United Feature Syndicate, Inc. (UFS) was 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, it was succeeded by Andrews McMeel Syndication. United Features has syndicated many notable comic strips, including Peanuts, Garfield, Li'l Abner, Dilbert, Monty, Nancy, Over the Hedge, and Marmaduke.
History United Feature Syndicate was formed in 1919.Booker, M. Keith. "United Feature Syndicate," in Comics through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (ABC-CLIO, 2014), p. 399."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). 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.Hudson, Frederic, Alfred McClung Lee, and Frank Luther Mott. American Journalism 1690-1940, Volume 4 (Psychology Press, 2000), p. 591.
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,Ron Goulart, The Adventurous Decade. Arlington House, New Rochelle, N.Y. 1975. (p. 26-7,93-5). 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).Jeet Heer, "Crane's Great Gamble", in Roy Crane, Buz Sawyer: 1, The War in the Pacific. Seattle, Wash.: Fantagraphics Books, 2011.
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. 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.
In 1972, United Features Syndicate acquired and absorbed the North American Newspaper Alliance and the Bell-McClure Syndicate into its operations.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."
In May 1978, Scripps merged United Feature Syndicate and the Newspaper Enterprise Association to form United Media Enterprises."United Features consolidates," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979), p. 17. 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 negotiated with Universal Uclick (now known as Andrews McMeel Syndication) to distribute their 150 syndicated comic strip and news features, which became effective on June 1 of that year.Universal Uclick to Provide Syndicate Services for United Media, PR Newswire, February 24, 2011. United Media Outsources Content to Universal Uclick, Editor & Publisher, April 29, 2011. While United Media effectively ceased to exist, Scripps still maintains copyrights and intellectual property rights.Universal Uclick to Provide Syndicate Services for United Media, PR Newswire, February 24, 2011. Accessed February 24, 2011., Editor & Publisher, April 29, 2011. Accessed April 29, 2011.
United Feature Syndicate comic strips Current strips Branded Andrews-McMeel 9 Chickweed Lane by Brooke McEldowney (launched 1993) Betty by Gary Delainey and Gerry Rasmussen (launched 1991) Brevity, currently by Dan Thompson (launched January 3, 2005) The Buckets originally by Scott Stantis (1994–present) — acquired from Tribune Media Services where in launched in 1990 Drabble by Kevin Fagan (launched 1979) Frazz by Jef Mallett (launched 2001) F Minus (launched 2002; entered syndication 2006) Garfield by Jim Davis (June 19, 1978 – 1993; moved to Universal Press Syndicate, which is now part of the same company that owns United Features) Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley (launched 1999) Graffiti by Gene Mora (launched May 3, 2011) Grand Avenue originally by Steve Breen; now by Mike Thompson (launched 1999)Gardner, Alan. "MIKE THOMPSON JOINS STEVE BREEN ON GRANDE [sic] AVENUE," The Daily Cartoonist (February 5, 2009).Willett, Johanna. "Comic strip creators talk life, laughs," Arizona Daily Star (July 13, 2014). Health Capsules originally by Dr. Michael Petti and Jud Hurd; then by Bron Smith (launched 1961)Astor, Dave. "Comic Creator and ‘Cartoonist Profiles’ Editor Jud Hurd Dies," Editor & Publisher (September 19, 2005). Jump Start by Robb Armstrong (launched 1989) KidSpot by Dan Thompson (launched 2011) KidTown by Steve McGarry (launched 2011) — formerly known as KidCityMcGarry entry, Lambiek's Comiclopedia. Accessed Dec. 21, 2018. The Knight Life by Keith Knight (launched 2008) Lola by Todd Clark (2005–present) — acquired from Tribune Media Services, where it launched in 1999 Luann by Greg Evans (1996–present) — acquired from North America Syndicate, where it launched in 1985 Marmaduke originally by Brad Anderson (c. 1970–present) — acquired from National Newspaper Syndicate where it launched in 1954 Monty by Jim Meddick (launched 1985) Nancy originally by Ernie Bushmiller (launched 1938) Off the Mark by Mark Parisi (launched 1987) Over the Hedge by Michael Fry & T. Lewis (launched 1995) Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz (1950–2000) — in reprints Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis (launched 2001) Prickly City by Scott Stantis (launched 2004) Reality Check by Dave Whamond (launched 1995) Rip Haywire by Dan Thompson (launched 2009) Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1989–present) — acquired from King Features Syndicate; originally launched 1918 Rose Is Rose originally by Pat Brady (launched 1984) Shortcuts by Jeff Harris (launched 1999) Tarzan originally by Hal Foster (1932–2001) — acquired from Metropolitan Newspaper Service where it launched in 1929; in reprints Uncle Art's Funland originally by Art Nugent (launched 1933) — acquired from Bell-McClure Syndicate in 1972 World of Wonder by Laurie Triefeldt (launched 2000)E&P Staff. "‘World of Wonder’ Celebrates a Decade in Syndication," Editor & Publisher (September 2, 2010).
