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Lorri Dent

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Aug 3, 2024, 9:41:40 PM8/3/24

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How to Enjoy the Sunday Funnies

The Sunday Funnies are a tradition that dates back to the late 19th century, when newspapers started to publish comic strips in color on Sundays. The Sunday Funnies are still a popular source of entertainment and humor for many people, who enjoy reading their favorite characters and stories every week.

But how can you make the most of your Sunday Funnies experience? Here are some tips:

Find a newspaper that carries the comics you like. You can check online or ask your local newsstand which newspapers have the best selection of comics. Some newspapers may have more comics than others, or different comics altogether.

Get comfortable. Whether you read the Sunday Funnies in bed, on the couch, or at the breakfast table, make sure you have a cozy spot to relax and enjoy. You may also want to have a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to sip while you read.

Share the fun. Reading the Sunday Funnies can be a great way to bond with your family or friends. You can take turns reading aloud, discuss your favorite jokes or scenes, or swap comics with each other. You can also introduce someone to a new comic they might like.

Explore new comics. If you always read the same comics every week, you might be missing out on some gems. Try reading a comic you've never read before, or one that you usually skip. You might discover a new favorite, or at least appreciate the variety and creativity of comic artists.

Keep the comics. If you really love a comic strip, you can cut it out and save it for later. You can make a scrapbook of your favorite comics, frame them and hang them on your wall, or use them as bookmarks. You can also share them with others who might enjoy them.

The Sunday Funnies are a simple but delightful way to spend some time on a lazy weekend. They can make you laugh, think, or feel nostalgic. They can also inspire you to be more creative and expressive. So grab your newspaper and enjoy the Sunday Funnies!

The History of the Sunday Funnies

The Sunday Funnies have a long and rich history that spans more than a century. The first US newspaper comic strips appeared in the late 19th century, closely allied with the invention of the color press. [^3^] Many newspaper readers called this section the Sunday funnies, the funny papers or simply the funnies.

The first comic strip to be published in color was The Yellow Kid by Richard F. Outcault, which debuted in 1895 in Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. The strip featured a bald street urchin in a yellow nightshirt who spoke in slang. The Yellow Kid was so popular that it sparked a circulation war between Pulitzer and his rival William Randolph Hearst, who hired Outcault away from the World in 1896. Hearst also created his own syndicate, King Features Syndicate, in 1915 to distribute comics and other features to newspapers across the country. [^1^] [^2^]

Some of the early comic strips that became popular in the Sunday funnies were The Katzenjammer Kids by Rudolph Dirks, which featured two mischievous German-American twins; Little Nemo in Slumberland by Winsor McCay, which depicted the fantastical dreams of a young boy; and Krazy Kat by George Herriman, which explored the surreal love triangle between a cat, a mouse and a dog. These strips showcased the artistic and narrative possibilities of the medium, as well as its humor and whimsy.

By the 1930s, the Sunday funnies had become a cultural phenomenon, reaching millions of readers and producing famous fictional characters in such strips as Flash Gordon by Alex Raymond, Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray, Prince Valiant by Hal Foster, Dick Tracy by Chester Gould and Terry and the Pirates by Milton Caniff. These strips often featured adventure, romance, mystery and drama, as well as social commentary and satire. Some of them also became adapted into other media, such as radio shows, movies and television series.

The Sunday funnies continued to flourish in the following decades, introducing new genres and styles of comic strips. Some of the notable examples are Peanuts by Charles Schulz, which revolutionized the gag strip with its minimalist art and existential humor; Pogo by Walt Kelly, which used anthropomorphic animals to lampoon politics and human nature; Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau, which tackled contemporary issues and controversies with wit and insight; Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, which captured the imagination and innocence of childhood; and The Far Side by Gary Larson, which offered a quirky and absurd perspective on life.

Today, the Sunday funnies are still a beloved part of many newspapers, although they face challenges from declining circulation, shrinking space and online competition. However, they also have new opportunities to reach new audiences through digital platforms, such as websites, apps and social media. The Sunday funnies remain a testament to the creativity and diversity of comic strip artists, who have entertained and enlightened generations of readers with their words and pictures.