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Pearls Before Swine #10
When Pigs Fly: A Pearls Before Swine Collection
Smart, sharp, and sometimes cynical, Pearls Before Swine is our fastest growing cartoon property.
Cartoonist Stephan Pastis offers Pearls Before Swine fans a slam dunk with When Pigs Fly . Relax courtside and witness all of the action inside this breakout collection. Teeming with sharp wit and thoughtful insight, When Pigs Fly offers Pearls fans and sports fanatics alike a book full of caustically nuanced strips that mock the flaws and shortcomings of human nature.
Starters for Team Pastis include Pig (but you can just call him Air) playing forward with Rat offering an assist. In the paint, Zebra and Guard Duck box out those foul-tempered Crocs who believe they are ready to wipe the court with our Pearls all-stars. Meanwhile, Goat attempts to lead the team to victory--if only they would listen.
With multiple honors as Best Comic Strip of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society, Pearls Before Swine boasts an international fan base that follows the strip in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Catch the alley-oop action inside When Pigs Fly.
Cartoonist Stephan Pastis offers Pearls Before Swine fans a slam dunk with When Pigs Fly . Relax courtside and witness all of the action inside this breakout collection. Teeming with sharp wit and thoughtful insight, When Pigs Fly offers Pearls fans and sports fanatics alike a book full of caustically nuanced strips that mock the flaws and shortcomings of human nature.
Starters for Team Pastis include Pig (but you can just call him Air) playing forward with Rat offering an assist. In the paint, Zebra and Guard Duck box out those foul-tempered Crocs who believe they are ready to wipe the court with our Pearls all-stars. Meanwhile, Goat attempts to lead the team to victory--if only they would listen.
With multiple honors as Best Comic Strip of the Year by the National Cartoonists Society, Pearls Before Swine boasts an international fan base that follows the strip in more than 500 newspapers worldwide. Catch the alley-oop action inside When Pigs Fly.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2010
85 people want to read
About the author
Stephan Pastis
91 books445 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2020
Kinda funny sometimes. Doesn't hold a candle to far side or calvin.
May 19, 2014
As a kid in junior high, I always remember fighting with my brother over the comics section in the newspaper... As a young person, I was certainly not interested in the news. I fought with my brother over the comics section, but honestly, it usually sucked. The Peanuts, Mary Worth... WHY WERE THESE HORRIBLE COMICS STILL IN PRINT (Also don't try to comment on this review trying to defend Peanus... please). I don't remember the date when my newspaper began to include Pearls Over Swine, but I do remember reading it for the first time and laughing out loud. Why weren't all comics this funny?
As an adult woman, these comics still make me laugh. Sarcastic, rude, and sometimes not kid-friendly... but hey, who cares? I'm just interested in an actually funny comic.
This collection was well done and attractive, with some funny 'quotes' on the back. Also, there's a section at the end where the author showcases his early 'Pearls' comics and supplies some commentary. This addendum was cute, funny, and really helped me understand the author's artistic process and journey. I gained a new appreciation for 'Pearls', even though I already set this comic on a high pedestal.
I don't think these comics are for everyone, but please, go check them out!
As an adult woman, these comics still make me laugh. Sarcastic, rude, and sometimes not kid-friendly... but hey, who cares? I'm just interested in an actually funny comic.
This collection was well done and attractive, with some funny 'quotes' on the back. Also, there's a section at the end where the author showcases his early 'Pearls' comics and supplies some commentary. This addendum was cute, funny, and really helped me understand the author's artistic process and journey. I gained a new appreciation for 'Pearls', even though I already set this comic on a high pedestal.
I don't think these comics are for everyone, but please, go check them out!
April 14, 2018
If you like Pearls Before Swine, you'll like this collection. If you DON'T like Pearls Before Swine . . . you might like this collection?
