RIP Johnny Hart

[dave29]

Sunday April 8, 2007

'B.C.' creator Johnny Hart dies
Johnny Hart, an Endicott native whose collection of cartoon cave-dwellers amused and sometimes irritated newspaper readers for almost 50 years, died at his Nineveh home on Saturday. He was 76.

Hart is survived by his wife Bobby, and two daughters. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Hart's B.C. comic strip was launched in 1958 and eventually appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide with an audience of 100 million. He lent his characters to promote many local agencies and activities, including the Broome Dusters hockey team, BC Transit, Broome County Parks and the professional golf tournament which became the B.C. Open.

B.C. participated in the nation's space program. In 1972, Hart received a public service award from NASA for outstanding contributions.

Later in his career, some of Hart's cartoons addressed religious themes -- a reflection of his own deepening Christian faith -- which dismayed some readers and delighted others.

Hart's biography at the Creators Syndicate web site said he never considered cartoon a serious profession until he graduated from Union-Endicott High School. At 19, he met Brant Parker, a young cartoonist who became a prime influence and who later became a partner in the Wizard of Id, another of Hart's comic strip creations

[rhvfd1214]

Another one of my favorites.. May he rest in peace.

[dave29]

Its on yahoo now

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070408/ap_en_ot/obit_hart

[MarcusKspn]

His cartoon from Today:

[dave29]

Heres some picts of him and his work

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...4080802&Ref=PH

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...4080803&Ref=PH

Just said on news that he passed on while writing a strip, he had a stroke
They gonna have a public viewing and all

[DaSharkie]

Still (re)read it every morning as part of my morning wake up.

[dave29]

Johnny's guest book

www.pressconnects.com/harttribute

[MalahatTwo7]

Yes. Tis a sad day indeed. May he continue to make his cartoons in the place he has moved on to.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I could see Harts cast of characters in the people I work with. I hope someone will take up his legacy and continue the strip... if not, I hope the syndicate keeps running his strips, like Peanuts.

[dave29]

WBNG TV News story and video
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/6941662.html

More picts
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...4090801&Ref=PH

[dave29]

New story
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...704100334/1006

[doughesson]

It won't be the same if someone else starts drawing the characters and plots.They could use a stencil to draw BC and company and it still wouldn't be like Mr.Hart's drawings.
The replacement will put their own spin into the stories and characters.Who'd want the Hot Chick to get a high powered office job or Clumsy Carp decide to go in for Lasik surgery?
Or maybe Gwen will give up on Sir Rodney.What if the King developed a sense of humor about being called a fink or "Shorty"?
If that happens,it will alter the Earth's axis and alter the rotation of the universe.
No,sir,I think it best if the syndicate just runs them as the classics that they are.
Like George Jones sang years ago,'Who's gonna fill their shoes?"

I could see Harts cast of characters in the people I work with. I hope someone will take up his legacy and continue the strip... if not, I hope the syndicate keeps running his strips, like Peanuts.

[dave29]

funeral stories
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...704140328/1006
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pb...704140327/1006
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/7017562.html