'Hedge' Film Raises Sales of 'Hedge' Comic

By: Dave Astor The "Over the Hedge" movie has been doing strong box-office business -- and helping build sales of the comic strip that the film is based on.

Three months before the animated movie's May 19 release, the "Over the Hedge" strip was in about 200 newspapers. When contacted today, United Media reported that the 1995-launched comic is now in about 250 papers.

"The movie has been doing real well for the feature," said Mary Anne Grimes, United's executive director of public relations.

Michael Fry and T Lewis (profiled in E&P's March 2006 issue) co-create the "Over the Hedge" comic. The film version has a voice cast that includes Bruce Willis as RJ the raccoon, Garry Shandling as Verne the turtle, and Steve Carell as Hammy the squirrel.