By: Dave Astor Michael Jantze's "The Norm" comic is no longer in print syndication, but the cartoonist's wife is trying to keep the strip alive online.
In a posting on TheNorm.com, Nicole Jantze wrote that 4,000 subscribers are needed for Michael to continue doing new episodes of the comic starting Nov. 1. If this total is reached, TheNorm.com "members" would see new strips on the site or have them delivered to their e-mail inboxes. The cost is a minimum of $25 per year.
According to Nicole, Michael received many e-mails lamenting the end of "The Norm," so she wants to see if that sentiment translates into more membership for the site.
Nicole -- the model for the Reine character in her husband's comic -- added in the posting: "What quality of creator will be drawn to syndication with the decline in newspaper readership, the shrinking of the comics pages, and with the latest move by newspapers to try and lower the price they pay for comics? Where will you find your favorite comics?"
"The Norm" had been distributed by King Features since 1996. It was running in about 50 newspapers when it ended Sept. 12, according to the syndicate.
E&P contacted the Jantzes Friday with several questions. Nicole, in an e-mail reply received today, referred E&P to her posting on TheNorm.com and declined further public comment at this time. Michael could not be reached.
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