Daily and Sunday comics pages get refreshed with new content and unified look

Leisa Richardson, Springfield State Journal- Register
·2 min read

If a routine is comfortable, change is inevitable.

As summer gives way to fall, the seasonal change is a perfect time to step back, break out of comfortable routines, and refresh before the year-end frenzy.

For The State Journal-Register and publications across the USA TODAY Network, that refresh includes updating our daily and Sunday comics pages with new offerings packaged with beloved favorites in a consistent and unified way.

Leisa Richardson
Leisa Richardson

Here are the changes you can expect beginning Oct. 2:

  • Classic comics such as "Peanuts," "Garfield," "Hagar," "Crankshaft," "For Better or For Worse," "Ziggy," "Non Sequitur," and "Marmaduke" are new to our lineups, joining "Blondie," "Beetle Bailey," "Crabgrass," "Dennis the Menace," "Luann," "Pickles," "Zits," "Pearls Before Swine," "Frank & Ernest," "Baby Blues," "The Born Loser," and "Family Circus." Add "Foxtrot" to the roster on Sunday.

  • Historically, comics have evolved to reflect the culture and tastes of the times. We're leaning into the evolution, making sure our lineup is diverse, from the comic characters to the artists who draw them. "Jump Start" is an addition that follows the "Cobbs," a young Black couple, as they raise a family, and "Baldo" stars a car-loving teen that blends humor and humanity from a Latinx perspective.  Also, Tauhid Bondia, who draws and writes "Crabgrass," is Black.

  • Lincoln Courier daily readers will get a lineup upgrade with "Blondie," "Zits," "Beetle Bailey," "Family Circus," "Hagar," and "Dennis the Menace."

All of the daily and Sunday comics appear in our eNewspaper, and if you want even more chuckles, check out sj-r.com/comics.

Let's be clear, a decision to transition our comics pages isn't done lightly, and only happens after surveying and listening to you, our loyal readers.

It also is important to note that there are no additional charges or changes in subscription fees as a result of this reboot.

We strive every day to deliver you the highest quality content. This change allows us to further invest in local journalism, which you can rely on and trust.

Want to tell us what you think of our comics reboot? Call customer service at (888) 884-9024.

I hope our funny pages add a bit of joy to your reading experience. As always, thank you for supporting the SJ-R.

Leisa Richardson is executive editor of The State Journal-Register and Lincoln Courier. Contact her at lrichardson@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: The State Journal-Register refreshes lineup on comic pages