Peanuts collectibles come to Dark Horse!

Dark Horse Deluxe Announces Peanuts Collectible Statuette Series

Charles Schulz’s Peanuts has won acclaim as one of the most popular comic strips of all time. Printed worldwide to this day, the familiar characters from this masterwork have been the basis for all sorts of entertainment, publishing, corporate identity, and merchandise projects. Dark Horse Deluxe, an imprint of Dark Horse Comics, Inc., is joining in the fun by creating a special series of limited-edition statuettes of vintage Peanuts characters.

Modeled after products that were popular in the 1930s and 40s, the eight new statuettes from Dark Horse are designed and manufactured in a style consistent with the earlier figures and are scheduled for monthly release starting in September 2006. The first of the statuettes will feature a new rendition of none other than Charlie Brown. Produced in a limited edition of hand-numbered copies, the figure is fully painted and ready to display. Lucy will be the second release, followed by Linus and the rest of the gang in a pattern of monthly releases.

“We are blown away by the response to these ‘retro’-style figures,” Dark Horse Comics Vice President of Product Development David Scroggy observed, “and we will be continuing the category with new titles. We want to concentrate on classic, iconic subjects, and certainly the Peanuts lineup qualifies.”

Dark Horse’s Peanuts-themed statuettes were inspired by “syroco” sculptures developed in the 1930s. While many “syrocos” were produced, of special note is a 1944 program where King Features Syndicate characters were used in a set of advertising premiums featuring famous comic strip characters. They have come to be known as “syroco” figurines, named after both the then-new wood-like resin material they were made from and the company that produced them. They are now highly prized by collectors.

Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson was inspired by these, and began a latter day series of statuettes depicting famous newspaper comic strip characters. Produced under license from comic strip syndicates and other property owners, these new editions were created in 3-D by the talents at Yoe! Studio, one of America’s top creative design shops.

Measuring between 4" and 5", these statuettes have been sculpted in the original style, described by Craig Yoe as “primitive but charming.” Nearly fifty were produced in the inagural award-winning series, known collectively as Classic Comic Characters. A new series will also depict the Kellogg’s cereal “mascot” characters in their “vintage” style.

The Peanuts series will depict the characters as they are presented currently, but also will deliberately be somewhat more rough-hewn than is common, with features including non-slick surface textures, visible seam lines and other slightly “distressed” aspects to retain the vintage feel.

The new Peanuts series echoes the packaging and special features of the previous Dark Horse series, but affords collectors the opportunity to start with the first release. Each hand-numbered statuette comes carefully packaged in a custom-tooled, full-color, litho-printed tin box. Also included is a small booklet about each character and a vintage-style pinback button of the character.

“We have worked hard to create a superior package for these very special items,” Scroggy remarked, “and we think we have met the challenge with help from our manufacturing team and of course the creative and licensing team at United Media.”

The first releases are Charlie Brown (September 2006), Lucy (October 2006), Linus (November 2006), Schroeder (December 2006), Pig Pen (January 2007), Peppermint Patty (February 2007), Sally (March 2007), Snoopy (April 2007), Woodstock (May 2007), and Marcie (June 2007).

The initial release is arguably Peanuts’ most beloved character, Charlie Brown. Since his debut in seven newspapers in 1950, Charles Schulz’s round-headed little kid has personified the foibles and frustrations of growing up, and, by extension, the human condition. He perseveres through the agony of trying to kick a football that is always yanked away at the last second, or deals with his unrequited love for the little red-headed girl. But as our youngest everyman, he has won our hearts on a daily basis for over fifty years.