peanuts has left an indelible mark on popular culture over the decades.
In its 50-year run, Charlie Brown never succeeded in kicking the football. Schulz believed allowing him to do so would undermine his character.
3. Calvin and Hobbes
Bill Watterson created Calvin & Hobbes, which ran from 1985 to 1995. He consistently resisted merchandising the strip and eventually retired it for two reasons: ongoing disputes with his syndicate and his belief that the characters had been fully developed, risking staleness if continued.
Calvin, a 6-year-old boy with consistently poor grades, engages in profound philosophical discussions about religion, politics, and morality with his best friend, Hobbes, a stuffed tiger. Describing Hobbes as imaginary requires caution, as he represents half of Calvin’s personality, including his conscience. While others see Hobbes as a toy, he is Calvin’s only true confidant.
The strip is rich with storylines, making it impossible to choose a favorite. Watterson celebrates imagination, appealing to both children and adults. A prime example is “calvinball,” a whimsical game Calvin and Hobbes invent to rebel against the rules of traditional sports. The sole rule of calvinball is that it can never be played the same way twice, blending elements of cricket, tag, capture the flag, and more.
Calvin frequently adopts various alter egos, such as Spaceman Spiff, a daring space explorer battling alien creatures; Tracer Bullet, a gritty film noir detective; and Stupendous Man, a hero defending freedom. His greatest foe is Baby-Sitter Girl, whose real name is Rosalyn—the only character capable of truly intimidating Calvin.
Calvin’s parents remain unnamed, and while he occasionally exhausts them, it’s less frequent than one might expect. He also maintains a strained relationship with Susie Derkins, the only girl his age he tolerates. One of Watterson’s most poignant storylines involves a raccoon Calvin and Hobbes rescue from the woods, only for it to succumb to an unknown illness. The duo engages in a profound conversation about life’s fragility and its purpose, devoid of jokes or gags. The story concludes with a heartfelt hug and the exchange, “Don’t YOU go anywhere.” “Don’t worry.” Few comic strip characters have shared such a deep bond.
Thanks to its boundless imagination, blending philosophy, serious themes, and lighthearted humor, Calvin and Hobbes would easily claim the top spot even without its exceptional artwork. The exaggerated antics, like Hobbes tackling Calvin at the door after school, draw inspiration from classic Looney Tunes and Disney animations, influencing later cartoons such as Ren and Stimpy.
2. The Far Side
Gary Larson attributed the single-panel format of The Far Side to his short attention span. The strip lacks continuous storylines, instead offering random, often bizarre, humorous observations. Larson revealed that many of his best ideas came late at night, with his nose nearly touching the paper.
Some of Larson’s jokes have aged poorly, such as “Psycho III,” which shows a woman in the shower and a tank about to crash through the wall. He never anticipated that someone would actually produce a Psycho III.
His humor ranges from the macabre (like the granny pouring concrete over her sleeping husband in his rocking chair) to social commentary (like aliens on Mars observing Earth’s mushroom clouds over America and the Soviet Union) to outright absurdity (“Anatidaephobia: The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you”).
While Larson’s “strip” lacks ongoing storylines, it compensates with sheer hilarity. This lister’s favorite cartoon (a difficult choice) features 12th-century navy ships facing off, captioned: “Although skilled with their pillow arsenal, the Wimpodites were favorite targets of Viking attacks.” The meticulous details elevate it: the Viking ship has a dragon figurehead, while the Wimpodites’ ship sports a sheep. The Viking flag bears dragon talons, while the Wimpodites’ flag and shields display daisies.
A close second is another medieval-themed gag showing two castles near each other. One garrison rushes inside with a box labeled “ACME Gate Smasher and Moat Crosser,” while the watchman in the opposing castle wonders, “I wonder if I should report this.”
1. Pogo
Created by Walt Kelly from 1948 to 1975, this strip stands out for its sharp satire, blending slapstick humor with profound philosophy and poetry. The central characters are mostly animals, led by Pogo Possum, a wise and gentle figure embodying the ideal alter ego. Kelly described him as the calm, intelligent presence we all aspire to be, much like opossums, who often seem to sleep through life’s chaos.
Pogo’s counterpart is Albert Alligator, an extroverted, impulsive character who contrasts sharply with Pogo’s introverted nature. If Pogo is Winnie the Pooh, Albert is Tigger. Albert’s insatiable appetite, even for non-food items, fuels a recurring joke where characters vanish, sparking fears that Albert has eaten them. Despite his good intentions, Albert is irritable and arrogantly considers himself the best at everything.
This lister’s favorite characters include Miz Ma’m’selle Hepzibah, a charming skunk, and Miz Beaver, the voice of practical wisdom. Miz Beaver distrusts the male characters but still tries to match Hepzibah with one of them, usually Pogo, the only one Hepzibah has romantic feelings for.
The dialogue is written in a unique rural Louisiana dialect, and the philosophical insights are delivered through simple, sarcastic, and ironic statements. One of the most impactful strips, published on Earth Day in 1971, features Pogo and Porkypine discovering a massive pile of human trash in the woods, with the iconic line, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Kelly first used this phrase in 1953 to criticize Joseph McCarthy. Pogo is one of the rare comics that resonates equally with children and adults.
Kelly holds the distinction of being the first cartoonist invited by the Library of Congress to create exclusive strips for their collection.
