349:"Busy" invited me up for lunch one day and introduced me to Henry Martin . . . said, "The newspapers in this country, particularly the Sunday papers, are looking to compete with comic books, and they would like to get a comic-book insert into the newspapers." . . . Anyway, I agreed to do the Sunday comic book and we started discussing the deal was that we'd be partners in the 'Comic Book Section,' as they called it at that time.
1278:
The newspaper strip version began on June 6, 1977 at the height of Howard-mania. At first Steve Gerber and Gene Colan, the creative team on the comic book, handled the strip as well. Colan, however, dropped out after just five months, and his job was taken over by
345:-sized newsprint comic book sold as part of eventually 20 Sunday newspapers with a combined circulation of as many as five million copies. In a 2004 interview, Eisner elaborated on the origins of the supplement:
1356:
1193:
211:
supplement eventually sold to 20 Sunday newspapers with a combined circulation of as many as five million copies. The
Register and Tribune Syndicate's most successful
365:), plus filler material. Eisner was the editor, but also wrote and drew most entries — after the first few months, he had the uncredited assistance of writer
1265:
1156:
1087:
1164:
706:
442:
341:
debuted as the main feature of a 16-page Sunday supplement known colloquially as "The Spirit
Section". Launched June 2, 1940, this was a
180:
affiliate. At its peak, the
Register and Tribune Syndicate offered newspapers some 60 to 75 features, including editorial cartoonist
1215:
1014:
758:
460:
1351:
1346:
306:
289:
Charles E. Lounsbury became the syndicate's chief editor in 1930, serving in that capacity until his death at age 84 in 1952.
1361:
1031:
377:, though Eisner's singular vision for the strip was a unifying factor. The Spirit Section continued until October 5, 1952.
1083:
960:
1117:
722:
448:
433:, the first comic strip syndicated in the United States to have a cast of diverse ethnicity, dubbed the "Rainbow Gang."
1226:
1027:
302:
924:
907:
419:
241:
1261:
573:
221:(launched in 1960), eventually distributed to more than 1,000 newspapers; other long-running strips included
599:
541:
476:
401:
260:
85:
323:(the syndicate's corporate owner, formed in 1935) and Arnold bought out the McNaught and Markey interests.
649:
1100:
1068:
468:
342:
320:
204:
142:
688:
672:
472:
282:
265:
229:
147:
137:
1174:
877:
370:
361:
298:
274:
1211:
1160:
1010:
620:
501:
396:
217:
161:
28:
1323:
1243:
423:
launched in
September 1965. That same year, the syndicate broke new ground when it picked up
286:
was the syndicate's first breakout hit, launching in 1927 and eventually running until 1968.
715:
558:
390:
223:
56:
1186:
865:
742:
536:
454:
406:
337:
315:
269:
235:
200:
1103:
Cowles Family
Publishing Legacy: Drake University, Cowles Library. Accessed Jan. 3, 2018.
193:
189:
1340:
920:
855:
845:
787:
699:
583:
551:
437:
424:
366:
173:
108:
297:
In 1937 the
Register and Tribune Syndicate partnered with two other syndicates, the
886:
767:
747:
731:
613:
529:
505:, originally by Henry Mace (1962–1988; continued by King Features) — also known as
185:
1150:
990:
975:
1280:
882:
870:
823:
525:
521:
332:
898:
893:
771:
751:
735:
727:
659:
638:
374:
355:
310:
208:
165:
98:
353:
The Spirit
Section generally included two other, four-page strips (initially
931:
676:, originally by Monte Barrett and artist Frank Ellis (1927–1968) — retitled
625:
563:
385:
935:
by "Zane Grey" (John J. Welch) and Jack Abbott (Jan. 25 1932–Dec. 18, 1933)
1308:
1133:
915:
763:
711:
429:
414:
278:). The manager was Henry Martin, who served in that capacity until 1960.
181:
1079:
1035:
313:
industry; many of the syndicate's strips found their way into Arnold's
272:
launched the
Register and Tribune Syndicate (the family also owned the
1061:
212:
1208:
Syndicated Comic Strips and
Artists, 1924–1995: The Complete Index.
1149:
Gary Dowell, Greg Holman, Don Mangus, James L. Halperin (editor).
