This is a terrific collection: thorough, high-quality production and printing, and including great secondary material (an essay about Schulz's life and an extended interview with him, both covering a wide array of topics in which his strong opinions -- including his strong opinions about not having strong opinions -- come through clearly). It even has an exhaustive index of topics covered in the strips! ( )

The first two years of the Peanuts comic strip (1950-1952) collected into one volume, the first volume of 26 that collects all 50 years of the strip. There are characters (Sherm, Patty, and Violet) who don't appear in later years (Sherm almost disappears by the end of this volume), and a few (Schroeder, Lucy, and Linus) who make their first appearances later in the volume. The only two who are there from the beginning are Charlie Brown and Snoopy.

But they look a lot different than what most of us are used to seeing. Schulz's lines in these early strips are bolder, which sort of compresses their features, but also makes them a bit more dynamic. And Charlie Brown is less of a sad sack than he is in the later years. He is more impish, and a bit of a trouble-maker. Some of the humor is dated and obviously from the 50s (lots of "housewife" and mother-in-law jokes), but the seeds are all there for Peanuts would eventually become. ( )

This is volume one of The Compete Peanuts 1950-1952, where it all stated for Charlie Brown and the gang. Interesting to see who the main characters were and how the strip has developed over the years. Funny how main characters then were not so much later on in the strip. ( )

GOOD GRIEF!

One thing I like about Peanuts that I didn't pick up as a kid was the fact it deals a lot with depression and anxiety. In some cases this really hits home. It's obvious Schulz dealt with both all through out his life.

Keep in mind when you read this, this isn't going to be the same Peanuts you're use to now. There are a bit of differences and you can see some stuff stayed and other things left. I liked this volume for the fact you can see Schulz playing around with his world before it became what we know.

Make sure you read the interview at the end. There's a lot of interesting information about Schulz's life and how he views comics. ( )

Being born years later after the initial publication and creation of the Peanuts comic strips, I was surprised to find out about the beginnings of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanut Gang. I was surprised to find out that Charlie was more a third main character besides Shermy and Patty. The style of the comic changes overtime, from the initial big and round-headed characters to the more familiar style that is known today. There seems to be a formula to the strips, usually containing four boxes to complete a story or skit. While this book does not contain colored illustrations, it is up to the exaggerated expressions from the characters to display emotions and reactions to the hijinks occurring. The fact that this is only the first volume spanning only a couple years is difficult to imagine! Some strips were simple and redundant stories while others genuinely made me laugh. It will be a feat to finish and catchup to the volumes in this collection, but I will admit I enjoy the Peanuts that are known today since I grew up with the current style. ( )