Your Newspaper: Explaining comics changes

My thanks go out to all of the readers who already responded to our invitation to share their opinions about our comics.

We've heard from dozens of daily readers since we announced Friday that we will discontinue a number of older comics in favor of several new comics and more local features. A number of you are disappointed in some of our choices. I understand. It's why I want to hear from you, and why I want to explain more about the changes.

What's happening?

We are adding four funny and cutting-edge comics: “Get Fuzzy,” “Between Friends,” “Fort Knox” and “The Flying McCoys.” The strips will appear daily and Sundays.

We are dropping: “Love Is,” “Hagar the Horrible,” “Gil Thorp,” “Sally Forth,” “Cathy,” “Drabble,” “Adam@Home,” “For Better or For Worse,” “Willy 'n Ethel,” “Non Sequitur,” “Mary Worth,” “Rex Morgan,” “Gasoline Alley,” “Prince Valiant” and “Andy Capp.” “Dennis the Menace” and “Shoe” remain in the Sunday comics pages, though they leave the daily pages.

We're also freeing up space in our daily Living section for features such as:

• An expanded “Today in History” feature with local content drawn from World-Herald archives that date to 1885.

• “Day What?” — a lighthearted look at what we are “celebrating” that day (National Spam Day, Bake for Family Fun Day, etc.).

• Useful tips and advice on health and fitness, lifestyle, family and home and garden.

• A revival of “Life Lite,” a popular local feature from a number of years ago with funny moments from everyday life.

• Recognition of people who perform acts of kindness in our community.

Why make these changes?

Change among our comics is years overdue. Many of the comics we dropped no longer are drawn by the same person, a relative or even an apprentice. The comics have drifted — in their story lines, character development, story pace.

Also, like every business and household these days, we are watching our budget closely and looking for smart ways to save money. Some of these older comics are rather expensive.

Who made the selections?

I did — after consulting with a number of newsroom editors and getting advice from a panel of World-Herald employees who are avid comics readers.

What about the new comics?

“Get Fuzzy” is the story of regular guy Rob Wilco and his not-so-regular pets, naive pup Satchel and devious cat Bucky. It's edgy, unpredictable and should interest young adults.

“Between Friends” is about Susan, Kim and Maeve, fortysomething women who have to navigate through motherhood, relationships, exercise and the workplace.

“Fort Knox” follows the travails of a military family that has had to move around a lot. The latest move was a big step for Maj. Joe Knox, but his family is not as enthusiastic.

“The Flying McCoys” has been called the best single-panel cartoon since “The Far Side,” my all-time personal favorite.

We had articles about “The Flying McCoys” and “Between Friends” last week. If you missed them, you can catch up with them on Omaha.com. Today's E.T.A. has an interview with the creator of “Fort Knox,” Paul Jon. Monday's Living section will tell you more about “Get Fuzzy” and mark the launch of all four new comics.

I realize some of these changes will not sit well initially with a lot of ardent comics fans. Please give them a chance. Please understand that our intent is to keep the Living section pages interesting and entertaining.

We're hoping you develop some new favorites among our new comics and features.

And realize that this is the beginning of a new approach to our comics. We will make changes more frequently and ask you again from time to time to share your opinions.

So let us know what you are thinking, if you have not already. E-mail us at comics@owh.com or call the newsroom, 444-1304, Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Or you are always welcome to ...

Contact the executive editor:

444-1277, mike.reilly@owh.com

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