790:
and Walt DePew, later by Ted Ashby (Oct. 21, 1929–June 4, 1949)
169:
102:
436:
Beginning in 1977, the syndicate was the unofficial home of
199:
Throughout the 1940s the syndicate distributed the weekly "
172:, that operated from 1922 to 1986, when it was acquired by
1296:
American
Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide
1112:
Maley, Don. "New Panel Pokes Fun at Suburban Housewife,"
1283:, who was occasionally spelling Colan on the comic book.
838:
by John J. Welch and Jack McGuire (June 1940–Sept. 1943)
911:
by Tom K. Ryan (1965–1986; continued by King Features)
955:"Who's Who Among Leading U.S. Syndicate Executives,"
1248:
Who's Who of American Comic Book Artists, 1928–1999
961:"News of Yore 1946: Syndicate Executives Profiled,"
133:
125:
115:
92:
80:
62:
52:
34:
24:
497:by John Chase (1953–1954) — early nonfiction strip
467:In 1985, the syndicate was merged into its parent
483:Register and Tribune Syndicate strips and panels
1009:. Reading, Pennsylvania: Supergraphics. p. 92.
981:(November 24, 1959): effective January 1, 1960.
802:by Walt DePew (Jan. 27, 1930–?) — topper strip
347:
796:by Walt DePew (Jan. 27, 1930–?) — topper strip
592:, by Robert E. Dickson and Walt DePew (1926–?)
491:by Mary Gauerke (Sept. 8, 1969–April 24, 1976)
1155:. Heritage Capital Corporation. p. 268 (
1134:"AMERICA’S BEST BUY: THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE,"
1065:(Register and Tribune Syndicate, 1940 Series)
8:
1328:Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999
19:
1239:
1237:
1235:
1227:"ASK THE ARCHIVIST: BOB BARNES CENTENNIAL,"
1210:Cambria, California: Comics Access, 1995.
495:America's Best Buy: The Louisiana Purchase
475:for $ 4.3 million, becoming a division of
18:
16:Defunct American print syndication service
1192:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
951:
949:
446:(1977–1986; continued by King Features),
1357:Publishing companies established in 1922
808:by Walt DePew (1935–1937) — topper strip
686:by Bob Schoenke (1950–1964; merged with
309:, to provide material to the burgeoning
1262:"Obscurity of the Day: Howard the Duck"
945:
718:(1977–1986; continued by King Features)
628:(1960–1986; continued by King Features)
544:(1956–1986; continued by King Features)
1182:
1172:
1152:HCA Comics Dallas Auction Catalog #824
1090:from the original on January 12, 2015.
1028:"Quality Comic Group: A Brief History"
1298:(University of Michigan Press, 2012).
471:. In 1986, the syndicate was sold to
7:
814:by Walt DePew (1930s) — topper strip
88:to become Cowles Symdicate affiliate
1229:Comics Kingdom (November 27, 2013).
991:"C. E. LOUNSBURY, EDITOR, IS DEAD,"
1268:from the original on March 9, 2012
121:Henry Martin, Charles E. Lounsbury
14:
1260:Holtz, Allan (January 27, 2010).
959:(September 7, 1946). Archived at
394:was launched in 1954; he debuted
1007:The Steranko History of Comics 2
305:, as well as with entrepreneur
129:Comic strips, newspaper columns
1116:(August 9, 1969). Archived at
1032:Connecticut Historical Society
158:Register and Tribune Syndicate
20:Register and Tribune Syndicate
1:
1086:. Accessed January 27, 2014.
889:, and Lane French (1940–1946)
40:; 102 years ago
901:and Lane French (1940–1944)
668:by Bob Schoenke (1947–1950)
514:by Frank Beaven (1935–1937)
388:'s television-themed panel
68:; 38 years ago
1378:
1084:Don Markstein's Toonopedia
996:(November 2, 1952), p. 13.
858:(1938-1941) — Sundays only
830:Old Harrigan of Sleepy Eye
642:by Till Goodan (1940-1941)
303:Frank Jay Markey Syndicate
1312:Don Markstein's Toonpedia
1137:Don Markstein's Toonpedia
925:United Features Syndicate
832:by Len Maurer (1955-1958)
590:The Diary of a New Father
1330:. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
1314:. Accessed Jan. 4, 2018.
