Cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller introduced the character Nancy to newspaper funny pages in 1933. Today Nancy is drawn by Nashville-based cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, who first started drawing the strip with his brother Brad in 1995.
Gilchrist got his big break in 1981 when he and his brother were hired to produce a daily Muppets comic strip for the late Jim Henson. Dr. Suess, Woody Woodpecker creator Walter Lantz and Beetle Bailey cartoonist Mort Walker also played important roles in his development as a cartoonist. Gilchrist now works to help inspire others the way those legends inspired him.
Gilchrist joined Dakota Midday and discussed the enduring legacy of Nancy and the future of comic strips as newspapers decline.