by Snoopy

You know, I'm amazed I never read this whole book before. I've seen a lot of the individual cartoons in newspaper comic sections over the years, but it never occurred to me to get the collection. It was going used for a penny so how could I resist when I saw the category for a Dark and Stormy Night on Halloween Bingo!

I think this should be required reading for all wannabe writers. Not only is it a great collection of classic Snoopy cartoons, but it highlights some of the inner thoughts of the writer within many of us.

Highly recommended!

Another enjoyable couple years for the Peanuts gang. Charlie Brown gets "Eraserphagia" and "Little Leaguers Elbow", Lucy discovers Rachel Carson, Linus gets stage fright at the Christmas pageant, and Snoopy has bird problems. Many plot points for the soon-to-be-produced "Charlie Brown Christmas" special were pulled from these years as well.

The only really odd, unique thing about this volume was the introduction of '5' and his sisters '3' and '4'. They were renamed by their father because of the country's new mania for zip codes. 5's full name is 555 95472. It makes sense that the gang are Californians.

The rest of the strips are engaging and funny, of course, Schultz didn't need to reinvent the wheel to get laughs. My favorite strips were when Lucy and Frieda are commenting on the baseball game and how they might even win, and they ask each other if they even like baseball, and then Charlie Brown's finally one-upping Violet by pointing out that his father doesn't have to be the best bowler, because his dad loves him and that's enough. D'awww.

These are still a great investment, beautifully packaged and the end-papers keep getting better.

And, because Linus is on the cover - here's my Hungerford Vinyl Linus doll from ~1961, he's missing his blanket, but he's great and I'll keep my eyes out for the rest of the set: there's a Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, baby Schroeder (with detached piano) and Sally and Pigpen.

The Complete Peanuts

Next: 'Volume Eight: 1965-1966'

Previous: 'Volume Six: 1961-1962'

In these years Sally becomes a full-fledged character, aging in time to fret about the tyranny of being sent to Kindergarten. The biggest debut is Frieda & Faron. Growing up I had no idea who Frieda was because she had the briefest lifespan of Schulz' main characters so hardly appeared in any strips after I was born. She and the other forgotten characters did appear in my hand-me-down  'Charlie Brown Dictionary' set, but that doesn't give much in the way of characterization.

The span of this comic staggers me if I really think about it. He kept up a daily strip with relatively few repeats for fifty years.  

Otherwise, there is being to be a lot more interaction between Snoopy and the birds, he talks with them, allows them to rent out his doghouse for club meetings and is a rest stop during migration. Woodstock, of course, is a few years way. My favorite strips were where he befriends snowmen, only to have them melt. 

Lucy's psychiatric booth gets into full swing and there was an interesting storyline where the Van Pelt's new tangerine pool table causes unrest among the mothers. They spend so much time playing during the day they forget about their children.

Complete Peanuts

Next: 'Volume Seven: 1963-1964'

Previous: 'Volume Five: 1959-1960'

I'll make this largely a visual post, since it's all about judging a book by its cover ;)

In these years Schulz really gains a lot of confidence and the experimental tweaking of gags and characters begin to truly pay off. There are some great debuts in this collection, but the craftsmanship of the strips is evident even in the strips that, at first glance, could have appeared in any of his late '50s strips.

I love sharing my favorite strips, but its a little labor intensive, so from now on I'll skip it unless the spirit moves me. (le sigh).

Debuts! I can't believe it took over eight years for Schulz to give Lucy her Psychiatric Help booth (the rate was 5 cents even then)! Linus simply can't get a break, on top of Snoopy's continued depredation, his grandmother confiscates his blanket for the first time, and he has his faith tested by the Great Pumpkin.

Of course, the biggest change is the introduction of Sally. We hear about her being born and, much like toddler Lucy and baby Linus, quickly grows up.

The original Patty doesn't get much love, even though she was one of the original three Peanuts characters. I remember reading a reference that Schulz got tired of drawing her tartan dress. I'm glad she got the cover at least once.

Complete Peanuts

Next: 'Volume Six: 1961-1962'

Previous: 'Volume Four: 1957-1958'