'Wizard of Id' Cartoonist Brant Parker Dies

By: Dave Astor Brant Parker, who worked on "The Wizard of Id" comic with Johnny Hart, died yesterday in Lynchburg, Va. He was 86.

Parker's death came just eight days after Hart passed away at the age of 76.

Creators Syndicate distributes "The Wizard of Id" to more than 1,200 newspapers. The syndicate's president, Rick Newcombe, said in a statement: "Brant was a truly innovative mind in the comics world. The artistry he displayed in 'The Wizard of Id' was remarkable for its consistency and creativity."

The Los Angeles-born Parker -- who won the National Cartoonists Society's 1984 Reuben Award as top cartoonist -- also worked as a newspaper staff artist, editorial cartoonist, magazine cartoonist, greeting card artist, IBM advertising/promotion person, and at Walt Disney Productions during his career.

The 43-year-old "Wizard of Id," like Hart's 49-year-old "B.C." comic, will be continued by family members. Brant's son, Jeff, began working on "The Wizard of Id" in 1987, and took over for his father in 1997.