LightWave Reports' Daily Comic Strips (10/1)

Free Range by Bill Whitehead

According to Bill Whitehead, an award-winning cartoonist and the creator of Free Range, great cartoonists entertain others by entertaining themselves first -- which is exactly how Free Range came to be. He’s having a great time with Free Range and hopes his readers are, too. Creators Syndicate

Wizard of Id by Brant Parker and Johnny Hart

"Wizard of Id" has been enchanting audiences since 1964, but the real wizards behind this comic classic were artist Brant Parker and writer Johnny Hart.

The pair began paving the path to the Kingdom of Id in 1950, when Parker, a staff artist for the Binghamton Press in upstate New York, was asked to judge a high school art contest. Among the entrants was a teenager by the name of Johnny Hart, whose work so impressed Parker that he arranged a meeting. Creators Syndicate

Speed Bump by Dave Coverly

Dave Coverly admits there is no overriding theme, no tidy little philosophy that precisely describes what "Speed Bump" is about. "Basically," he says, "if life were a movie, these would be the outtakes." Creators Syndicate

Rubes By Leigh Rubin

Talking cows, less-than-bright kids, and multiple varieties of flora and fauna make their appearance in the witty offbeat cartoon panel "Rubes" by Leigh Rubin. Rubin’s hilarious cast of characters and absurd view of the world have made "Rubes" a favorite with readers everywhere. Creators Syndicate

Strange Brew by John Deering

John Deering has started drawing cartoon panels, and the comic pages of our newspapers may never be the same. With "Strange Brew," Deering—famous for his biting humor and political savvy as chief editorial cartoonist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette—has an outlet for his creative sense of humor and quirky view of life. Creators Syndicate

B.C. by Mastroianni and Hart

Johnny Hart’s classic strip, "B.C.," puts a caveman twist on everything. From philosophical ants to punny bits of unconventional wisdom, this strip has been a favorite for many years. Creators Syndicate

Daddy's Home By Rubino and Markstein

"Daddy’s Home" is a contemporary family comic with an emphasis on the role of the modern father. No other cartoon feature examines domesticity from this uniquely male perspective while remaining universally appealing to both genders. Through the eyes of a stay-at-home-dad, "Daddy’s Home" casts a unique light on everyday situations. With biting sarcasm and sharp wit, Peter and a cast of supporting characters navigate the turbulent waters of modern family life. Creators Syndicate

Heathcliff by Peter Gallagher

Called the "Cat of the Century" by a major cat magazine, “Heathcliff” has been an incredible success. The cat is loved and recognized by millions in all corners of the globe. In addition to being published in hundreds of papers, the comic has been animated in more than 80 television shows, published in over 50 books with over a million copies in print, and featured in a full-length motion picture. “Heathcliff” cartoons have even hung on the walls of the Louvre in Paris. Creators Syndicate

Spectickles by Bill Abbott

Spectickles, a cartoon primarily about a married couple with, to put it mildly, communication challenges, is an amalgamation of physical traits that author Bill Abbott finds humorous: the deadpan expression and gravity-tugged flesh of Walter Matthau, the powerful presence of Ethel Merman, the glasses of his great-grand-parents and a host of other subtleties. Creators Syndicate

Flo and Friends by Jenny Campbell

Cartoonist Jenny Campbell has created a spirited and intelligent look at aging and the generation gap. This strip features a group of older women and men dealing with the perils and perks of being old, the rules of chocolate, and the challenges of families. "Flo and Friends" is graceful, poignant, and full of humor. Creators Syndicate