King Features Syndicate Adjusts Comic Strip Lineup for 2026

King Features Syndicate has announced changes to its syndicated comic strip and panel offerings for 2026, reducing the total number of strips available to newspapers. The adjustments, detailed in the 2026 King Features Directory released last month, reflect a shift towards digital comics and evolving readership habits.

Comic Strip and Panel Reductions

The syndicate will offer 53 strips and panels to newspapers in 2026, a decrease of two from the previous year. The Daily Cartoonist reports that Tina’s Groove and Mara Llave-Keeper of Time will no longer be syndicated to newspapers. However, Tina’s Groove will continue as a digital comic.

Digital Expansion

Despite the reduction in newspaper offerings, King Features is expanding its digital comic portfolio. The 2026 directory lists 20 digital comics, four more than in 2025. New additions include Tina’s Groove, Mostly Gravy, Oddly Enough, and Amber Waves from the King Features Weekly Service.

Other Changes

Olive & Popeye will be downgraded to a weekly strip, appearing once a week instead of twice weekly. Emi Burdge, who departed the comic last fall, will not be replaced.

Continued Offerings

Several other King Features staples will continue to be offered, including Popeye, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Hägar the Horrible. King Features Syndicate represents over 110 iconic brands.

Out on a Limb, The Spats, and Just Like Cats & Dogs will continue to appear in weekly newspapers, though they are not listed in the directory. Sam & Silo appears in at least one daily newspaper.

Political Cartoonists

The roster of political cartoonists syndicated by King Features remains largely unchanged, including John Branch, David M. Hitch, Lee Judge, Jimmy Margulies, Mike Smith, and Kirk Walters. Jimmy Margulies also appears on the Cagle Cartoons page.

Puzzles and Games

Joe Wos’ MazeToons is listed in the puzzles and games section.