Berlin's Iconic Touché Comic Strip Ends Daily Run After 33 Years
After 33 years of entertaining readers, Tom Körner's beloved comic strip Touché is stepping back from daily publication. The three-panel series, known for its sharp wit and Berlin charm, will now appear exclusively in the weekly colour edition starting April 13. Meanwhile, fresh talent will take over the weekday slots in the e-paper to continue the tradition Körner helped define. Tom Körner first launched Touché in 1991, drawing inspiration from Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts before crafting his own distinct style. The strip's quick, punchy humour and relatable Berlin characters made it a favourite across the German-speaking world. Over the decades, Körner's work shaped not just the comic's voice but also the broader visual identity of the publication.
Though Körner is moving to what he calls 'active retirement,' his influence won't disappear. The *Tom-Shuffle* feature on the publication's website will keep his vast archive alive, offering readers a daily dose of randomly selected classics. Five new cartoonists will also join the weekday e-paper, each bringing their own take to the space Körner once filled. The weekly colour edition will remain Körner's creative home, ensuring *Touché* stays part of the publication's future. His three-panel format, with its signature blend of simplicity and clever punchlines, will continue to reach audiences—just in a new rhythm.
The shift marks the end of an era for daily Touché strips but opens doors for emerging artists to build on Körner's legacy. His weekly contributions will keep the comic's spirit alive, while the Tom-Shuffle and new cartoonists ensure his impact lingers. The publication's visual humour, shaped by Körner for over three decades, now enters a fresh chapter.
