This is a great example of "The Hickerson Technique For Lazy Cartoonists". The image on the left (A scan from the local newspaper comic section) appeared on December 4, 1997, although it had been originally created and printed some time in the early 90's. The image on the right was released to the dailies on August 17, 2002. In case you're counting, that's three times it's been used.

The version on the left was the "original" and you can clearly see how Buddy was too lazy to apply new Zip-a-tone so he simply pasted-in a new date, syndicate info and URL right on top.