Who would've thought that a coal-black bob of be-ribboned, bristly, brillo-like hair could be so charming? It can be when it belongs to Nancy, the oddly adorable little imp of Ernie Bushmiller's strip of the same name. Nancy was no stranger to the strips when she debuted in her own feature, however. She had been a frequent guest in Bushmiller's early '30s strip Fritzi Ritz (which became Fritzi Ritz and Nancy in 1938 before changing to just plain Nancy) - as the niece of the glamorous flapper-actress she would soon overshadow. With her stout little guy-pal Sluggo Smith in tow, Nancy became a comics sensation who has been wreaking havoc in the strips ever since.

Nancy has managed to stay on top thanks to an unwavering sassiness and passion for mischief. Bushmiller's simple (some critics say too simple) and sometimes downright stark backgrounds further let Nancy take center stage back in the early days, and today, under the guidance of Guy and Brad Gilchrist, that's where she remains. After all, being the center of attention is the most appropriate place for a gal as obsessed with her appearance and as enthralled by dressing up in her aunt's heels, dresses and gobs of make-up as Nancy.

Not that she's a girly-girl. There's a reason her best pal is a boy - and Nancy's tomboyish side coupled with her vanity make each adventure with her a rollicking fun-fest where there's never a dull moment. And of course, Nancy without her pug-nosed pal Sluggo would be like the sky without stars - albeit rather dim stars. But what Sluggo lacks in the brains department, he generally makes up for by being a loyal companion who is always there to help Nancy out of (or into) a jam.

Bushmiller remained in charge of his endearing rascal until Parkinson's disease forced him to hand the reigns over to his assistants, Will Johnson (who worked on the dailies) and Al Plastino (who worked on the Sundays). After Bushmiller's death in 1982, Mark Lasky took over drawing Nancy for one more year before he, too passed away and Jerry Scott took over. It was Scott who injected the ruckus-rouser with a touch of modernity, something the fans immediately took to. Nancy's modern-day makeover didn't last, however, and when Scott left and control was given to Brad and Guy Gilchrist, Nancy returned to a more Bushmiller-ish look that harkens the glory days of the '40s and '50s, when the spiky-haired sweetheart reigned supreme.

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		"Nancy" Classic Comic Character Series from Dark Horse Comics.		"Sluggo" Classic Comic Character Series form Dark Horse
Nancy, 7-1/2" Hard Plastic Doll, 1940s		Sluggo, 7-1/2" Hard Plastic Doll 1940s		"Journal-Transcript Funnies Club," Litho. Button, 1930s
Nancy and Sluggo #124, September 1955		Nancy and Sluggo #125, October 1955		Nancy #146, September 1957
Nancy #163, February 1959		Nancy #171, October 1959		Nancy #175, March-April 1960
Nancy and Sluggo #178, September-October 1960