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DECEMBER 21, 2010
FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH
LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS
Michael Giltz
Freelance writer and raconteur
Posted: November 27, 2009 06:02 PM
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WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyComic Strip "Peanuts" Comes Home
For The Holidays
Read More: Billie Jean King , Books , Charles Schulz , Comic Strips , Peanuts ,
Sports , Tennis , Title IX , Women's Rights , Entertainment News
Peanuts , arguably the most popular and influential
comic strip of all time, continues to flourish -- especially
during the holidays. From Halloween through
Christmas, Peanuts TV specials pepper the airwaves
and are watched endlessly on DVD. The music of VinceGuaraldi is a constant on the radio. Peanuts -related
merchandise like calendars, t-shirts, mugs and toys fill
the stores. And of course classic editions of the strip
continue to appear in newspapers worldwide. So it's
only fitting that the late Charles Schulz would have
celebrated his 87th birthday on Thanksgiving Day.
The best way to celebrate Schulz and his work is the
ongoing series being published by Fantagraphics . The latest volume -- The Complete Peanuts, 1973-1974
($28.99; Fantagraphics) -- is a lovingly produced volume that includes every strip from those two years
in a handsome hardcover book designed by Seth.
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Like earlier editions, it's a thrill to read the strip chronologically and in one fell swoop. You get a far
better sense of Schulz's creative zig-zagging as he suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself at the tip of a
pop culture juggernaut. At this stage in the Seventies, Peanuts has become a phenomenon and will soon
turn into an institution, with all the resting on laurels that implies. It's a bit of a shock to realize Schulz
isn't even halfway through his run, which went from 1950 to early 2000, a remarkable 49 years in all.Yes, after 23 years, Schulz had made every artistic breakthrough that was in him and the rest wasconsolidation and the relaxation that comes with success. But the Seventies are the salad days, with the
soft decline of the 80s and 90s (inevitable and not without their rewards) still ahead.
Schulz still has some bite, such as the brilliant story arc in which Charlie Brown wears a sack over his
head to summer camp because he's got an embarrassing discoloration on his head. To his astonishment,Charlie Brown discovers that when no one knows his identity he is suddenly popular. Sports of course
remain a constant, with football and baseball and ice skating all mined for laughs. But tennis -- which
boomed in popularity in the Seventies thanks to Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and manymore -- seems the defining sport of this period.
As always, Fantagraphics pairs each volume with a celebrity introduction and in this case it's perfect:
Schulz's long-time friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King. (Her birthday, by the way, is on November22, just four days before Schulz.)
King won a remarkable 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles titles and has been an ardent supporterof women's rights both in sports and society at large. So it's touching to read that while she was traveling
the globe King found comfort in discovering Peanuts in the local newspapers and a special thrill when
Sparky -- as Schulz was known to his friends and loved ones -- mentioned her by name. She writes:
From time to time, Sparky included me in Peanuts . A particular favorite of mine had Peppermint Patty
telling Marcie, "Has anyone ever told you that when you're mad, you look just like Billie Jean King?"Trust me: my friends had a heyday with that one.
Sparky referenced me several times in Peanuts and it was his way of letting me know that we needed
to talk or just catch up with one another. He rarely phoned me, but when he wanted to check in, he
1 of 5
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Comments 4 Pending Comments 0View FAQ
33 FansWHAT'S YOUR REACTION?
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird Crazy
Shania Twain
Engaged To
Frederic Thiebaud
'The Fighter' Star
Amy Adams Talks
Weight...
Megan Fox In A
Bikini (PHOTOS)
Kardashian
Christmas Card:
The 'SNL' Spoof
(VIDEO)dropped a reference in Peanuts because we both knew I would read it every day I could. So I would
call him and we would talk and then -- you know what? -- life was better.
They originally bonded over their mutual support of Title IX, the groundbreaking law that has changed
the face of our society. But that was just the start of the friendship between King and Sparky.
