Snoopy: Contact!

by Charles M. Schulz

Everyone's favorite beagle is back for more classic Peanuts fun in this collection of classic comics featuring some of Snoopy's wildest adventures!

Snoopy is one small dog with one huge imagination! From day to day, he can be found stalking the other Peanuts characters as a fierce ready-to-prey vulture, leopard, mountain lion, piranha, or creature from the sea. But his grandest flights of fancy are when he’s airborne as the Flying Ace on his Sopwith Camel seeking out the evil Red Baron. His forays take him through the World War I French countryside in repeated attempts to achieve his quest.

In Contact!, enjoy his adventures along with his other unusual catching bird burglars stealing his Van Gogh, challenging Lucy to an arm-wrestling contest, and becoming the Cheshire beagle.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Humor, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Childrens, Dogs

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

Charles Monroe Schulz was an American cartoonist, whose comic strip Peanuts proved one of the most popular and influential in the history of the medium, and is still widely reprinted on a daily basis.
Schulz's first regular cartoons, Li'l Folks, were published from 1947 to 1950 by the St. Paul Pioneer Press; he first used the name Charlie Brown for a character there, although he applied the name in four gags to three different boys and one buried in sand. The series also had a dog that looked much like Snoopy. In 1948, Schulz sold a cartoon to The Saturday Evening Post; the first of 17 single-panel cartoons by Schulz that would be published there. In 1948, Schulz tried to have Li'l Folks syndicated through the Newspaper Enterprise Association. Schulz would have been an independent contractor for the syndicate, unheard of in the 1940s, but the deal fell through. Li'l Folks was dropped from the Pioneer Press in January, 1950.
Later that year, Schulz approached the United Feature Syndicate with his best strips from Li'l Folks, and Peanuts made its first appearance on October 2, 1950. The strip became one of the most popular comic strips of all time. He also had a short-lived sports-oriented comic strip called It's Only a Game (1957–1959), but he abandoned it due to the demands of the successful Peanuts. From 1956 to 1965 he contributed a single-panel strip ("Young Pillars") featuring teenagers to Youth, a publication associated with the Church of God.
Peanuts ran for nearly 50 years, almost without interruption; during the life of the strip, Schulz took only one vacation, a five-week break in late 1997. At its peak, Peanuts appeared in more than 2,600 newspapers in 75 countries. Schulz stated that his routine every morning consisted of eating a jelly donut and sitting down to write the day's strip. After coming up with an idea (which he said could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours), he began drawing it, which took about an hour for dailies and three hours for Sunday strips. He stubbornly refused to hire an inker or letterer, saying that "it would be equivalent to a golfer hiring a man to make his putts for him." In November 1999 Schulz suffered a stroke, and later it was discovered that he had colon cancer that had metastasized. Because of the chemotherapy and the fact he could not read or see clearly, he announced his retirement on December 14, 1999.
Schulz often touched on religious themes in his work, including the classic television cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965), which features the character Linus van Pelt quoting the King James Version of the Bible Luke 2:8-14 to explain "what Christmas is all about." In personal interviews Schulz mentioned that Linus represented his spiritual side. Schulz, reared in the Lutheran faith, had been active in the Church of God as a young adult and then later taught Sunday school at a United Methodist Church. In the 1960s, Robert L. Short interpreted certain themes and conversations in Peanuts as being consistent with parts of Christian theology, and used them as illustrations during his lectures about the gospel, as he explained in his bestselling paperback book, The Gospel According to Peanuts, the first of several books he wrote on religion and Peanuts, and other popular culture items. From the late 1980s, however, Schulz described himself in interviews as a "secular humanist": “I do not go to church anymore... I guess you might say I've come around to secular humanism, an obligation I believe all humans have to others and the world we live in.”

Reviews

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

part of my ongoing snoopy phase, which is now just my life.

this ruled, like always.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

I'd only read Woodstock: Master of Disguise before reading this Peanuts collection (my Netgalley copy of Snoopy: Master of Disguise was corrupted and couldn't be corrected unfortunately), but I really enjoyed reading this collection as well.

Mostly very short comics, but with some often reappearing themes it was a very nice read, even for people who might be less familiar with the Peanuts gang and Snoopy in particular. But as a fan of the series, this brought back all kinds of nostalgic feelings.

