'Doonesbury' comic goes on long-term hiatus

[n2doc]

NEW YORK — Pulitzer-prize winning cartoonist Gary Trudeau confirmed Tuesday the daily comic "Doonesbury" will go on a long-term hiatus.

Beginning Feb. 24, new "Doonesbury" strips will only be published on Sundays, comics syndicator Universal UClick confirmed. Some newspapers and web sites will offer "Doonesbury
Flashback," a daily collection of previously published work from strip's 43 years.

Trudeau, 65, said he plans to focus on “Alpha House,” a video web series that he helped create for Amazon.

“A hiatus comes with uncertainty, of course,” Trudeau told The Washington Post’s Comic Riffs blog. “I can’t assume I’ll be welcomed back a year or two from now.”

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http://www.ajc.com/news/entertainment/doonebury-comic-goes-long-term-hiatus/ndLDF/

[Scuba]

1. Sad news.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. A lesser strip from a lesser artist would just get farmed out to assistants.

[malthaussen]

3. He's done it before.

And survived changes of management before.

But it's never fun for the fans.

-- Mal

[Ninga]

4. While I understand the calling of his creative voice...darn it all..Doonesbury is unique,

and its loss, is all of ours...

[Hekate]

5. Noooooooooooo

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Didn't he just come back from a hiatus?

I mean, it's his venture and he can do whatever he wants, but it sucks that he decided to essentially pull the plug so shortly after coming back. A bit of a tease if you ask me.

It's one of my must-see comics, too. That and Pearls Before Swine.

[reddread]

7. I knew it. damn it.

He's lost it. Theres more to it than that story for sure.
this is some of the worst news Ive heard in a long time.
I could take another hiatus, even years long ones.
But thats not how this is gonna play out.
Not with a bang..
damn it.
thanks for forty years and then some, Mr Trudeau.
Good luck with all the rest.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

14. Bloom County went to Sundays-only for a bit, too, IIRC...

And then:

[reddread]

16. oh yeah, Outland?

well, didnt Trudeau have a bit to do with that (strip's departure/shutdown)?
If he were up to it, the Sundays would be enough.
I just dont think its in him.
I wonder if something happened to take the wind out of his sails?
I cant see that Amazon series being such a timesuck.
I suppose I should get around to watching it and seeing what the deal is.
I still havent gotten over the Doonesbury cartoon special.
It was not a pleasant experience.

[Aristus]

8. When was the last time Mike Doonesbury was featured in the strip?

I mean, one of the great things about the strip is the huge, diverse cast of characters. But I can't remember seeing Mike Doonesbury in a long time.

[cui bono]

9. I've been meaning to watch Alpha House... wonder if it's any good? n/t

[blogslut]

13. I liked it.

It's not the greatest show ever but it's fun and the satire is spot on.

[Lost_Count]

10. One of those things that you just get used to always being there...

[lpbk2713]

11. Wow ... doesn't seem like 43 years.

How time flies.

[Solly Mack]

12. Bummer

[Bigmack]

15. My own personal favorite....

... well....

one of them, anyway... shows you how old I am...