Over the Hedge

By Michael Fry and T Lewis

"Over the Hedge," created by T Lewis and Michael Fry, takes a freshly skewed look at suburban living from the perspective of the animals who lived there first. The strip stars RJ, a mischievous raccoon, and Verne, his sensitive best-buddy turtle. Together they fight to save their wooded wonderland from the evils of encroaching suburbia but end up becoming distracted by wide-screen TVs, discarded fast food containers, and the fun of wreaking havoc on the local homeowners' association.

To see more of Michael Fry's work, check out his book, "The Odd Squad: Zero Tolerance."

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Daily & Sunday

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Strip

Available in Color

Animals

Family

Men

Pets

Women

Editor's Picks

Cartoon depicting two anthropomorphic animals, a raccoon and a squirrel, expressing frustration over corporate influence in entertainment, with a mouse character on a pedestal. The raccoon shouts about

Cartoon depicting a turtle excitedly showing off a new laptop to a raccoon, who comments on the age of their previous laptop. The turtle expresses frustration about distractions while trying to work.

A comic strip featuring two animal characters enjoying a sunny day when suddenly a lightning bolt strikes, causing one character to express confusion about the situation. The scene shifts to the characters sitting under an umbrella in the rain, with one character humorously lamenting the unexpected turn of events.

Cartoon depicting animals discussing current events, highlighting issues related to animal health services and a review of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The dialogue includes a reference to political figures and their opinions on access to community resources.

Cartoon panel featuring a humorous dialogue about federal judges and the enforcement of their decisions, illustrated with whimsical characters discussing the concept of authority in a lighthearted manner.

Comic strip depicting characters reacting to a tornado, with humorous commentary on storm-chasing culture. One character expresses excitement while another comments on the smells associated with a chaotic scene. The image features a tornado, characters in silhouette, and a person being lifted by the wind.

Cartoon depicting a raccoon and a turtle discussing dietary choices in a humorous context. The raccoon expresses frustration about food options, while the turtle presents a processed snack. The comic touches on themes of dietary politics and societal norms.

About Michael Fry and T Lewis

Michael Fry
In addition to writing "Over the Hedge," Michael Fry is a screenwriter and producer of the Internet cartoon series "Live Nude Geeks" at pcmag.com. Fry cofounded RingTales, the company that creates animated versions of "Pooch Café," "Cul de Sac," "Lio," "Pearls Before Swine," "Over the Hedge," and "Dilbert." He lives near Austin, Texas, with his wife, their two daughters, and a bevy of animals.

T Lewis
T Lewis, the artist behind "Over the Hedge," won the National Cartoonists Society Award for Book Illustration in 1999. He lives and sort of ranches in rural Washington State with his wife and son and a smattering of dogs, cows, and horses.

Two men sitting outdoors, one wearing a white sweatshirt and the other in a black turtleneck, both looking at the camera. The background features a stone wall and hints of a house, capturing a casual moment in natural light.

Cast

Illustration of a cheerful raccoon standing upright with a friendly expression, set against a circular white background.

R.J.

A mischievous raccoon who will pick your pocket and steal your heart, RJ is impulsive, reckless, and sugar-starved. He can be caught peering into neighborhood windows trying to catch some daytime TV.

Cartoon turtle character with a friendly expression and a yellow and green shell, set against a white circular background.

Verne

RJ’s best friend and partner in crime, Verne is a sensitive, reflective, philosophizing turtle who is prone to allergies. Verne is a true Renaissance turtle, a critical observer with a deep spiritual side.

Cartoon illustration of a cheerful orange squirrel with a bushy tail, sitting and waving, set against a circular white background.

Hammy

A squirrel, good buddy, and fellow member of the “Boyz in the Wood,” Sammy may not be the most sophisticated creature in the forest, but he seems to be adapting to the invasion of suburbia fairly well. Hey, how many squirrels do you know that carry Tic Tacs?