1250:. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
1139:. Accessed Jan. 4, 2018.
1052:No. 48 (May 2005), p. 10
754:(June 1977–October 1978)
307:Everett M. "Busy" Arnold
1352:Companies based in Iowa
1048:Will Eisner interview,
994:The Des Moines Register
979:The Des Moines Register
976:"Henry Martin Retires,"
477:King Features Syndicate
293:Supplier to comic books
261:The Des Moines Register
86:King Features Syndicate
1347:Comic strip syndicates
1114:Editor & Publisher
1038:on September 27, 2007.
1005:Steranko, Jim (1972).
923:(1965–1970s; moved to
707:The Amazing Spider-Man
443:The Amazing Spider-Man
351:
188:, and commentaries by
1362:Hearst Communications
1069:Grand Comics Database
861:"The Spirit Section"
812:They’re Still Talking
694:Laredo and Jane Arden
678:Laredo and Jane Arden
1264:. Stripper's Guide.
1118:"News of Yore 1969,"
957:Editor and Publisher
806:Sports by Ned Brandt
634:by Walt DePew (1933)
469:Cowles Media Company
321:Cowles Media Company
203:Section," a 16-page
143:Cowles Media Company
1123:(December 3, 2013).
885:, Chuck Mazoujian,
826:(1975–1976) — panel
759:The Incredible Hulk
723:Conan the Barbarian
473:Hearst Publications
461:The Incredible Hulk
449:Conan the Barbarian
266:Gardner Cowles, Sr.
162:syndication service
148:Hearst Publications
96:715 Locust Street,
21:
1185:has generic name (
512:Bats in the Belfry
440:strips, including
410:debuted in 1956.
327:The Spirit Section
299:McNaught Syndicate
275:Des Moines Tribune
140:family (1922–1935)
1309:"The Red Knight,"
1206:Strickler, Dave.
1166:978-1-59967-133-8
680:from 1964 to 1968
621:The Family Circus
458:(1977–1978), and
397:The Family Circus
218:The Family Circus
207:-sized newsprint
154:
153:
29:Print syndication
1369:
1331:
1321:
1315:
1307:Markstein, Don.
1305:
1299:
1292:
1286:
1285:
1275:
1273:
1257:
1251:
1244:Schoenke profile
1241:
1230:
1224:
1218:
1204:
1198:
1197:
1190:
1184:
1180:
1178:
1170:
1146:
1140:
1132:Markstein, Don.
1130:
1124:
1121:Stripper's Guide
1110:
1104:
1097:
1091:
1077:
1071:
1059:
1053:
1046:
1040:
1039:
1034:. Archived from
1024:
1018:
1003:
997:
988:
982:
973:
967:
966:(July 21, 2010).
964:Stripper's Guide
953:
897:, originally by
881:, originally by
842:The Rock Channel
786:, originally by
762:, originally by
746:, originally by
726:, originally by
716:John Romita, Sr.
710:, originally by
639:Gene Autry Rides
624:, originally by
559:Channel Chuckles
540:, originally by
391:Channel Chuckles
224:Channel Chuckles
178:Cowles Syndicate
76:
74:
69:
57:John Cowles, Sr.
48:
46:
41:
22:
1377:
1376:
1372:
1371:
1370:
1368:
1367:
1366:
1337:
1336:
1335:
1334:
1324:Celardo profile
1322:
1318:
1306:
1302:
1293:
1289:
1271:
1269:
1259:
1258:
1254:
1242:
1233:
1225:
1221:
1205:
1201:
1191:
1181:
1171:
1167:
1148:
1147:
1143:
1131:
1127:
1111:
1107:
1099:Strentz, Herb.
1098:
1094:
1078:
1074:
1060:
1056:
1047:
1043:
1026:
1025:
1021:
1004:
1000:
989:
985:
974:
970:
954:
947:
942:
743:Howard the Duck
684:Laredo Crockett
606:Elmo and Debbie
537:The Better Half
485:
455:Howard the Duck
407:The Better Half
383:
329:
316:Feature Funnies
295:
270:John Cowles Sr.
