Johnny Hart, the Christian cartoonist who authored the comic strip B.C. and co-created The Wizard of Id has passed away at 76.  He suffered a stroke in his New York residence on Saturday while working in his studio.  "He died at his storyboard," said his wife, Bobby.

Hart's long-standing B.C. began in 1958 and eventually became syndicated in 1,300 newspapers.  Hart's Christian beliefs often made their way into his strips and sometimes provoked controversy:

A strip published on Easter in 2001 drew protests from Jewish groups and led several newspapers to drop the strip. The cartoon depicted a menorah transforming into a cross, with accompanying text quoting some of Jesus Christ's dying words. Critics said it implied that Christianity supersedes Judaism.

Hart said he intended the strip as a tribute to both faiths.

Members of Hart's family have been helping him produce his comics for years, and they promise the strips will keep coming.

B.C. can be read here.