United Feature Syndicate Explained

United Feature Syndicate
Former Names:4
Founder:E. W. Scripps
Type:Print syndication
Key People:Norris Huse (General Manager, c. 1919–1928)
Monte Bourjaily (General Manager, 1928–c. 1937)
Divisions:North American Newspaper Alliance (1972–c. 1980)
Services:editorial columns and comic strips
Hq Location City:Chicago
Location:United States
Products:Peanuts
Garfield
Li'l Abner
Dilbert
Nancy
Marmaduke
Owner:E. W. Scripps Company (1919–2011)
Universal Uclick/Andrews McMeel Syndication (2011–present)
Parent:E. W. Scripps Company (1919–1978)
United Media (1978–2011)
Andrews McMeel Universal (2011–present)

United Feature Syndicate, Inc. (UFS) is a large American editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1919. Originally part of E. W. Scripps Company, it was part of United Media (along with the Newspaper Enterprise Association) from 1978 to 2011, and is now a division of Andrews McMeel Syndication. United Features has syndicated many notable comic strips, including Peanuts, Garfield, Li'l Abner, Dilbert, Nancy, and Marmaduke.

History

United Feature Syndicate was formed in 1919.[1] [2] From 1922 to 1958, United Features was the column, feature (and comics) division of Scripps' United Press Association. Authors syndicated by United Features in its early years included Frank A. Vanderlip, Octavus Roy Cohen, David Lloyd George, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, Herbert Hoover, Sinclair Lewis, Benito Mussolini, Édouard Herriot, and Heywood Broun.[3]

It became a dominant player in the syndication market in the early 1930s. In March 1930, United Features acquired the Metropolitan Newspaper Service (ostensibly from the Bell Syndicate). And in late February 1931, Scripps acquired the New York World, which controlled the syndication arms of the Pulitzer company: World Feature Service and Press Publishing Co. (which unlike other syndicates were owned by the paper rather than being separate entities).

The Metropolitan Newspaper Service acquisition brought over the comic strips Tarzan and Ella Cinders. The World Feature Service acquisition brought over the comic strips The Captain and the Kids, Everyday Movies, Fritzi Ritz, Hawkshaw the Detective, Joe Jinks, and Little Mary Mixup. From this point, United Features became a successful distributor of newspaper comics,[4] for the first time distributing color Sunday strips. An April 1933 article in Fortune described United Features as one of the "Big Four" American syndicates (along with King Features Syndicate, Chicago Tribune Syndicate, and the Bell Syndicate).[5]

In 1934, United Features launched its first original strip, Al Capp's Li'l Abner. As Li'l Abner's popularity increased, creator Capp lampooned United Features in his strip-within-a-strip, Fearless Fosdick, which featured the abusive and corrupt "Squeezeblood Syndicate."

Robert M. Hall was a sales manager at United Features starting in 1935; he left in 1944 to start the Post Syndicate.

From 1936 to 1954, United Feature published their own line of comic books, using their comic strip features as characters. Lev Gleason, who in the 1940s and 1950s published a number of popular comics titles, was an editor at United Feature in the beginning, including the company's first title, Tip Top Comics.[6] Three United Feature titles published more than 100 issues: Tip Top Comics (188 issues, Apr. 1936–Sept./Oct. 1954), Sparkler Comics (120 issues, July 1941–Nov./Dec. 1954), and Comics on Parade (104 issues, Apr. 1938–Feb. 1955). The company even created its own original superheroes: Iron Vic, Mirror Man, and Spark Man (none of whom caught on). After ending the United Feature comics line in 1954, a few of their titles would be continued by St. John Publications. The rest of their comic book properties were acquired by Dell Comics in 1958.

In 1968, United Features syndicated about 50 features to 1500 clients.[7]

In 1972, United Features Syndicate acquired and absorbed the North American Newspaper Alliance and the Bell-McClure Syndicate into its operations.[8]

In May 1978 Scripps merged United Feature Syndicate and the Newspaper Enterprise Association to form United Media Enterprises.[9] [10] United Media continued to syndicate strips under the United Feature Syndicate brand.

