I have 3 contenders, in no particular order-


Peanuts.

Charles Schulz was a genius. His strips seemed to be filled with irony, while ostensibly focusing on the day to day exploits of children and animals. There always was a message, provided one cared to look in between the lines.

That his work has continued to be run in the daily rags long after his demise speaks volumes about his insight into the human condition.



POGO


Used to love this as a kid, although it was often dark and impenetrable. Liked the characterizations, some of the rest was lost on me at the time though.


Lil' Abner


Followed this regularly. Al Capps' characterizations were engaging and straightforward and always entertaining. Yet later it became clear he also had a political slant that permeated some of the strips. (Joanie Phony).

Capp often was controversial with his political views. He debated college age students with great vigour, dismissing their views with some disdain! I clearly remember listening to him on the radio during one of these speaking engagements. He was a lightning rod, and not afraid to be outspoken!

Also saw him on the old Johnny Carson show. He always had a cigar in hand, and gesticulated wildly as he pontificated! And he was eventually involved in a scandal which effectively took him out of the public eye.



Honorable mention to-

Our Boarding House with Major Hoople.



And yours?



Cheers,

RR

Great list already.

I'd add a classic in its own time, Bloom County.

I'll do the top thee as well, not necessarily in order:

Pogo is no doubt in my top three.

Calvin and Hobbes; thankfully ending on top, though I'd like to see a bit more.

Bringing Up Father; poor Jiggs.

definitely Bloom County ! Opus, Steve Dallas, Bill the Cat, just to name a few. Possibly the most politically conscious cartoon to ever be made, and funny as it gets.

The Far Side: Pure genius through and through.

I'm glad to see "Our Boarding House" mentioned. That was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Major Hoople (Egad!) was always flustered over something.

Another one I really liked was "Out Our Way."

I also enjoyed "Big George" a lot. It was a single panel comic. I think I liked the artwork of Virgil Partch more than anything.

You know, it's funny...I don't really read the comics much anymore. I still will check out Beetle Bailey and Blondie from time to time.

Mike

For teachers, it's hard to beat Calvin & Hobbes.





Besides, I was a terror as a kid just like him, I can relate.

Natch

Great responses so far.

Yes, I am a great fan of Calvin and Hobbes as well as Bloom County. Plus many other more contemporary strips.

While they are all classics in their own right, I intended the category to be older strips from primarily the 60's in case that wasn't apparent. So that dates me. Be that as it may.

Some of the more popular strips from that period, say Dick Tracy and Lil' Orphan Annie never grabbed me for some reason. They obviously had their following, just never resonated with me. Go figure!

In any case, please do carry on with your favorite classic strip regardless of the period.



Cheers,

RR

Red Meat --- agreed.

Maybe not a strip,,,maybe not a classic,,,but my favorite was "The Far Side" ,,,,,especially the cows and snakes

Moonbeam McSwine of Lil'Abner fame.