Would recommend.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Snoopy: Contact!' is a collection of Peanuts reprints, featuring Snoopy. I loved this collection because many of the comics featured are from the late 1960s, which I think are the golden era of the strip.

The strips in this feature Snoopy as the great World War I Flying Ace, but we also see him as a vulture and a piranha. His Sopwith Camel is shot down by the Red Baron and he is stuck behind enemy lines. He is also snowed on, and his house gets burned down (including his Van Gogh!). He meets an unnamed bird that has problems flying and is confused about his direction. This bird wouldn't get a name until later in the strip, but we know him as Woodstock. Charlie Brown also makes Snoopy manager of his team, and even trades him off to Peppermint Patty for 5 players.

I love Peanuts and especially Snoopy. He's always been a favorite of mine. The strips in here are reprints and colorized, but done well. There is a flip book cartoon that runs along the pages, and a section in the back with maps and flying terms from World War I, which would have been handy when I first read these strips, but it made me seek out encyclopedias to find out where Tipperary was and why it was such a long way. I think this would be a fun collection for kids, and I certainly had a great time reading it.

i received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received a free eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This is an amazing collection of the adventures of Snoopy, the cute little beagle with a huge imagination.

I really loved Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang when growing up, the TV show was amazing and it always made me laugh. Reading this, I felt like I was a child again, it brought back so many memories and made me feel so nostalgic.

It's great to see all these amazing characters he liked to play when being on his adventures, the best of all being The World War I Flying Ace with his Sopwith Camel, in his never-ending battle against The Red Baron. That's actually the one we see the most of in this collection.



And, even though Snoopy is the big star of this comic, Charlie Brown and his friends make it as memorable with their everyday struggles. I used to love Charlie Brown as much as I loved Snoopy, and it's funny that, now that I'm all grown up, I can relate more to his problems and identify with him. Little Chuck is a fighter.

We also get to see a lot of Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Linus, Schroeder and all the others, even little Woodstock, going on their own adventures like visiting a pumpkin patch and waiting for The Great Pumpkin, or even putting up a booth to provide psychiatric help for the other children.

This is a very entertaining read for people of any age, especially if you grew up watching the show or reading the comic strips.


More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant journey down memory lane for all Snoopy fans! There are lots of his adventures, dreams and antics in this fantastic collection of this classic cartoon character. This is a laugh out loud book with most of the infamous Peanuts characters, brilliant for dipping into whenever you feel like a laugh or need cheering up.

For many adults, including me, this will be delightful journey down memory land and it is certainly something I’d love to share. It isn’t a quick read, there’s lots to it, and this is a great way for people who haven’t read these comics before to do so now. Very highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a laugh ☺

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too for provided an ARC for me to read in exchange for this, my honest review.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SNOOPY: CONTACT!
Written and Illustrated by Charles M. Schulz
2015; 176 Pages
Genre: comic, children's, fiction

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)

4 STARS

I will warn you I am a big fan of Peanuts, especially Snoopy and Charlie Brown! I still remember my first watch - a blue Snoopy digital wristwatch and I also had a Snoopy electrical toothbrush. I enjoyed this collection of comic strips and it will be forever in my own collection. If you are a fan of the Peanuts gang....try this book!

k (My Novelesque Life)

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, this book is full of Snoopy and the Red Baron cartoon strips. Great fun.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: (Lucy) How can you be happy when you don't know what this year has in store for you? Don't you worry about all the things that can happen? That's better...live in dread...and fear...be sensible... (Snoopy) He he he he he he he.

Premise/plot: Snoopy: Contact! is a collection of Peanuts comic strips. Probably half of the comics in this collection feature Snoopy as a World War I Flying Ace in pursuit of the Red Baron. The other half in this collection focuses on all the characters and takes readers through all four seasons.

One of my favorite Flying Ace strips has Snoopy imagining himself landing behind the trenches having to crawl over/under barbed wire before he's spotted by enemy machine gunners. The barbed wire is really a jump rope in action. That comic is on page 14.

Another favorite strip has Snoopy singing for his dinner. I could really RELATE to this one. Charlie Brown ends the strip saying, "I must admit he's a very satisfying person to cook for." This strip is on page 29. (Page 30 has a great summer-themed strip.)

