Lago Joining, Whelton Leaving WPWG in Change of Comics Execs

By: Dave Astor The Washington Post Writers Group (WPWG) today named Amy Lago to the new position of editor/comics, graphics, and promotions. She'll succeed Suzanne Whelton as comics editor.

Lago, who starts Aug. 30, formerly spent 14 years with United Media -- eventually rising to vice president, comics and graphics. At United, she was involved in acquiring and developing strips such as Darby Conley's "Get Fuzzy" and Stephan Pastis' "Pearls Before Swine." Lago also worked with Scott Adams ("Dilbert"), Charles Schulz ("Peanuts"), and dozens of other cartoonists.

Whelton -- who's leaving to spend more time with her family and two-year-old son -- spent 18 years at WPWG. She was its first full-time comics editor, and also started its FineToon Fellowship program that mentors new cartoonists and helps them get their comics ready for syndication. Whelton will serve through December as a consultant to complete her work with the current Fellowship class.

"Suzanne is the best advocate any cartoonist could have because she cares about her cartoonists personally," said WPWG Editorial Director/General Manager Alan Shearer. He also praised Lago: "The more cartoonists I talked to, the more it became clear that Amy is beloved by many people in the industry. I think her wicked sense of humor has something to do with it, but also her eye for which strips will work best with readers."

WPWG comics include "Bo Nanas" by John Kovaleski, "Candorville" by Darrin Bell, "Cheap Thrills Cuisine" by Thach Bui and Bill Lombardo, "Opus" by Berkeley Breathed, "Out of the Gene Pool" by Matt Janz, "Pickles" by Brian Crane, "Red and Rover" by Brian Basset, and "That's Life" by Mike Twohy. The syndicate's editorial cartoonists are Signe Wilkinson of The Philadelphia Daily News and Nick Anderson of The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky.