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;Goulart, Ron. Comic Book Culture: An Illustrated History (Collectors Press, Inc., 2000), p. 85. he formed the syndicate to distribute his own column, eventually adding comic strips as well.Holtz, Allan. "Obscurity of the Day: Ken Stuart," Stripper's Guide (Oct. 10, 2018). The company's first strip was Rube Goldberg's Lala Palooza,Markstein, Don. "Lala Palooza," Toonpedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018. followed by Bill Walsh and Ed Wheelan's Big Top.Whelan entry, Who's Who of American Comic Book Artists, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018."Edgar Wheelan (1888 - 1966, USA)," Lambiek's Comiclopedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
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.Steranko, Jim (1972). The Steranko History of Comics 2. Reading, Pennsylvania: Supergraphics. p. 92. . 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.Booker, M. Keith, editor. "Big Shot Comics," in Comics Through Time: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas (ABC-CLIO, 2014), p. 36.
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)Borth entry, Who's Who of American Comic Book Artists, 1928–1999. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018. Honey Dear by Johnny Devlin (December 6, 1937–August 27, 1938)Jay, Alex. "Ink-Slinger Profiles by Alex Jay: Johnny Devlin," Stripper's Guide (June 11, 2018). 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)Markstein, Don. "Sparky Watts," Toonpedia. Accessed Jan. 5, 2018.
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