Tribune Media Services has launched a new comic feature called Raising Hector. The strip has been around in self-syndication since 1996, according to this story in E&P, and is created by Peter Ramirez who is a former police officer - now stay at home dad (which is also the premise of the feature). " /> Tribune Media Services has launched a new comic feature called Raising Hector. The strip has been around in self-syndication since 1996, according to this story in E&P, and is created by Peter Ramirez who is a former police officer - now stay at home dad (which is also the premise of the feature). " />
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TMS launches new strip “Raising Hector”

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Tribune Media Services has launched a new comic feature called Raising Hector. The strip has been around in self-syndication since 1996, according to this story in E&P, and is created by Peter Ramirez who is a former police officer – now stay at home dad (which is also the premise of the feature).

Here’s the Tribune description:

In the strip’s multigenerational Latino family, macho ex-cop and dad Hector plays Mr. Mom at home with the kids and dog, while his wife is out working, and his parents are underfoot. Readers of all ages will find a character to empathize with or recognize in their own family. The strip will also be made available in Spanish for domestic and international Spanish-language publishers.

On further research, it looks like the strip was self-syndicated under the title “Raising Hec.” Here is a quick intro to a story that David Astor wrote in Editor and Publisher back in 1995.

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Comments 38

  1. Well, I’d like to say congratulations to Mister Ramirez. I look forward to seeing the strip someday.

  2. Well, I’d like to say congratulations to Mister Ramirez. I look forward to seeing the strip someday.

  5. This is just about the worst cartoon I have ever read. It is f******* s***. Where do you get your lame ideas?

  6. This is just about the worst cartoon I have ever read. It is f******* s***. Where do you get your lame ideas?

  7. Well Pocohontas, do you have a comic strip out that I can comment on? I thought not. When you come up with one let me know so I can pick it apart.

  8. Well Pocohontas, do you have a comic strip out that I can comment on? I thought not. When you come up with one let me know so I can pick it apart.

  9. So what’s the message here?

    Keep a strip going, head down, ass up, come hell or high water, earning a pittance long enough (twelve years, for instance) and you just MIGHT get a syndication deal with one of the few gatekeepers to the industry?

    So we should applaud that? Is that an example to talented up-and-comers? That isn’t professional dedication to one’s craft, that’s a ***cking psychosis.

    I’m not going to comment on the art or the writing in this strip, but for this syndicate to pick it up after so many years out there is testament to either the lack of quality contained in the submissions received at TMS or the lack of talent behind the acquisitions desk. Seriously, someone should be looking at the qualifications and track record of the suits at every major cartoon syndicate. Who’s judging the judges? If the answer is “no-one”, then why?

  10. So what’s the message here?

    Keep a strip going, head down, ass up, come hell or high water, earning a pittance long enough (twelve years, for instance) and you just MIGHT get a syndication deal with one of the few gatekeepers to the industry?

    So we should applaud that? Is that an example to talented up-and-comers? That isn’t professional dedication to one’s craft, that’s a ***cking psychosis.

    I’m not going to comment on the art or the writing in this strip, but for this syndicate to pick it up after so many years out there is testament to either the lack of quality contained in the submissions received at TMS or the lack of talent behind the acquisitions desk. Seriously, someone should be looking at the qualifications and track record of the suits at every major cartoon syndicate. Who’s judging the judges? If the answer is “no-one”, then why?

  11. If I started a job as a police officer I’m pretty sure I’d be told I’d do a bad job. This guy isn’t a professional cartoonist, he’s a cop. If he was seventeen years old , I’d say there’s hope for improvement, but I’ve seen this kind of thing before, and it won’t get much better than this.

  12. If I started a job as a police officer I’m pretty sure I’d be told I’d do a bad job. This guy isn’t a professional cartoonist, he’s a cop. If he was seventeen years old , I’d say there’s hope for improvement, but I’ve seen this kind of thing before, and it won’t get much better than this.

  13. It is hard to believe that this wretched thing made it into any major newspapers at all. It makes me angry to consider that somewhere someone with actual talent isn’t getting a chance just so some hack can crap all over the comics section. Truly, I cannot call it a comic strip, it’s an abortion.

  14. It is hard to believe that this wretched thing made it into any major newspapers at all. It makes me angry to consider that somewhere someone with actual talent isn’t getting a chance just so some hack can crap all over the comics section. Truly, I cannot call it a comic strip, it’s an abortion.

  15. I bet money that “Raising Hector” will last longer than “Home and Away”, another strip that has a huge uphill battle. I almost got the two mixed up.

    Ramirez has a very dramatic back story, as he was injured as a police officer. But whatever tales of human triumph lie beyond this comic strip, ultimately it’s the comic strip that matters, not being shot, or overcoming cancer, or any other life story that might make us overlook the quality of the comic strip.
    It’s frustrating that these two strips get sydicated while there are obvious others more qualified. But I wouldn’t get too jealous, because the creators have to create these strips every day with little to no finacial reward, until they… well… If a strip as good as “Single and Looking” is out of the game, you pretty much know what will happen to these gems, and it will most likely happen sooner than later.

