Beetle Bailey

This year marks a monumental milestone in comics history—Beetle Bailey celebrates its 75th anniversary! First published on September 4, 1950, Mort Walker’s creation has grown from a college-campus strip into one of the most beloved military-themed comics of all time. Over the decades, Beetle has gone from slacking off in class to dodging Sarge’s orders at Camp Swampy, all while winning the hearts of millions of readers worldwide. To celebrate the occasion, Inside the Kingdom host Alex sat down with Brian Walker—cartoonist, historian, and part of the Walker family team that has carried Beetle’s legacy forward. Brian shared stories about Beetle’s origins, including how Mort made the pivotal decision to enlist Beetle in the Army during the Korean War era—a move that saved the strip from cancellation and ultimately defined its identity. He also recalled the time Stars and Stripes banned Beetle Bailey in the Pacific for “disrespecting officers,” a controversy that only boosted the strip’s popularity. Beyond the history, Brian reflected on Beetle Bailey’s enduring appeal. Though the setting is military, the strip has always been about people working together in an organization, poking fun at authority, and finding […]

Need a midweek pick-me-up? Check out our Tuesday Top 10—a collection of hilarious comics guaranteed to brighten your day. Whether you’re here for clever captions or laugh-out-loud moments, these are sure to put a smile on your face. Take a break, scroll through, and let the laughs roll in! PLUGGERS When pulling off a sweater feels like finishing an Olympic triathlon. ZITS Clearly, snacks are the only priority. NEVER BEEN DEADER Office Goals: Deadpan Team Spirit RHYMES WITH ORANGE Why just wait in traffic when you can redecorate? BIZARRO When life gives you opposites, just take the scenic route. SHOE Stealth Candy Tactics 101 MACANUDO Beware the Jabberwock! TINA’S GROOVE When your handwriting is the only thing you can write home about. CROCK Who needs a ballroom when the trailer park laundry room has ambiance? SAM & SILO When it comes to dogs, cats are all “paws off” diplomacy. BEETLE BAILEY A Peeling Layers of History

Hi, all! I hope you are recovering from your Thanksgiving feasts if you celebrate! Today, Saturday, November 26, is a very important day for comics history: the 100th birthday of Charles “Sparky” Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, one of the most beloved comic strips of all time. Usually, we only post about birthdays related to King Features comics, but Mr. Schulz was such an inspiration and good friend to so many of our cartoonists and had so much influence on the direction of not just comics but pop culture in the 20th century that we wanted to celebrate his legacy. Patrick McDonnell, the creator of MUTTS, spearheaded this project in collaboration with the Charles M. Schulz Museum to celebrate this special birthday! As you look around Comics Kingdom today, you will see many of cartoonists have contributed to this celebration by honoring Mr. Schulz in their comic strips. Here is a collection where you can see them all together! Todd the Dinoaur by Patrick Roberts Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis Rhymes With Orange by Hilary Price & Rina PIccolo The Lockhorns by Bunny Hoest and John Reiner Daddy […]