Mutts: The Comic Art Of Patrick McDonnell [Hardcover]

Patrick McDonnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2003

Syndicated in over 500 newspapers, "Mutts" is one of the most popular comic strips in the world. This volume focuses on cartoonist Patrick McDonnell's work and includes not only a vast collection of McDonnell's "Mutts" strips but also sketches, artwork, sculpture and more. McDonnell's essay, which runs through the book and accompanies the illustrations, serves as autobiography, comic history, character explication and art history all rolled up into one. McDonnell discusses his days in art school, his cartooning influences and his earliest editorial work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is one of the best (comic strips) of all time." - Charles Schulz, Peanuts

About the Author

Patrick McDonnell began his career as a freelance illustrator and a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest, Forbes, Time, and many other national magazines. He is co-author of Krazy Kat: The Comic Art of George Herriman, published in 1986 by Abrams. In 1994 McDonnell created Mutts, and has since received numerous awards for his strip. Among the awards McDonnell and Mutts have received are: National Cartoonist Society's Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, 1999; National Cartoonist Society's Reuben for Comic Strip of the Year, 1997; Germany's Max and Moritz Award for Best International Comic Strip, 1998; Swedish Academy of Comic Art's Adamson Statuette, 1997; Harvey Award for Best Comic Strip, 1997, 1999, 2001; Ark Trust Genesis Award, 1997, 1999; and the PETA Humanitarian Award, 2001. John Carlin has been a lawyer, college professor, art critic, music producer, and TV director. He is currently organizing a survey of 20th-century American comics, cartoons, and comic books for the Museum of Contemporary Art and the UCLA Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. Co-founder of the media design and production company Funny Garbage, Carlin is also the founder and President of The Red Hot Organization, a not for profit music and television production company.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Abrams; 1St Edition edition (November 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810946165
• ISBN-13: 978-0810946163
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 11.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,245,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Patrick McDonnell is a New York Times best-selling author. He received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year in 1999, and Mutts was named Strip of the Year in 1997. A dedicated animal advocate and Genesis Award recipient, McDonnell regularly lends his talents to animal protection groups and issues, including the Humane Society of the United States, where he serves on the national board of directors. McDonnell was also recently elected to the board of directors of the Charles M. Schulz Museum. He is a native of New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whish I could give 10 stars for a beautiful book!, December 5, 2003

By 

J. Walker "kindrhino1" (Marietta, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mutts: The Comic Art Of Patrick McDonnell (Hardcover)

Often artists who draw for newspaper syndication rightly complain about how their work suffers when it is compressed into the small, ugly world of newsprint. If you've ever wanted to see your favorite strip full-size and gorgeous, and "Mutts" is that strip, then you will want to buy this book! McDonnell's art has never been more beautifully displayed on the printed page. For instance, in this wonderfully oversized book some color Sunday panels take up two whole pages while gaining, not losing, crispness and vividness in color, clarity and detail - elements lost in small newsprint.

Loyal afficinadios of McDonnell's "Mutts" will not be able to resist this fascinating book. Anyone interested in the evolution of and creative process behind comic strips will enjoy the work. The price may seem steep at first, but the sheer quality of the book as well as its content make it a bargain.

First, the book quality is first-rate: the glossy pages are heavy and clear, the binding is tight, and the illustrations leap off the page. The layout (well-conceived and artistic, as befits the subject) and accompanying text provide an enthralling history lesson of comic art in the 20th century (and how that history has influenced McDonnell - he even shows certain "Mutts" strips against other strips to illustrate where certain of his ideas originated). Of course, the book specifically displays the talent, sensitivity and humor of McDonnell. Finished strips are grouped into themes, e.g, characters (it's fascinating to see Ozzie come to "life,") or content (the important and endearing "Shelter Stories" gets its own section); these are accompanied by intriguing sketch work, doodles, preliminary drawings, and the like. (NB: for the reviewer who wondered why there were two bios in the book description; the other gentleman is an "editor" of sorts; he helped McDonnell compile work, organize it, and provide history. So it is relevant information, though it could be better labeled.)

In sum: for those "Mutts" fans who have waited to get a "little sneak peek" at the person responsible for "Mutts" magic, this book will be on your holiday gift list! It's already on mine!

I'm not sure I'd recommend *this* book for the "uninitiated" because of price and detail. Buy some of McDonnell's other collections first (I believe there are eight or nine) and let yourself fall in love with Mooch, Earl, Ozzie, and the rest of the "Mutts" menagerie. Then get this book and dive into this amazingly detailed look at the wonder and genius involved in creating the world of "Mutts" and a revealing look at the creator of that world.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yesh! A Book Better Than a Pink Sock!, January 7, 2004

By 

R. Stolzer (WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mutts: The Comic Art Of Patrick McDonnell (Hardcover)

Patrick McDonnell's work is among the very best gracing the newspaper comic strip pages today. There is a genuine quality to his work; an honesty that shines forth from the funnies. It is truly wonderful to see Abrams honor McDonnell and "Mutts" with this absolutely terrific monograph. The design of the book is scrumptious. Each page is carefully considered and I love the way that the designer combined sketchbook doodles and finished comic strips. It was also great to see references given for the Sunday page logo panels. They bring you just a little bit closer to the work.

And the work is really the main event here. The reproduction quality is glorious, giving us a sneak peak at what originals might look like. The color--oy, what color--is beautifully printed. If you can't see the original drawings, this book is the next best thing. The selection of work is great. They chose some of Mutts' very best, including the wonderful ice cream cone gag! That one remains one of my very favorites.

There are some really nice insights here, though they're not overblown. Like the strip itself, McDonnell writes in a true, succint way, then he lets his strip do the talking. You really get a sense of how invested he is in his creation.

If you're a Mutts fan, you can't pass this book up. And if you know of any Mutts fans who don't yet have this book, you can bank a bunch of karma by buying a copy for them. They'll love you more than a pink sock for it.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good, but not much is new here, May 2, 2004

By 

Jeffrey H., Wasserman (Central Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mutts: The Comic Art Of Patrick McDonnell (Hardcover)

One of the best new comic strips to come down the pike in the last ten years is Patrick McDonnell's Mutts.

Cute doggie Earl and rascally Mooch have an understated charm that's reminiscent of the relationship between Snoopy and Charlie Brown before Snoopy took to the air in his imaginary Sopwith Camel.

Mutts is a down-to-Earth examination of how pets fit into the lives of their masters and vice-versa.

McDonnell's sensitivities derive from his simple yet eloquent style that draws upon the love and empathy that the strip's characters have for each other.

The book itself is a wonderful reprinting of many of his best daily and Sunday color strips. Also included are notes that cite the sources of the title panels of the Sunday strips that pay homage to old record albums, comic book covers, famous works of art, and movie posters.

The true fan of the Mutts strip will consider this book a 'must-have'. However, I have to admit that if you've been purchasing the Mutts collections printed so far, there's scant new material in this book. For a book of its size, the autobiographical information is very lean. There was probably more to read about McDonnell in a recent Star-Ledger newspaper interview than in this book.

I bought it for myself as a frivolous, self-indulgent treat. You might not want to do likewise.