Beetle Bailey was the last comic personally approved by newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. Mort Walker's strip, which debuted in 1950, is the story of the title character, who accidentally enlists in the Army and befriends a number of screwball cohorts as he learns the ways of Camp Swampy. The fort was inspired by Camp Crowder in Missouri, where Walker who still produces the comic was once stationed. The sleepyhead Private Bailey is often caught napping and somehow manages to walk around without hurting himself despite always being drawn with obscured eyes.
Top 10 Long-Running Comic Strips
Ack! After 34 years of scuffles with her mother, bargain hunting, dieting and chocolate, Cathy is hanging up her pantsuit. The comic's creator announced the last strip will October 3. In honor of the Cathy's cancellation, TIME takes a look at some of the best long-running newspaper comics