Baby Blues
By Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott | 24K FollowersAbout Baby Blues
“Baby Blues” has enchanted new parents, grandparents, and kids alike since it first appeared on the comics pages in 1990. As the years passed, the list of newspapers carrying the feature has grown almost as fast as the MacPhersons' kids!
“Baby Blues” was released in syndication in 1990. It currently runs in more than 1,200 newspapers in 28 countries and 13 languages. There are 45 “Baby Blues” collection books in print, with well over a million copies sold. In fact, check out the newest volume now: "Everything Everywhere...: A Baby Blues Collection"!
Meet Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott
Rick Kirkman was born a poor cartoonist in a log cabin drawn in poor perspective in North Carolina. Rick's professional career began in junior high when, after drawing a parody of Mad Magazine and having only one copy, he charged his friends a quarter each to read it then give it back. Rick was influenced by Sparky Schulz ("Peanuts"), Mad Magazine, and The New Yorker cartoonists. He spent years as an ad agency art director, freelance graphic designer, and illustrator. After his wife, Sukey, gave birth to their second small, crying person, months of sleep deprivation resulted in the creation of "Baby Blues" with longtime friend Jerry Scott. Jerry writes, Rick draws.
As co-creator of "Baby Blues" and "Zits," Jerry Scott is one of four cartoonists in history to have two daily comics strips running in well over a thousand newspapers each. He was first introduced to the newspaper business when delivering the South Bend (Indiana) Tribune from his bicycle. Jerry started cartooning professionally in the mid-1970s by selling a cartoon to the The Saturday Evening Post. In 1983 he took over the comic strip "Nancy." In 1988 he got together with Rick Kirkman and started kicking ideas around for "Baby Blues.” Jerry has received cartooning awards including the National Cartoonists Society’s Best Comic Strip of the Year three times and the Reuben Award from the National Cartoonists Society as 2001 Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year.
Cast of Characters
Darryl
Darryl MacPherson, the father in "Baby Blues," is a guy in his mid-30s, mid-career, and mid-voyage in the greatest adventure of his life: fatherhood.
Darryl loves being a dad, though it’s the hardest work he’s ever done. The consummate involved parent, Darryl is there to lend a hand, kiss a boo-boo, or shoo away a monster.
Wanda
Wanda Wizowski-MacPherson never thought of herself as the motherly type until her biological clock started ringing. After Zoe came along, Wanda traded full-time work as a PR exec for fuller-time work as a mom. Wanda is part nurturer, part organizer, and always exhausted. Despite the chaos, she wouldn’t live any other way.
Zoe
The first-born child, Zoe was born cranky and loud. She dominated the MacPherson household for three years before being demoted to “Sibling” when Hammie came along. Then came Wren, and Zoe moved into the role of Wise Big Sister. Now in her elementary school years, Zoe freely shares her wisdom with the entire household.
Hammie
Hamish (Hammie), the middle child, is around 6 years old. He has a shock of hair the texture of a whisk broom, big ears, and an X Games approach to life. He’s a sweet kid with a heart of gold and a head like a rock. It’s not easy having sisters, but he’s up for any challenge that involves adrenaline, dirt, explosions, or grossing out girls.
Wren
Just when the MacPhersons thought it was safe to ditch the crib, baby Wren came along. Wren is a quiet, observant toddler. With guidance from big sister Zoe and misguidance from big brother Hammie, Wren should turn out to be an interesting kid. Right now, her main job is keeping the “baby” in “Baby Blues.”