Comic Strip / Comics

When Was the First Peanuts Comic Strip Published?

The Peanuts comic strip is one of the most beloved and enduring comic strips in American history. Created by Charles M. Schulz, the strip ran for nearly 50 years and captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world.

But when was the first Peanuts comic strip published? Let’s take a look.

The Early Years

Charles M. Schulz began drawing comics as a young boy, and he continued to pursue his passion throughout his life. In 1947, he sold his first cartoon to The Saturday Evening Post, and in 1950, he debuted the Peanuts comic strip in seven newspapers across the United States.

The First Strip

The first Peanuts comic strip was published on October 2, 1950. It featured two characters that would become icons of American pop culture: Charlie Brown and Shermy.

“Here comes ol’ Charlie Brown! How I hate him!” Shermy says in the first panel of the strip.

Charlie Brown responds with a question: “Isn’t he the cutest thing? He’s got such a sweet face..”

As we can see from this first exchange between Charlie Brown and Shermy, Schulz was already beginning to establish some of the key themes that would come to define the Peanuts comic strip: loneliness, insecurity, and a sense of longing for connection.

The Early Years of Peanuts

In its early years, Peanuts was not an overnight sensation. The strip struggled to find an audience at first, but it gradually gained popularity thanks to its relatable characters and Schulz’s unique sense of humor.

One of the things that set Peanuts apart from other comic strips at the time was its use of child characters who spoke like adults. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and all their friends had a sophistication and wit that was rare in the world of comic strips.

The Legacy of Peanuts

Today, Peanuts is considered one of the greatest comic strips of all time. Its influence can be seen in everything from The Simpsons to Calvin and Hobbes to modern webcomics.

Charles M. Schulz passed away in 2000, but his legacy lives on through his timeless characters and the enduring popularity of the Peanuts comic strip.

  • Fun Fact: The first animated Peanuts special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, aired on CBS in 1965 and has been a holiday staple ever since.
  • Another Fun Fact: The final daily Peanuts comic strip was published on January 3, 2000.

Conclusion

So there you have it – the first Peanuts comic strip was published on October 2, 1950. From these humble beginnings, Charles M. Schulz created a world filled with memorable characters and timeless humor that continues to resonate with readers to this day.