  16. I bet money that “Raising Hector” will last longer than “Home and Away”, another strip that has a huge uphill battle. I almost got the two mixed up.

    Ramirez has a very dramatic back story, as he was injured as a police officer. But whatever tales of human triumph lie beyond this comic strip, ultimately it’s the comic strip that matters, not being shot, or overcoming cancer, or any other life story that might make us overlook the quality of the comic strip.
    It’s frustrating that these two strips get sydicated while there are obvious others more qualified. But I wouldn’t get too jealous, because the creators have to create these strips every day with little to no finacial reward, until they… well… If a strip as good as “Single and Looking” is out of the game, you pretty much know what will happen to these gems, and it will most likely happen sooner than later.

  17. Congrats Peter Ramirez!! He got syndicated folks, that is a GOOD THING!!!! Don’t be mad at him, don’t hate.

  18. Congrats Peter Ramirez!! He got syndicated folks, that is a GOOD THING!!!! Don’t be mad at him, don’t hate.

  19. I bet money that â??Raising Hectorâ? will last longer than â??Home and Awayâ?, another strip that has a huge uphill battle.

    Dude, seriously, it’s comments like this that REALLY tick me off. I mean, I was under the impression that there was a strict “no wagering” rule on this web site along with the “no swearing”.
    Alan, can I get a ruling? Let wagering stand and the next thing you know people will be marrying animals.

  20. I bet money that â??Raising Hectorâ? will last longer than â??Home and Awayâ?, another strip that has a huge uphill battle.

    Dude, seriously, it’s comments like this that REALLY tick me off. I mean, I was under the impression that there was a strict “no wagering” rule on this web site along with the “no swearing”.
    Alan, can I get a ruling? Let wagering stand and the next thing you know people will be marrying animals.

  21. No, Steve, there is no rules regarding wagering in the comments. There is a rule about posting personal attacks on a cartoonist or other commentators.

    To the others – it is important to remember that all features have fans. Just because one feature isn’t your thing, it doesn’t mean that others feel the same way. If a feature makes it through the editorial and developmental rigors to be syndicated and is launched, it deserves some respect.

  22. No, Steve, there is no rules regarding wagering in the comments. There is a rule about posting personal attacks on a cartoonist or other commentators.

    To the others – it is important to remember that all features have fans. Just because one feature isn’t your thing, it doesn’t mean that others feel the same way. If a feature makes it through the editorial and developmental rigors to be syndicated and is launched, it deserves some respect.

  23. BUT…This guy has a pretty good website. He could start including ads on his site. As a hispanic cartoon he does have a demographic that everyone wants right now. His “dead tree” comics would be great “url” placements for driving traffic to his site. I wouldn’t be too quick to count Peter out, imho.

  24. BUT…This guy has a pretty good website. He could start including ads on his site. As a hispanic cartoon he does have a demographic that everyone wants right now. His “dead tree” comics would be great “url” placements for driving traffic to his site. I wouldn’t be too quick to count Peter out, imho.

  25. Perhaps I go too far, I cannot begrudge Ramirez his success, but it feels unearned. Having followed his strip in the Chicago Tribune since it started running there, it seems that he hasn’t really grown at all as an artist. If there was some sort of development of style it could be forgiven, but most of his strips smack of laziness. Witness last sundays strip, which in of itself was inexplicable. It showed a game of checkers being played between father and son, with the punchline being that the son had installed a cannon into the board as a sort of failsafe against losing. An inane idea, but hey, 7 days a week of doing a strip and some dogs are going to get through. But the fact that the cannon emerges from one square on the board in one panel and in the next panel in a completely different square no where near the original place. Perhaps this is nitpicking, but the fact is that every strip features some sort of skewed perspective from panel to panel, or some idea that was never thought out. Indeed, rarely is there any sort of inspiration that would serve to separate the strip from any basic college paper strip you might find. It’s this apparent disdain for effort that really bothers me more than anything. It doesn’t take artistic ability to have details from one panel cross over to the next panel, only effort.

  26. Perhaps I go too far, I cannot begrudge Ramirez his success, but it feels unearned. Having followed his strip in the Chicago Tribune since it started running there, it seems that he hasn’t really grown at all as an artist. If there was some sort of development of style it could be forgiven, but most of his strips smack of laziness. Witness last sundays strip, which in of itself was inexplicable. It showed a game of checkers being played between father and son, with the punchline being that the son had installed a cannon into the board as a sort of failsafe against losing. An inane idea, but hey, 7 days a week of doing a strip and some dogs are going to get through. But the fact that the cannon emerges from one square on the board in one panel and in the next panel in a completely different square no where near the original place. Perhaps this is nitpicking, but the fact is that every strip features some sort of skewed perspective from panel to panel, or some idea that was never thought out. Indeed, rarely is there any sort of inspiration that would serve to separate the strip from any basic college paper strip you might find. It’s this apparent disdain for effort that really bothers me more than anything. It doesn’t take artistic ability to have details from one panel cross over to the next panel, only effort.

