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PBS is probably my favorite comic series of all time. This book does not dissapoint. It is as funny and insightful as the rest of Pastis' works.
Stephan Pastis' MACHO MACHO ANIMALS provides another fine 'Pearls Before Swine' comic strip collection and is a highly recommended pick for any library strong in comic strip books. All the favorites from the strip are here, making for a fun collection. Highly recommended.
Pearls Before Swine is one of my favorite strips and this book continues the fun. Pastis has an extrememly odd way of looking at things and his twisted take on life never fails to bring a laugh. Even if you read the strip everyday you will enjoy this book by one of the funniest artist/authors around.
A couple of pages give me a good laugh, and kind of clears my head before sleep. You never know what is going to happen next, and this kind of humor appeals to me. I keep this book near the bed, and I'm savoring it. And I get my morning dose of Pearls with my comics.com subscription. There is no better medicine than laughter.
I'm biased, I know, because "Pearls Before Swine" is my favorite comic strip in newspapers today. The comics featured in the book were seen in newspapers from around the first part of April 2006 through about the middle of May 2007. Some of my favorite story lines include when the son of one of the Crocs decides to become a vegetarian and starts dating the niece of Zebra; Guard Duck's ill-fated romance with a non-anthropomorphic duck; Rat's election bid for mayor; an appearance by Abe Lincoln; and "Pearls" take on the news of the semi-retirement of Bill Amend from "Foxtrot". The strip might not have any moving plot lines and isn't filled with drama, ala "Funky Winkerbean", but it is full of fun, laughter, and wit.MACHO MACHO ANIMALS is the 7th collection of "Pearls Before Swine" strips. Of course, characters named Timmy don't last long in the "Pearls" world.Overall, MACHO MACHO ANIMALS is a good collection of strips. The book includes a forward by Bil Keane, the creator of "Family Circus". But if I was able to put aside that bias, I would still have to admit that "Pearls" is one of the best comic strips running in newspapers. Rat, Pig, Zebra, Goat, the Crocs, and Guard Duck are all featured.
Fans of Keane and "Family Circus" might get the impression that Keane doesn't like Stephan Pastis or "Pearls" because his introduction is a scathing satire. In fact, Keane is a big fan of Pastis and gave him permission to parody his strip in 2005 (seen in THE SOPRATOS). There's also a few strips with a character that I would like to have seen more of, Timmy the Anteater. It's a must have for "Pearls" fans and would be a good way to introduce a new reader to the strip.
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