A deluxe coffee table book celebrating the 75th anniversary of the beloved comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, The Essential Peanuts (Abrams ComicArts; October 7, 2025; $75; hardcover in a slipcase with a portfolio of bonus extras) by award-winning writer Mark Evanier presents the most iconic and essential Peanuts comic strips with fresh historical and cultural context. Featuring an introduction by Patrick McDonnell, a foreword by Jean Schulz, and contributions from sixteen notable commentators, the volume boasts a design by Chip Kidd plus a portfolio of collectible Peanuts ephemera—including postcards, prints, an embroidered patch, stickers, and a facsimile of a classic Peanuts comic book.
The Essential Peanuts builds upon Abrams ComicArts’s celebrated Peanuts publishing program, which includes the Eisner Award-winning Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts (Abrams ComicArts; April 2025; $29.99) by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear.
“Having loved Peanuts since I was about Charlie Brown’s age (and no more successful at kite-flying), I was thrilled when Abrams ComicArts asked me to spend weeks reading and writing about the comic strip that was so much more than just a comic strip,” says Mark Evanier. “The only drawback was that I tried writing the book sitting on the roof of a doghouse, but I kept falling off.”
“As we mark 75 years of Peanuts, this partnership with Abrams ComicArts is a testament to the lasting impact of Schulz’s beloved characters,” says Craig Herman, VP of Global Brand Experiences, & Publishing at Peanuts Worldwide. “Since being introduced to the world on October 2, 1950, Peanuts has been at the forefront of pop culture, and we can’t wait for fans to discover this extraordinary anniversary edition.”
Timed for its 75th anniversary, The Essential Peanuts underscores how and why the comic strip transcends cultural, generational, and linguistic barriers to remain relevant and beloved. By exploring the creative ambition of Charles M. Schulz, his wry commentary on childhood struggles and triumphs, and his enduring influence on art, literature, and everyday life, Evanier not only celebrates an incomparable legacy but also reveals the universal appeal at the heart of Peanuts.
In 1950, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang were first introduced to the world. In the 75 years since, Peanuts has become a global phenomenon, encompassing award-winning animated content, stage shows and live experiences, high profile collaborations, and retail programs around the world. Artists, musicians, philosophers, and fans have been inspired by Charles Schulz’s creation for over seven decades and there is no end in sight for this beloved cast of characters who speak so beautifully and simply to the human experience.
The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time
By Mark Evanier
Introduction by Patrick McDonnell and Foreword by Jean Schulz
Original Contributions by Robb Armstrong, Derrick Bang, Rob Boutilier, Paige Braddock, Alberto Brambilla, Benjamin L. Clark, Alexis E. Fajardo, Ben Folds, Sarah Gillespie, Chip Kidd, Amy Lago, Mike Massimino, Akio Matsunaga, Jeff Morrow, Hilary B. Price, and Shuntarō Tanikawa.
The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz: The Greatest Comic Strip of All Time
Arrives on October 7, 2025 from Abrams ComicArts
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