Happy Birthday ZIGGY The Loveable Little man turns 35!

Happy Birthday to Ziggy! The affable everyman turns 35 years-old this year, making Ziggy one of the longest running comic panels in history.
A present day classic, Ziggy was born in 1971 from the heart and mind of Tom Wilson, who first created Ziggy as a greeting card character. Since then, Wilson has nurtured Ziggy to become one of the most recognized characters in the world.
Since his debut, Ziggy has steadily increased his popularity and now graces the pages of more than 600 newspapers all over the world and has lent his image to merchandise in a variety of different categories.
Tom Wilson, who has drawn and written Ziggy since 1987, after the retirement of his father, the senior Tom Wilson, said, “Ziggy has never looked better! It is a wonderful thing about him. Ziggy adapts with the times, rolls with the punches, offers his everyday wisdom, and never ages. He’s someone you can count on for another 35 years. We will keep on bringing our friendly little character to people as long as they want to invite him into their lives for a smile each day.”
Currently, more then 75 million readers, admirers, sympathizers, and friends worldwide enjoy the Ziggy comic panel that is distributed through Universal Press Syndicate, a division of Andrews McMeel Universal. In addition, Ziggy’s optimism and philosophical quips are available 24-hours a day through www.Ziggyzone.com and www.uclick.com.
Among the many activities and special celebration products for Ziggy this year is an anniversary book from Andrews McMeel Publishing, A Little Character Goes A Long Way (May, 2006,$19.95). Other Ziggy merchandise from licensees Planet Sox, Top Heavy, Casa D' Oro, Russ Berrie & Co., Sara Max, Mighty Fine, Arrow International, and BFS Entertainment & Multimedia Limited, which markets the “Ziggy's Gift” DVD, are also arriving at retail to honor the character..
The anniversary year also serves as awareness to Ziggy’s SpokesCharacter duties for the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) and National Foster Care Awareness Month (May). Ziggy's inspiring message extends to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where he serves as a full-time ambassador, and to World Food Day (October 16th), where Wilson creates special-edition comic panels to support the cause.