The Crass Menagerie, 9: A Pearls Before Swine Treasury

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE has grown exponentially in just a few years from being a small, West Coast comic strip to becoming a national powerhouse and one of the best comic strips being published. The strips are sometimes edgy, often relevant, and always funny (even at their lamest). THE CRASS MENAGERIE is the latest collection of Pearls strips and includes about a year and a half's worth of strips. I'm not sure of the exact dates, but if my memory doesn't mistake me these strips ran from about the beginning of 2005 to the middle of 2006. Many of the strips include notes and commentary by Pastis. Even if you own every other collection of PEARLS, this treasury is worth owning for the notes from Pastis alone. PEARLS BEFORE SWINE remains my favorite current running comic strip, but this collection includes some of my favorite strips of all time from the series, including Pig's remote-controlled heart and the short-lived new neighbor the Orca (Killer Whale). Also featured in this volume is the general physical evolution of the crocs; the introduction and evolution of guard duck from being a violent and somewhat psychotic bird to the best guard animal on the planet; Lil' Bear's trip out West to find the one man who could have united the country; the series about Pig's arch nemesis the anemone; the introduction of the miniature Vikings; Rat's adventures babysitting the BABY BLUES kids; and PEARLS attempt to crash Blondie's 75th Anniversary Party. The end of the book includes a short section entitled "The Not Ready For Prime Time Comic". Featured are several comics that were either rejected and not published before as well as some strips as they were originally submitted before they had to be edited. There's also one strip that Pastis started but was never able to complete. Overall, this is a great collection of PEARLS BEFORE SWINE strips and an item that any fan of the strip is sure to enjoy. Also recommended for people who just enjoy reading good comic strips.

This is destined to become a classic among comic treasuries. The first time I read a daily strip featuring the clueless but lovable "crocs," I was hooked. Only someone as brilliant as Stephan Pastis could have conjured up a married crocodile named Larry, who holds a job, drives a car, shops at Safeway, writes "Fresh Zeeba Meat" on buckets of chicken from KFC, and proves himself to be a totally inept predator. Along with Larry and his fellow crocs are a wary zebra, an opportunistic rat, a kind-hearted but naive pig, and a trigger-happy duck. Mr. Pastis includes commentary on many of the strips, thereby giving the reader a glimpse into his creative, somewhat cynical mind. He also pulls some creative shenanigans reminiscent of Thornton Wilder's Our Town by incorporating other cartoonists' work into Pearls. Buy a copy today...you will love it!

Do you ever wonder what goes through a cartoonist's head (assuming they have one) when they concoct those cartoons? In the The Crass Menagerie, Pearls Before Swine cartoonist Stephan Pastis shares his thoughts, trials, and tribulations for many of his strips. Sometimes he feels he has to "tame" Rat's language. The snout and the accents of the Crocs evolve over time. Pastis enjoys sketching kitchen implements! I spent the day reading a doctoral dissertation. This is just what I needed to unwind those brain cells afterwards (along with a micro-brew!). Be warned! Pearls Before Swine is not an "in your face" comic. No graphic slapstick here; its humor is subtle, smooth, and slick. And if you don't care for it, a guard duck will be making a visit...

This third treasury collection of "Pearls Before Swine" establishes the strip as one of the top comics of its time. Stephan Pastis has created a stable of characters that have grown more endearing and enduring to the very fickle comics' reading fan. The strips' cast, including Rat, Pig, Goat, Zebra, Crocs, & Guard Duck, continues to deliver laugh-out-loud humor on a daily basis. The hilarity in this book just doesn't stop. It keeps coming page after page. Warning: don't drink milk while reading this book. You just might have it run out of your nose! Pastis' commentary on the background and basis of individual strips also adds insight into his creative process and thinking. The establishing of the popular new character Danny Donkey was particularly interesting. With Stephan Pastis at the top of his game, "The Crass Menagerie" just might be the best "Pearls Before Swine" compilation yet.

Even if you own the two other books this one is still worth getting or the full color Sundays and his commentary on select strips, which are insightful as well as funny. Pearls Before Swine is the best comic in print today. (Clavin and Hobbes being the best ever in my opinion) You should pick this book up and if you like it check out his other treasuries. You won't be disappointed or your money back.* *No guarantee on getting your money back.