Talk:King Features Syndicate

This article is rated B-class on Wikipedia's content assessment scale. It is of interest to the following WikiProjects:

Animation Low‑importance This article is within the scope of WikiProject Animation, a collaborative effort to build an encyclopedic guide to animation on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, help out with the open tasks, or contribute to the discussion.AnimationWikipedia:WikiProject AnimationTemplate:WikiProject AnimationAnimation articles Low This article has been rated as Low-importance on the project's importance scale. Comics: Strips High‑importance This article is within the scope of WikiProject Comics, a collaborative effort to build an encyclopedic guide to comics on Wikipedia. Get involved! If you would like to participate, you can help with the current tasks, visit the notice board, edit the attached article or discuss it at the project's talk page.ComicsWikipedia:WikiProject ComicsTemplate:WikiProject ComicsComics articles High This article has been rated as High-importance on the project's importance scale. This article is supported by Comic strips work group. Companies Low‑importance This article is within the scope of WikiProject Companies, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of companies on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.CompaniesWikipedia:WikiProject CompaniesTemplate:WikiProject Companiescompany articles Low This article has been rated as Low-importance on the project's importance scale. WikiProject Companies To-do: Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Article requests : Wikipedia:Requested articles/Business and economics/Companies Assess : Category:Unassessed company articles Copyedit : Category:Company articles needing attention Infobox : Category:Company articles needing infoboxes Maintain : Portal:Companies Stubs : Help expand stub articles located at Category:Company stubs Other : Tag company articles with the {{portal|Companies}} template Tag company talk pages with the {{WikiProject Companies}} project banner Answer requests for comments New York City Low‑importance This article is within the scope of WikiProject New York City, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of New York City-related articles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.New York CityWikipedia:WikiProject New York CityTemplate:WikiProject New York CityNew York City articles Low This article has been rated as Low-importance on the project's importance scale.

This article needs the B-Class checklist filled in to remain a B-Class article for the Comics WikiProject. If the checklist is not filled in by 7th August this article will be re-assessed as C-Class. The checklist should be filled out referencing the guidance given at

General comment: Mr. Abernathy? (<- is there a Mr. Abernathy article at all? if so, could not find it) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 200.118.63.88 (talk) 02:56, 5 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The image

• That there is a non-free use rationale on the image's description page for the use in this article.
• That this article is linked to from the image description page.

This is an automated notice by FairuseBot. For assistance on the image use policy, see Wikipedia:Media copyright questions. --23:43, 16 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

As this B-Class article has yet to receive a review, it has been rated as C-Class. If you disagree and would like to request an assesment, please visit Wikipedia:WikiProject_Comics/Assessment#Requesting_an_assessment and list the article. Hiding T 15:03, 23 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The long, verbatim Hearst-Greene exchange from a copyrighted article is way too much to be considered a small, fair-use quotation. It's also [{WP:UNDUE|undue weight]] content about a single comic strip. It needs to be condensed, contextualized and paraphrased. --Tenebrae (talk) 01:45, 6 May 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified 5 external links on King Features Syndicate. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:

• Added archive http://www.webcitation.org/6XFv6hC7e?url=http://toonopedia.com/dicksadv.htm to http://toonopedia.com/dicksadv.htm
• Corrected formatting/usage for http://www.webcitation.org/6XFv6hC7e
• Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20120614233222/http://blog.dailyink.com/2012/05/09/ask-the-archivist-the-code-of-comics/ to http://blog.dailyink.com/2012/05/09/ask-the-archivist-the-code-of-comics/
• Added archive http://www.webcitation.org/6ZyhCmyWC?url=http://toonopedia.com/hubert.htm to http://toonopedia.com/hubert.htm
• Corrected formatting/usage for http://www.webcitation.org/6ZyhCmyWC

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

This message was posted before February 2018.

• If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with this tool.
• If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with this tool.

Cheers.—InternetArchiveBot (Report bug) 06:56, 6 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified 3 external links on King Features Syndicate. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:

• Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20061029015730/http://www.hearstcorp.com/entertainment/property/ent_news_kfs.html to http://www.hearstcorp.com/entertainment/property/ent_news_kfs.html
• Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20120323151242/http://www.blenderbox.com/projects/daily-ink to http://www.blenderbox.com/projects/daily-ink
• Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20120711063233/http://www.pixelawards.com/nom_win_2011.php to http://www.pixelawards.com/nom_win_2011.php

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

This message was posted before February 2018.

• If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with this tool.
• If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with this tool.

Cheers.—InternetArchiveBot (Report bug) 19:21, 10 December 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Wikipedia,

Can you help me make these changes to King Features?

