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Nancy

Nancy

By Caroline Cash

For nearly 100 years, there have been daily smiles and laughs, comic books, animated cartoons, and affection for this little whirlwind in a plaid skirt! Aside from a brief pause in the early 1930s, this beloved comic strip has been running in print since 1922. It currently appears in more than 100 newspapers. The strip started under the name "Fritzi Ritz" in 1922 by Larry Whittington, who wrote and drew the comic for United Feature Syndicate. Mr. Whittington left the strip in 1925, and Ernie Bushmiller's long tenure as the strip's creator began.

In 1933, Fritzi’s niece, Nancy, made her first appearance in the comic. Nancy was such a fan favorite that by 1938, the comic’s name was changed from “Fritzi Ritz” to “Nancy” to honor the shift in emphasis. Olivia Jaimes took over the strip in 2018 until her retirement in September 2025. The newest creator, Caroline Cash, started her tenure on Jan. 1, 2026.

To read “Nancy” from its Ernie Bushmiller heyday, check out “Nancy Classics.”

Daily Daily
Sunday Sunday
Daily & Sunday Daily & Sunday
Digital Digital
Print Print
Strip Strip
Available in Color Available in Color
Available in Spanish Available in Spanish
Family
Pets
Women

Editor's Picks

Two women in a comic strip discussing emotions; one encourages the other to express feelings rather than rely on numbers, while the other humorously responds about her emotional state. The background features a simple, colorful design. Cartoon featuring two characters discussing the concept of complexity, with one character expressing frustration about simplifying three rocks into one, while the other character reacts animatedly. The background includes a torch and a simple color scheme, emphasizing the dialogue about creation and complexity. Comic strip featuring two children discussing a girl who is likely to draw herself and her friends, showcasing a playful conversation about creativity and art. The left panel depicts one child expressing doubt about being the center of attention, while the right panel humorously acknowledges the girl's knack for seizing opportunities to illustrate her social circle. Illustration showing a step-by-step guide to drawing a bike, featuring a cyclist on the left and instructions on the right, including tips for adding spokes and details to the drawing. Two-panel cartoon featuring characters sitting on a green couch and a mirror reflecting a shelf with family photos. The left panel shows a girl with a bow and polka dot pants sitting next to a boy, while the right panel depicts a girl and a boy looking at their reflections in the mirror. The background is a light purple color. Two children standing in deep snow, one wearing a green scarf and a hat, looking to the left, while the other, adorned with earmuffs and a red bow, gazes straight ahead. Snowflakes are falling against a blue sky backdrop, emphasizing a winter scene. A cartoon panel featuring a character with curly hair and a bow interacting with two purple creatures. The character expresses surprise at the creatures making two rocks, while the creatures respond humorously. The scene includes a fence in the background and touches on themes of creativity and humor. A comic strip featuring a frustrated woman expressing her annoyance with a washing machine, illustrated with exaggerated facial expressions and dialogue. The scenes depict her emotional reaction and the machine making noise, adding a humorous touch to the situation.

About Caroline Cash

Caroline Cash is a cartoonist from Charleston, South Carolina. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, MoMA Magazine, VICE, The Chicago Reader, The Nib, and various other publications. Cash is a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a MacDowell fellow. Besides “Nancy,” she’s actively working on her Eisner and Ignatz award-winning series “PeePeePooPoo,” as well as a debut graphic novel. She is a Capricorn.

Black and white portrait of a young man with tousled hair, wearing a suit and tie, looking downward against a curtain backdrop.

Cast

Cartoon character with curly hair and a red bow, wearing a brown vest, smiling in a circular frame.

Nancy

Nancy is more than an icon. She's a girl with strong opinions, and she wants to be a famous artist. She loves video games and ice cream and is constantly finding ways to make her laziness work for her.

Cartoon illustration of a young woman with dark hair and blue highlights, smiling and wearing a pink top and yellow earrings, set against a circular background.

Aunt Fritzi

Aunt Fritzi is Nancy's caretaker, and it's a full-time job staying ahead of all of the schemes Nancy's always concocting. Aunt Fritzi is a responsible adult who just wants the best for her irrepressible niece.

Illustration of a cheerful young boy wearing a blue cap and a brown coat, with a checkered scarf, set against a circular white background.

Sluggo

 

Sluggo is Nancy's best friend. He's a thoughtful companion who tries his best to be a supportive pal. He is often tricked by Nancy.