Witness the history and making of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the ‘Peanuts’ gang

Witness the history and making of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the ‘Peanuts’ gang

MUMBAI: Charles Monroe Schulz brightened the world for 50 years with his Peanuts comic strip.  With Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the lovable Peanuts Gang, Schulz explored the emotional territory of friendship, disappointment, faith, and tolerance. Loved by all comic fans – children and adults alike, the much-adored & iconic ‘Peanuts’ is set to make a grand entry in India. Viacom 18 announced its association with the classic, Peanuts Worldwide, to launch an exciting range of consumer products, all set to hit the stores soon. The wait is not too long as the gang kick starts its journey with an exhibition ‘Inside Peanuts: The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz’ at the 4th Indian Comic Con, 2014 – starting with New Delhi on the 7th of February.

As the long running classic ‘Peanuts’ finally hits the comic convention, fans can expect to learn more about the comic series, its creator and the history of the legendary brand through a special showcase at the Comic Con 2014. ‘Peanuts’, that started off as a comic strip with iconic characters Charlie Brown, his sister Sally Brown, his friends Lucy, Linus, Franklin and Patty, his dog Snoopy and Snoopy’s sidekick Woodstock, have grown to become an institution in itself. Charles Schulz, creator of the comic series, developed the comic strips which went onto become a huge contribution to the cartoon and comic industry.

Corry Kanzenberg, Curator, Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center said, “We are thrilled to share the legacy of Peanuts at the 4th Annual Indian Comic Con, and hope visitors to the exhibition will enjoy learning about Charles M. Schulz, his creative process, and the stories behind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts Gang. This is the first time that the Charles M. Schulz Museum has participated with Comic Con in India, and we feel honored to be part of the excitement.”

Speaking of the occasion, SaugatoBhowmik, Business Head, Consumer Products, Viacom 18 stated, “Peanuts is an iconic brand that has been loved globally since 5 decades. Viacom 18 is proud to bring the Peanuts gang to India in the form of consumer products. We are kick-starting the launch programme of the merchandize by introducing it through a visual extravangaza at the Comic Con, scheduled in the capital this weekend. I look forward to seeing the reactions of comic enthusiasts around Peanuts and assure consumers of an exciting range of consumer products around it really soon.”

The exhibition follows Schulz from his Minnesota roots to his life in California and tracks the development of the characters that make up the unique world of Peanuts.  Thirty Peanuts comic strips, Schulz quotes, and photographs illuminate the story behind the creation of this most popular and influential cartoon strip.  Comic strips by George Herriman (Krazy Kat), Milton Caniff (Terry and the Pirates), and Elzie C. Segar (Thimble Theatre Starring Popeye) shed light on how these prominent cartoonists influenced Schulz as a young artist and reveal the contrast of Schulz’s drawing style to the elaborately illustrated cartoons popular during the early 20th century.

Schulz officially retired in December 1999 and always intended that the strip would retire with him.  On February 12, 2000, at age 77, just hours before the final Peanuts strip appeared in Sunday newspapers, Charles Schulz died at his home in Santa Rosa, California.  

To know more about the brand ‘Peanuts’, head straight to the 4th Annual Comic Con, 2014 in New Delhi. For all comic fans of ‘Peanuts’, the comic character will travel to each comic-con to be held in India this year in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. So don’t miss out on catching up with your favourite comic characters throughout the year!!!

Inside Peanuts: The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz is organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, U.S.A.