John Lennon and Charles Schulz had very different ideas about happiness.
In March, new imprint Kaboom! launches the first volley in its new Peanuts initiative with an all new graphic novel called Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown. The 80 page story is "written" by the late Charles M. Schulz and adapted by his eldest son Craig Schulz and Stephan Pastis, with art by Bob Scott, Vicki Scott and Ron Zorman. This all coincides with the direct to video release of an animated feature of the same name on March 29th. While Peanuts strips and witticisms have been collected in book form for decades, this is being billed as the very first original graphic novel to feature the beloved characters. The title itself harkens to an earlier Schulz quote that's become synonymous with the property, "Happiness is a warm puppy." Throw in the iconic comma Charlie Brown direct address tag, and you've got yourself an authenticated addition to a cherished franchise.
What's most striking about this preview is the lovingly rendered retro style. Other Peanuts creations in the wake of Schulz's death in 2000 (that Rerun Christmas special, the MetLife commercials) have a polish that tends to betray Sparky's hand drawn quiver. This stuff looks like lost material from the late 50s or early 60s. Just look at Snoopy's elongated head. The character models are derived from a period a little earlier than the style of the licensed images we're so used to seeing on t-shirts and coffee mugs. And that's pretty cool. As for the writing itself, Kaboom!'s press release is careful to note that the idea of a Peanuts story not scripted entirely by Schulz isn't a new, untested idea. Schulz oversaw the creation of similar works throughout his lifetime. So this is by no means glorified fanfic. This is an exciting new project with full involvement from the Schulz family, and something produced with a clear attention to detail and love for the characters. Simply put, it's a chip off the ol' blockhead.
80 pages, color, hardcover, 7"x10", $19.99. Look for it, March 29th.
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
This project really breathes with the authenticity of the series. I will definitely be picking this up and taking a stroll down memory lane with some beloved characters.
i can get behind this
Before now I had absolutely no interest in buying a Peanuts comic, but this looks good. I may pick it up, rekindle some childhood memories.
This looks like it could be fun. I’d like to check it out.
But isn’t this a little quick to be getting it into stores on March 29th? I’d have expected this to be a May release. Don’t things have to be solicited months in advance? Was this solicted and I missed it?
@JeffR You and your solicits.
@PaulMontgomery lol
This looks awesome. More please.
Well, I think I’ll probably buy it, if only because the art does look so, well, authentic. I have reservations though, because even though Sparky oversaw numerous side projects over the years, Peanuts never had quite the same pathos as when the master himself was doing it all. Still, looks gorgeous.
This looks really cool. I wouldn’t be surprised that Schulz had some ideas that never saw print so having his son (and other writer) get this approved with artists. It’s amazing how easily you can draw in Schulz’s style.
I’ll buy it is what I’m saying.