Pearls Before Swine is a syndicated newspaper comic. It concerns anthropomorphic animals getting into all kinds of crazy shenanigans. A lot of those shenanigans involve copious swearing and violence. And, in the case of Rat, copious amounts of alcohol.
Pearls Before Swine is one of those newspaper comics that enjoys taking the mick out of other newspaper comics. It still has to operate within syndication guidelines, but its author, Stephan Pastis, tries to be as subversive as possible, going so far as to insert himself into the strip as the hapless creator and comic foil to his creations.
One of my favorite things about Pearls Before Swine is that self-deprecation, that for as much as Pastis makes fun of other comics, he also pokes a lot of fun at himself. He draws himself as a doofy-looking guy in a white shirt and a backwards baseball cap, five o'clock shadow. His meanest character, Rat, frequently tells him how terrible his strips are, and even the nicer characters are fairly critical. Some of the best strips, in my estimation, are when the animal characters set up a really sweaty pun, and then berate Stephan for it.
But Pearls also has its sweet moments, usually embodied by Pig. There's a nice balance of tones within this particular collection, alternating neatly between sweet and sassy, and I can really appreciate a smarmy, sarcastic comic strip also having a big heart.
This is a pretty good primer as to what Pearls is all about, AND it even has a few never-before-seen comics in the back. One of the best parts of the collection, however, is Stephan's introduction, in which he speculates on an apocalypse where everyone has a can of beans, and which cartoonists would steal his can and whose cans he would steal.
I can't speak to the re-readable value of comic strip collections. I'd read these things endlessly as a kid, but as I've gotten older, I've had to space out my rereadings so that the comics didn't seem too stable. Nevertheless, if you haven't read Pearls before, check this one out. It's pretty dang good!
Pearls Before Swine is a syndicated newspaper comic. It concerns anthropomorphic animals getting into all kinds of crazy shenanigans. A lot of those shenanigans involve copious swearing and violence. And, in the case of Rat, copious amounts of alcohol.
Pearls Before Swine is one of those newspaper comics that enjoys taking the mick out of other newspaper comics. It still has to operate within syndication guidelines, but its author, Stephan Pastis, tries to be as subversive as possible, going so far as to insert himself into the strip as the hapless creator and comic foil to his creations.
One of my favorite things about Pearls Before Swine is that self-deprecation, that for as much as Pastis makes fun of other comics, he also pokes a lot of fun at himself. He draws himself as a doofy-looking guy in a white shirt and a backwards baseball cap, five o'clock shadow. His meanest character, Rat, frequently tells him how terrible his strips are, and even the nicer characters are fairly critical. Some of the best strips, in my estimation, are when the animal characters set up a really sweaty pun, and then berate Stephan for it.
But Pearls also has its sweet moments, usually embodied by Pig. There's a nice balance of tones within this particular collection, alternating neatly between sweet and sassy, and I can really appreciate a smarmy, sarcastic comic strip also having a big heart.
This is a pretty good primer as to what Pearls is all about, AND it even has a few never-before-seen comics in the back. One of the best parts of the collection, however, is Stephan's introduction, in which he speculates on an apocalypse where everyone has a can of beans, and which cartoonists would steal his can and whose cans he would steal.
I can't speak to the re-readable value of comic strip collections. I'd read these things endlessly as a kid, but as I've gotten older, I've had to space out my rereadings so that the comics didn't seem too stable. Nevertheless, if you haven't read Pearls before, check this one out. It's pretty dang good!
July 1, 2021
Missing my mom as I am when this book came across the desk at work (I'm a Librarian) I decided to check it out. Pearls Before Swine is my mom's favorite comic strip and for good reason. Its caustic humor coupled with endearing characters (gotta love Larry the alligator and Pig) make this a delightful reading experience. If you've never read a comic strip collection before this could be a fun one to start with (or any of his other collections really) especially if you're in a reading slump and need a fast, easy read.
