A Deluxe 75th Anniversary Coffee Table Book Celebrating the Life, Art, and Legacy of Charles M. Schulz by Mark Evanier
A deluxe coffee table book celebrating the 75th
anniversary of the beloved comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, The Essential Peanuts
(Abrams ComicArts; October 7, 2025; $75; hardcover in a slipcase with a
portfolio of bonus extras) by award-winning writer Mark Evanier
presents the most iconic and essential Peanuts
comic strips with fresh historical and cultural context. Featuring an
introduction by Patrick McDonnell, a foreword by Jean Schulz, and
contributions from sixteen notable commentators, the volume boasts a
design by Chip Kidd plus a portfolio of collectible Peanuts ephemera—including postcards, prints, an embroidered patch, stickers, and a facsimile of a classic Peanuts comic book.
The Essential Peanuts builds upon Abrams ComicArts's celebrated Peanuts publishing program, which includes the Eisner Award-winning Only What's Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts (Abrams ComicArts; April 2025; $29.99) by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear.
“Having loved Peanuts
since I was about Charlie Brown's age (and no more successful at
kite-flying), I was thrilled when Abrams ComicArts asked me to spend
weeks reading and writing about the comic strip that was so much more
than just a comic strip,” says Mark Evanier. “The only drawback was that
I tried writing the book sitting on the roof of a doghouse, but I kept
falling off.”
“As we mark 75 years of Peanuts,
this partnership with Abrams ComicArts is a testament to the lasting
impact of Schulz’s beloved characters,” says Craig Herman, VP of Global
Brand Experiences, & Publishing at Peanuts Worldwide. “Since being
introduced to the world on October 2, 1950, Peanuts has been at the forefront of pop culture, and we can’t wait for fans to discover this extraordinary anniversary edition.”
Timed for its 75th anniversary, The Essential Peanuts
underscores how and why the comic strip transcends cultural,
generational, and linguistic barriers to remain relevant and beloved. By
exploring the creative ambition of Charles M. Schulz, his wry
commentary on childhood struggles and triumphs, and his enduring
influence on art, literature, and everyday life, Evanier not only
celebrates an incomparable legacy but also reveals the universal appeal
at the heart of Peanuts.
75 Years of Peanuts
Happiness is . . . 75 Years. In 1950, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang were first introduced to the world. In the 75 years since, Peanuts
has become a global phenomenon, encompassing award-winning animated
content, stage shows and live experiences, high profile collaborations,
and retail programs around the world. Artists, musicians, philosophers,
and fans have been inspired by Charles Schulz’s creation for over seven
decades and there is no end in sight for this beloved cast of characters
who speak so beautifully and simply to the human experience.
About Peanuts
The characters of Peanuts
and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which
is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment
(Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who
first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts
brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as
amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic
strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts
partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to
inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next
generation of students.
About Charles M. Schulz
Charles M. Schulz (1922–2000) was an American cartoonist whose comic strip Peanuts
chronicled the adventures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire
gang, becoming one of the most widely recognized and beloved strips of
all time. His gentle humor and keen insights into everyday human
struggles earned him a reputation as one of the most influential voices
in the history of comics and modern- day culture. To learn more about Schulz’s life and work, visit schulzmuseum.org.
About the Author
Mark Evanier is the award-winning author of Kirby: King of Comics and MAD Art.
A respected writer, historian, and editor, he has worked extensively in
the worlds of comic books and television, earning a reputation as one
of the foremost authorities on comics and animation. Evanier has three
Emmy Award nominations and received the Lifetime Achievement Award for
animation from the Writers Guild of America. He lives in Los Angeles,
California.
About the Book
The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time
By Mark Evanier
Introduction by Patrick McDonnell and Foreword by Jean Schulz
Original
Contributions by Robb Armstrong, Derrick Bang, Rob Boutilier, Paige
Braddock, Alberto Brambilla, Benjamin L. Clark, Alexis E. Fajardo, Ben
Folds, Sarah Gillespie, Chip Kidd, Amy Lago, Mike Massimino, Akio
Matsunaga, Jeff Morrow, Hilary B. Price, and Shuntarō Tanikawa
Abrams ComicArts | October 7, 2025
U.S. $75.00 ⏐Can. $94.00 ⏐UK £55.00
ISBN: 978-1-4197-8417-0
Hardcover in deluxe slipcase | 336 pages | 11 x 8-1/4"
Portfolio
insert with bonus extras, including: 8 ready-to-frame prints, 5 vinyl
stickers, 8 postcards, iron-on patch, and a reprint of a full-color
classic comic book!
Founded
in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to
specialize in publishing art and illustrated books. The company
continues to publish critically acclaimed and bestselling works in the
areas of art, photography, cooking, craft, comics, interior and garden
design, entertainment, fashion, and popular culture as well as narrative
non-fiction and new works of fiction for adults; children’s books
ranging from middle grade to young adult fiction to picture books to
board books. ABRAMS creates and distributes brilliantly designed books
with the highest production values under the following imprints: Abrams;
Abrams ComicArts; Megascope; Surely Books; Abrams Image; Abrams Press;
The Overlook Press; Cernunnos; Cameron + Company; Abrams Books for Young
Readers; Amulet Books; Abrams Appleseed; and Magic Cat. ABRAMS also
distributes books for Booth-Clibborn Editions, Alain Ducasse Édition,
Èditions de La Martiniére, Editions BPI, Global Golf Group, Lucky Spool,
Milky Way Picture Books, The Museum of Modern Art, SelfMadeHero, Tate
Publishing, V&A Publishing, and The Vendome Press.
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