• Change the lede to “King Features Syndicate, Inc., is a print syndication company owned by Hearst Communications that distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles, and games to nearly 5,000 newspapers worldwide. Aside from distribution, King Features Syndicate also produces intellectual properties, develops new content and franchises, like Cuphead with Netflix, licenses its classic characters and properties. King Features Syndicate is a unit of Hearst Holdings, Inc., which combines the Hearst Corporation's cable-network partnerships, television programming and distribution activities, and syndication companies. King Features' affiliate syndicates are North America Syndicate and Cowles Syndicate.”
  •  Done, with edits I'm removing that last line about Reed Brennan? Seems right, since the source is
    primary
    .
• Remove all mentions of Betty Boop, Garfield, Howdy Doody and Felix the Cat as active brands, as they are no longer under KFS. See https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/06/garfield-bought-by-viacom-for-nickelodeon.html and https://www.theverge.com/2014/6/18/5821100/dreamworks-acquires-rights-to-felix-the-cat-fashion-line
• Between 2007 and 2016, in the History section, add “In November 2015, King Features released a book, entitled “King of the Comics: One Hundred Years of King Features Syndicate” to commemorate its 100th anniversary. The book features a compilation of strips and histories behind King Features strips.” See https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/king-comics and https://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2015/1113/King-of-the-Comics-celebrates-100-years-of-classic-comics
  •  Done, with edits
• Add the end of the History section, add “In December 2017, King Features appointed CJ Kettler as president of the company. Kettler previously was CEO of Sunbow Entertainment and the executive producer of the Netflix TV series Carmen Sandiego.” See https://deadline.com/2017/12/c-j-kettler-named-president-of-king-features-syndicate-120222352
  •  Done
• Add a new section called Content distribution, with the following text:
  • King Features Syndicate’s content distribution division distributes more than 150 different comics, games, puzzles, and columns, in digital and print formats, to nearly 5,000 daily, Sunday, weekly and online newspapers and other publishers around the globe. Comic properties include Beetle Bailey Blondie, Dennis the Menace, and Family Circus as well as Curtis, Rhymes with Orange, Arctic Circle, Macanudo, and Zits.
    • See https://www.google.com/books/edition/Plunkett_s_Entertainment_and_Media_Indus/yPLb0cA8Gv0C?hl=en&gbpv=0
      •  Done, with edits, combining the two lists into one.
  • In June 2020, King Features started syndicating webcomic Rae the Doe.
    • See https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-olive-brinker-on-her-webcomic-rae-the-doe-comedy-and-plushes/
      •  Done
  • The division additionally offers turnkey digital solutions for smaller publishers and community papers, including pagination and colorization services through its sister company, RBMA.
    • See
      •  Not Done without a source. Do you have one?
  • In March 2018, to mark International Women’s Day, many King Features cartoonists included messages about female empowerment and other topics that resonated with them.
    • See https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/03/08/many-cartoonists-join-forces-to-mark-international-womens-day-through-art/
      •  Done
  • In April 2020, Bianca Xunise became the first black woman to join the team of female creatore behind King Features strip Six Chix. Six Chix was first syndicated by King Features in May 2019, after King Features saw creator Maritsa Patrinos’ work online.
    • See https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/04/20/steenz-heart-city-bianca-xunise-six-chix/ and https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/05/18/how-biggest-new-comic-arts-festival-reflects-better-representation-women/
      •  Done, with edits
  • In June 2020, cartoonists from King Features, along with artists from Kirkman’s, Andrews McMeel and National Cartoonists Society, hid symbols in their Sunday strips as a tribute to essential workers during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.
    •  Done, with edits I didn't realize you had the citation below so I found another one to use as well.
  • In September 2020, King Features relaunched strip Mark Trail, originally launched in 1946, with cartoonist Jules Rivera, author of Love, Joolz, at the helm.
    • See https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/arts/mark-trail-new-cartoonist.html
    • See https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/comics-will-salute-essential-workers-by-hiding-symbols-in-their-sunday-strips/
      •  Done, with edits
• Under Editors, add this:
  • In November 2018, Tea Fougner was promoted to editorial director for comics after working as an editor at King Features for nearly a decade. She is the first female-assigned and first genderqueer person to oversee comics editorial at King Features.
    • See https://www.blogtalkradio.com/graphicpolicy/2020/03/12/tea-and-spinach-politics-of-popeye-king-features-comics-strips-to-memes, https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2020/03/13/king-features-editorial-director-tea-is-interviewed and https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?podcast=1105&channel=2
      •  Done, with edits avoiding
        fuzzy time
• Under Comics Kingdom, can you update the below:
  • In January 2019, to commemorate Popeye’s 90th birthday, multiple King Features cartoonists drew their own versions of Popeye and published those strips on Comics Kingdom. One comic included the cast of Netflix’s Queer Eye giving the character a makeover.
    • See https://www.insider.com/artists-drawing-comics-popeyes-birthday-2019-1
      •  Done, with edits
  • In November 2019, Comics Kingdom launched a YouTube channel with classic cartoons from King Features archives.
    • See https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2019/11/20/comics-kingdom-video-channel/
      •  Done, with edits
  • Before launching the channel, in December 2018, King Features launched a series of animated Popeye shorts to its primary YouTube channel, in celebration of the character’s 90th “birthday.”
    • See https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/business/media/popeye-the-sailor-cartoon.html
      •  Done
  • In July 2020, comic strip Rhymes with Orange launched a virtual interactive comic with digital drawing company Mental Canvas on Comics Kingdom.
    • See https://www.sfgate.com/comics/rhymes-with-orange-interactive/ and https://rhymeswithorange.com/new-blog/comic-of-the-future
      •  Done, with edits but second citation is
        primary
• Add Darrin Bell to the Editorial cartoonists section
  • See https://www.npr.org/2019/04/16/714073919/pulitzer-prize-winner-darrin-bell-on-how-trayvon-martins-death-inspired-his-work and https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2018/08/21/king-features-announces-darrin-bell-to-join-editorial-cartoon-roster/
    •  Done, but the other editors should probably have sources too. Can you look for some?
• In Animation, comic books, and licensing, can we make these changes?
  • Remove the line about Genndy/Popeye entertainment coming
    •  Not Done Why? Is this not correct? Do you have a citation for it?
  • After “Popeye”, add “Al Brodax, then the president of King Features, pitched Beatles manager Brian Epstein on turning their hit song "Yellow Submarine" into an animated movie. The film was widely considered to be the first animated film for adult audiences.
    •  Done, with edits, like adding years and context.
    • See https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a22166363/the-beatles-yellow-submarine-influence-cartoons-the-simpsons-adventure-time/
  • After “The project had started development by July 2019,” add “Wayne Brady will star in the show as the voice of protagonist King Dice.”
    • See https://www.thewrap.com/the-cuphead-show-wayne-brady-king-dice-netflix-video/
      •  Done
  • In June 2019, Fox and Disney announced the production of an animated film based on the comic strip Flash Gordon. Taiki Waititi was attached to direct and John Davis was announced as the producer.
    • https://deadline.com/2019/06/taika-waititi-flash-gordon-animated-movie-thor-ragnarok-jojo-rabbit-fox-disney-1202637059/
      •  Done, with edits to fix studio names.
  • In November 2020, a Hagar the Horrible animated series was announced, written by Eric Zibroski, who wrote and produced the ABC comedy Fresh Off the Boat.
    • See https://deadline.com/2020/11/hagar-the-horrible-king-features-the-jim-henson-company-animated-series-1234611870/
      •  Done
  • King Features additionally licenses PURENorway, Moomin, Tulipop, ringtone character Crazy Frog and PUCCA.
    • See https://www.licenseglobal.com/apparel/king-features-rep-purenorway-na, https://www.licenseglobal.com/agency-appointments/king-features-represent-moomin-us-canada, https://www.comicsbeat.com/king-features-repping-moomin-tulipop/, https://www.licenseglobal.com/industry-news/icelandic-brand-tulipop-signs-deal-build-us-presence, https://www.comicsbeat.com/king-features-repping-moomin-tulipop/, https://www.licenseglobal.com/industry-news/king-features-rep-crazy-frog, https://www.licensingsource.net/king-features-welcomes-crazy-frog-to-its-portfolio/, and https://www.licenseglobal.com/character/king-features-welcomes-pucca-family
      •  Done, with edits to explain what these brands are