In 1994, Jim Davis's company, Paws, Inc., purchased the rights to Garfield (including the strips from 1978 to 1993) from United Features. The strip is currently distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication, while rights for the strip remain with Paws.

On February 24, 2011, United Media struck a distribution deal with Universal Uclick (now known as Andrews McMeel Syndication) for syndication of the company's 150 comic strip and news features, which became effective on June 1 of that year.[11] [12] While United Media effectively ceased to exist,[13] Scripps still maintains copyrights and intellectual property rights.[14] [15] The United Feature Syndicate brand still continues to be used on many strips.

United Feature Syndicate comic strips

Current United Features strips

Branded UFS

Branded Andrews-McMeel

Former and concluded United Features strips

United Feature comic books (selected)

Syndicated editorial cartoons

Syndicated columns

Licensed properties

Discontinued features

Notes and References

  1. Booker, M. Keith. "United Feature Syndicate," in Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (ABC-CLIO, 2014), p. 399.
  2. "United Feature Syndicate Buys Metropolitan Service From Elser: Both Firms Will Retain Separate Identities, With Elser Remaining as Vice-President — Monte Bourjaily to Direct Both Organizations," Editor & Publisher (March 15, 1930). Archived at "News of Yore 1930: Another Syndicate Gobbled," Stripper's Guide (May 4, 2010).
  3. Hudson, Frederic, Alfred McClung Lee, and Frank Luther Mott. American Journalism 1690-1940, Volume 4 (Psychology Press, 2000), p. 591.
  4. Ron Goulart, The Adventurous Decade. Arlington House, New Rochelle, N.Y. 1975. (p. 26-7,93-5).
  5. [Jeet Heer]
  6. Web site: Gleason, Lev . Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999 . Jerry . Bails . Jerry Bails . Hames . Ware . January 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150908040248/http://www.bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=GLEASON%2C%2BLEV . September 8, 2015 . live .
  7. Maley. Don. 30 November 1968. Super Roads to Riches are Paved with Comics. Editor & Publisher. 15 November 2023.
  8. Astor, Dave. "Goldberg To Retire From United Media," Editor & Publisher (December 17, 2001): "The executive joined United in 1972 when it bought Bell McClure Syndicate and North American Newspaper Alliance, where Goldberg was president."
  9. News: May 19, 1978 . News Features Services Merge As United Media . . 2015-02-23 .
  10. "United Features consolidates," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979), p. 17.
  11. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-uclick-to-provide-syndicate-services-for-united-media-116811443.html Universal Uclick to Provide Syndicate Services for United Media
  12. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Magazine/united-media-outsources-content-to-universal-uclick-64912-.aspx United Media Outsources Content to Universal Uclick
  13. News: Cavna . Michael . July 1, 2011 . RIP, UNITED MEDIA: A century-old syndicate closes its historic doors. .
  14. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/universal-uclick-to-provide-syndicate-services-for-united-media-116811443.html Universal Uclick to Provide Syndicate Services for United Media
  15. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/Magazine/united-media-outsources-content-to-universal-uclick-64912-.aspx
  16. Astor, Dave. "Comic Creator and ‘Cartoonist Profiles’ Editor Jud Hurd Dies," Editor & Publisher (September 19, 2005).
  17. Gardner, Alan. "MIKE THOMPSON JOINS STEVE BREEN ON GRANDE [sic] AVENUE," The Daily Cartoonist (February 5, 2009).
  18. Willett, Johanna. "Comic strip creators talk life, laughs," Arizona Daily Star (July 13, 2014).
  19. https://lambiek.net/artists/m/mcgarry_steve.htm McGarry entry
  20. E&P Staff. "‘World of Wonder’ Celebrates a Decade in Syndication," Editor & Publisher (September 2, 2010).
  21. http://www.toonopedia.com/abnslats.htm Abbie and Slats
  22. Dave Strickler, Syndicated comic strips and artists, 1924-1995 : the complete index, Cambria, Cal. :Comics Access, 1995. (p. 150, 172)
