Dog-Eared: Mutts 9 (Mutts)

By Patrick McDonnell

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0740747401
• ISBN13: 9780740747403
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.5" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing

Every Mutts book I get I love. There are so many that make me laugh and a few that just make me think that this could be a better world. I love Mutts!

Excellent as usual!

Mutts is my favorite comic strip. McDonnell has an amazing gift for drawing and composition that is so simple and yet so expressive. If you are not familiar with the Mutts cast of characters, you may want to start with an earlier anthology (Dog-Eared is the 9th) or visit muttscomics.com to get the rundown on all the characters. The principal characters of Earl the dog and Mooch the cat will be familiar to any dog or cat owner. The humor is innocent and refreshing. The "to-do" lists and New Year's Resolution strips in this issue are great, and of course, Earl's and Mooch's annual attempt to hibernate through the winter is hilarious.

I love Mutts

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.