Barney Google all but disappeared from “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith” decades ago, but the name of the strip never changed. As I recall, he has made very rare cameo appearances after leaving for the big city, or something like that. I haven’t followed that strip for years.
When I followed it in the 1960s and 1970s, I always wondered why we never saw any pirates in Terry and the Pirates.
I wonder when the last time we saw Beetle Bailey (who started out as a college student) visiting his family, particularly his sister Lois of Hi and Lois.
Yeah - if ever there were an opportunity for cross references - like when Buffy would visit Angel.
From the first appearance of THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN! We get a roll call of the athletic-looking manly men:
“Rocky” Davis, Olympic Wrestling Champion!
“Prof” Haley, Master Skin Diver!
“Red” Ryan, Circus Daredevil!
“Ace” Morgan, War Hero and Fearless Jet Pilot!
But, first, cut to: four women. And cue the narration: It seems appropriate for this story to begin on a nationwide radio program called ‘Heroes!’ “Tonight, you heard four women who have earned the right to the title ‘Hero’. You heard their thrilling exploits from their own lips — next week, we have four big surprises for you! Four men — all famous in their own fields! At this moment, they are being flown to this city in a plane piloted by the jet ace who is to appear with them…”
As it happens, that’s right about when the controls of that distant plane jam; but those four men survive the ensuing crash, and, living on borrowed time, decide to team up as adventurers-for-hire who’ll raise money for charity as costumed heroes!
Which, okay, sure. But: who the heck were those women? What thrilling exploits were they just regaling America with? How did each of them earn the right to that ‘hero’ title before that broadcast? What did they go on to do?
I hadn’t really realized before that Lois’s son Chip is virtual clone of Beetle.
It’s rare, but they do have crossovers every few years. Usually, it’s Beetle making a guest appearance in the Hi and Lois strip.
If Google could acquire the rights I’d love to see them celebrate Barney Google’s anniversary. 
I think in Beetle’s strip, he also occasionally gets a care package from Lois.
Are both of those strips still running? They haven’t been in the Cleveland paper in years.
I think in Beetle’s strip, he also occasionally gets a care package from Lois.
Are both of those strips still running? They haven’t been in the Cleveland paper in years.
Yes, both are still running, being largely helmed by the sons of the original creators (as is the case with a lot of older strips), though i think they’re carried by significantly fewer papers now.
Current Beetle Bailey strip: Beetle Bailey by Mort Walker | Comics Kingdom
Current Hi and Lois strip: Hi and Lois by Brian Walker, Greg Walker & Chance Browne | Comics Kingdom
Speaking of comic strip characters that look a little too much alike, has nobody ever noticed that Jeremy’s friend Hector in “Zits” is obviously the bastard son of Walt?
Also what ever happened to Jeremy’s older brother Chad? He appears to have pulled a “Chuck Cunningham”.
Was there an unfunny joke that had something to do with casual sexism in the 80’s
Blondie’s mother looks like Aunt Fritzi from the Nancy strips.
Cutting edge, as always.
Baby Dumpling/Alexander and Cookie were allowed to age into teenagers but haven’t matured further in about 50 years, even though Alexander just had his 86th birthday.
Is Walt Wallet from Gasoline Alley still alive? He must be at least 120 by now, and Skeezix will be 100 next year. Walt’s wife Phyllis was allowed to pass away in 2004 at about 105.
Strangely, the junk men Joel and Rufus don’t age with everyone else, suggesting they may be ghosts or zombies.
So how did they transition from one child named “Dumpling”, to two children “Alexander” and “Cookie”? And once the two had an established existence, did they age into teenagers normally, before freezing in time?
I cannot find a source to cite, but I think the name was suggested by fan mail.
Blondie and Dagwood were married on February 17, 1933. The son was born soon after. The daughter was born a few years later.
Mentioned here
Cookie is now exhibiting her mother’s prodigious physiognomy.
Alexander has his dad’s hair.