A cartoonist is never in full control of a character. The artist's hand can tremble and tremble and zig instead of zag — consistency stands as a wish, not a guarantee. And a truly dynamic persona will eventually lead the creator, rather than the reverse. That was always the manner in which the comic's creator Charles Schulz portrayed why Snoopy, his rambunctious invention, evolved starting with his first appearance in the mid-20th century and his final comic-strip appearances by the year 2000.
“As my illustration method became freer, Snoopy was able to achieve greater feats,” the artist stated in 1975. “And when I ultimately created the technique of leveraging his fantasies to dream of being numerous brave personas, the comic assumed an entirely fresh perspective."
Mapping the evolution of his visual style and personality can be a chore across Peanuts collections, but thankfully for strip enthusiasts, it's soon becoming somewhat simpler. Scheduled for the three-quarter century mark of the comic's run, The Essential Peanuts serves as an exquisite prestige art book from acclaimed author the writer that gathers the most recognizable Peanuts comics and showcases them with fresh historical and cultural context. Designed by Chip Kidd, the publication contains a preamble by Jean, an introduction by Mutts comic cartoonist Patrick McDonnell, plus writings by 16 notable commentators (with a cosmonaut admirer of the beagle). Included in the set are several keepsakes, such as postcards, art prints, a stitched emblem, decals, plus a replica original strip compilation.
Building on their celebrated Schulz publications, the author's homage explores the artist's artistic drive and the series' lasting impact throughout the arts, literature, and everyday life. The outcome emphasizes the way Peanuts has transcended generations, and became a greater phenomenon than Schulz himself could ever attribute to his initial concept.
Underneath, you’ll find special excerpts from this definitive collection, specifically looking at the beagle's evolution in the beginning stages.
Within his notes, featured in the book, the author points out that every one of the artist's figures eventually changed by ongoing iteration and exploration, with Snoopy as the prime illustration. By the decade's close, the character had evolved taller and more creative, morphing into various roles like beasts to other personas including Joe Cool. It’s a gorgeous example of a skill which has faded as the press sector declines, but certainly warrants a place in the annals of artistic heritage.
This Essential Collection, costing $75, arrives in bookstores this October.
