Equal Time for Pogo

by Walt Kelly

FIRST EDITION

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Comics, Comic Strips

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

American animator and cartoonist best known for the classic funny animal comic strip, Pogo. He won the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award in 1951 for Cartoonist of the Year, and their Silver T-Square Award in 1972, given to persons having "demonstrated outstanding dedication or service to the Society or the profession."

Reviews

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this book up somewhat randomly at a library sale. I was familiar with Pogo and Walt Kelly but had never actually read any of the comics. When I realized this book centered around the 1968 Presidential election I thought it would be interesting to see how prescient this book might be when it came to politics. I figured a lot would carry over to today. Unfortunately that was not the case, at least in regard to this book. I often had little awareness or understanding of what Kelly was lampooning. The drawings were nice though.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I heard Pogo was an early inspiration for Bill Watterson.

I can see it in the art. The subject matter is almost Political Cartoon in nature. The text is outdated and lays it on thick with mispronouncing words for comedic effect that grates not too long into it.

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pogo was one of the great cartoon strips of the mid 20th century, lampooning the foibles of our political class, among other things. The characters of the strip are unforgettable, set in the Okeefenokee swamp.

[Craig Werner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the wind-up toy presidential candidates. Classic Pogo from 1968.

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I was young my father had a Pogo collection (don't remember which one), and I enjoyed reading it. At that time I think I just laughed at the funny animals and their funny way of talking. Reading this collection as an adult, and one that wasn't even born when originally published, I now realize that this is mostly political humor, making fun of politicians that I don't know. Thus, I didn't get a lot of the jokes. Some of the jokes apply to any political age (the idiocy of political pollsters, the idiocy of the continual campaign, the idiocy of the voters, etc.), but overall the humor here doesn't appear to have aged to the point that someone from beyond that time can really enjoy it.