Sunday comics to sport new look

This Sunday, the Deseret News comics section will be sporting a new look.

Deseret News readers responded enthusiastically to our recent request for feedback on comics. Nearly 500 individuals sent us their list of favorite — and least-favorite — comics. Our editors used that feedback to make decisions about the makeup of our daily and Sunday comic sections.

Besides sending us their favorites and least favorites, readers also asked us to improve the readability of our comics pages. We heard it: With so many comics printed on each page, sometimes individual comics are so small they are difficult to read.

Starting Sept. 18, readers will notice some changes in content and format. First, the "Sunday Funnies" will be uniquely a product of the Deseret News, with content no longer selected by MediaOne. Second, the comics will be printed in a larger size for better readability. Third, we are making some changes to the comics we are including.

The following comics will be added to the Sunday lineup on Sept. 18:

"Tundra," an outdoors and nature-themed strip drawn by Chad Carpenter, who lives in Alaska.

"The Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee," which offers a view of family life from the perspective of a 10-year-old boy genius obsessed with science, his middle-class parents, innocent cousin and absent-minded grandfather.

"Thatababy," which features a cute little cherub whose antics leave his parents exhausted.

"Brewster Rockit: Space Guy," which follows an unlikely captain who is trying to save the universe in spite of himself.

"Retail," tracking the happenings at Grumbel's Department Store and its longsuffering assistant manager, Marla.

Staying in the Sunday lineup are "Pickles," "Baby Blues," "The Argyle Sweater," "Cul de Sac," "The Family Circus," "Sally Forth," "Ziggy," "Buckles," "Bizarro," "Dennis the Menace," "Mutts," "Hi and Lois," "Foxtrot," "Sherman's Lagoon" and "Crankshaft."

Being dropped are "Fort Knox," "Deflocked," "Mallard Fillmore," "Mother Goose and Grimm," "Wizard of Id," "Rose Is Rose," "Flying McCoys," "The Amazing Spiderman" and "Rex Morgan M.D." The current Sunday comics owned by the Salt Lake Tribune will not be included in the Deseret News' comics section, with the exception of "Classic Peanuts," "Dilbert," "Zits" and "B.C."

Many readers are passionate about their favorite comics and shared their sentiments in our readership survey.

One wrote, "I am a 'serious' cartoon reader and my refrigerator is covered with a changing array of those that strike my fancy."

Our daily comics will remain the same for another week; on Sept. 26, they will change to better reflect the Sunday lineup. Certain contracts limit some comics' daily publication, so the daily and Sunday comics won't match exactly.

We want to hear what you think of our new comics and the larger size. Please send your comments by email to comics@desnews.com or regular mail at Deseret News Comics, 55 N. 300 West, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

Email: comics@desnews.com

Readers' favorites

1. Pickles

2. Baby Blues

3. Crankshaft

4. Sherman's Lagoon

5. Retail