My one criticism (if you can call it that) is that there were a few strips that struck me as a bit insensitive/politically incorrect but maybe I'm just overly sensitive. O_O
My one criticism (if you can call it that) is that there were a few strips that struck me as a bit insensitive/politically incorrect but maybe I'm just overly sensitive. O_O
August 22, 2017
A collection of Pearls Before Swine comics that first appeared in newspapers from Nov 17, 2008 to Aug 23, 2009. Also includes 11 of Pastis' first comics he decided not to redo for newspapers with commentary on why.
These comics are a mixed bag. I often end up rolling my eyes at Pig and Rat's interactions and the crocodiles too, but every once in a while I find myself laughing out loud which is what keeps me reading. I particularly like how Pastis has his characters get upset at him for particularly bad puns. Definitely read the 11 comics from early in his career. It's a fascinating commentary, particularly as it points out parts of developing a comic most wouldn't immediately think of.
These comics are a mixed bag. I often end up rolling my eyes at Pig and Rat's interactions and the crocodiles too, but every once in a while I find myself laughing out loud which is what keeps me reading. I particularly like how Pastis has his characters get upset at him for particularly bad puns. Definitely read the 11 comics from early in his career. It's a fascinating commentary, particularly as it points out parts of developing a comic most wouldn't immediately think of.
May 10, 2021
All Hail the King of the Comic Pun!
As with all of Stephen Pastis's Pearls Before Swine Collections, another good anthology to savor!
The sarcasm, wit, silliness, humor, and yes, his famous long-winded puns provided some great laughter therapy for fighting off the stresses of life, and more recently my pandemic-related stress.
Thanks for the belly laughs, Stephen!
As with all of Stephen Pastis's Pearls Before Swine Collections, another good anthology to savor!
The sarcasm, wit, silliness, humor, and yes, his famous long-winded puns provided some great laughter therapy for fighting off the stresses of life, and more recently my pandemic-related stress.
Thanks for the belly laughs, Stephen!
January 21, 2026
A funny and clever read. It's nice to read them all at once instead of chopped up into the Sunday papers! I love how the artist can laugh at himself and even puts himself in the strip with his characters. I love how each character is unique as well. The alligators are hilarious!
September 29, 2017
Some of the content was hilarious, other parts, not so much. I did love it though when they made of a goofy sentence that sounds like a saying.
June 5, 2021
read in "pearls blows up" treasury
Read
April 8, 2025kind of feels like cheating on my reading goal by logging this but i forgot to bring my other book home for the night so here we are
February 10, 2011
Sometimes, it's nice to recognize a cynical sense of humor on the comics page. As so many comics try to be welcoming and accommodating, it's somewhat relieving to find a comic that kind of has it's own sense of oddness and carelessness going on, especially one where you see you and your friends in some of the joke setups and punchlines.
There are moments, however, when the cynicism of Rat becomes too much. But it can usually be countered with a random sweet-natured comic focusing on Pig. Also, just about everything the crocs do and say make me laugh.
There are moments, however, when the cynicism of Rat becomes too much. But it can usually be countered with a random sweet-natured comic focusing on Pig. Also, just about everything the crocs do and say make me laugh.
September 10, 2025
A bomb was delivered to Zebra's house. That's just one thing you'll find in this Pearls collection, when the Crocs attack Zebra's cousins, Rat forms a misanthropic society, and pigs fly.
December 30, 2010
Oh so funny.
October 8, 2011
best strip since Calvin and Hobbs
April 27, 2012
I love this strip, I've never been one to sit and read comic strips like this, but Pastis is hilarious.
August 22, 2012
Another great Pearls book! Who would have known that Rat speaks Yiddish?
October 20, 2012
Be sure you read his introduction on the "can of beans" test. I haven't implemented it yet, but I think most of my coworkers could take me. Unless I had my knitting needles. Beans would be mine.
March 2, 2015
It was kind of inapropriate.
September 21, 2022
Fantastic strip.
December 28, 2011
I love this strip.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews