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Pearls Before Swine #4
The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised
Some believe that the key to humor is timing. Others think it lies in a slightly distorted presentation of the familiar. E. B. White thought that humor ceased to exist upon close examination. But if anyone has humor figured out, it's Stephan Pastis. His philosophy is written in black felt pen on the bulletin board in his home office. It reads: 'When in doubt, kill cute things.'"
Lock up your valuables. Stockpile your ammunition. Sandbag your bunker. The familiar foursome of Rat, Pig, Goat, and Zebra-joined now by the fraternity of Zeeba Zeeba Eata crocodiles are here to storm the ramparts of humor in The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised.
In this fourth collection from the award-winning comic strip Pearls Before Swine, Stephan Pastis deploys all the weapons of his comic arsenal in an all-out attack on the animal (and human) imperfections he sees around him. The result is a collection jam-packed with the sharp-edged humor that has made Pearls Before Swine one of the most successful comic strips running in newspapers today.
Just remember: As The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised makes clear, Pearls Before Swine takes no prisoners.
We warned you.
Lock up your valuables. Stockpile your ammunition. Sandbag your bunker. The familiar foursome of Rat, Pig, Goat, and Zebra-joined now by the fraternity of Zeeba Zeeba Eata crocodiles are here to storm the ramparts of humor in The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised.
In this fourth collection from the award-winning comic strip Pearls Before Swine, Stephan Pastis deploys all the weapons of his comic arsenal in an all-out attack on the animal (and human) imperfections he sees around him. The result is a collection jam-packed with the sharp-edged humor that has made Pearls Before Swine one of the most successful comic strips running in newspapers today.
Just remember: As The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised makes clear, Pearls Before Swine takes no prisoners.
We warned you.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Stephan Pastis
90 books444 followersStephan Pastis was born in 1968 and raised in San Marino, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989 with a degree in political science. Although he had always wanted to be a syndicated cartoonist, Pastis realized that the odds of syndication were slim, so he entered UCLA Law School in 1990 and became an attorney instead. He practiced law in the San Francisco Bay area from 1993 to 2002. While an attorney, he began submitting various comic strip concepts to all of the syndicates, and, like virtually all beginning cartoonists, got his fair share of rejection slips. Then, in 1997, he began drawing Pearls Before Swine, which he submitted to the syndicates in mid-1999. In December, 1999, he signed a contract with United.
Pearls Before Swine debuted in newspapers in January, 2002, and Pastis left his law practice in August of that year. Pearls Before Swine was nominated in 2003, 2004 and 2007 as "Best Newspaper Comic Strip" by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and won the award in 2004 and 2007. Pastis lives with his family in Northern California.
Pearls Before Swine debuted in newspapers in January, 2002, and Pastis left his law practice in August of that year. Pearls Before Swine was nominated in 2003, 2004 and 2007 as "Best Newspaper Comic Strip" by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and won the award in 2004 and 2007. Pastis lives with his family in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 6, 2017
This is one of those comic strips that it's easy to find funny - and at the same time will feel guilty for laughing. Wow, taking this book as a whole though will show you just how dark Pastis is in his humor - he's really very depressing for a funny guy. On the other hand, I still found that this book made me laugh, and helped me through a dark time of my own. So yes, definitely worth reading all of these collections if you can find them. Just...beware of the puns!
August 5, 2022
After reading the latest and greatest collections of Pearls Before Swine as of 2022, going all the way back to the fourth collection from 2006 was jarring. And really highlights have much the quality of the strip has gone up over the decades.
First, all the characters look different than their current incarnations. I don't think they are nearly as expressive since their faces are simpler. It's not something I ever realized in the modern strips until I read these older strips.
Second, the strips here are way too wordy. Pearls tends to have a fair bit of dialogue, especially in the pun strips, but here there's way too much dialogue in almost every strip. It's fascinating to see Pastis hone his craft and whittle down the words to the core components of the daily joke. I think that's something a humorist just has to learn over time.
Third, Pearls ragged on other comic strips a little often in its early days. Yes, the current strips still include digs at other strips, like Garfield and Family Circus. But in this collection alone there are multiple story lines that involve direct inclusions of other comic strip characters. Of course, that probably also felt more novel and edgy almost 20 years ago, before so much of media got mixed together (e.g. Ready Player One, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate).
One apparent notable event in this collection is the introduction of the crocs. They show up first in a sports competition between the crocs and the zebras, then return exchanging a series of letters with Zebra about eating Zebra's cousin, then finally the crocs move in next door to Zebra. These early incarnations of the crocs are not nearly as entertaining as the current versions.
The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised is interesting as a historical artifact for comparing to the modern strip. But for pure entertainment, you would be better served with a later collection or treasury.
First, all the characters look different than their current incarnations. I don't think they are nearly as expressive since their faces are simpler. It's not something I ever realized in the modern strips until I read these older strips.
Second, the strips here are way too wordy. Pearls tends to have a fair bit of dialogue, especially in the pun strips, but here there's way too much dialogue in almost every strip. It's fascinating to see Pastis hone his craft and whittle down the words to the core components of the daily joke. I think that's something a humorist just has to learn over time.
Third, Pearls ragged on other comic strips a little often in its early days. Yes, the current strips still include digs at other strips, like Garfield and Family Circus. But in this collection alone there are multiple story lines that involve direct inclusions of other comic strip characters. Of course, that probably also felt more novel and edgy almost 20 years ago, before so much of media got mixed together (e.g. Ready Player One, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate).
One apparent notable event in this collection is the introduction of the crocs. They show up first in a sports competition between the crocs and the zebras, then return exchanging a series of letters with Zebra about eating Zebra's cousin, then finally the crocs move in next door to Zebra. These early incarnations of the crocs are not nearly as entertaining as the current versions.
The Ratvolution Will Not Be Televised is interesting as a historical artifact for comparing to the modern strip. But for pure entertainment, you would be better served with a later collection or treasury.
July 20, 2018
Another great collection from one of the best strips out there. I love the cheesy puns, the breaking of the fourth wall and that Stephan Pastis doesn't take himself too seriously. Highly recommended.
December 21, 2025
Pearls Before Swine in a rougher state. Sure, Pastis liked to refer to other comics in his strips during these days, but he also made more interesting jokes. Maybe I'd like a treasury of this with some commentary so I know his thoughts during the time.
May 21, 2009
Pearls Before Swine spends a lot of time ragging on other newspaper comic strips for not being funny. You know, Garfield, Cathy, etc. I think I wouldn't mind that as much if I actually thought Pearls Before Swine *was* funnier than other newspaper-comics. But it's not, really.
August 29, 2007
Another great Pearls collection. I love Rat's inventions!
July 28, 2010
This comic book was very funny! My favorite joke was "The Roatch Motel"! It was an awesome book!
May 13, 2011
I love you rat, pig, crocs, guard duck, zebra, goat and everybody else! I love pearls before swine.
August 27, 2013
Absolutely hilarious
March 22, 2016
Just a great way to unwind after the day.
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September 1, 2012fun
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews