Thursday, March 19, 2026

Book review: The Pogo Sunday Book

Walt Kelly, 1956, The Pogo Sunday Book, Simon and Shuster. This book contains a series of stories that were published over a mess of Sundays. First, the Fountain of Youth is finally found, or is it? And who is rejuvenated to fry size? Next, the swamp gets a little education. But is Deacon Mushrat really qualified to run a school? Albert Alligator is appointed truant officer because he has so much experience with truancy. This is certainly going to end well!

Slipped into the middle is the tale of Goldilocks and the three bears, or two, or four, or even five. Who knows? Are all of these bears even alive, and how did the pelican blood get into the family? Oh, this book bears a read and a reread. Every Pogo book is silly, but this is one of the silliest, so if that's what floats your scow, you might start here.

On we go, through owl trouble, a Martian invasion, a good old fashioned food fight, and a lifelong duel to the death. I remember reading Pogo comics in the Sunday papers, and they never made any sense at all. Good though.

At the time of writing this review, you can get this book for about $12 including shipping.

031926

I design websites 

for the gullible 

writers ain't that dumb 

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Book review: We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us s

Walt Kelly, 1972, We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us. Simon and Shuster. This book is in two parts. Part one concerns pollution and our collective responsibility for it. The book title is probably the most well known of Kelly's aphorisms. The concept seems a bit outdated, as we now recognize corporate responsibility for most pollution, but we are all implicated to some degree. This part of the book takes place chiefly in the Fort Mudge dump, where a pig and piglets ply their trade. We also get a glimpse into the workings of the Okefenokee volunteer fire department, or lack thereof.

The second half of the book provides an amusing look at the Nixon White House. A hyena, easily recognized as Spiro Agnew, an eagle representing AG John Mitchell, and J Edgar Hoover, portrayed as a bulldog, invade the swamp. A highly sensitive computer, secretive paper dolls, and prescient wire taps ensue, along with the usual Kelly confusion. The only Pogo book with two completely separate political sections. Also noteworthy for its emphasis on pollution. NOT the only one featuring the Agnew hyena.

My favorite character is the computer. Not really. It's the hyena.

031726

Money 

That's what I want 

The flying lizards 

The best cover ever

Monday, March 16, 2026

Sunday, March 15, 2026

031526

 84 degrees 

tonight's cold front show's winter 

hasn't lost its grip