The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952 Review
Writer, Artist & Letterer: Charles M Schulz
Editor: Gary Groth
Designer: Seth
Production: Kim Thompson, Paul Baresh, Ilse Driggs, Nat Gertler, Eric Reynolds, Chris Ware & Carrie Whitney
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
Book Description: 360 Pages, Black & White
Hardcover Price: $29.88
Kindle ebook: $9.99
Kindle Unlimited: Free To Read
Release Date: May 17, 2004
As they sit on a street corner, Patty and Shermy notice another boy approaching. “Here comes Charley Brown,” Shermy remarks as the boy strides past. “How I hate him!” Why does Shermy hate Charley Brown? And will Shermy and Patty change their mind about him? Let’s leap into The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952 and see!
Story
After this rough beginning, tensions gradually ease in the neighborhood. Still, a competitive streak runs through them, and each child wants to be on top. Patty slaps Shermy. Yet she insists she is a nice girl. As Snoopy rests against Charlie Brown, the boy moves, letting the dog fall to the floor. Snoopy may be an outsider. Still, he’s ever hopeful that treats will come his way and patiently endures the children’s thoughtlessness.
While Snoopy exists within and yet outside the system, Shermy, Patty, and Charlie Brown compete for the spotlight. The children’s insecurities about who they are and their place in the world may perturb them. Yet as they play games, comment on life, and model adult behavior, Charlie Brown and Snoopy gravitate toward the heart of The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952.
As Charles M Schulz introduces Shermy, Patty, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy to readers, other characters move into the neighborhood. Violet arrives amid a love triangle, tamping down Patty’s dominance, as Shermy and Charlie Brown compete for her favor. After Charlie Brown struggles with his music lessons, Schroeder arrives. He may be a baby. Still, Schroeder demonstrates an aptitude for classical piano that Charlie Brown can't hope to match. The march of new characters reaches a crescendo when Lucy arrives.
While Violet strives to become a culinary master, Snoopy captures readers’ hearts, and Lucy commands everyone’s attention. Yet Charlie Brown embodies all of Charles M Schulz’s struggles, humor, and musings on life. Charlie Brown may not have everything together. He may not excel at anything. Yet, as the children play, learn about their world, engage in sports, practice useful skills, and enjoy candy and comics, Charlie Brown’s star rises, while Shermy’s seems to fade in The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952.
Art
As Charles M Schulz transports readers into Charlie Brown’s world, three four-panel strips stretch across each page. Snoopy is an inquisitive puppy in October 1950. He is obedient, tries to please people, and likes flowers. He enjoys resting on other people, even if they inevitably leave. But even after dropping him to the floor, Snoopy’s ears perk up when he senses he is wanted. Or when he senses snacks are available. Then he races to people and sits expectantly.
Charlie Brown’s expression transforms from a smile to a frown as the conversation flows. He gets his signature shirt roughly two months after he first appears. Yet he bundles up with a coat, hat, and earmuffs when it snows. Charlie Brown and his friends hang out at home, play in the yard, walk along the sidewalk, or sit together on the front porch. They use wagons, sleds, and bicycles, although the girls reserve the right to coopt them. Charlie Brown and his friends play sports together. Or they use tools to try their hand at making things. Then, they move inside to listen to a box-shaped radio, watch a vacuum-tube TV, note the time on a mantle clock, or call their friends with a rotary-dial telephone.
Although Charles M Schulz differentiated between newspaper strips and comics, his characters love visiting the drugstore to peruse the comic book display. Black uppercase letters appear in dialogue balloons. The words swell for volume, and sound effects enhance the action. When the first Sunday strip appears, in January 1952, it occupies a complete page. After that, The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952 features a Sunday strip, followed by two pages of three daily strips. Forty pages of backmatter include an article by David Michaels, an interview with Schulz conducted by Rick Marschall and Gary Groth, and an index to characters, objects, and activities.
Final Thoughts
Charles M Schulz took his time building his world. Yet in two years, he created characters who still speak to us today. He may have disliked the name Peanuts. Still, The Complete Peanuts: 1950-1952 is a time capsule of Schulz's early work, filled with insightful commentary about the creator.
Rating: 10/10
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