Synopses & Reviews
Before authoring one of the most beloved children’s book series of all time —
Harold and the Purple Crayon —cartoonist Crockett Johnson created the comic strip
Barnaby for over ten years (1942 to 1952). Its subtle ironies and playful allusions never won a broad following, but the adventures of 5-year-old Barnaby Baxter and his fairy godfather Jackeen J. O’Malley was and is a critical favorite.
Fantagraphics will introduce the wonders of Barnaby to a new generation of children and parents alike. Co-edited by Johnson biographer Philip Nel (Dr. Seuss: American Icon) and Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds, with art direction by graphic novelist Daniel Clowes (Ghost World), this five-volume Barnaby series will collect the entirety of the original newspaper strips from 1942-1952. The first volume will collect all the strips from 1942 and 1943.
Barnaby revolved around a precocious five-year-old named Barnaby Baxter and his fairly godfather Jackeen J. O’Malley. Yet O’Malley, a cigar-chomping, bumbling con-artist and fast-talker, was not your typical protector. His grasp of magic was usually specious at best, limited to occasional flashes, often aided and abetted by his fellow members in The Elves, Leprechauns, Gnomes, and Little Men’s Chowder & Marching Society.
Barnaby’s deft balance of fantasy, political commentary, sophisticated wit, and elegantly spare images expanded our sense of what comic strips can do. With subtlety and economy, Barnaby proved that comics need not condescend to readers. Its small but influential readership took that message to heart.
Review
"I think, and I’m trying to talk calmly, that Barnaby and his friends and oppressors are the most important additions to American arts and letters in Lord knows how many years." Dorothy Parker
Review
"One of the best comic strips of the 20th Century and one of the most beloved older strips for a generation of devoted adult comics fans, Barnaby had become in the last decade and a half the great unsigned strip collection." The Comics Reporter
Review
"I think, and I’m trying to talk calmly, that Barnaby and his friends and oppressors are the most important additions to American arts and letters in Lord knows how many years." Dorothy Parker
Review
"I never thought I'd see this day, but the book you hold is, well... the last great comic strip. Yes, there are dozens of other strips
Review
"One of the great, hard-to-find, classic comic strips." Rich Barrett
Review
"Crockett Johnson's [is] one of the finest and most thought-provoking comic strips ever created.... As expected, this book meets Fantagraphics's usual high standards for bringing the pen-and-ink classic comics back to life." Michael Taube
Review
"A wonderful read with humor that stems from the tension between suburban expectations and a yearning for a more creative, magical way of living." The Washington Times
Synopsis
Before authoring one of the most beloved children's book series of all time, cartoonist Crockett Johnson created the comic strip Barnaby for over ten years (1942 to 1952). It never won a broad following, but it was and is a critical favorite. Barnaby revolved around a precocious five-year-old named Barnaby Baxter and his fairy godfather Jackeen J. O'Malley. Yet O'Malley, a cigar-chomping, bumbling con-artist and fast-talker, was not your typical protector. His grasp of magic was specious at best, limited to occasional flashes, and often aided and abetted by his fellow members in The Elves, Leprechauns, Gnomes, and Little Men's Chowder & Marching Society. This five-volume Barnaby series will collect the entirety of the original newspaper strips from 1942-1952. Barnaby Vol. 1 will collect all the strips from 1942 and 1943.
Synopsis
A legendary comic strip finally given the Fantagraphics treatment.
About the Author
Crockett Johnson was the pen name of cartoonist and children's book illustrator David Johnson Leisk (October 20,1906-July 11, 1975). He is best known for the Harold series of books begun with Harold and the Purple Crayon and for the comic strip Barnaby. He was married to the children's book author Ruth Krauss, with whom he collaborated on several books, including The Carrot Seed.Daniel Clowes, a multi-Harvey, Eisner and Ignatz Award-winner, is a Chicago native living in Oakland, CA, with his wife Erika. His many books include David Boring, Ghost World, Wilson, Ice Haven, Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron, Caricature, and 2011's Mister Wonderful.Eric Reynolds is the Associate Publisher of Fantagraphics Books and lives in Seattle, WA.