Leapin' Lizards! It's Curtains for Little Orphan Annie Comic Strip

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The Chicago Tribune reports that Tribune Media Services will discontinue the Little Orphan Annie comic strip June 13, bringing the adventures of the auburn-haired, button-eyed orphan to a close after 85 years.

Introduced during the Coolidge Administration on August 5, 1924, by creator Harold Gray, who oversaw the strip for 44 years until his death in 1968, Little Orphan Annie, her faithful dog Sandy, wealthy industrialist Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks, and the mysterious Punjab and Asp have enjoyed success in the comics, radio, movies, and on Broadway.  Today, the strip runs in fewer than 20 newspapers, but in its heyday, hundreds of dailies featured the panel strip.

 The final strip will raise questions with Daddy Warbucks about Annie's fate after her encounter with the Butcher of the Balkans.  Although she no longer will appear in the daily comics, Tribune Media Services insists it will not be a hard-knock life for Annie, who may resurface in comics or on the silver screen. There's always "Tomorrow," for Annie fannies.

No comment from Annie, but "Arf," said Sandy.