The Associated Press is reporting that Johnny Hart, creator of such popular comic strips as “B.C.” and “The Wizard of Id” passed away Saturday from a stroke at the age of 76. The Washington Post has the AP story up with a photo, though you can probably just hit Google news to get the latest version.

Hart’s strips had come under some controversy in recent years following his conversion to fundamentalist Christianity:

A strip published on Easter in 2001 drew protests from Jewish groups and led several newspapers to drop the strip. The cartoon depicted a menorah transforming into a cross, with accompanying text quoting some of Jesus Christ’s dying words. Critics said it implied that Christianity supersedes Judaism.

Hart said he intended the strip as a tribute to both faiths.

Hart was part of a generation of cartoonists that included folks Charles Schulz, Mort Walker, Hank Ketcham who, in the 1950s, signaled a movement away from adventure strips like “Terry and the Pirates” or soap-oprea works like “Mary Worth,” and more on witty, gag-based strips drawn in a minimal, iconic style.

You can find Hart’s Wikipedia page here. Lambiek’s biography is here. There are two faith-focused interviews with the cartoonist here and here. The Comics Curmudgeon, meanwhile, shares his thoughts on the possibility of the strips continuing here.

More possible links and updates later …

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