While it may have been our mutual support of Title IX and our shared enjoyment of tennis thatinitially brought us together, it was a common love for life that kept us close through the years. Sparkytaught me to be truthful and through his comic strip he shared his real life experiences with each of us
on a daily basis.
Sparky was Charlie Brown. He was not a real talkative man, but was definitely a very deep thinker. It
was when he put a pen in his hand and went to work on a Peanuts comic strip he became insightful
and poetic, and truly exposed himself to the world.
In their work together and the careers they forged, both Schulz and King made an impact on society that
still reverberates today. Billie Jean King's work is ongoing. Schulz's legacy is Peanuts and it's being
presented beautifully in the ongoing series by Fantagraphics . And their impact on each other is captured
nicely in King's warm words. It's a fitting tribute to a fellow legend.
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
More in Entertainment...
Wasn't it Fall of 1973 when Billie Jean King faced off with Bobby Riggs? One of those events where
us oldsters would have to describe to the youngsters what happened and then stare at our feet aswe try to explain why some people believed it was important that women athletes have theirprofession al accomplish ments smacked down and why some of us cheered so loudly when King
quieted "The Mouth." (I seem to recall that was Riggs' nickname.)
With the arguable exception of that kid that Peppermint Patty traded to Charlie Brown's team for the
funny round nosed kid (Snoopy), the best athlete in the strip was the aforementi oned PP. That was
so cool.TOP VIDEO PICKS
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Lisa and Harry Trying for
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46 Fans
35 Fans
248 FansI still remember the ten bucks I made when I bet on Billie Jean King to beat Bobby Riggs - thanks,
Billie.
I still have the last Peanuts strip hanging by my computer. Hard to believe it's been nearly 10 years.
Charlie Brown (and Sparky) will live forever.
The Fantagraph ics sets have been incredible . I remember years ago when the company first
announced the project; I was awestruck. These books are a must for Peanuts fans. They're so well
made, so lovingly produced.
Health
30 Rock
Immigration
Death & Dying
Islam
Christianity
MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »
FOLLOW HUFFINGTON POST
FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH
LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS
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Permalink | Share it
yukoner1 09:57 PM on 11/27/2009
Permalink | Share it
TheBaffler 09:26 PM on 11/27/2009
Permalink | Share it
FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH
LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS
Michael Giltz
Freelance writer and raconteur
Posted: November 27, 2009 06:02 PM
BIO
Become a Fan
Get Email Alerts
Bloggers' Index
2
0
views
WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird CrazyComic Strip "Peanuts" Comes Home
For The Holidays
Read More: Billie Jean King , Books , Charles Schulz , Comic Strips , Peanuts ,
Sports , Tennis , Title IX , Women's Rights , Entertainment News
Peanuts , arguably the most popular and influential
comic strip of all time, continues to flourish -- especially
during the holidays. From Halloween through
Christmas, Peanuts TV specials pepper the airwaves
and are watched endlessly on DVD. The music of VinceGuaraldi is a constant on the radio. Peanuts -related
merchandise like calendars, t-shirts, mugs and toys fill
the stores. And of course classic editions of the strip
continue to appear in newspapers worldwide. So it's
only fitting that the late Charles Schulz would have
celebrated his 87th birthday on Thanksgiving Day.
The best way to celebrate Schulz and his work is the
ongoing series being published by Fantagraphics . The latest volume -- The Complete Peanuts, 1973-1974
($28.99; Fantagraphics) -- is a lovingly produced volume that includes every strip from those two years
in a handsome hardcover book designed by Seth.
MOST POPULAR ON HUFFPOST
1 of 2
BIG NEWS: Ellen Degeneres | LeAnn Rimes | Levi Johnston | Movies | Energy Debates | More...
Don't Miss Tonight's Rare
Full Moon Eclipse
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Repeal Passes Senate
Procedural Vote
Sarah Palin Jabs Michelle
Obama's Anti-Obesity
Campaign
Al Franken The Most
Important Free Speech
Issue of Our Time
PHOTOS: 10 Things We've
Accidentally Learned From
Crime Dramas
Timothy Karr Obama FCC
Caves on Net Neutrality --
Tuesday...