A little later on readers see Snoopy going through a photo album. What's making him so happy? He's looking at pictures of all the supper dishes he's ever owned. (107)

Ever wondered if Snoopy is the kind of dog to make plans?

(Charlie Brown) Well, Snoopy, what are your plans for today?
(Snoopy) Plans? I hadn't even thought about it. But I suppose I'll sleep a little this morning...then this afternoon, I'll take a short nap, and later on I'll try to get more sleep...those are good plans. (54)

One of my favorite winter-themed strips has Snoopy skating. Snoopy has had to do a lot of his practicing at night...because otherwise he's "surrounded by flocks of admiring girls..." (141).

My thoughts: I really love this collection. Snoopy and Linus are my favorite characters from Peanuts. The book is a quick read. I often found myself wanting to share strips with others.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“How in the world am I going to get my troubles in a ‘kit bag’?”

Snoopy as an imaginary fighter pilot… fits with my recent unusual two cinema viewings of Top Gun, but Snoopy is far more believable as a fighter pilot than Cruise or Teller…!

Despite the comedy history nods, there are still the classic emotional nods too - The Kennel house burning down sadness, the unknown leaf on nose terror - I inhaled this in a perfectly silent morning snatched moment - one of my favourites from the series so far

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much Red Baron roleplay for my taste.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been enjoying Kai's comic and graphic novel readathon this week that has gotten me to pick up some fun classic comics like this Snoopy and the Peanuts character comic strips compiled into one of many volumes available.

Most of the comics in this one were Snoopy and his Sopworth Camel fighting the Red Baron, Charlie Brown and baseball, some seasonal ones including Linus and his The Great Pumpkin, always fun when Lucy visits Schroeder at his piano and Snoopy visits Lucy's advice booth. Charlie and his dog, Summer camp, and Woodstock visits.

This was fun and brought back great memories. The comics were colorful and vivid. I look forward to picking up other volumes in this series.

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the best. There aren't enough stars in the sky...

[David Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL ASAP

[Remo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi padre leía pocos tebeos, pero de los peanuts tenía por lo menos quince libros en sus estanterías. En el proceso natural de absorción y descarte de las estanterías de mi padre descubrí a Charlie Brown, el antihéroe, y a Snoopy y a Woodstock, héroes peculiares, y a Linus y su manta, y a Schroeder y su piano, y a Lucy, enamorada de Schroeder, y a Patty y a Sally, y a todos los demás. De trazo simple, con líneas argumentales que oscilaban entre una y doscientas tiras, Charles Schulz creó durante 50 años (solo Ibáñez ha sido más prolífico durante más tiempo) un pequeño universo al que he vuelto alguna vez, para comprobar con gusto que, si bien ya no me llama como antes, no ha envejecido mal.
Hay tantas tiras (más de 18.000 en 50 años, se dice pronto) que, como dicen de los Simpson, toda cosa que pase ha salido ya probablemente en una tira de Charlie Brown. Las leí sobre todo entre mis 10 y mis 15 años, pero cuando me he cruzado con alguna en años posteriores ha seguido aguantando el tipo y, por supuesto, se aprecian má mensajes destinados al adulto. La maravilla de las cosas bien hechas, que apelan a todos los públicos. Altamente recomendable.

[Heinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich bin ein grosser Fan von Snoopy und auch natürlich von den anderen Figuren von Charles M. Schulz, besonders Lucy und Linus, aber auch Charlie Brown. Diese stehen hier nicht im Zentrum, was etwas schade ist, weil mir die häufig vorkommenden Sprüche und Episoden von Snoopy als Militärpilot weniger gefallen. Trotzdem natürlich eine unterhaltsame Lektüre!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great collection of the Peanuts comics, especially because Snoopy was the focus and he's my absolute favorite! It had lots of variety, including Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace, Snoopy as a vulture, Snoopy acting as the baseball team manager, and more. I read the digital version and the colors were bright and vivid. Overall, a great comic book for any Peanuts fan!

[Agung Wicaksono · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berisi kumpulan komik baris Peanuts, terutama bertema Snoopy yang mengkhayal sebagai pilot Perang Dunia I melawan Red Baron. Membaca komik strip ini membuat saya jadi mengingat masa kecil dan bagaimana polosnya anak-anak dalam menjalani dunianya.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say??! Snoopy is "the man"!! LOL

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nice. It had some touches of World War 1 put into it. I personally find the combination of World War 1 and Snoopy's mischievous mind hilarious!

[Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

more fun with snoopy coming you way

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such nostalgia, I love reading snoopy

[Jayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was funny

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flying in the Sopwith Camel and other adventures.

[bmw m4 competition car guy]

it was a great book not that bad.

[Nathaniel Seagraves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Snoopy, but a lot of the strips in this book was red baron based, and after 120pgs I was done and wanted just the strips with anything, but the baron strips. All in all still amazing book!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something special about a Snoopy book. And when your youngest daughter checks it out of the library for you that just makes it that much better. Join Snoopy and some of his pals on some wacky Snoopy adventures in this great book where it is all Snoopy all the time. I love the focus on the greatest dog of all time. What an imagination this beagle, and Schulz, had.

[Pop Bop · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Solid Snoopy Collection

The first book collecting "Peanuts" strips came out in 1952, and for the next fifty years the Peanuts gang was a major part of public culture. Everyone knew Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang and most people were familiar with the main running story arcs. Of course, as is so often the case, some of the supporting characters became very popular in their own rights, and Snoopy was probably the most important and recognizable breakout character.

Well, time has not been kind to the physical reminders of the gravy days of the 50's and 60's. My old collections have torn paper covers, sad dried out spines, and brittle yellow pages. Who knew back then that those one dollar each collections needed to be printed on archival paper?

This collection is just right for anyone who wants a broad and reasonably thorough reminder of the best of Peanuts. As you might expect, the focus is on Snoopy rather than Charlie Brown, which is a final indignity that Charlie probably would have seen coming. But, because Snoopy was central to pretty much everything that went on, especially in the earlier days, (but without any thought balloons of his own in the very first years), a Snoopy collection ends up being a survey of the whole Peanuts gang.

I have to admit that I thought the whole World War I flying ace thing went on too long, and you do get a lot of that here. But you also get Snoopy the vulture, Snoopy the bane of Lucy's life, Snoopy and the birds, and of course Snoopy and long-suffering Charlie. There are also a fair number of stand alone bits that remind you that Snoopy could also toss off some deadpan commentary on the state of society, and there are some reminders that there could be a bit of edge and vinegar in the Charlie Brown world and in Snoopy's observations.

So, bottom line, if you'd like a nice Snoopy summary, or an easily accessible Kindle edition, or a fun book to look at with your little reader, this generous collection might very well fit the bill.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-54-days Adobe ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! Seeing the world from Snoopy's point-of-view is a complete turnaround.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Snoopy is one small dog with one huge imagination! From day to day, he can be found stalking the other Peanuts characters as a fierce ready-to-prey vulture, leopard, mountain lion, piranha, or creature from the sea. But his grandest flights of fancy are when he's airborne as the Flying Ace on his Sopwith Camel seeking out the evil Red Baron. His forays take him through the World War I French countryside in repeated attempts to achieve his quest. In Snoopy: Contact!, enjoy his adventures along with his other unusual encounters: catching bird burglars stealing his Van Gogh, challenging Lucy to an arm-wrestling contest, and becoming the Cheshire beagle.


This is one of the easiest reviews to do - simply because everyone knows Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the gang. And they are all here, full of life and read to make us laugh.

There is quite a lot of the classic Snoopy - battles with the Red Baron, making Lucy's life misery, hanging out with the birds and, of course, Snoopy and Charlie.

If you wish to visit your childhood, or to introduce your children to the legend that is Snoopy, this is the ideal book!


Paul
ARH

[Kimber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.

I received a copy of this book from Andrews McMeel Publishing on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a collection of Peanuts comic strips featuring Snoopy. Primarily they are about his adventures as a WWI pilot. There are a few other plotlines but they are mostly the WWI pilot things.

I love Peanuts comics and I do think the idea of these books is quite cute and fun, collecting similarly themed strips from throughout the comic's history. My issue with these books as they tend to be quite dull. We lose out on the storylines as they come in and out quite randomly. They're also very repetitive. These books are difficult to read in one go, they're more of a bathroom book to flip through randomly.

Worth a read if you're a Peanuts fan or want something to read in the bathroom. Definitely a good read for kids to flip through at the library or something as well.