Fantagraphics to publish 50 yrs. of Peanuts

Gift idea for me, in case any of you were wondering...

Fantagraphics, a darling in the world of underground comics (and publisher of the revered Comics Journal), was in talks with Schulz before his death three years ago. His widow, Jean, continued to work with the Lake City publisher to get the collection out, with the first book due in the spring.

Deciding to reprint 50 years worth of "Peanuts" strips is an interesting choice in this world of jaded consumers accustomed to Daniel Clowes' ironic detachment or Neil Gaiman's masterful storytelling.

What's the significance of those large-headed kids and their similarly proportioned beagle? Indeed, shortly after Schulz's death, Dave Cullen wrote on Salon.com, "In all the gushing over Peanuts' belated burial this month, you would think someone would've admitted how bad it sucked. Charles Schulz had been coasting on retread for decades until last fall, when failing health mercifully forced him to stop redrawing the same tired frames."

Nonetheless, the mass appeal -- in all its faded glory -- is undeniable.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/books/143997_peanuts.html

Nice details to be found here: http://www.fantagraphics.com/

The cover design - looks like Seth - is absolutely lovely. First book is 320 pages and will be $28.95.

It's consistently brilliant, with the occasional mediocre blip. A pretty good track record for 50 years!

I miss them.

My birthday is two days after Christmas. :-)