Barney Google And Snuffy Smith

On June 17, 1919, readers met a wiry, bug-eyed character named Barney Google for the first time. More than a century later, Barney Google and Snuffy Smith remains one of the great survivors of the funny pages: a strip that has reinvented itself again and again while keeping its comic spirit unmistakably intact. Created by Billy DeBeck, the strip began as Take Barney Google, For Instance, a gag-a-day feature about a small, scheming sports fan with a talent for trouble and a weakness for betting. Barney was not exactly a model citizen, which may explain why readers liked him. He was crafty, unlucky, vain, resilient and, above all, funny. In other words, he was built for the comics page. Debut episode of ‘Barney Google’ (17 June 1919). The strip’s first major transformation came in 1922 with the arrival of Spark Plug, Barney’s beloved racehorse. Sparky quickly became more than a supporting character. With his blanket-covered body, stubborn personality and underdog charm, he helped turn the strip into a national sensation. Barney and Spark Plug’s racing adventures expanded the world of the comic, sending them far beyond the original setup and […]

For 25 years, cartoonist John Rose has lovingly guided one of comics’ most enduring and endearing institutions: Barney Google and Snuffy Smith. And if you ask anyone who knows him — fellow cartoonists, editors, readers, or fans — they’ll probably tell you the same thing before anything else: John is simply one of the nicest people in the business. Rose officially took over the reins in 2001, and his origin story is as whimsical and delightful as he is. Working as an editorial cartoonist at the time, he was a member of the National Cartoonists Society, where he learned that cartoonists sometimes had assistants. So he put together some samples of his work and sent them to longtime Snuffy Smith cartoonist Fred Lasswell. The response? A Saturday afternoon call that changed the course of his life when he heard, “I got the packet of samples that you sent me, and I really like the way you draw big noses.” Lasswell ended up hiring Rose as his inking assistant. John Rose’s first Barney Google and Snuffy Smith comic strip (May 21, 2001) It was a natural fit. Rose brought a deep respect for the […]

Welcome to our new weekly roundup—your quick-hit guide to the comics that made us laugh out loud, snort unexpectedly, or just quietly nod in that “too real” kind of way. Every week, we’ll spotlight five standout strips from across Comics Kingdom, from clever one-liners to totally unhinged panels we can’t stop thinking about. Some are old favorites, others might be new discoveries—but all of them are here to deliver a little dose of joy. Let’s get into it. 5. BlondieDo I smell flowers?? Or is it trouble?? 4. Alice Spring Cleaning has got to start somewhere! 3. Insanity Streak When your out-of-town plans go haywire! 2. The Saga of Brann Bjornson Epic battles are nothing compared to the war with an unreachable itch! 1. Break of Day These two look fully charged for their flight! Check back in again next week to see our top 5 funny picks!

Welcome to our new weekly roundup—your quick-hit guide to the comics that made us laugh out loud, snort unexpectedly, or just quietly nod in that “too real” kind of way. Every week, we’ll spotlight five standout strips from across Comics Kingdom, from clever one-liners to totally unhinged panels we can’t stop thinking about. Some are old favorites, others might be new discoveries—but all of them are here to deliver a little dose of joy. Let’s get into it. 5. Dustin When compliments come with fine print… proceed with caution. 4. Never Been Deader How about some room service and housekeeping? 3. Crock Nothing like a good ‘ol glass of aged wine… 2. Barney Google and Snuffy Smith It’s always good to plan for the future, Kids! 1. Rhymes with Orange Should’ve been runway-ready at all times then…. Check back in again next week to see our top 5 funny picks!

  Bodacious thanks to Buddy Roberts of The Daily Home (AL) and The Anniston Star (AL) for recently interviewing me about my career as the cartoonist on King Features’ Barney Google And Snuffy Smith comic strip.  It was truly an honor and I appreciate both of these publications for being subscribers to our comic strip and for their interest in my work. To read an abridged version of the article in The Anniston Star go here. To read the full article in The Daily Home go here.

When our daughters were both growing up, there was a day celebrated as “Take Your Daughter To Work Day.”  I’m not sure if it still exists, but nevertheless, that’s what I’m doing here all next week, January 10-16, 2021 in the Barney Google And Snuffy Smith comic strip.  Ever since Tea Fougner, the Editorial Director of Comics here at King Features, generously invited my daughter Sarah and I to create a Popeye’s Cartoon Club comic strip together in 2019 we have been trying to think of another comic project we could work on together. Popeye’s Cartoon Club by John Rose and Sarah Rose from June 2019.   So when I recently created the character of Spark Plug’s cute young grandson, Li’l Sparky, Tea and I thought this would be a fun project in which to include Sarah.  So next week Sarah is my guest assistant cartoonist on this special weeklong Li’l Sparky storyline!  She primarily worked as the colorist and helped with the strip design. Spark Plug’s grandson, Li’l Sparky.   I know I am biased, but Sarah is a very talented artist.  She is skilled in illustration, painting, graphic design and […]

Great bodacious news for every Snuffy Smith fan! Today is the start of a new storyline in everybody’s favorite longest-running comic in history. This week, Snuffy Smith is going to the big city to visit Barney Google. That’s right, the tables have turned and the Hootin’ Holler Mountaineer is leaving the Kentucky Hills to visit his best pal in (you guessed it) the BIG CITY!     What new adventures (or misadventures) await our good pal Snuffy Smith? Find out how it all unfolds starting right here. For more Barney Google & Snuffy Smith, you’re already in the right place: Comics Kingdom.

  I know many of you are artists, cartoonists and illustrators!  Many of you have probably participated in the annual Inktober challenge that happens every October. The Library Of American Comics is asking all artists participating in their Inktober Challenge to draw Barney Google today, October 12th.  Simply draw your version of Barney Google and post it on social media with the following hashtags:   #loacinktober #inktober #barneygoogle #billydebeck #libraryofamericancomics   Of course, I was excited to participate in this challenge and the artwork above is my contribution!  Participate and have fun!        

The leaves are starting to show their beautiful autumn colors here in Virginia where I live.  As I look at them it reminds me of this fun series I created featuring both Barney Google and Snuffy Smith.  Barney and Snuffy create a scheme to make money selling leaves to flatland touristers visiting Hootin’ Holler to see the fall foliage.  Below are a few of my favorite comic strips from that series.  I hope you enjoy this “fall flashback!”              

Classic characters Barney Google and Spark Plug come to Hootin’ Holler to pay a visit and participate in the annual Hootin’ Holler Fishin’ Derby!  Who wins the blue ribbon?  Read our Barney Google And Snuffy Smith comic strip during the week of Aug. 16-22, 2020 to find out!