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dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 3: 1955-1956 collects Peanuts strips from 1955-1956, as the title indicates.
My archaeological dig into the early days of Peanuts continues with this volume, the third in Fantagraphics' Peanuts library.
Schulz style continues to evolve strip by strip, inching ever closer to the fully realized form it achieved sometime in the 1970s and coasted on for a couple decades more. The old strips take more chances with the art than the later strips, using more perspectives and a couple more camera angles.
The familiar characters already look how they're supposed to look but Shermie, Patty, and Violet haven't been run out of two for their parents' scandalous love triangle yet. Sally Brown, Peppermint Pattie, and Marcie still haven't appeared.
The stories are darker than the later ones as well, partly due to Charlie Brown's low self esteem and partly due to Violet and Patty being irredeemable bitches. Lucy actually likes Charlie Brown while the other two are just mean for the sake of being mean. Highlights include Linus being some sort of genius/magician and Snoopy acting like a python or alligator.
The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 3: 1955-1956 shows that before the Peanuts characters were selling insurance, they were a much darker, enjoyable bunch. Four out of five stars.
My archaeological dig into the early days of Peanuts continues with this volume, the third in Fantagraphics' Peanuts library.
Schulz style continues to evolve strip by strip, inching ever closer to the fully realized form it achieved sometime in the 1970s and coasted on for a couple decades more. The old strips take more chances with the art than the later strips, using more perspectives and a couple more camera angles.
The familiar characters already look how they're supposed to look but Shermie, Patty, and Violet haven't been run out of two for their parents' scandalous love triangle yet. Sally Brown, Peppermint Pattie, and Marcie still haven't appeared.
The stories are darker than the later ones as well, partly due to Charlie Brown's low self esteem and partly due to Violet and Patty being irredeemable bitches. Lucy actually likes Charlie Brown while the other two are just mean for the sake of being mean. Highlights include Linus being some sort of genius/magician and Snoopy acting like a python or alligator.
The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 3: 1955-1956 shows that before the Peanuts characters were selling insurance, they were a much darker, enjoyable bunch. Four out of five stars.
ben_whackley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1955 is the point at which Peanuts really begins to hit its stride. The first two books I found illuminating, and I enjoyed seeing the history of the strip, but this volume I couldn't put down.
kristalonnqvist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anxiousbi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
nishbaindur's review against another edition
5.0
Always 5 stars for Peanuts, these volumes are such a joy to read.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
4.0
I have read the first two volumes, which I need to add at some point. I am mostly borrowing them from the public library, but this is a set I would not mind having. For this third volume, I have to agree with other readers in that Schultz is finding his stride. Only thing that kind of gets me is how the girls can be so mean to Charlie Brown. Snoopy's impressions are just a hoot. And Pig-Pen is becoming a regular "dirt" philosopher. Great strip.
I finished it, and I have to say that I enjoyed it very much. I will be looking forward to the other volumes. I borrowed this one from the Tyler Public Library, my local library now.
* * * *
Hmm, looking over my blog, it turns out I read this earlier in 2005 as well. Here is the note anyways. At any rate, rereading books like these is definitely a pleasure.
http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/08/booknote-complete-peanuts-1955-1956.html
I finished it, and I have to say that I enjoyed it very much. I will be looking forward to the other volumes. I borrowed this one from the Tyler Public Library, my local library now.
* * * *
Hmm, looking over my blog, it turns out I read this earlier in 2005 as well. Here is the note anyways. At any rate, rereading books like these is definitely a pleasure.
http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/08/booknote-complete-peanuts-1955-1956.html
jenniferc's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0