A cartoonist, while in the U.S. Air Force Hart drew cartoons for the military paper Stars and Stripes, but he’s better known for creating two of the most enduring and loved strips ever: “B.C.”, about a prehistoric tribe of people and animals, and “The Wizard of Id”, about a medieval kingdom.
“B.C.”, which is run in 1,300 newspapers around the world, started in 1958; “Id”, which Hart wrote and Brant Parker draws, debuted in 1964 and runs in “more than 1,000” papers. Hart died in his home studio on April 7 after a stroke. He was 76. His syndicate says his family will continue to produce both comics.