In Praise of Snoopy, the Ordinary Dog Whose Imagination Ran Away With Him — And Us
The article reflects on the legacy of Charles M. Schulz and his iconic character Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip. Initially portrayed as an ordinary dog, Snoopy evolved into a beloved character known for his imaginative adventures. The piece highlights Schulz's influence on the comic industry and the depth of his characters, particularly Snoopy's unique perspective.
- ▪Charles M. Schulz initially dismissed the work of other cartoonists, including the author of this article.
- ▪Snoopy began as a typical dog but transformed into a complex character with a rich inner life.
- ▪Schulz's work revolutionized the comic strip genre, influencing countless artists who followed.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
B ack in the day, I was occasionally blamed for ushering in an era of “transgressive” comics. If I had, I was hardly alone — R. Crumb got there first — but chief among my early detractors was Charles M. Schulz. My boyhood idol dismissed the topical subject matter that interested me as “low-hanging fruit,” perishable and cheap. He once said that most of the comic strips young hopefuls sent him for advice in the Seventies were drawn in the style of Doonesbury, and he didn’t mean it as a compliment. In his view, not only had I disrupted the comics pages with my ephemeral snark (so unlike his timeless, universal truths), I’d also made the neighborhood safe for bad art. On this latter point, I had to agree.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Rolling Stone.
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