Thank you in advance for all your help

LeannaTruong (talk) 19:58, 17 December 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Ping @LeannaTruong:Going through these (it's a lot) and adding in replies above. Please add a {{request edit}} to the top of your request. --FeldBum (talk) 15:38, 27 December 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hi,FeldBum. Thank you so much for your help. Small edit to the lede. Can we swap out the words "print syndication company" to " content distribution and consumer product licensing company" so it should read "King Features Syndicate, Inc., is a content distribution and consumer product licensing company owned by Hearst Communications that distributes about 150 comic strips, newspaper columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles, and games to nearly 5,000 newspapers worldwide." Let me know if you foresee this being an issue. Thank you! LeannaTruong (talk) 14:36, 10 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Ping @LeannaTruong:, sure, made that change (well, combined with the current text). Did the rest of the edits, except for a few with no citations. See my comments above. --FeldBum (talk) 05:03, 12 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Ping@FeldBum:! Following up on additional citations to complete the above. Please let me know if these sources suffice.

* For "The division additionally offers turnkey digital solutions for smaller publishers and community papers, including pagination and colorization services through its sister company, RBMA." - here is one source I found from Publish Magazine: https://afcp.pageflip.site/editions/AFCPI84178#page/27

* For bullet "Remove the line about Genndy/Popeye entertainment coming", please use this https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/genndy-tartakovskys-popeye-movie-afloat-with-king-features/

Thank you for your help! 21:31, 25 January 2022 (UTC)

Hey @LeannaTruong: That citation works for RBMA, but that's already the cite we have for Genndy--and it says what the page says, that he is coming back to the project. How would you want to change that? --FeldBum (talk) 23:41, 2 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I really don't like the new look of Hi. Please change it back. 174.80.97.138 (talk) 22:59, 19 December 2021 (UTC)[reply]

The article had a link to the wrong Ed Gamble. The Editorial Cartoonish section incorrectly linked to the British comedian Ed Gamble rather than the US cartoonist; presumably this is the correct one as detailed on King's website https://comicskingdom.com/ed-gamble/about StridentUK (talk) 09:42, 27 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]