256:
251:
236:The Better Half
196:, and others.
146:
141:
118:
111:
105:
72:
70:
67:
44:
42:
39:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1375:
1373:
1365:
1364:
1359:
1354:
1349:
1339:
1338:
1333:
1332:
1316:
1300:
1294:Holtz, Allan.
1287:
1252:
1231:
1219:
1199:
1165:
1141:
1125:
1105:
1101:"John Cowles,"
1092:
1072:
1054:
1041:
1019:
998:
983:
968:
944:
943:
941:
938:
937:
936:
928:
912:
904:
903:
902:
890:
874:
859:
849:
839:
836:The Red Knight
833:
827:
817:
816:
815:
809:
803:
800:Off the Campus
797:
777:
776:
775:
755:
739:
719:
697:
681:
669:
666:Jack Armstrong
663:
653:
643:
635:
632:Flying to Fame
629:
617:
603:
593:
587:
577:
567:
555:
545:
533:
515:
509:
498:
492:
484:
481:
382:
379:
331:In the 1940s,
328:
325:
294:
291:
255:
252:
250:
247:
194:Stanley Karnow
190:David Horowitz
176:to become the
152:
151:
150:(1986-present)
135:
131:
130:
127:
123:
122:
119:
116:
113:
112:
107:
97:
94:
90:
89:
82:
78:
77:
64:
60:
59:
54:
50:
49:
36:
32:
31:
26:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1374:
1363:
1360:
1358:
1355:
1353:
1350:
1348:
1345:
1344:
1342:
1329:
1325:
1320:
1317:
1313:
1310:
1304:
1301:
1297:
1291:
1288:
1284:
1282:
1267:
1263:
1256:
1253:
1249:
1245:
1240:
1238:
1236:
1232:
1228:
1223:
1220:
1217:
1216:0-9700077-0-1
1213:
1209:
1203:
1200:
1195:
1188:
1183:|author=
1176:
1168:
1162:
1158:
1154:
1153:
1145:
1142:
1138:
1135:
1129:
1126:
1122:
1119:
1115:
1109:
1106:
1102:
1096:
1093:
1089:
1085:
1081:
1076:
1073:
1070:
1066:
1064:
1058:
1055:
1051:
1045:
1042:
1037:
1033:
1029:
1023:
1020:
1016:
1015:0-517-50188-0
1012:
1008:
1002:
999:
995:
992:
987:
984:
980:
977:
972:
969:
965:
962:
958:
952:
950:
946:
939:
934:
933:
929:
926:
922:
921:Morrie Turner
918:
917:
913:
910:
909:
905:
900:
896:
895:
891:
888:
884:
880:
879:
875:
872:
868:
867:
863:
862:
860:
857:
856:Rube Goldberg
853:
850:
847:
846:Guy Gilchrist
843:
840:
837:
834:
831:
828:
825:
821:
818:
813:
810:
807:
804:
801:
798:
795:
792:
791:
789:
788:Robert Zuppke
785:
781:
778:
773:
769:
765:
761:
760:
756:
753:
749:
745:
744:
740:
737:
733:
729:
725:
724:
720:
717:
713:
709:
708:
704:
703:
701:
700:Marvel Comics
698:
695:
691:
690:
685:
682:
679:
675:
674:
670:
667:
664:
661:
657:
654:
652:(early 1980s)
651:
647:
644:
641:
640:
636:
633:
630:
627:
623:
622:
618:
615:
611:
610:Little Debbie
607:
604:
601:
597:
594:
591:
588:
585:
584:Jules Feiffer
581:
578:
575:
571:
570:Citizen Smith
568:
565:
561:
560:
556:
553:
552:Rube Goldberg
549:
546:
543:
539:
538:
534:
531:
527:
523:
519:
516:
513:
510:
508:
504:
503:
499:
496:
493:
490:
487:
486:
482:
480:
478:
474:
470:
465:
464:(1978–1982).
