Today marks the first day of an extended leave for "Doonesbury" cartoonist Garry Trudeau. According to his syndicate, it has been sixteen years since Trudeau's last extended leave. He has requested another break, to work on other projects, travel and regenerate a few creative cells. This break will last twelve weeks, into June. He will resume creating new strips before the two major political conventions and the general election.

During Trudeau's absence, we will run cartoons that have run before that Trudeau has selected personally.

(Associated Press photo)