Hägar the Horrible broke all records when it was launched on Feb. 4, 1973, becoming the fastest growing comic strip ever.
The strip was created by Hi and Lois artist Dik Browne in his basement art studio/laundry room in Connecticut. The striprsquos title was the family nickname for Dik Browne, and the characters were loosely based on Dikrsquos family and friends.
The little red-bearded Viking has appeared in advertisements for IBM, Mug Root Beer, Skol Ale and in the opening titles for the TV show “Caroline in the City,” which starred actress Lea Thompson as a successful female cartoonist. Hagar has appeared on his own CBS special and is featured in Universalrsquos Islands of Adventure: Toon Lagoon theme park.
The strip now appears in about 1,900 newspapers around the world. It appears in 56 countries and is translated into 12 languages and is now drawn by Dikrsquos son, Chris Browne.