October 2, 1952: Two years

This brings to a close the second year of the strip.

In the second year were introduced both Lucy and Linus. Schroeder learned to talk. Charlie Brown's psychological problems began to become more evident. Shermy, already on his way towards irrelevance, only appeared a small number of times. Schulz's art style, fired in the crucible of a daily comic strip, has evolved considerably. Most of the characters have gradually eased into their classic looks, all except for Charlie Brown (who's oval remains as a vestige of the original style), Snoopy (who has so far changed fairly little) and Linus (who is currently the strip's baby).

In the next year there aren't any major character introductions, but Schulz's art style evolves a bit more. Snoopy and Charlie Brown both draw closer to their later forms. The very next month has the first of the strips where Charlie Brown fails to kick Lucy's football. But most importantly this is the year in which Peanuts' writing really matures into something recognizable and wonderful.

For comparison's sake, here is the strip from one year before:


And here is the strip one year to come:

October 1, 1952: HA HA METAHUMOR

Peanuts has sometimes been taken seriously by folks, including Schulz himself, but there are moments like this every once in a while. There isn't really any connection, other than motive, between Schroeder's discovery and his remarkably knowledgeable comment. I can picture Schulz laughing at the idea of a character annoyed at being in a comic strip and looking for any excuse to work it in.

September 30, 1952: Hic! Hic! Hic!

Linus doesn't seem to be too unhappy about his predicament in the last panel. Technically this is the first thing he ever says.

September 29, 1952: Linus and Schroeder

A little like how Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy are rarely seen together (although for different reasons), you rarely see Linus and Schroeder in the same panel. As for why Linus reminds Schroeder of Beethoven, your guess is as good as mine.

The characters in this strip are solidly "Classic-era" Peanuts. The only characters who still have a bit of developing to do are Charlie Brown (whose thick oval eyes still reminds us a bit of earlier strips) and Snoopy (who so far has developed the least).

Sunday, September 28, 1952: Lucy and the Ball

Lucy's attempt to set a record bouncing that ball continues next Sunday as well.

September 27, 1952: "Well! If it isn't Charlie Brown!"

A funny strip. Lucy is certainly enjoying herself in this one!

September 26, 1952: Dogs get no respect

More of Snoopy's incredible punctuation-speaking powers.

September 25, 1952: Use Whito Shoe Polish

The chair in the background in the second panel is way too small. The edge of the side and back walls indicates that the room isn't nearly so deep to support a chair being that far away.

September 24, 1952: Linus' third strip

Schroeder has been redefined as the strip musician, so Linus plays the role of stereotypical baby for a while, the third such character to fill that role in less than two years.

September 23, 1952: Coconut, bleah

The clever thing about this strip is that it's hard to tell just from looking at her if Patty purposely chose coconut to spite Charlie Brown. She is poker-faced while ordering.