Walt Kelly's Pogo Revisited: Instant Pogo / The Jack Acid Society Black Book / The Pogo Poop Book

by Walt Kelly

The cartoon antics of Pogo the Possum and his friends in Okefenokee provide a witty and satirical view of American politics, morality, social values, and behavior

Genres: Humor, Comics

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

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

[Nicholas Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I've been spoilt by the self-contained nature of the silt comic strips (in essence guaranteeing shirt and funny/charming vignettes, usually but not always servicing a greater story arc) but I found this collection somewhat rambling in direction and weak in the points it was making, especially the humour. This is harsh criticism, but Walt took on some big targets in his book and I would have expected clearer messages or in the least better storytelling as part of the narrative. He feels strongly about organised religion and fascism (the Ku Klux Klan, the "Jack Acid" (Nazi?) Society get a solid tarring, but it feels like things are nebulously discussed and never really dealt with in a satisfactory manner. Admittedly the 'problems' are not resolvable (I do not criticise Walt for being unable to resolve this problems of Communism, obviously), but as far as the fablelike element of his telling goes, you end up with a lot of whimsy, everyone says their set pieces, and there rarely are any resolutions of note - even in character behaviour.

I'm sure the more whimsical readers or politically minded on the issues of the time (the whole Jack Acid analogy really felt like it went over my head).. those aspects will reward readers who enjoy those things. It was a struggle to find as much in it as a fan of his funny and wise comic strips, however.

[ComicNerdSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn’t gel with me too much, but I appreciate the comics that show Kelly spreading his wings. Politically confusing, but pretty enjoyable still.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Pogo when I was a kid. I didn't even understand half of what was going on in those comics in the Sunday paper, but I loved musing and wondering. Nowadays this stuff is somehow fresh and spot on satire for the discerning adult. It appropriately warps young minds, as well, which I am always in support of. Note the operative word 'appropriately'. This stuff isn't about having a lot of arrogance (or 'attitude'), nor is it about sexual innuendo (though I must alert parents to half naked cave women in some scenes, not necessarily sexual, but there it is), or bathroom behavior. It is a verbal shish-ka-bob of political, cultural, and modern reasoning, all flame broiled by talking critters of the Southern persuasion. Pogo skewers everything! Pogo must be rediscovered. Unfortunately, this won't be by means of the Sunday paper, that dismal dried husk of a skeletal remains found alongside the internet highway. Books yet survive, and I have the highest hope in them, too. Vive la Pogo!