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'''''FoxTrot''''' is an American [[comic strip]] written and illustrated by [[Bill Amend]]. The strip launched on April 10, 1988, and it originally ran seven days a week. From December 31, 2006 onwards, ''FoxTrot'' has only appeared on Sundays.<ref name="ending daily" />
'''''FoxTrot''''' is an American [[comic strip]] written and illustrated by [[Bill Amend]]. The strip launched on April 10, 1988, and it originally ran seven days a week. From December 31, 2006 onwards, ''FoxTrot'' has only appeared on Sundays.<ref name="ending daily" />


The strip revolves around the daily lives of the Fox family, composed of parents Andrea (Andy) and Roger and their children, Peter, Paige, and Jason. It covers a wide range of subject matter, including spoofs of pop culture [[fads]], nerd culture, complex math, and popular consumer products.
The strip revolves around the daily lives of the Fox family, composed of parents Andrea (Andy) and Roger and their children, Peter, Paige, and Jason. It covers a wide range of subject matter, including spoofs of pop culture [[fads]], [[nerd culture]], complex math, and popular consumer products.


== Publication history ==
== Publication history ==
Cartoonist [[Bill Amend]] states that after he submitted strips for three years, in 1987 [[Universal Press Syndicate]] (UPS) offered him a contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=About The Strip – About Me|author=Amend, Bill |publisher=Bill Amend |url=http://www.foxtrot.com/about/ |work=foxtrot.com |access-date=2010-07-22}}</ref>
Cartoonist [[Bill Amend]] states that after he submitted strips for three years, in 1987 [[Universal Press Syndicate]] (UPS) offered him a contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=About The Strip – About Me|author=Amend, Bill |publisher=Bill Amend |url=http://www.foxtrot.com/about/ |work=foxtrot.com |access-date=2010-07-22}}</ref>
''FoxTrot'' was first syndicated by UPS on April 10, 1988.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1755/|title='FoxTrot' comic strip premieres today|last=Arvae|first=Lynn|date=April 11, 1988|work=[[Deseret News]]|access-date=2009-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 10, 1988|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3377BE6B02E3E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Hunting fox in suburbia: New comic strip premieres|work=[[The Miami Herald]]|pages=1G|access-date=2009-12-21}}</ref>
''FoxTrot'' was first syndicated by UPS on April 10, 1988.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1755/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919070317/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1755/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 19, 2012|title='FoxTrot' comic strip premieres today|last=Arvae|first=Lynn|date=April 11, 1988|work=[[Deseret News]]|access-date=2009-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 10, 1988|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3377BE6B02E3E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Hunting fox in suburbia: New comic strip premieres|work=[[The Miami Herald]]|pages=1G|access-date=2009-12-21}}</ref>


