Charles M. Schulz (2 Points)

 Peanuts is one of the most iconic comic strips, and for good reason. A charming cast of characters, and a nearly family friendly attitude has charmed countless of generations. I selected works from 1950, 1975, and 2000, since they are exactly 25 years apart from each other. 1950 was the most different, with a more circular style to the kids characters, and much less unique (at least I think so). The kids have more of a classic 1950's overly simplified cartoon look, while the new style has more fun with shapes, and tends to over exaggerate and have more fun with the shapes overall. I would say the newer version is the superior style, as there is more room for expression and fluidity, compared to its circular and stiff ancestor. The story was more rude, with a girl even giving one of the boys a black eye for no reason! There were some sweets moments sprinkled in very occasionally. 1975 has the classic Peanuts look, and the ratio of sweet to rude evens out a bit more, with a greater focus on individual characters and interactions with each other, feeling more like shenanigans, and less like full rudeness. 2000, which is when Schulz finally retired after 50 long years of comic making,  is even sweeter, and more introspective at times. Characters only slightly annoy each other, and there is more of a sense of begrudgingly enjoying one's company rather than full on distaste which was present in 1975. As someone who only ever read a few Peanuts strips prior to this study, I can finally understand what made Peanuts such a well loved strip.


(274 Words)

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