  23. Astor, David (July 29, 1995). "'Shagg' to Creators". Editor & Publisher. Pg. 34
  24. http://toonopedia.com/bilmkbel.htm''Billy Make Believe
  25. [Ron Goulart]
  26. Thompson, Maggie. "TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson," Scoop (May 27–June 2, 2016).
  27. Kleefeld, Sean. "On Strips: Pre-Panther Biographics," Kleefeld on Comics (February 09, 2018).
  28. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/roman_john.htm Roman entry
  29. [Maurice Horn]
  30. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/meagher_fred.htm Meagher entry
  31. Markstein, Don. "Broncho Bill," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Accessed Nov. 23, 2011.
  32. Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Cynical Susie," Stripper's Guide (April 03, 2017).
  33. [Trina Robbins]
  34. Holtz, Allan. "Robert L. Dickey and his Dogs," Stripper's Guide (November 3, 2005).
  35. Gardner, Alan. "DILBERT LEAVES UNITED MEDIA FOR UNIVERSAL UCLICK (UPDATED)," The Daily Cartoonist (December 28, 2010).
  36. http://bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=BATSFORD%2c+BEN Batsford entry
  37. Ron Goulart,The Funnies : 100 years of American comic strips. Holbrook, Mass. : Adams Pub., 1995. . (pp.66 72,117,148-9,159,176,189,194-5,211)
  38. http://toonopedia.com/gamin.htm Gamin and Patches
  39. Jay, Alex. "Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Erwin L. Hess," Stripper's Guide (April 19, 2018).
  40. Moira Davison Reynolds, Comic Strip Artists in American Newspapers, 1945-1980. McFarland, 2003. (pp. 126-7)
  41. http://toonopedia.com/haphoppr.htm Hap Hopper
  42. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/grothkopf_chad.htm Grothkopf entry
  43. Stephen D. Becker, Comic Art In America. (New York : Simon and Schuster, 1959), pp. 159, 326, 327, 366.
  44. http://toonopedia.com/jimhardy.htm Jim Hardy
  45. Markstein, Don. "Joe Jinks," Don Markstein's Toonpedia. Accessed Dec. 7, 2017.
  46. Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Judge Wright," Stripper's Guide (July 07, 2008).
  47. Web site: Looking Back at the Class of '34. January 17, 2014. cartoonician.com. March 17, 2018.
  48. Harvey, R.C. "REVIEWS: Al Capp: A Life to the Contrary," The Comics Journal (MAR 14, 2013).
  49. Heintjes. Tom. The Life (and Death?) of Robin: Bob Lubbers' Robin Malone. Hogan's Alley. 19. Bull Moose Publishing. February 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325155058/http://cartoonician.com/the-life-and-death-of-robin-bob-lubbers-robin-malone/. March 25, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  50. Markstein, Don. "Kevin the Bold," '"Toonpedia. Accessed Nov. 5, 2018.
  51. News: The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana on November 17, 1987 · Page 16. Newspapers.com. 2016-12-01.
  52. Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Oh Margy," Stripper's Guide (March 25, 2008).
  53. [Jeff Rovin]
  54. Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Ophelia and Jake," Stripper's Guide (September 05, 2009).
  55. http://www.toonopedia.com/terrble.htm The Real-Great Adventures of Terr’ble Thompson!, Hero of History
  56. Jay, Alex. "Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Loy Byrnes/Roy B. Nyles," Stripper's Guide (February 19, 2015).
  57. "An Interview with Gil Kane", The Comics Journal #38 (February 1978), pp. 39-41
  58. Web site: CollectAir: "Hal Forrest and Tailspin Tommy" . 2018-11-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090307223106/http://www.collectair.com/tailspin.html . 2009-03-07 . dead .
  59. http://strippersguide.blogspot.com/2007/03/obscurity-of-day-tubby.html Holtz, Allan. Stripper's Guide, March 1, 2007.
  60. Ray Banta, Indiana's Laughmakers : The Story of over 400 Hoosiers : Actors, Cartoonists, Writers, and Others. Indianapolis, Ind. : PennUltimate Press, (pp. 58-64)
  61. GoComics Team. "'Kit 'N' Carlyle' Creator Larry Wright Passes Away At 77," Go Comics (May 25, 2017).
  62. https://auislandora.wrlc.org/islandora/object/pearson%3A1 "Drew Pearson's Washington Merry-Go-Round,"