463:
462:
457:
456:
452:(1978-1982),
451:
450:
445:
444:
439:
438:Marvel Comics
434:
432:
431:
426:
425:Morrie Turner
422:
421:
416:
411:
409:
408:
403:
399:
398:
393:
392:
387:
380:
378:
376:
372:
368:
367:Jules Feiffer
364:
363:
358:
357:
350:
346:
344:
340:
339:
334:
326:
324:
322:
318:
317:
312:
308:
304:
300:
292:
290:
287:
285:
284:
279:
277:
276:
271:
267:
263:
262:
253:
248:
246:
244:
243:
238:
237:
232:
231:
226:
225:
220:
219:
214:
210:
206:
202:
197:
195:
191:
187:
183:
179:
175:
174:King Features
171:
167:
163:
159:
149:
144:
139:
136:
132:
128:
124:
120:
114:
110:
104:
100:
95:
91:
87:
83:
79:
65:
61:
58:
55:
51:
37:
33:
30:
27:
23:
1327:
1319:
1311:
1303:
1295:
1290:
1277:
1270:. Retrieved
1255:
1247:
1222:
1207:
1202:
1151:
1144:
1136:
1128:
1120:
1113:
1108:
1095:
1075:
1062:
1057:
1049:
1044:
1036:the original
1022:
1006:
1001:
993:
986:
978:
971:
963:
956:
930:
914:
906:
892:
887:John Celardo
876:
864:
851:
841:
835:
829:
819:
811:
805:
799:
793:
783:
779:
768:Larry Lieber
757:
748:Steve Gerber
741:
732:John Buscema
721:
705:
693:
687:
683:
677:
671:
665:
655:
646:Graves, Inc.
645:
637:
631:
619:
614:Cecil Jensen
609:
605:
595:
589:
579:
569:
557:
548:Brad and Dad
547:
535:
530:Mort Drucker
517:
511:
507:Our Girl Amy
506:
500:
494:
488:
466:
459:
453:
447:
441:
435:
428:
418:
412:
405:
395:
389:
384:
369:and artists
360:
354:
352:
348:
336:
330:
314:
296:
288:
281:
280:
273:
259:
257:
240:
234:
228:
222:
216:
215:feature was
198:
186:comic strips
177:
157:
155:
93:Headquarters
84:Acquired by
1281:Val Mayerik
1063:Spirit, The
908:Tumbleweeds
883:Will Eisner
873:(1940–1952)
871:Will Eisner
824:Will Eisner
774:(1978–1982)
738:(1978-1982)
662:(1949–1966)
616:(1949–1961)
602:(1951–1957)
596:Double Take
586:(1949–1950)
576:(1967–1984)
574:Dave Gerard
566:(1954–1976)
554:(1939-1941)
532:(1984–1986)
526:John Reiner
522:Jerry Dumas
489:The Alumnae
420:Tumbleweeds
381:Later years
333:Will Eisner
319:. In 1939,
242:Tumbleweeds
145:(1935–1986)
1341:Categories
1080:"Wee Pals"
940:References
899:Bob Powell
894:Mr. Mystic
866:The Spirit
784:Dick Ember
772:Ernie Chan
752:Gene Colan
736:Ernie Chan
728:Roy Thomas
696:1964–1968)
692:to become
689:Jane Arden
673:Jane Arden
660:Clyde Lamb
600:Bob Barnes
542:Bob Barnes
402:Bob Barnes
375:Wally Wood
356:Mr. Mystic
338:The Spirit
311:comic book
283:Jane Arden
264:publisher
230:Jane Arden
209:comic book
201:The Spirit
166:Des Moines
117:Key people
99:Des Moines
1175:cite book
1050:Alter Ego
932:Zane Grey
878:Lady Luck
852:Side Show
780:Ned Brant
650:Pat Brady
626:Bil Keane
564:Bil Keane
400:in 1960.
386:Bil Keane
371:Jack Cole
362:Lady Luck
258:In 1922,
164:based in
1266:Archived
1088:Archived
916:Wee Pals
820:Odd Fact
794:Baseball
764:Stan Lee
712:Stan Lee
580:Clifford
518:Benchley
430:Wee Pals
417:-themed
415:Old West
301:and the
182:Herblock
126:Products
53:Founders
25:Industry
1272:June 4,
1067:at the
848:(1980s)
702:strips
343:tabloid
254:Origins
249:History
205:tabloid
71: (
63:Defunct
43: (
35:Founded
1214:
1163:
1013:
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