Nancy
By Caroline Cash and Olivia Jaimes | 4.8K FollowersAbout Nancy
For nearly 100 years, there have been daily smiles and laughs, comic books, animated cartoons, and affection for this little whirlwind in a plaid skirt! Aside from a brief pause in the early 1930s, this beloved comic strip has been running in print since 1922. It currently appears in more than 100 newspapers. The strip started under the name "Fritzi Ritz" in 1922 by Larry Whittington, who wrote and drew the comic for United Feature Syndicate. Mr. Whittington left the strip in 1925, and Ernie Bushmiller's long tenure as the strip's creator began.
In 1933, Fritzi’s niece, Nancy, made her first appearance in the comic. Nancy was such a fan favorite that by 1938, the comic’s name was changed from “Fritzi Ritz” to “Nancy” to honor the shift in emphasis. Olivia Jaimes took over the strip in 2018 until her retirement in September 2025. The newest creator, Caroline Cash, started her tenure on Jan. 1, 2026.
To read “Nancy” from its Ernie Bushmiller heyday, check out “Nancy Classics.”
Meet Caroline Cash and Olivia Jaimes
Caroline Cash is a cartoonist from Charleston, South Carolina. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, MoMA Magazine, VICE, The Chicago Reader, The Nib, and various other publications. Cash is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a MacDowell fellow. Besides “Nancy,” she’s actively working on her Eisner and Ignatz award-winning series “PeePeePooPoo,” as well as a debut graphic novel. She is a Capricorn.
Cast of Characters
Nancy
Nancy is more than an icon. She's a girl with strong opinions, and she wants to be a famous artist. She loves video games and ice cream and is constantly finding ways to make her laziness work for her.
Aunt Fritzi
Aunt Fritzi is Nancy's caretaker, and it's a full-time job staying ahead of all of the schemes Nancy's always concocting. Aunt Fritzi is a responsible adult who just wants the best for her irrepressible niece.
Sluggo
Sluggo is Nancy's best friend. He's a thoughtful companion who tries his best to be a supportive pal. He is often tricked by Nancy.