Patrick McDonnell possesses an elegance of line and narrative that both transcends and defines his medium. His artistry is in his Zen-like clarity, his simple direct address, and his unique understanding of the essential animal-human continuum. When one experiences MUTTS , one experiences genius." -Alice Sebold, author of The Lovely Bones
"Dog-Eared" is exactly what this latest collection from cartoonist Patrick McDonnell is destined to become. The brilliant assortment of simple-yet-complex strips will have readers turning its pages again and again, eager to revisit the charm, truth, and humor found within.
McDonnell's strip, highlights the adventures of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat, best buddies who regularly come in contact with Shtinky Puddin', Sourpuss, Guard Dog, and Crabby-as well as an assortment of whimsically rendered humans. This cast is capable of endless antics, interspersed with poignant views on both the animal and human condition. And whether they're raiding garbage cans or basking in full-frontal belly rubs, Mooch and Earl always have a comment to clinch the scene.
MUTTS is the kind of strip that comic readers find irresistible. "Dog-Eared" is the same kind of collection. One strip leads to another, and before you know it you've turned page after dog-eared page to satisfy a growing MUTTS addiction.
Patrick McDonnell’s comic strip, MUTTS, is celebrating its 30th anniversary, having appeared in over 700 newspapers across 20 countries. MUTTS has received numerous awards for its artistry and its animal and environmental themes. These include the NCS Reuben for Cartoonist of the Year, seven Harveys and the Eisner Humanitarian Award. Charles Schulz called MUTTS “One of the best comics strips of all time.”
BREAKING THE CHAIN: THE GUARD DOG STORY, a collection of his newsworthy story centered freeing MUTTS chained dog, Guard Dog, will be published in fall 2024. McDonnell’s latest book is THE SUPER HERO’S JOURNEY, a graphic novel love letter to Marvel Comics and Jack Kirby. It was on 11 ‘best of’ lists for 2023.
THE ART OF NOTHING, an oeuvre of McDonnell’s work, comprehensively celebrates Patrick’s comic strip career. McDonnell is also the author of New York Times bestselling picture books, including THE GIFT OF NOTHING and the Caldecott Honor winning ME...JANE (a childhood biography of Dr. Jane Goodall). Both have been adapted as musicals for the Kennedy Center stage. In addition, he has collaborated with spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle on GUARDIANS OF BEING and with poet Daniel Ladinsky on DARLING I LOVE YOU. HEART TO HEART: A CONVERSATION ON LOVE AND HOPE FOR OUR PRECIOUS PLANET is a collaboration with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has said “It is my hope that this book will open the eyes, minds and hearts of all people.”
In 2021, Ohio State University hosted Side Effects, a major exhibition of his large scale canvases. There will be a year-long retrospective of McDonnell’s comic strips, book illustrations and paintings at the San Diego Comic-Con Museum opening in January 2025.
McDonnell was a member of the Board of Directors of The Humane Society of the United States for 18 years as well as The Fund for Animals, and continues to serve as a director for The Charles M. Schulz Museum and D&R Greenway Land Trust.
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"Dog-Eared: Mutts" is a fantastic book. It was written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. It is no doubt that this book is the greatest I have ever read in my life. It combines 3 great things: humor, comics, and animals. Did I mention that I just adore the illustrations in this book? One thing that really stood out for me in this book was a specific comic strip. It said that apparently the difference between "here" and "there" was the "T." Mutts doesn't really have a main storyline. This book is what I like to call a comic book, a book with nothing but comic strips in it. These comics are actually ones that were written by McDonnell in the past. Thay are basically about the wacky life of animals in the neighborhood, and in the beach. You can still read Mutts comic strips in the newspaper. To tell you the truth, I wasn't really sure about this book. I heard of the Mutts comic series, but wasn't really sure. Then again, NEVER judje a book by its cover. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a laugh, or pictures of funny looking animals. Trust me, its a very good book.
Another collection of Mutts cartoons, humorous, some stand-alone, some stories, and some variations on a theme.
Features New Year's resolutions. Takes on "Roses are red, violets are blue" for Valentine's Day. A sequence of gags on bees. Mooch as the All Knowing Sphinx. Mooch's pet snail, that he names Little Earl. Mooch writing his autobiography. Worrying when on vacation -- Earl wants to know who's barking at the mailman.
McDonnel is a comic strip genius, in my opinion. His artistic talent combined with his wit and wisdom make for fun reading. One thing I particularly like about this Mutts collection is the wisdom of the Shphinx strips. I would suggest, though, that you start with the first collection of strips so you can get the full story behind Earl and Mooch and all their friends and family.