Walt Kelly, 1976, Pogo's Bats and the Belles Free, Fireside Books and Simon and Schuster. I have to say that I am not impressed with the construction of this book. It was one of the last published, until several different companies started doing reprints, and yet the pages are already coming out. It's only 50 years old! Nevertheless, this is the first book, and I think the only one, to reprint these particular strips. So what are you gonna do?<br><br>
The book begins with the three bats, who seem to have great difficulty figuring out which house is actually theirs. Then, the subject of pollution comes up, and it's agreed that human beings are the cause of it and ought to be gotten rid of. On a voluntary basis of course. But then the question is, who is human, who is more human, and who is less human. Many of the swamp's denizens are eager Wait would you help me get my books in there I'm coming dang it All right it's right here those light blue ones right next to to say they are not very human at all.<br><br>
The three bats are back in the polling game, and give an extensive explanation of just how they go about it. Not a good idea. They persist, nevertheless.<br><br>
Pogo gets jealous, which seems a little out of character. Then Seminole Sam and Wiley Catt decide to kidnap the pup dog, which doesn't seem out of character at all. The controversy about who is human and who is not continues, interspersed with various sidetracks, including quite a bit about the battle of the sexes. Also cannibalism. There doesn't seem to be any controversy about whether humans should be done away with to end pollution. Everyone who isn't human is on board with that! <br><br>
As the book lurches towards its end, Wiley Catt shows up, armed as usual. He invites himself into the government. Nearly everyone wants in except the newly elected president, Pogo and his best friend, Porky.<br><br>
These are some of the last cartoons that Kelly drew. He died young (60), and he had not yet run out of ideas. However, the book does contain quite a few variations on familiar themes. For example, Pogo does try to run away from home again, although the way it plays out is very different this time. I would say that the book is definitely worth reading, but it's more like a comfortable old friend than an exciting new one.<br><br>
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