Richard Thompson’s Cul de Sac has been picked up by Universal Press for syndicate this September. Richard Thompson, is perhaps better known for his weekly comic, Richard’s Poor Almanac that runs in the Washington Post. Cul de Sac was also a weekly created for the Post and has ran in that paper for the last 3 years. Cul de Sac will run both as a daily and as a Sunday feature. You can see samples of the strip on Universal’s web site and over at the Washington Post.
Of interest is the endorsement of the feature by Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson:
I became a big fan of Richard Thompson when I saw his book, Richard’s Poor Almanac. Thompson has a sharp eye, a fun sense of language and a charmingly odd take on the world. Best of all, his drawings arewonderful-something one doesn’t often see in cartoons anymore. I’m delighted to see ‘Cul de Sac’, and I have high hopes that Thompson will bring a much-needed jolt of energy to the daily newspaper. We have a real talent here.
The samples given look very promising. I would hope that other newspapers understand the subtext of this story: supporting a local cartoonist can become the most profitable and popular decision you make. Would Mr. Thompson have pursued ‘Cul de Sac’ without the support of at least one newspaper?
Also promising: he’s not being called the next Bill Watterson. He’s getting praise FROM Bill Watterson. He must be doing something right.
If the samples are any indication (not to mention Bill Watterson’s praise) this one ought to be great.
Richard,
My husband and I absolutely love Cul de Sac! The Wisconsin State Journal is carrying it and we both look forward to it everyday! My husband loves a cartoon that looks as though the person cannot draw.
I laugh at the marvelous view that Alice and her “family” have of the world. It makes me laugh because it is so true and simple and non-threatening.
Keep up the wonderful work you are doing. You have a gift to make people smile and to think and to enjoy.
Thank you.