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

Sunday

Daily & Sunday

Digital

Strip

Available in Color

Available in Spanish

Family

Pets

Women

Editor's Picks

Two-panel comic featuring a conversation about emotions. The first panel shows a woman explaining the importance of understanding feelings over numerical data. The second panel features another woman responding humorously. The background is a soft color, enhancing the light-hearted theme of emotional awareness versus analytical thinking.

Cartoon featuring a character named Nancy in a dark setting, expressing surprise about a magical transformation of three rocks into one, highlighting a humorous take on complexity and simplicity in a playful manner.

A cartoon panel featuring two children discussing a guest cartoonist. One child expresses excitement, while the other humorously suggests the cartoonist will focus on them as the comic's star. In the background, a group of children seems skeptical, adding to the playful tone of the scene. The comic showcases themes of creativity and childhood imagination.

Illustration depicting a two-step guide to drawing a bike. The first step shows a person riding a bike, while the second step includes options for adding details like spokes and a checkmark indicating ease.

Cartoon depicting characters reflecting on support from friends and family, featuring a cozy living room with a green sofa and a variety of framed photos. The characters express gratitude and encouragement towards a person named Caroline, emphasizing the importance of community and positivity.

Two children standing in deep snow during a winter snowfall, one wearing a green scarf and hat, the other with earmuffs and a red bow, both looking at each other with expressions of curiosity.

Comic strip featuring Nancy confronting a group called the

A comic strip featuring a frustrated woman expressing her annoyance with someone, illustrated with exaggerated facial expressions and dialogue. The scene transitions to her interacting with a washing machine, which emits a sound, adding humor 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 photo booth image of a young man with medium-length hair, wearing a suit and tie, looking downward with a solemn expression against a curtain backdrop.

Cast

Cartoon character with curly black hair and a red bow, wearing a brown vest and smiling, set against a white background.

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.

Illustration of a young woman with dark hair and bright blue highlights, smiling and wearing a pink top and yellow earrings, set against a circular white 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.

Cartoon character with a blue cap and a friendly smile, wearing a brown jacket and a patterned scarf, set against a circular 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.