PHOTOS: 13 Products
Most Likely To Be Made By
Child Or Forced Labor
John Boehner Strikes BackLOG IN | SIGN UP
Get Breaking News Alerts
Share
Comments
never spam
Like 37K
Like 40K
Like 5K
Like 10K
Like 1K
Like 7K
Recommend 3K
Like earlier editions, it's a thrill to read the strip chronologically and in one fell swoop. You get a far
better sense of Schulz's creative zig-zagging as he suddenly and unexpectedly finds himself at the tip of a
pop culture juggernaut. At this stage in the Seventies, Peanuts has become a phenomenon and will soon
turn into an institution, with all the resting on laurels that implies. It's a bit of a shock to realize Schulz
isn't even halfway through his run, which went from 1950 to early 2000, a remarkable 49 years in all.Yes, after 23 years, Schulz had made every artistic breakthrough that was in him and the rest wasconsolidation and the relaxation that comes with success. But the Seventies are the salad days, with the
soft decline of the 80s and 90s (inevitable and not without their rewards) still ahead.
Schulz still has some bite, such as the brilliant story arc in which Charlie Brown wears a sack over his
head to summer camp because he's got an embarrassing discoloration on his head. To his astonishment,Charlie Brown discovers that when no one knows his identity he is suddenly popular. Sports of course
remain a constant, with football and baseball and ice skating all mined for laughs. But tennis -- which
boomed in popularity in the Seventies thanks to Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and manymore -- seems the defining sport of this period.
As always, Fantagraphics pairs each volume with a celebrity introduction and in this case it's perfect:
Schulz's long-time friend and tennis legend Billie Jean King. (Her birthday, by the way, is on November22, just four days before Schulz.)
King won a remarkable 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles titles and has been an ardent supporterof women's rights both in sports and society at large. So it's touching to read that while she was traveling
the globe King found comfort in discovering Peanuts in the local newspapers and a special thrill when
Sparky -- as Schulz was known to his friends and loved ones -- mentioned her by name. She writes:
From time to time, Sparky included me in Peanuts . A particular favorite of mine had Peppermint Patty
telling Marcie, "Has anyone ever told you that when you're mad, you look just like Billie Jean King?"Trust me: my friends had a heyday with that one.
Sparky referenced me several times in Peanuts and it was his way of letting me know that we needed
to talk or just catch up with one another. He rarely phoned me, but when he wanted to check in, he
1 of 5
Billie Jean King
Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Is a
Big Deal
Al Franken
The Most Important Free Speech
Issue of Our TimeDON'T MISS HUFFPOST BLOGGERS
HOT TRENDS
johnston in playgirl kim zolciak
pregnant miley cyrus
lap dance video
sarah palin michelle
obama shania twain Against Sarah Palin
Amanda Knox Court Makes
Crucial Ruling
More Celebrity News at People.com
Like 250
Like 155
Ask Steven Tyler a
Question!
READ MORE
Missing Showgirl'sBoyfriend Abused Her,
Police Say
READ MORE
James Van Der Beek
Introduces Daughter Olivia
READ MORE
The Top EntertainmentNews Stories of 2010
'Biggest Loser' Ada Talks
Comments 4 Pending Comments 0View FAQ
33 FansWHAT'S YOUR REACTION?
Inspiring Funny Hot Scary Outrageous Amazing Weird Crazy
Shania Twain
Engaged To
Frederic Thiebaud
'The Fighter' Star
Amy Adams Talks
Weight...
Megan Fox In A
Bikini (PHOTOS)
Kardashian
Christmas Card:
The 'SNL' Spoof
(VIDEO)dropped a reference in Peanuts because we both knew I would read it every day I could. So I would
call him and we would talk and then -- you know what? -- life was better.
