Born Loser, The

By Chip Sansom

"The Born Loser" began in 1965 as a strip with no central characters that revolved around the loser theme. Gradually, it developed into the comic we see today, starring lovable loser Brutus Thornapple, his wife Gladys, mother-in-law Ramona Gargle, boss Rancid Veeblefester, dim-witted son Wilberforce, and the mischievous neighbor Hurricane Hattie O'Hara.

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Two cartoon characters engage in a humorous conversation, one dressed in a blue superhero outfit and the other in a white hat and outfit, discussing the topic of pickles.

Two characters at a table in a diner discuss artificial fireplace logs that smell like fried chicken. One character, wearing a hat, questions whether the other would try one, leading to a humorous debate about whether to burn or eat the logs.

Teacher instructs students to write about gratitude before vacation; student expresses frustration about the assignment. Comic from

About Chip Sansom

Chip Sansom is the cartoonist behind the comic strip "The Born Loser," which was created by his father, Art Sansom, in 1965. "I strive to provide a quick daily smile for everyone who reads The Born Loser," said Sansom. "Brutus Thornapple is a contemporary Everyman, who suffers the daily slings and arrows we all encounter. Being able to laugh at Brutus's misfortune makes it easier for the rest of us to face ours."

Sansom is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and a lifelong resident of Cleveland, Ohio. He and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Isabel and Jacqueline. In 1977, Sansom began apprenticing for his father on "The Born Loser," gradually assuming a greater role in the production of the strip, until completely taking over when Art passed away in 1991. "The Born Loser" is a two-time winner of the National Cartoonist Society's Best Humor Strip of the Year Award and has been nominated four additional times. Chip and Art also collaborated on the creation and production of the comic strip "Dusty Chaps" in the early 1980s. Sansom and his family currently reside in a Cleveland suburb.

Two men pose for a black and white photograph, one seated with glasses and a thoughtful expression, while the other stands behind him smiling. The setting appears to be an indoor space, suggesting a creative or personal environment.

Cast

Cartoon illustration of a relaxed older man sitting in a green chair, with a content expression, showcasing a humorous and laid-back attitude.

Brutus

A perpetually unlucky, lazy everyman who avoids work whenever possible. His schemes rarely succeed, leaving him stuck in a cycle of comic misfortune.

Cartoon character with blonde hair, wearing a pink sweater, holding a coffee cup while sitting at a table.

Gladys

Brutus’s practical, patient wife who keeps the household grounded. She balances sarcasm with warmth, often managing Brutus’s laziness while maintaining quiet control of family life.

Cartoon character sitting at a desk, wearing glasses, a suit, and a bow tie, representing a humorous moment in

Veeblefester

Brutus’s demanding boss, stern and easily irritated. He represents authority and workplace pressure, frequently clashing with Brutus’s laziness.

Cartoon character with curly hair and a cheerful expression, wearing a pink shirt, set against a circular background.

Ramona

Gladys’s friend, supportive and observant. She often serves as a sounding board for Gladys’s frustrations about Brutus.