The Best of Mutts: 1994-2004

Mutts

by Patrick McDonnell

Ten years. A decade. In dog and cat years it's even longer, and in cartooning years, well, it's just plain rare to maintain the popularity and consistent excellence that Mutts and Patrick McDonnell have achieved. In The Best of Mutts the 17th—and first-ever hardcover with Andrews McMeel Publishing—Mutts cartoon collection, McDonnell selects his favorite strips from the past 10 years.· Certain to be a much-sought-after holiday gift and a special tome for collectors and fans, this collection is divided into ten chapters, each featuring an introduction by McDonnell.

· Earl and Mooch, along with supporting sidekicks Shtinky Puddin', Sourpuss, Guard Dog, and Crabby, are featured. Including the Gift of Nothing, the introduction of the pink sock, belly rubs, angel visits, and the formation of the Mutts Book Club, this treasury collects more than 300 poignantly entertaining Mutts strips.

· Always striking a delicate balance between lighthearted fun and responsible social commentary, McDonnell's work has been recognized by critics and the popular press for its distinctive style, heartwarming humor, and strong yet non-preachy stand on responsible pet ownership, animal protection and advocacy, art and artist appreciation, the celebration of nature, and the sanctity of all life.

Mutts appears in 700 newspapers in over 20 countries and receives about two million visits each month to its official Web site, muttscomics.com

Genres: Comics, Humor, Animals, Cats, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Strips

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”

BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024.
McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.

THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”

In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.

McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.

You can sign up for the MUTTS daily email at mutts.com.

Reviews

[Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mutts es una de mis tiras cómicas favoritas. Las aventuras y disertaciones del perro Earl y el gato Mooch y un amplio reparto de animales y humanos han hecho la delicia de los fanáticos de las tiras cómicas y los animaleros durante ya casi 30 años. Esta antología cubre los primeros diez años y nos abre las puertas a la evolución de los personajes, tanto en su personalidad, como en los trazos de McDonnell. Esta primera década vio la aparición de Stinky Puddin' (defensor de los tigres y toda especie en peligro de extinción), Perro Guardián (perennemente encadenado en el patio de su dueño), Woofie (el labrador que "ama amar" a todo lo que se mueva), las ardillas (y su compulsión por lanzarle nueces a animales de cuatro patas y humanos por igual) y nos abrió las puertas de las entrañables historias de refugios (que han motivado a más de uno a adoptar en vez de comprar), los episodios de fallida y hilarante hibernación y las vacaciones veraniegas en la playa. A través de la introducción que precede a cada selección anual de Mutts, McDonnel se revela, no sólo como un magnífico un heredero de la gran tradición estadounidense de las tiras cómicas de cuatro paneles y sus episodios dominicales a todo color (en los que homenajea a sus grandes inspiraciones artísticas), sino también como un agudo observador de la personalidad y el comportamiento de los animales: Earl no puede ser más perro y Mooch no puede ser más gato de lo que son y muchos de los lectores de Mutts hemos notado parte de sus personalidades en los animales con los que compartimos nuestras vidas. Finalmente, cabe destacar la excelente traducción al español de Juan Carlos Álvarez, quien logró preservar la mayoría de los juegos de palabras y demás guiños lingüísticos del original y preservar su picardía e inocencia. En suma, una excelente compilación de una magnífica tira cómica.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mutts is likely the only worthwhile strip running in daily newspaper comics sections these days, so a tenth-anniversary collection like this is worthy of some attention. Patrick McDonnell has successfully found a happy middle ground between overt cuteness and something much deeper, often tending towards the sort of zen repose that made predecessors such as Herriman's Krazy Kat so worthwhile. The strongest part of Mutts has always been the inventive Sunday pages, which often begin with splash panels inspired by great visual artists of the past. This collection includes a healthy selection of the Sunday pages, and many daily strips besides, and it all adds up to a comprehensive overview of an important piece of the modern comics landscape.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed the Mutts comic strip in the newspaper, and then I saw something on PBS that showed Patrick McDonnell going to pet shelters to meet the animals and learn their stories for his Shelter Stories feature. I thought that was lovely, so I thought I'd support him and buy one of his books. This "Best of" is a retrospective of the first 10 years of the strip. Each year begins with an intro written by McDonnell about what developed in the strip. Then it shows both daily and Sunday comics from that year. The comics can be funny, poignant, or Zen-like.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! As a dog lover and brief cat owner, also so true!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wayyy better than Krazy Kat or any current strip. All hail Patrick McDonnell. All the feels.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick McDonnell selects the comics he considers his best from the first 10 years of the comic strip Mutts, 1994-2004. In the intro to each year's chapter, he gives some of the themes and characters he introduces that year: the little pink sock, shelter stories, the clam and mussel, the kitten who wants to save the tigers, etc.
Probably the best comic strip currently running in newspapers - alas, not in ours. Thank goodness it's available online or via email.
Highly recommended.