On December 5, 2006, Universal Press Syndicate issued a [[press release]] stating that Amend's strip, ''FoxTrot'', would turn into a Sunday-only strip and the comic confirming it was on December 25 2006 just 20 days later. Amend stated that he wanted to continue doing the strip, but at a less hurried pace.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214210634/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-14|title=FoxTrot to Cease Dailies|work=amuniversal.com|publisher=[[Universal Press Syndicate]]}}</ref> This news was followed by a week-long arc of the characters discussing a "cartoonist" semi-retiring to Sundays only, and what methods he would use to phase out the daily strips. The last daily strip was shown on December 30, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214210634/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-14|title=Universal Uclick<!-- Bot generated title -->|work=amuniversal.com|access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref> At the end of its run as a daily comic, ''FoxTrot'' was carried by more than 1,200 newspapers worldwide.<ref name="ending daily">{{cite press release| url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210065602/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 10, 2008| publisher=[[Universal Press Syndicate]]| date=December 5, 2006 |title=FoxTrot to Cease Dailies |access-date=2006-12-05}}</ref> Since moving to one comic every week, Amend has said that it's harder to remain topical because Sunday's deadline is 30 days ahead of publication, compared with just 10-day deadlines the rest of the week.<ref name= booth>Booth, John (April 14, 2010). "[https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/ Interview with FoxTrot's Bill Amend]". ''Wired''.</ref> Amend and fellow cartoonist [[Stephan Pastis]] joked that Amend switched to a Sundays-only schedule "so he could spend 18 hours a day playing [[World of Warcraft]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2017/03/19|title=Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for March 19, 2017 {{!}} GoComics.com|last=Pastis|first=Stephan|date=2017-03-19|website=GoComics|language=en|access-date=2021-01-25}}</ref>
On December 5, 2006, Universal Press Syndicate issued a [[press release]] stating that Amend's strip, ''FoxTrot'', would turn into a Sunday-only strip and the comic confirming it was on December 25 2006 just 20 days later. Amend stated that he wanted to continue doing the strip, but at a less hurried pace.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214210634/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-14|title=FoxTrot to Cease Dailies|work=amuniversal.com|publisher=[[Universal Press Syndicate]]}}</ref> This news was followed by a week-long arc of the characters discussing a "cartoonist" semi-retiring to Sundays only, and what methods he would use to phase out the daily strips. The last daily strip was shown on December 30, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214210634/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-12-14|title=Universal Uclick<!-- Bot generated title -->|work=amuniversal.com|access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref> At the end of its run as a daily comic, ''FoxTrot'' was carried by more than 1,200 newspapers worldwide.<ref name="ending daily">{{cite press release| url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210065602/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 10, 2008| publisher=[[Universal Press Syndicate]]| date=December 5, 2006 |title=FoxTrot to Cease Dailies |access-date=2006-12-05}}</ref> Since moving to one comic every week, Amend has said that it's harder to remain topical because Sunday's deadline is 30 days ahead of publication, compared with just 10-day deadlines the rest of the week.<ref name= booth>Booth, John (April 14, 2010). "[https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/ Interview with FoxTrot's Bill Amend]". ''Wired''.</ref> Amend and fellow cartoonist [[Stephan Pastis]] joked that Amend switched to a Sundays-only schedule "so he could spend 18 hours a day playing [[World of Warcraft]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2017/03/19|title=Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for March 19, 2017 {{!}} GoComics.com|last=Pastis|first=Stephan|date=2017-03-19|website=GoComics|language=en|access-date=2021-01-25}}</ref>
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''FoxTrot'' takes place with the daily lives of the Foxes, a suburban family, composed of father Roger, mother Andrea (Andy), and their children: Peter (age 16), Paige (14), and Jason (10), who live together.<ref>{{cite web|last=Amend|first=Bill|url=http://www.foxtrot.com/about/|title=About FoxTrot|work=Original Comic Website|access-date=2013-08-03}}</ref> The Fox family lives in a [[suburb]]an setting. Amend has said he has never specified where the Foxes live, and he has shown them taking vacations to the [[desert]] and various [[amusement park]]s and [[campground]]s.
''FoxTrot'' takes place with the daily lives of the Foxes, a suburban family, composed of father Roger, mother Andrea (Andy), and their children: Peter (age 16), Paige (14), and Jason (10), who live together.<ref>{{cite web|last=Amend|first=Bill|url=http://www.foxtrot.com/about/|title=About FoxTrot|work=Original Comic Website|access-date=2013-08-03}}</ref> The Fox family lives in a [[suburb]]an setting. Amend has said he has never specified where the Foxes live, and he has shown them taking vacations to the [[desert]] and various [[amusement park]]s and [[campground]]s.


Amend majored in [[physics]] at [[Amherst College]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/features/foxtrot/bio.htm |title=Bill Amend – Creator Bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109171447/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/features/foxtrot/bio.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2011 |publisher=Universal Press Syndicate |work=amuniversal.com |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> and his knowledge on the subject is sometimes reflected in ''FoxTrot''{{'}}s frequent inclusion of complex [[mathematics|mathematical]] or physics formulae, usually written by Jason, whom Amend described as "largely an exaggerated representation of [his] own geeky nature."<ref name=booth/> Jason is also used to express Amend's knowledge of computer languages.<ref>{{cite book|last=Amend|first=Bill|author-link=Bill Amend|title=Death By Field Trip (p. 87)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C4gMKOkILZcC&q=wikipedia |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|year=2001|location=Kansas City|isbn=0-7407-1391-4|access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref>
Amend majored in [[physics]] at [[Amherst College]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/features/foxtrot/bio.htm |title=Bill Amend – Creator Bio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109171447/http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/features/foxtrot/bio.htm |archive-date=January 9, 2011 |publisher=Universal Press Syndicate |work=amuniversal.com |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> and his knowledge on the subject is sometimes reflected in ''FoxTrot''{{'}}s frequent inclusion of complex [[mathematics|mathematical]] or physics formulae, usually written by Jason, whom Amend described as "largely an exaggerated representation of [his] own geeky nature."<ref name=booth/> Jason is also used to express Amend's knowledge of computer languages.<ref>{{cite book|last=Amend|first=Bill|author-link=Bill Amend|title=Death By Field Trip (p. 87)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C4gMKOkILZcC&q=wikipedia |publisher=[[Andrews McMeel Publishing]]|year=2001|location=Kansas City, Missouri|isbn=0-7407-1391-4|access-date=2014-08-26}}</ref>


Additional characters include Jason's pet [[iguana]] Quincy; Jason's friend Marcus and his classmate Eileen Jacobson; Paige's friend Nicole and her classmate Morton Goldthwait; Peter's blind girlfriend, Denise, and his friend Steve; and other friends and classmates of the children and Roger's co-workers. Like many comic strips, ''FoxTrot'' employs a [[floating timeline]] "for specific reasons and to create specific dynamics between [Peter, Paige, and Jason]."<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/| title=Interview With FoxTrot's Bill Amend| first=John| last=Booth| date=14 April 2010| magazine=Wired| url-status=live| archive-date=27 June 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627215853/https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/}}</ref>
Additional characters include Jason's pet [[iguana]] Quincy; Jason's friend Marcus and his classmate Eileen Jacobson; Paige's friend Nicole and her classmate Morton Goldthwait; Peter's blind girlfriend, Denise, and his friend Steve; and other friends and classmates of the children and Roger's co-workers. Like many comic strips, ''FoxTrot'' employs a [[floating timeline]] "for specific reasons and to create specific dynamics between [Peter, Paige, and Jason]."<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/| title=Interview With FoxTrot's Bill Amend| first=John| last=Booth| date=14 April 2010| magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]| url-status=live| archive-date=27 June 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627215853/https://www.wired.com/2010/04/interview-with-foxtrots-bill-amend/}}</ref>


==Books==
==Books==
{{Main|List of FoxTrot books}}
{{Main|List of FoxTrot books}}
The strips have been printed in forty-five different books, all by [[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC|Andrews McMeel Publishing]]. Of the 45 books, 31 are collections and 14 are anthologies. The anthologies are composed of the two or three previous collections and include Sunday strips in color.
The strips have been printed in 45 different books, all by [[Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC|Andrews McMeel Publishing]]. Of the 45 books, 31 are collections and 14 are anthologies. The anthologies are composed of the two or three previous collections and include Sunday strips in color.


===Merchandising===
===Merchandising===
During the late 1990s, the character of Jason Fox was licensed to [[Wolfram Research]] as a product spokesman for its [[Mathematica]] software package.<ref name="wolfram">{{cite press release |title='FoxTrot' Character Jason Fox to Promote Innovative Educational Calculus Software |publisher=Wolfram Research |url=http://company.wolfram.com/news/1998/foxtrot-character-jason-fox-to-promote-innovative-educational-calculus-software/ |date=June 8, 1998 |access-date=2015-02-03}}</ref>
During the late 1990s, the character of Jason Fox was licensed to [[Wolfram Research]] as a product mascot for its [[mathematica]] software package.<ref name="wolfram">{{cite press release |title='FoxTrot' Character Jason Fox to Promote Innovative Educational Calculus Software |publisher=[[Wolfram Research]] |url=http://company.wolfram.com/news/1998/foxtrot-character-jason-fox-to-promote-innovative-educational-calculus-software/ |date=June 8, 1998 |access-date=2015-02-03 |archive-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204001325/http://company.wolfram.com/news/1998/foxtrot-character-jason-fox-to-promote-innovative-educational-calculus-software/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 22:59, 7 November 2024

For other uses, see Foxtrot (disambiguation).

FoxTrot
Author(s)Bill Amend
Websitehttps://www.foxtrot.com
Current status/scheduleSundays-only; daily until December 30, 2006
Launch dateApril 10, 1988; 36 years ago (1988-04-10)
Syndicate(s)Universal Press Syndicate/Universal Uclick/Andrews McMeel Syndication
Publisher(s)Andrews McMeel Publishing
Genre(s)Humor, Family, Pop Culture

FoxTrot is an American comic strip written and illustrated by Bill Amend. The strip launched on April 10, 1988, and it originally ran seven days a week. From December 31, 2006 onwards, FoxTrot has only appeared on Sundays.[1]

The strip revolves around the daily lives of the Fox family, composed of parents Andrea (Andy) and Roger and their children, Peter, Paige, and Jason. It covers a wide range of subject matter, including spoofs of pop culture fads, nerd culture, complex math, and popular consumer products.

