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“A page of comics is not the best use of space in the newspaper”

Published: May 11, 2026 1 minute 4 comments

Last week, on May 4, 2026, The Gloucester Daily Times informed their readers why they could no longer find the newspaper’s comics page. From the unsigned editorial (or here):

In today’s paper, you’ll notice that while all your favorite puzzles are available, we’ve decided to eliminate the comics in our weekday print editions. This is because after careful consideration, we determined that a full page of comics each day is not the best use of space in the newspaper. We’d prefer to use this space for more local news and recommendations for things to do in the area — the content that our readers frequently request.

Naturally they refer comics fans to their website where there is a portal to the paper’s digital comics page featuring Comics Kingdom.

Curiously they also state a reason that has been the subject of some discussion here at TDC lately:

Another reason for discontinuing the comics is that many creators are simply recycling old strips.

I don’t know what the contents of their comics page consisted of but reruns and reworkings of old comic strips are taking up a lot of space. Of course the simple answer is to replace those with fresh, all-new material.

Off the Mark by Mark Parisi – August 17, 2025

Today they did make one concession to reader complaints (or here):

‘Off the Mark’ makes comeback

Make no mistake about it, our readers adore “Off the Mark,” the overwhelmingly popular comic created by Gloucester native Mark Parisi.

So when we announced that we decided to replace our full comics page with other valuable local content, we received a slew of calls and emails lamenting the loss of “Off the Mark.” That’s why we’re bringing the strip back — because you spoke, and we listened.

Parisi, an award-winning cartoonist and Salem State University alum…

I haven’t been able to determine if this was only a Gloucester Daily Times action or if the rest of the Eagle-Tribune Publishing group that includes The North Andover Eagle-Tribune, The Daily News of Newburyport, and The Salem Evening News much less the corporate owner Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. are of the same mind.

feature image is Off the Mark by Mark Parisi

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Comments 4

  1. In my dreams, we outlaw investment corporations.

    1. It shouldn’t be called “venture“, but rather “vulture capital“, and instead of “private“, call it “pirate equity” instead.

  2. Another case of Modern Accepted Business Practice where we are told what we need instead of what we actually want. Y’know, we are human resources, not actual people who have differing needs. American capitalism is eating the middle and working classes. Trumpism is riding in a bandwagon that is also a juggernaut that crushes all in it’s path.

  3. I wonder if that Gloucester newspaper will reinstate a few more strips after they bought back Off the Mark. Maybe the paper should be sold to Lee Enterprises or Advance Publications or USA Today to get a unified comics page?

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