Mark Trail

Mark Trail is a newspaper comic strip created by the American cartoonist Ed Dodd.

Mark Trail, the main character, is a photojournalist and outdoor magazine writer whose assignments lead him into danger and adventure.

"Mark reflects a reverence for God's creatures, nature, and the conservation of woods, water and wildlife" (Hill, 2003).

Dodd created Mark Trail, which he successfully pitched to a syndicate, and the strip was launched on April 15, 1946, in the New York Post.

In addition to Davis and Elrod, Dodd also hired Barbara Chen (who took over lettering) and secretary Rhett Carmichael.

Based on the complaint of a reader in 1983, Elrod had Mark Trail abandon the trademark pipe that had been part of him from the beginning under likewise pipe-smoking Dodd.

Beginning July 27, 2020, Mark Trail began rerunning daily strips from the Jack Elrod era.

According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, "Elrod's comics typically present information promoting public awareness of imperiled species.

Letters appeared in numerous papers taking issue with the strip's contention that, "The two main killers in East Africa are HIV/AIDS and wild animals, particularly elephants."

However, these changes, along with the uneven art work and misplaced speech balloons (often pointed at foregrounded animals), attracted a new following among fans called "Trailheads".

Close-ups of recycled animal art are added to cover extraneous word balloons or to create a new panel to add new dialogue.

[12] On January 30, 1950, Mutual Broadcasting System launched a radio adaptation, Mark Trail, featuring Matt Crowley in the title role.

A second radio series, starring Staats Cotsworth, was broadcast on ABC beginning September 18, 1950, with 51 half-hour shows that ran thrice weekly until January, 1952.

Produced by Bob Stabler, the pilot also featured Michael Pate, Gordon McDougall, and Susan Lloyd.

An annual Mark Trail Award is presented to individuals, organizations or corporations that assist in expanding the radio network, or recognizing courageous effort in saving lives during weather or civil emergencies.