Former and concluded United Features strips
Abbie an' Slats by Al Capp and Raeburn Van Buren (July 12, 1937 – January 30, 1971)Abbie and Slats at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. from the original on July 28, 2017. Alice in Wonderland by Edward D. Kuekes and Olive Ray Scott (1934-1935) — based on the Lewis Carroll bookDave Strickler, Syndicated comic strips and artists, 1924-1995 : the complete index, Cambria, Cal. :Comics Access, 1995. (p. 150, 172) Ask Shagg by Peter Guren (1980–1995; moved to Creators Syndicate)Astor, David (July 29, 1995). "'Shagg' to Creators". Editor & Publisher. Pg. 34 Back Home Again by Ed Dodd (1930 – 1945) Berry's World by Jim Berry (1963 – 2003) Billy Make Believe by Harry E. Homan (begun 1934; end-date uncertain)Billy Make Believe at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. from the original on August 27, 2015.Ron Goulart, Encyclopedia of American Comics. New York, Facts on File, 1992. (pp. 33-4,37,57,73-74,106,262-263) Biography (June 1, 1986Thompson, Maggie. "TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson," Scoop (May 27–June 2, 2016).–1991)Kleefeld, Sean. "On Strips: Pre-Panther Biographics," Kleefeld on Comics (February 09, 2018). by John RomanRoman entry, Lambiek's Comiclopedia. Accessed Dec. 22, 2018. (1986–1989) and Steve McGarry (1989–1991) Broncho Bill by Harry O'Neill (1927–1950) and then Fred L. MeagherMaurice Horn, Comics of the American West. South Hackensack, N.J. : Stoeger Pub. Co.; Chicago. , pp. 50-51. (1950)— originally Young Buffalo Bill (1927–c. 1930), then Buckaroo Bill (c. 1930–1932), then Broncho Bill (1950–1956), an early Western strip featuring a group known as Boy RangersMarkstein, Don. "Broncho Bill," Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Accessed Nov. 23, 2011. then Buffalo Bill (1950–1956) The Captain and the Kids by Rudolph Dirks and later John Dirks (1919–1979) — acquired from World Feature Service in 1931 Casey Ruggles by Warren Tufts (1949 – 1954) Committed by Michael Fry (1994 – 2006) Condorito originally by René Pepo Ríos (13 August 1949 – 1993; moved to Universal Press Syndicate) Cow and Boy by Mark Leiknes (2006–2012) Cynical Susie by Laverne Harding and "Becky Sharp" (Helen Sharp) (1933–c. 1937)Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Cynical Susie," Stripper's Guide (April 03, 2017).Trina Robbins and Catherine Yronwode,Women and the Comics. New York, Eclipse Books, 1985. (pp. 71-2). Dickey's Dogs (also known as Buddie and his Friends, Just Dogs, and then after being acquired by UFS, Mr. and Mrs. Beans and then Buster Beans) by Robert L. Dickey (July 14, 1919 – July 21, 1940)Holtz, Allan. "Robert L. Dickey and his Dogs," Stripper's Guide (November 3, 2005). — acquired in 1930 from Metropolitan Newspaper Service Diesel Sweeties by Richard Stevens III (January 2007 – August 2008) — returned to web distribution Dilbert by Scott Adams (1989–2011;Gardner, Alan. "DILBERT LEAVES UNITED MEDIA FOR UNIVERSAL UCLICK (UPDATED)," The Daily Cartoonist (December 28, 2010). moved to Universal Uclick/Andrews McMeel Syndication, where it continues today) The Doings of the Duffs originally by Walter R. Allman, then Ben Batsford & Buford Tune (1928 – 1931; originated with the Newspaper Enterprise Association in 1925)Batsford entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed Nov. 15, 2018.