Veteran animator Nancy Beiman has retired from the animation industry and taken up comic stripping.
Nancy retired last Fall and then when Winter came…
In mid-December 2022 I got an idea for a comic strip, the only form of cartooning that I had never tried. On New Year’s Eve I put it aside assuming that it would go away, but the characters would not leave.
The first FurBabies comics were drawn on January 4, 2023. Lynn Johnston (creator of For Better or For Worse) encouraged me and taught me how to plan and develop the strip. I also used lessons and notes by Peanuts creator Charles M. “Sparky” Schulz. I thank them both.
In May 2023 I signed a distribution agreement with the Andrews McMeel Universal Syndicate. The FurBabies first appeared on their GoComics website on June 5, 2023.
According to Nancy FurBabies “will be updated every day on the GoComics website.”
GoComics welcomed and introduced the new comic strip on their Facebook page:
Join us in welcoming “FurBabies” to GoComics!
Follow the adventures of nine-year-old Kate Buffet, who resides in a bustling city and shares her life with her animal family: Stella the poodle, Shawm the Afghan hound, their puppy Sirius, and Floof the kitten. The twist? These lovable creatures can communicate with Kate! Join the fur family as they navigate species identity, bathing routines, and the eternal debate of whether food is better on the table or the floor.
Follow Nancy’s adventures in comic stripping at her (free) substack page.
What are the chances this becomes a print syndicated newspaper comic strip next year?
Nancy’s a great animator. Happy to see her doing a strip!
Wow. Interesting,
I hope that you enjoy it. It will be going in some interesting, and funny, directions.
Enjoying Furbabies by Nancy, as I am a dog lover…
Always entertaining, Nancy’s mind has no limits of creativity.
Congratulations!. Long may it run.
Congratulations Nancy! The strip looks great. The characters are fun and engaging.
Wonderful Comic. We are so happy for you Nancy!!
Very Enjoyable!! Keep ’em coming!!!
Congratulations! Great comic strip.
Thank you all for the kind comments. My first Sunday strip runs today (June 11) and next week, the characters’ personalities start to develop. It’s been a fast learning curve during the past six months!
And that first Sunday is in the “full half-page” format!
https://www.gocomics.com/furbabies/2023/06/11
Movement, exaggeration, hand lettering, sound effects, pastels.
Looks great.
Thank you! I have some fun stuff coming up that I hope you enjoy.