There’s a difference between a comic strip that’s a classic and a classic comic strip.

Once upon a time, “Peanuts” was a classic. The antics of Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, et al, amused generations of readers. Now it’s classic “Peanuts.” Reruns, that is. (And that isn’t a reference to Linus’ little brother.)

Charles Schulz’s wildly popular strip ran for 50 years until his death in 2000. It has continued to run in recycled form in this and many other newspapers. Is what once was a classic still a classic? A security blanket?

Good grief. The reruns seem to have started a trend. Garry Trudeau recently began a 12-week break, during which “Doonesbury” reruns are offered. Fresh strips will return in mid-June.

“For Better or For Worse” is winding down. Creator Lynn Johnston reportedly has gone through a painful divorce. Some reruns already are appearing. New strips apparently will disappear in mid-September. After that, will readers accept “classics”?

One comic that really deserved an afterlife was “Far Side,” a classic if there ever was one. Gary Larson’s comic ran from 1980 to 1995. Oh, how I have missed it.

Ever since, many comics have come along that were billed as “the next Far Side.” Alas, every wannabe neverwas.

But today, there is hope. On Monday, “The Argyle Sweater” will make its debut in more than 100 newspapers across the United States, including this one.

In 16 days, we will unveil a “new” newspaper, but new comics weren’t part of the plan. That was before a slick syndicate salesman paid a visit a few weeks ago and showed off the irresistible creation of Scott Hilburn. LOL!

Comic fanatics already might be familiar with “The Argyle Sweater.” It debuted online in December 2006. Like “Far Side,” it’s a single-panel comic (like “Family Circus”). It features characters billed as “Not the Usual Suspects”: Chicken, The Caveman, Bear, Moth, Vulture and Guy with a pompadour.

Addition means subtraction, so … for 15 days, we will drop one strip to make room for this addition. The strip we will drop will be “Phantom,” which seemed to be our least popular strip the last time we polled readers. Relax, “Phantom” fans. We will bring this strip back on April 22, i.e, “Independent’s Day.”

Then we will drop “Doonesbury,” until fresh strips return on June 17. In the meantime, we will survey readers to see which strip should be subtracted. “Peanuts”? “Phantom”? “Blondie”? We’ll take any and all suggestions. The majority (probably) will rule.

Probably? That’s right. We won’t drop “For Better or For Worse” before mid-September. Why? Because despite that for-better-or-for-worse wedding vow, my bride might divorce me.

This summer, we’ll offer samples of a few strips that we can consider as an eventual “For Better or For Worse” replacement.

If only classic “Far Side” classics were an option.