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The Frank Jay Markey Syndicate was a small print syndication service that distributed comic strips and columns from the mid-1930s to c. 1950. Although small in size, the syndicate distributed strips by a number of notable cartoonists, including Ed Wheelan, Rube Goldberg, Boody Rogers, and Frank Borth. The syndicate also provided material for the burgeoning comic book industry, for companies like Quality Comics and Columbia Comics.

History

Founder Frank Jay Markey was originally an executive with the McNaught Syndicate; he formed the syndicate to distribute his own column, eventually adding comic strips as well. The company's first strip was Rube Goldberg's Lala Palooza, followed by Bill Walsh and Ed Wheelan's Big Top.

In 1937, the Markey syndicate partnered with two other syndicates, the McNaught Syndicate and the Register and Tribune Syndicate, as well as with entrepreneur Everett M. "Busy" Arnold, to provide material for Arnold's Feature Funnies. In 1939, Cowles Media Company (the Register and Tribune Syndicate's corporate owner) and Arnold bought out the McNaught and Markey interests.

In 1940, Markey and the McNaught Syndicate made a similar partnership with artist/editor Vin Sullivan to form Columbia Comics.

The Markey syndicate made a bit of a splash in 1947 with Frank Borth's sea adventure daily strip Ken Stuart in 1947, but the strip was out of syndication a few years later, and with it went the syndicate.

Frank J. Markey Syndicate strips and panels

• Big Top by Bill Walsh and Ed Wheelan (1937–1938)
• Bouford by Frank Borth (1949)
• Honey Dear by Johnny Devlin (December 6, 1937–August 27, 1938)
• Ken Stuart by Frank Borth (1947–1950)
• Lala Palooza by Rube Goldberg (1936–c. 1939)
• Sparky Watts by Boody Rogers (April 29, 1940–May 9, 1942)

References

1. Goulart, Ron. Comic Book Culture: An Illustrated History (Collectors Press, Inc., 2000), p. 85.
2. Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Ken Stuart," Stripper's Guide (Oct. 10, 2018).
3. Markstein, Don. "Lala Palooza," Toonpedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
4. Whelan entry, Who's Who of American Comic Book Artists, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
5. "Edgar Wheelan (1888 - 1966, USA)," Lambiek's Comiclopedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
6. Steranko, Jim (1972). The Steranko History of Comics 2. Reading, Pennsylvania: Supergraphics. p. 92. ISBN 0-517-50188-0.
7. "Quality Comic Group: A Brief History". Connecticut Historical Society. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
8. Booker, M. Keith, editor. "Big Shot Comics," in Comics Through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (ABC-CLIO, 2014), p. 36.
9. "Frank Borth". lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
10. ^ Borth entry, Who's Who of American Comic Book Artists, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
11. Jay, Alex. "Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Johnny Devlin," Stripper's Guide (June 11, 2018).
12. Markstein, Don. "Sparky Watts," Toonpedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.

• Comic strip syndicates
• Companies based in New York City
• Publishing companies established in the 1930s