Tip Top Comics. Three United Feature titles published more than 100 issues: Tip Top Comics (188 issues, Apr. 1936–Sept./Oct. 1954), Sparkler Comics (120 issues, July 1941–Nov./Dec. 1954), and Comics on Parade (104 issues, Apr. 1938–Feb. 1955). The company even created its own original superheroes: Iron Vic, Mirror Man, and Spark Man (none of whom caught on). After ending the United Feature comics line in 1954, a few of their titles would be continued by St. John Publications. The rest of their comic book properties were acquired by Dell Comics in 1958. In 1968, United Features syndicated about 50 features to 1500 clients. In 1972, United Features Syndicate acquired and absorbed the North American Newspaper Alliance and the Bell-McClure Syndicate into its operations. In May 1978 Scripps merged United Feature Syndicate and the Newspaper Enterprise Association to form United Media Enterprises. United Media continued to syndicate strips under the United Feature Syndicate brand. In 1994, Jim Davis's company, Paws, Inc., purchased the rights to Garfield (including the strips from 1978 to 1993) from United Features. The strip is currently distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication, while rights for the strip remain with Paws. On February 24, 2011, United Media struck a distribution deal with Universal Uclick (now known as Andrews McMeel Syndication) for syndication of the company's 150 comic strip and news features, which became effective on June 1 of that year. While United Media effectively ceased to exist, Scripps still maintains copyrights and intellectual property rights. The United Feature Syndicate brand still continues to be used on many strips. United Feature Syndicate comic strips Current United Features strips Branded UFS Drabble by Kevin Fagan (launched 1979) F Minus (launched 2002; entered syndication 2006) Get Fuzzy by Darby Conley (launched 1999) Health Capsules originally by Dr. Michael Petti and Jud Hurd; then by Bron Smith (launched 1961) Jump Start by Robb Armstrong (launched 1989) The Knight Life by Keith Knight (launched 2008) Lola by Todd Clark (2005–present) — acquired from Tribune Media Services, where it launched in 1999 Marmaduke originally by Brad Anderson (c. 1970–present) — acquired from National Newspaper Syndicate where it launched in 1954 Monty by Jim Meddick (launched 1985) Nancy originally by Ernie Bushmiller (launched 1938) Prickly City by Scott Stantis (launched 2004) Rip Haywire by Dan Thompson (launched 2009) Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1989–present) — acquired from King Features Syndicate; originally launched 1918 Rose Is Rose originally