Cartoonist created 'B.C.,' 'Wizard of Id' comic strips

JOHNNY HART

1931-2007

ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- Cartoonist Johnny Hart, whose award-winning"B.C." comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide,including the Chicago Sun-Times, died at his home Saturday. He was76.

"He had a stroke," Mr. Hart's wife, Bobby, said Sunday. "He diedat his storyboard."

"B.C.," populated by prehistoric cavemen and dinosaurs, waslaunched in 1958 and eventually appeared in more than 1,300newspapers with an audience of 100 million, according to CreatorsSyndicate Inc., which distributes it.

After he graduated from Union-Endicott High School, Mr. Hart metBrant Parker, a young cartoonist who became a prime influence and co-creator with Mr. Hart of the "Wizard of Id" comic strip, alsopublished by the Sun-Times.

Mr. Hart enlisted in the Air Force and began producing cartoonsfor Pacific Stars and Stripes. He sold his first free-lance cartoonto the Saturday Evening Post after his discharge from the militaryin 1954.

Later in his career, some of Mr. Hart's cartoons had religiousthemes, a reflection of his own Christian faith. That sometimes ledto controversy.

A strip published Easter Sunday in 2001 drew protests from Jewishgroups and led several newspapers to drop the strip. The cartoondepicted a menorah transforming into a cross, with accompanying textquoting some of Jesus Christ's dying words. Critics said it impliedthat Christianity supersedes Judaism.

Mr. Hart said he intended it as a tribute to both faiths.

Mr. Hart also is survived by two daughters, Patti and Perri. Hewas a native of Endicott, about 135 miles northwest of New YorkCity, and drew his comic strip at a studio in his home there untilthe day he died.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced.