Snoopy's Thanksgiving

Fantagraphics celebrates Thanksgiving Peanuts style in this hilarious 2014 collection of strips from Charles Schulz. 

First, Snoopy ventures out West to visit his brother Spike who lives in the desert with a bunch of bunny-eating coyotes. Then Charlie Brown tries his luck selling Thanksgiving wreaths before Woodstock has a panic attack that he's going to be the main course at this year's Thanksgiving dinner. 

Silly birdie. Doesn't Woodstock know that his friends eat jelly beans, milkshakes and toast for Turkey Day?

There's a few one page shorts as well as a couple of strips blown up and spread out in separate panels over several pages to give readers just over 60 pages of Thanksgiving fun. I'm surprised that this was published by Fantagraphics. Not that they couldn't produce this or anything about the quality. It's just that the format looked more like a series of books about Snoopy and friends that the greeting card magnate Hallmark used to produce in the 90s and early 00s. I'm now wondering if Fantagraphics was tapped to produce those books for Hallmark much like how Dynamite Entertainment and Dark Horse are publishing Marvel's outsourced material...

If you're stressing about having the relatives over for the holiday, then take a much needed break and enjoy the exploits of a boy named Charlie Brown and his dog.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schulz

Such a novel concept. A graphic novel biography about cartoonist Charles Schulz done in the comic strip style of his beloved Peanuts characters. Like the adventures of Charlie Brown, the strips are funny, poignant, sad, joyful and full of self deprecating loathing. Charles Schulz was Charlie Brown - always doubting and never feeling good enough at anything.

There's a lot of interesting segments of Schulz's life and career that I was extremely interested in learning more about. His childhood inspirations for the cute little redhead girl and Snoopy. The lengthy session of rejection upon rejection from publishers and syndicates. How A Charlie Brown Christmas got off the drawing board and onto our television sets. His infidelity, resulting in a divorce from his first wife.

Let's talk about that last part. I didn't check this graphic novel out from my local library for the sordid parts of Charles Schulz's life. I honestly didn't even consider that part of his life when I was deciding whether or not to select this book. But as I started reading through Funny Things, I started wondering how creators Luca Debus and Francesco Matteuzzi how they were going to cover such a delicate topic. Harder topics such as the lingering death of Schulz's mother from cancer was dealt with in such a gentile way. There were still elements of humor as the lad known to family and friends as Sparky had to say goodbye to his mum before being shipped off in service for the American Army during the height of the second world war. So how was Schulz's affair with a woman half his age going to be portrayed in this book? The answer: discretely and an inferred blame on Ol' Sparky.

I was also interested in learning about the last days of Charles Schulz and his retirement of the Peanuts comic strip. I remember it being a big deal that Peanuts was coming to an end after 50 years. It was an eerie and poignant coincidence that the artist died the night before the last strip was to run in Sunday papers worldwide. I didn't know that he was extremely ill with cardiac issues and incurable colon cancer. While the reader doesn't have to say farewell to Charles Schulz, the book does end with a bittersweet moment of the beloved artist finally realizing how much people loved him and his gang of Peanuts!

I'm very glad for this book. After learning about Schulz's infidelity after being told for years how godly a man he was, I was put off reading Peanuts for a very long time. But this book helped me to realize that people are human and they make mistakes. Really dumb mistakes. Funny Things helped me to repent of my judgmental ways and to forgive Schulz, even though he never did any wrongs against me. How pompous was I?!

A must read for fans of Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Peanuts. Yes, there are several Schulz biographies out there. But there's never been anything like this graphic novel biography from Top Shelf Productions. Combining interviews from the creator himself with some dashes of artistic license, Funny Things should not be overlooked if you are a fan at any level of a blockhead and his beagle.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Charles M Schulz's Lucy (Family Comic Friday)

This week’s Family Comic Friday is actually perfect for the entire family! If you are age 3 or 93, who doesn’t like Charles Schulz’s Peanuts? Today’s review looks at a collection of classic and new Peanuts stories starring everyone’s favorite crabby sister and busy-body- Lucy Van Pelt!

Charles M. Schulz’s Lucy
Stories and art by Charles Schulz, Jason Cooper, Vicki Scott, Scott Jeralds
Inks by Paige Braddock and Justin Thompson
Pages: 96
Retail Price: $14.99
Published by kaBOOM! Studios

The focus of the Peanuts cartoon has always been Charlie Brown and his faithful dog, Snoopy. But the best lines and funniest acts of practical jokes and grumpiness come from Lucy. The sister of Linus, Lucy bosses everyone around. It’s probably because she’s the oldest of all the characters.

This collection of everything Lucy is culled from over 50 years of Peanuts comic strips and the Peanuts comic book from kaBOOM! The Schulz strips have been remastered. The inks have never been clearer and the colors have never been so popping!

What’s extremely impressive about this book is how well other writers and artists such as Scott Jeralds and Vicki Scott capture the look and essence of the Peanuts gang! There have been other comic books based on comic strips and they pale in comparison to the genuine article. But that’s no so here! The world of lil’ folks created by Charles Schulz is alive and well in this book!

Parents and guardians will delight in not having anything objectionable in this volume. There are a couple of sections featuring quotes by Schulz about his inspirations in creating the Peanuts characters. While quite insightful, there are a few big words on those pages that younger readers might need some help with. But there’s only a two or three of those sections and they are only a page in length each.

With stories themed around baseball, a school science fair, the Christmas stress of being watched by Santa, and an art lesson by Linus on how to draw his sister, there’s a little something for everyone in this hardcover collection.

Charles M. Schulz’s Lucy was originally supposed to debut in print on January 30th, 2019. The book has been delayed by the published until February 5th. It can be purchased as a hardcover via Amazon or your favorite local bookseller or comic book shop.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

A Trio of Thanksgiving Offerings (Family Comic Friday)

There's two weeks left until Turkey Day. A time for giving thanks, eating lots of food, and being stuck with family members who drive you crazy. It's during those times I like to hide in a comic book. But unlike Christmas or Halloween in which there are dozens upon dozens of holiday themed comics, the list of Thanksgiving comics is pretty thin.

Hulk Like Turkey!

For today's Family Comic Friday, I have taken some of the guess work out of trying to find a Thanksgiving comic to read.

But why not wait until Thanksgiving to do this article? Good Question. I'm posting this with enough time in hopes that if you decide to order any or all of these, they will arrive in plenty of time for the holiday weekend.

I was only able to find three books and they are all considered back issues. However, I did my research and every book I share with you for today's article can be found for sale on eBay, Amazon, or other online shops. So with that in mind, let's begin...

Snoopy's Thanksgiving

Written and Illustrated by Charles M. Schulz
Published by Fantagraphics, 2014

This is actually a reprint from a 1970s graphic paperback by the Peanuts creator. It's now formatted to resemble a graphic novel instead of a pocket-sized paperback when in first came out. I had the original. But that one is now out-of-print and really expensive with some folks asking for upwards of $1,000! This reprint retails for only $9.97 and some sellers have it discounted even more.

Not to be confused with the A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special, this is a different story than in the annual animated special shown on ABC. Here, Snoopy's brother Spike invites him to have Thanksgiving in the desert. Meanwhile back home, Charlie Brown has to play nursemaid as his friends Franklin, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie get the flu during their Thanksgiving vacation.

For ages 8 and up.
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius: Happy Franksgiving!

Written by Chris Eliopoulos, Ed Brubaker, Robert Kirkman, et al
Art by Alex Chang, David Aja, Chris Eliopoulos, et al
Published by Marvel Comics, 2007

This 2007 comic from Marvel stars the son of Fantastic Four members Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. With his robot babysitter H.E.R.B.I.E., Franklin longs for adventures like his parents have. Yet, his curiosity gets the best of him and Franklin and H.E.R.B.I.E. get into trouble as a frequent result.

This issue offers 5 stories but only 1 of them is Thanksgiving themed. But with the hilarious cover as an added bonus, it's better than nothing if you are looking for a Thanksgiving special to read instead of watching your family fall asleep in front of Thursday night football. And it's really, really funny!

This all ages romp can be found for around $2-5 online (shipping not included). Or you can purchase it as part of the Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius Ultimate Collection: Book 1 for $19.99 or less on Amazon.

