The legendary Opus is leaving the papers after November 2, but which features will take its place? I’ve asked the syndicates which features are being picked up to replace Berkeley Breathed‘s strip. Here’s what initial reports indicate:
United Media reports that Pearls Before Swine has picked up four papers: Columbus Dispatch, Hartford Courant, Boulder (CO) Camera, Portland (ME) Press-Herald and Get Fuzzy has picked up two: Austin American Statesman, Elkhart (IN) Truth. Others that have picked up a new client include: Arlo and Janis (Parsippany/Morristown (NJ) Daily Record), Rose is Rose, (Seattle Times), Family Tree is being tested in the Arizona Daily Star (Tucson, AZ) and The Knight Life will now be featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Universal Press tells me that The Tampa Tribune is going with Argyle Sweater.
Creators tells me that Speed Bump will be in the Tacoma News Tribune and the Duluth News Tribune picked up Daddy’s Home.
UPDATE: King Features has sent me a list of some of their initial sales: The Los Angeles Times selected Bizarro, the Portland Oregonian selected The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee, St. Petersburg Times went with Mutts, the Providence Journal picked up Mother Goose & Grimm, and the Las Vegas Review Journal opted for Mallard Fillmore.
According to Amy Lago, Comic Editor at the Washington Post Writers Group, Opus ran in just under 200 papers, so there are many slots available. I’m sure as the end gets nearer, more reports will emerge.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution tells me that after Opus ends, they’ll just print one of their Sunday offerings bigger, and decide on which feature to replace in January.
Washington Post is asking for suggestions on their website.
The Chicago Tribune has replaced Opus with Pickles and Tundra.
Are there any other papers that have decided on replacement strips? If so, then what have they decided on?