The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz - by Mark Evanier (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This spectacular deluxe edition celebrates the 75th anniversary of Peanuts and the life, art, and legacy of Charles M. Schulz, and comes packaged with unique bonus materials.

Extras include: 8 ready-to-frame prints, 5 vinyl stickers, 8 postcards, an iron-on patch, a full-color comic book, and more!

Beautifully designed in a deluxe gift-ready slipcase, this one-of-a-kind 336-page full-color hardcover collects more than 700 images, including Schulz's most iconic comic strips and related ephemera.

Award-winning author Mark Evanier provides insightful and entertaining Peanuts cultural and historical context. An introduction from Patrick McDonnell, a foreword by Jean Schulz, and appreciations and remembrances from key figures in the world of Peanuts make this book a unique milestone in Peanuts publishing.

Seventy-five years since the first Peanuts strip made its debut on October 2, 1950, the beloved comic and its iconic characters remain a touchstone for generations around the world.

From cultural milestones such as NASA's Apollo 10 lunar and command modules being named after Charlie Brown and Snoopy to the classic holiday specials that continue to draw millions of viewers, Peanuts has a lasting influence that few works of art or literature can claim. The power of these iconic characters is also evident from the popularity of modern-day animated movies and iPhone shorts, and even the Gen Z phenomenon of so-called "Snoopy Girls."

This official book celebration of the 75th anniversary of Peanuts is produced in collaboration with Peanuts Worldwide and the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California.

"Not many cartoons live into the next generation, and that probably is the best definition of art, isn't it? Does it speak to succeeding generations? Real art, real music, real literature, speaks to succeeding generations." -Charles M. Schulz

The book includes original contributions by Robb Armstrong (Franklin), Derrick Bang (Vince Guaraldi and A Charlie Brown Christmas), Rob Boutilier (The Snoopy Show), Paige Braddock (Schulz's pen line), Alberto Brambilla (Peanuts in Italy), Benjamin L. Clark (Peanuts paperbacks), Alexis E. Fajardo (selecting the essential Peanuts), Ben Folds (the sound of Peanuts), SarahGillespie (editing Schulz), Chip Kidd (design of Peanuts), Amy Lago (editing Schulz), Mike Massimino (Snoopy and Apollo 10), Akio Matsunaga (Peanuts in Japan), Jeff Morrow (scoring Peanuts), Hilary B. Price (Peppermint Patty and Marcie), and Shuntarō Tanikawa (Poet laureate and translator of Peanuts in Japan).

Review Quotes

"Special."

--GEEK VIBES NATION

"This book is a beautiful and fitting commemoration of a profound and hugely important part of American art. It's great fun to read, and it's a wonderful memento for the bookshelf or coffee table of any Peanuts fan."

--BOING BOING

"Award-winning writer Mark Evanier presents the most iconic and essential Peanuts comic strips with fresh historical and cultural context."

--DREAD CENTRAL

"Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Lucy, Sally, Woodstock, and more have become cultural institutions."

--CBR

"The definitive tome dedicated to the late great Peanuts mastermind himself, Charles "Sparky" Schulz."

--FORBES

"The Essential Peanuts collection is a lush history lesson in Charles Schulz's artistic journey."

--POLYGON

"The Ultimate Book for Hardcore Snoopy Fans."

--IGN

"Truly, this is a fantastic book that would make a great gift for the person you know who's a big Peanuts fan or someone who is a fan of comics history. Peanuts was essential, and I'd say this book is essential too. It's my (early) Christmas gift to myself this year."

--SATURDAY EVENING POST

"The Essential Peanuts offers fans of the classic comic strip a look at the life, art and legacy of Charles M. Schulz"--PEOPLE MAGAZINE

About the Author

Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000) was the legendary cartoonist and creator of the iconic comic strip Peanuts. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) are two of the most successful animated television specials of all time, winning multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards. His archives are located at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. Mark Evanier is an award-winning writer and historian who has written more than 500 comics for Gold Key, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse, and other major publishers (including Groo the Wanderer with Sergio Aragonés); several hundred hours of television (including Welcome Back, Kotter and The Garfield Show); and multiple books including MAD Art, Kirby: King of Comics, and Walt Kelly's Pogo: The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips. Evanier has three Emmy Award nominations, multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards, and in 2003 received the Lifetime Achievement Award for animation from the Writers Guild of America. He lives in Los Angeles.