Krazy Kat & The Art of George Herriman: A Celebration HC
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Release Date: August 2011
Price: $29.95
Creator: Craig Yoe
Format: 224 pgs.; B& W and Color; Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9594-9
ICv2 Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

Krazy Kat & the Art of George Herriman: A Celebration examines the remarkable 31-run of Krazy Kat, one of the most lauded comic strips of the 20th century.  It concerned the strange triangle between Krazy, a cat of indiscriminate gender who's smitten with Ignatz the mouse who loved to lob bricks at Krazy's head, much to the consternation of the police dog Pupp.

The book is part critical appreciation of the strip, full of thoughtful tributes from contributors ranging from Calvin & Hobbes Bill Watterson to the poet e.e. cummings, as well as a visual history of the strip.  It's full of beautiful images of Krazy Kat merchandise and movie posters from his now all put forgotten film career (where he was altered to the point of being unrecognizable) as well as vintage photographs of Heriman and his family.  And of course it serves as a substantial sampler of the actual comic strips themselves in both black and white and color.

Craig Yoe has crafted a book that shows as well as it tells; it's a wonderful combination of elegant design and informed and insightful scholarship that does a fine job of conveying why the comic strip is still so fondly remembered nearly a hundred years after it's creation.  There's an entire generation of readers who if they know Krazy Kat at all it’s through it's reputation and for them this volume provides an excellent introduction to it.

--Steve Bennett: Writer and retail services consultant