  27. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER post on message boards. But this comic is so truly awful that I’m stopping my work day to google just to see who, if any, are the fans.
    With all respect to the author, I simply can not figure out why TMS pays money to place this strip. I’m hard pressed to remember any comic that has been so poorly drawn…and as for humor, maybe I’d understand this strip’s placement in The Weekly Readers I read as a kid in the pediatrician’s office.
    It’s not even bad enough to be camp, it’s just unprofessional and sad. And if this is only in syndication to market to Hispanics, then I think the Hispanics ought to revolt.
    …and I can’t help but throw out one last thought; that week where the dad couldn’t get in the pool because the kid had too many rafts? Did I really waste 10 seconds of my life seeing that strip through to it’s conclusion?

  28. I NEVER, and I mean NEVER post on message boards. But this comic is so truly awful that I’m stopping my work day to google just to see who, if any, are the fans.
    With all respect to the author, I simply can not figure out why TMS pays money to place this strip. I’m hard pressed to remember any comic that has been so poorly drawn…and as for humor, maybe I’d understand this strip’s placement in The Weekly Readers I read as a kid in the pediatrician’s office.
    It’s not even bad enough to be camp, it’s just unprofessional and sad. And if this is only in syndication to market to Hispanics, then I think the Hispanics ought to revolt.
    …and I can’t help but throw out one last thought; that week where the dad couldn’t get in the pool because the kid had too many rafts? Did I really waste 10 seconds of my life seeing that strip through to it’s conclusion?

  29. Like the person above me, I hate this comic so much that i am taking time to google it and find other’s opinions on it. The jokes are so bland and generic that i can’t imagine anyone ever thinking they were “funny”. The idea that anyone enjoys this comic strip is pretty absurd and i can’t imagine what people see in this comic

  30. Like the person above me, I hate this comic so much that i am taking time to google it and find other’s opinions on it. The jokes are so bland and generic that i can’t imagine anyone ever thinking they were “funny”. The idea that anyone enjoys this comic strip is pretty absurd and i can’t imagine what people see in this comic

  31. I would have to agree with the two posts above me. Why Tribune, why???

    Yeah the story about the artist is endearing, but seriously, I cringe when I read this strip. Oddly, I can’t stop reading it, just to see how bad it is.

    If Hispanics want a representative strip, I am sure they could do better.

  32. I would have to agree with the two posts above me. Why Tribune, why???

    Yeah the story about the artist is endearing, but seriously, I cringe when I read this strip. Oddly, I can’t stop reading it, just to see how bad it is.

    If Hispanics want a representative strip, I am sure they could do better.

  33. I would have to agree with the previous 2 posts, and I’d say I’m in the same boat.

    I almost have to read it just to see how bad it is, though it makes me cringe every time. If the paper wants a representative Hispanic strip, I’m sure there’s SOMETHING better than this, maybe something out of the Sun Times for x-sake.

  34. I would have to agree with the previous 2 posts, and I’d say I’m in the same boat.

    I almost have to read it just to see how bad it is, though it makes me cringe every time. If the paper wants a representative Hispanic strip, I’m sure there’s SOMETHING better than this, maybe something out of the Sun Times for x-sake.

  35. I also google this strip because I thought it was pretty terrible. However I would like to say there are representative Hispanic comic strips.Like for example Baldo, which isn’t a favorite strip of mine, but is tons more professional and more often funny.

  36. I also google this strip because I thought it was pretty terrible. However I would like to say there are representative Hispanic comic strips.Like for example Baldo, which isn’t a favorite strip of mine, but is tons more professional and more often funny.

  37. Raising Hector is probably the all-around worst widely-syndicated comic strip I have ever seen. Its art is totally awful and appears to have been done in MS Paint, the lettering is thrown together, and the gags are so unbelievably stupid and corny one wonders how it ever was published in the first place. If the syndication business was desperate for a Latino strip, I cannot believe this is the best one available. To open a newspaper and find this sort of thrown-together amateurish work where Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes were several decades ago is distressing for the comic lover.

    If the industry has resorted to choosing strips solely on their appeal to a certain ethnicity (which appears to be the only possible attraction of this comic) while foregoing any semblance of quality, I am further saddened for the future of newspaper comics.

  38. Raising Hector is probably the all-around worst widely-syndicated comic strip I have ever seen. Its art is totally awful and appears to have been done in MS Paint, the lettering is thrown together, and the gags are so unbelievably stupid and corny one wonders how it ever was published in the first place. If the syndication business was desperate for a Latino strip, I cannot believe this is the best one available. To open a newspaper and find this sort of thrown-together amateurish work where Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes were several decades ago is distressing for the comic lover.

    If the industry has resorted to choosing strips solely on their appeal to a certain ethnicity (which appears to be the only possible attraction of this comic) while foregoing any semblance of quality, I am further saddened for the future of newspaper comics.

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