[Myra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was interesting to hear the cartoonist talk about his process and how the strip developed over the years. I did learn, however, that I can only read so much of Mutts at once. The shtick gets old from me quite quickly.

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have collection for all Mutts fans!<3

[Phillip Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice ten year retrospective of one of my very favorite comic strips! Mooch and Earl are great fun!

[Christopher Tennant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and fun. A memorable comic book as a kid

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love me some "Mutts" to lift my spirits! Not only do cats and dogs get along; Patrick touches bases/explains some of where his inspiration comes from, as well as what he is passionate about. (ex: human animal relationships, art, putting an awareness out there regarding animal shelters-pulling at heartstrings, endangered species) As well as making me giggle.

[Slow Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bits of it are cute. Some other bits are not. There's a lot of cat napping, dog being man's best friend as usual, a lot of forgettable characters except the main 2 but I must say some bits are pretty clever and heart warming. I just cannot recall after I have closed the book. This is a fantasy book and in reality no dogs can get along with cats.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a fun, happy and thoughtful read in a time when I need something easy and cheerful. I love that in a lot of ways, its much more than a comic strip.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While "Pearls" may be the wittiest and the funniest, "Mutts" is the cutest and most touching.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish this was a little more comprehensive. Patrick McDonnell's insights weren't very useful. I think he's too close to the strip to be able to see what's so great about it.

[Denise Talamantez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It chronicles about 10 years of mutts.

[Vali · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pet person, I love mutts. The cartoons aren't always laugh-out-loud funny, but they are always heart-warming.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who does not love Mutts? Mooch and Earl provide their usual shenanigans in the most adorable way. Very nice book, a keeper.

[Rizal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love and adore this Mutts comic strips collection!

[B.P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love MUTTS! And I mean this in only the non-creepiest of ways, but I want to live in Patrick McDonnell's brain :)

[Satthiya Kandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIG SHINY 5 STARS! I love this book! Get it the next time you guys stumble upon it in BBW! I mean it! Geddddit!!!!

[David Rickert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this as much as I thought I would. Too saccharine for me and the lisp is irritating. However, I appreciate that a strip like this exists.

[l · Rating 3 out of 5]

saw this at the library. it's very gentle. soothes my bar exam studying brain.

[Alger Smythe-Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh meh meh meh meh, meh meh, meh meh meh. Meh meh meh.

The most important thing that I discovered in this tenth anniversary edition of the Best O f the Mutts comic is that Mutts has always been the saccharine LOL CATZ waste of newsprint that it is today. All things to all people, Mutts presents no insights, no thoughts, no humor. Instead it is the mildest of mildly amusing animal strips. A Family Circle of the Garfield set. So mild in fact that even McDonnell's stab at satire with a Garfield inspired "Sourpuss" character rounds out the sharp edges of that other comic page perennial disappointment. I mean, come on, even "Get Fuzzy" had a period of relevance. If there is one upside, it is that McDonnell regularly has one eye on comics history. His compositions are lovely, the colors perfectly chosen, and the action (what there is of it) is well paced.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like animals, you need to read this collection. Especially if you or someone you know has a cat and/or dog. :)