For all ages.
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Walt Disney's Autumn Adventures #1

Written by Carl Banks, Joel Katz, & Joel Beal
Art by Carl Banks, Recreo, & Robert Bat
Published by Disney Press, 1990

A charming blend of all-new and reprinted material from over 50 years worth of Disney Comics (from the date printed.) Featuring art and stories by Donald Duck master Carl Banks, there's also a never-before told Ducktales story which with the new version of the show, might appeal to a new generation of fans.

Being a fall special, there's a wide mix of stories. There's a back-to-school tale starring Donald and his nephews. Chip and Dale head South for the winter. Plus, there are a couple of adventures that involve Halloween. But the last three stories in this book involves Thanksgiving.

In the Thanksgiving yarns, Goofy is put in charge of security at a turkey farm that has been experiencing a string of robberies. Lil' Bad Wolf and his friends, the Three Little Pigs, go on the search for wild turkeys. Then Pluto schemes to get a steak dinner instead of the traditional old bird for Thanksgiving.

Three out of about nine stories isn't bad for trying to find some Thanksgiving cheer here. It's a cozy read filled with delights from my childhood. The comic can be found online for around $2-5, plus shipping on several websites, including Amazon. There's also an issue #2 but I don't own that one. So I cannot give a rating for it. But I assume it's filled with more of the similar stories that comprise this edition.

For All Ages.
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Happy Thanks-Reading!

And there you have a look at some potential Thanksgiving comic reads for the coming holiday. If you know of any further Thanksgiving comic book or graphic novel reads, please drop me a line in the comments section.

It's a Dog's Life, Snoopy

With the new Peanuts movie hitting theatres last Friday, I thought it would be fitting to read a collection of Snoopy cartoons. This full-color collection of Peanuts tales contains a full year of yuks. From the snows of January to the dog days of summer (pun intended) to the crisp nights waiting for the Great Pumpkin and back to snow with the holidays fast approaching, there’s lots of great jokes and gags. Is every joke a winner? No, but the vast majority of strips are perfect. A few jokes repeat, so be patient.

I love the snowy strips best.

Sadly, you can see the years wearing on creator Schulz as not every strip is drawn with crisp definitive lines found in Peanuts tales. Even some of his signatures are chicken scratches. It sometimes makes this collection a little sad as you know that in this later year treasury each entry is coming towards the end of the Peanuts strip’s run, which on it's very last day of publishing, Schulz passed.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Peanuts #23 (Family Comic Friday)

Two years ago, Kaboom studios (sometimes referred to as Boom! Studios) obtained the rights to publish the first ever comic book to devote itself to all new stories and adventures of the Peanuts gang. You’d think that this series wouldn’t be able to capture the magic of series creator Charles Schulz. But the writers nad artists at Kaboom have done an incredible job.

The artwork is drawn in the classic style. However, the coloring and inking is a little more modern. I would bet money that these stories are being created on digital art programs and that would explain the more modern feel to it.

Using modern technology to craft comics isn’t an unforgivable sin. If anything, it helps the industry be able to produce more work quickly. Instead of having to wait every other month for a beloved comic to come out, you can now purchase new comics monthly, bi-monthly, or even weekly without the art suffered for the sake of time.

In regards to how different the Peanuts look compared to the original strips, you have to look no furPther than the page after each new tale. Here, Kaboom publishes a classic Peanuts strip that captures the theme of the previous story. The Schultz strips holdup very well. They are funny, smart, and classic, but the inking is more 2-D than the modern almost 3-D style of the new tales.

I liken this example to how similar but different classic and new episodes of the Simpsons look.  Those first 3 or 4 seasons were rough, but they were so well crafted that you don’t mind how archaic the citizens of Springfield look in them.

In this issue, the Peanuts gang star in 3 tales. First, Charlie Brown must turn to his therapist, Lucy to help him kick his addiction to biting the erasers off of his pencils. Then Peppermint Patty decides that the best way to improve her grades is to wear glasses. So, it’s the rest of the class who suffers when the tomboy commandeers Marcy’s eyewear. Lastly, is a Snoopy tale with his Beagle Scouts. When their camping trip is hindered by a sudden snow storm it’s up to Woodstock to save the day.

This comic was worth the $3.99. Along with these great tales was a small article written in Schulz’ own words on his view on the character of Peppermint Patty.  With a winter tale starring Snoopy and Woodstock and a focus on a character named after the main flavor of candy canes, this issue, out in stores now, is the perfect opening servo to starting the holiday comic reading season.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.