They originally bonded over their mutual support of Title IX, the groundbreaking law that has changed
the face of our society. But that was just the start of the friendship between King and Sparky.
While it may have been our mutual support of Title IX and our shared enjoyment of tennis thatinitially brought us together, it was a common love for life that kept us close through the years. Sparkytaught me to be truthful and through his comic strip he shared his real life experiences with each of us
on a daily basis.
Sparky was Charlie Brown. He was not a real talkative man, but was definitely a very deep thinker. It
was when he put a pen in his hand and went to work on a Peanuts comic strip he became insightful
and poetic, and truly exposed himself to the world.
In their work together and the careers they forged, both Schulz and King made an impact on society that
still reverberates today. Billie Jean King's work is ongoing. Schulz's legacy is Peanuts and it's being
presented beautifully in the ongoing series by Fantagraphics . And their impact on each other is captured
nicely in King's warm words. It's a fitting tribute to a fellow legend.
Follow Michael Giltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/michaelgiltz
More in Entertainment...
Wasn't it Fall of 1973 when Billie Jean King faced off with Bobby Riggs? One of those events where
us oldsters would have to describe to the youngsters what happened and then stare at our feet aswe try to explain why some people believed it was important that women athletes have theirprofession al accomplish ments smacked down and why some of us cheered so loudly when King
quieted "The Mouth." (I seem to recall that was Riggs' nickname.)
With the arguable exception of that kid that Peppermint Patty traded to Charlie Brown's team for the
funny round nosed kid (Snoopy), the best athlete in the strip was the aforementi oned PP. That was
so cool.TOP VIDEO PICKS
1 of 10
Vince Vaughn's New
Bundle of Joy
Paris Hilton's BikerBlunder
Scarlett and Ryan's DinnerDate
MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW
HOT ON FACEBOOK
HOT ON TWITTER
NBA
Video
PovertyHUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGESRecency | Popularity
dannyo152 08:47 PM on 11/28/2009
Permalink | Share it
SonnyBono 03:04 AM on 11/28/2009
More Celebrity News at Popeater.com
Tracy Morgan Undergoes
Kidney Transplant
86 Comments
PHOTOS: Paris Hilton
Dons Leather Bodysuit
128 Comments
Guess Who Got A Tattoo
Of Her Daughter
750 Comments
Pantsless Chloe Sevigny
'Needs Therapy' For
Vincent Gallo Sex Scene
515 Comments
Beneath the Feathers:
What 'Black Swan' Says
About Dancers
36 Comments
Nicolas Cage Buys
Pyramid Tomb
135 CommentsComments are closed for this entry
View All
Popularity, Parents
Lisa and Harry Trying for
Another Baby?
46 Fans
35 Fans
248 FansI still remember the ten bucks I made when I bet on Billie Jean King to beat Bobby Riggs - thanks,
Billie.
I still have the last Peanuts strip hanging by my computer. Hard to believe it's been nearly 10 years.
Charlie Brown (and Sparky) will live forever.
The Fantagraph ics sets have been incredible . I remember years ago when the company first
announced the project; I was awestruck. These books are a must for Peanuts fans. They're so well
made, so lovingly produced.
Health
30 Rock
Immigration
Death & Dying
Islam
Christianity
MORE BIG NEWS PAGES »
FOLLOW HUFFINGTON POST
FRONT PAGE POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT COMEDY SPORTS STYLE WORLD GREEN FOOD TRAVEL TECH
LIVING HEALTH DIVORCE ARTS BOOKS RELIGION IMPACT EDUCATION COLLEGE NY LA CHICAGO DENVER BLOGS
Advertise | Log In | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Careers | FAQ | Contact Us
User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type
Copyright © 2010 TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | "The Huffington Post" is a registered trademark of TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permalink | Share it
yukoner1 09:57 PM on 11/27/2009
Permalink | Share it
TheBaffler 09:26 PM on 11/27/2009
Permalink | Share it