Believe it - Ripley's was based on a comic strip

But it's grown far beyond that with theme parks, aquariums, and a new book -

 

More odd facts, tales, from Guinness, Ripley's [online title: Book review: "Guinness World Records 2012" and "Ripley's Believe it or Not!"]
By James Norton,
Washington Post October 12 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-review-guinness-world-records-2012-and-ripleys-believe-it-or-not/2011/09/19/gIQAzUUJdL_story.html