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Positively Pogo
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
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About the author
Walt Kelly
394 books53 followersAmerican 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."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 6, 2017
Walt Kelly called it, almost: a foreign power tampering with the American electoral process. Here in the latter part of this collection of comic strips from the mid-1950s is a sinister character, Mr. Pig, with a small bird on his shoulder who seconds everything Mr. Pig says, “You said it.” Mr. Pig is a foreign agent who tries to “reform” our presidential election process. When I read his character aloud I couldn’t help but do it in a Russian accent. Our mistake, according to Mr. Pig, is running two (or more) candidates. We need to run just one so he gets 95% of the vote. In the event, Mr. Pig, unlike Putin and Trump, is run out of the swamp. The mob of voters proclaiming “We likes voting in two or three directions,” as they chase the agents away. Sigh. In 2017, via the Electoral College, we decided differently, apparently preferring the interference and its outcome, and may live to regret it. Or not.
But, regardless, it is a wonderful antidote to these times to be reading vintage Kelly cartoons with their wit, wordplay, absurdity, and foundation of great humanity among the critters who dwell in the Georgia swamp. Pogo and his friends wrestle with the death of entertainment—it’s been replaced by TeeVee; how to improve our currency by printing money on food, which in part results in a donnybrook between Howland Owl and Churchy LaFemme when the owl demands to know how the turtle will make his fortune and Churchy responds by revealing he will be making money, which results in a one question Who’s on First argument. But how? By making money. Yes, but how? By making money!
Ol’ Beauregard Bugleboy, a hounddog and Albert Alligator think about taking a trip but are dismayed that they are not missed before they have gone. In their misery, they come to blows over who is whose best friend. There are also investigations of what is funny, proper casting for a TeeVee series on a dog, proper parenting, and proper scientific instruments for a mission into space. Somehow secret plans and spy etiquette, food stealing etiquette, the 1956 Olympics in Australia going interplanetary—Mars participates, and a moose rescues a mouse and a possum with a little help from Santa all come up for exploration.
In the course of the various narrative plots the following wisdom is dispensed: “He jes’ innerested in talkin’…makin’ sense is a entirely differ’nt talent.” “By jing, it’s gittin’ so a man can’t even depend on his enemies.” When Pogo decides he is too young to vote or run for president, Albert volunteers to take his place. “You ain’t any older’n me!” Ever the patriot, Albert replies “But I’m willing to lie for my country.” It is often laugh out loud stuff and always lyrically and visually striking. My hat is ever off to Mr. Kelly.
But, regardless, it is a wonderful antidote to these times to be reading vintage Kelly cartoons with their wit, wordplay, absurdity, and foundation of great humanity among the critters who dwell in the Georgia swamp. Pogo and his friends wrestle with the death of entertainment—it’s been replaced by TeeVee; how to improve our currency by printing money on food, which in part results in a donnybrook between Howland Owl and Churchy LaFemme when the owl demands to know how the turtle will make his fortune and Churchy responds by revealing he will be making money, which results in a one question Who’s on First argument. But how? By making money. Yes, but how? By making money!
Ol’ Beauregard Bugleboy, a hounddog and Albert Alligator think about taking a trip but are dismayed that they are not missed before they have gone. In their misery, they come to blows over who is whose best friend. There are also investigations of what is funny, proper casting for a TeeVee series on a dog, proper parenting, and proper scientific instruments for a mission into space. Somehow secret plans and spy etiquette, food stealing etiquette, the 1956 Olympics in Australia going interplanetary—Mars participates, and a moose rescues a mouse and a possum with a little help from Santa all come up for exploration.
In the course of the various narrative plots the following wisdom is dispensed: “He jes’ innerested in talkin’…makin’ sense is a entirely differ’nt talent.” “By jing, it’s gittin’ so a man can’t even depend on his enemies.” When Pogo decides he is too young to vote or run for president, Albert volunteers to take his place. “You ain’t any older’n me!” Ever the patriot, Albert replies “But I’m willing to lie for my country.” It is often laugh out loud stuff and always lyrically and visually striking. My hat is ever off to Mr. Kelly.
March 1, 2020
The political satire is as relevant today as it was in 1956.
September 8, 2024
Absolutely delightful. Covers the Australian Olympics in 1956.
August 31, 2016
Classic collection from 1956 -- comments on the World Series, the US election process, the budding TV industry, and relations with the USSR. And Pogo goes to the Olympics in Australia! Kelly can always be counted on a classic line or two, and Albert had a good one: "You is a leaky bag of donut holes." Of course, donut holes were merely holes and not pastry back then ...
May 2, 2012
So the fact that I love the Pogo comics and Moomintroll comics/stories so much makes me wonder what else might exist out there in this mid-century pastoral vein. If you have any leads please pass them on, as this stuff is such a joy to me.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews