This Day in Drabble History: September 9th & 10th (The Streak)

1984, 1992, 2006, 2008

Hi everybody!

I’ve told you before that I’ve never missed drawing a Sunday strip since Drabble started in 1979. I’ve only missed two weeks of daily strips (the last time in 2008) due to emergencies. They ran repeats those weeks and I doubt of many people noticed. I’ve drawn about 16,500 strips so far.

I’ve always been kind of proud of my iron man streak. There’s no need to keep it up, though. My editors wouldn’t mind a bit running some repeats. Most other cartoonists do. The past couple of years have been hectic around here, but I’ve somehow managed to keep it going. I thought I was going to have to run some repeats but so far, so good.

No one really knows about any of this. It hasn’t been publicized much. It’s mostly just a matter of pride, as well as the joy I find in my work. More busy weeks ahead this year with times away from the drawing board, but I’m hoping to keep the streak going by working ahead of schedule. My wife says my work is funnier when I’m frantically drawing under the gun. I suppose that’s a compliment, but I’m never sure with her!