Publication history

[edit]

Cartoonist Bill Amend states that after he submitted strips for three years, in 1987 Universal Press Syndicate (UPS) offered him a contract.[2] FoxTrot was first syndicated by UPS on April 10, 1988.[3][4]

On December 5, 2006, Universal Press Syndicate issued a press release stating that Amend's strip, FoxTrot, would turn into a Sunday-only strip and the comic confirming it was on December 25 2006 just 20 days later. Amend stated that he wanted to continue doing the strip, but at a less hurried pace.[5] This news was followed by a week-long arc of the characters discussing a "cartoonist" semi-retiring to Sundays only, and what methods he would use to phase out the daily strips. The last daily strip was shown on December 30, 2006.[6] At the end of its run as a daily comic, FoxTrot was carried by more than 1,200 newspapers worldwide.[1] Since moving to one comic every week, Amend has said that it's harder to remain topical because Sunday's deadline is 30 days ahead of publication, compared with just 10-day deadlines the rest of the week.[7] Amend and fellow cartoonist Stephan Pastis joked that Amend switched to a Sundays-only schedule "so he could spend 18 hours a day playing World of Warcraft."[8]

Characters and story

[edit]
Main article: List of FoxTrot characters

FoxTrot takes place with the daily lives of the Foxes, a suburban family, composed of father Roger, mother Andrea (Andy), and their children: Peter (age 16), Paige (14), and Jason (10), who live together.[9] The Fox family lives in a suburban setting. Amend has said he has never specified where the Foxes live, and he has shown them taking vacations to the desert and various amusement parks and campgrounds.

Amend majored in physics at Amherst College,[10] and his knowledge on the subject is sometimes reflected in FoxTrot's frequent inclusion of complex mathematical or physics formulae, usually written by Jason, whom Amend described as "largely an exaggerated representation of [his] own geeky nature."[7] Jason is also used to express Amend's knowledge of computer languages.[11]

Additional characters include Jason's pet iguana Quincy; Jason's friend Marcus and his classmate Eileen Jacobson; Paige's friend Nicole and her classmate Morton Goldthwait; Peter's blind girlfriend, Denise, and his friend Steve; and other friends and classmates of the children and Roger's co-workers. Like many comic strips, FoxTrot employs a floating timeline "for specific reasons and to create specific dynamics between [Peter, Paige, and Jason]."[12]

Books

[edit]
Main article: List of FoxTrot books

The strips have been printed in 45 different books, all by Andrews McMeel Publishing. Of the 45 books, 31 are collections and 14 are anthologies. The anthologies are composed of the two or three previous collections and include Sunday strips in color.

Merchandising

[edit]

During the late 1990s, the character of Jason Fox was licensed to Wolfram Research as a product mascot for its mathematica software package.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "FoxTrot to Cease Dailies" (Press release). Universal Press Syndicate. December 5, 2006. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
  2. ^ Amend, Bill. "About The Strip – About Me". foxtrot.com. Bill Amend. Retrieved July 22, 2010.
  3. ^ Arvae, Lynn (April 11, 1988). "'FoxTrot' comic strip premieres today". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  4. ^ "Hunting fox in suburbia: New comic strip premieres". The Miami Herald. April 10, 1988. pp. 1G. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  5. ^ "FoxTrot to Cease Dailies". amuniversal.com (Press release). Universal Press Syndicate. Archived from the original on December 14, 2006.
  6. ^ "Universal Uclick". amuniversal.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2006. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Booth, John (April 14, 2010). "Interview with FoxTrot's Bill Amend". Wired.
  8. ^ Pastis, Stephan (March 19, 2017). "Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for March 19, 2017 | GoComics.com". GoComics. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  9. ^ Amend, Bill. "About FoxTrot". Original Comic Website. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  10. ^ "Bill Amend – Creator Bio". amuniversal.com. Universal Press Syndicate. Archived from the original on January 9, 2011.
  11. ^ Amend, Bill (2001). Death By Field Trip (p. 87). Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-7407-1391-4. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  12. ^ Booth, John (April 14, 2010). "Interview With FoxTrot's Bill Amend". Wired. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "'FoxTrot' Character Jason Fox to Promote Innovative Educational Calculus Software" (Press release). Wolfram Research. June 8, 1998. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
[edit]
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