The Art of Nothing

October 25, 2019

McDonnell is perhaps most well known for his warmly witty, animal-centered comic strip Mutts but has also authored children's books and collaborated with conservationist Jane Goodall, poet Daniel Ladinsky, and spiritual teacher Eckhardt Tolle (who provides this book's introduction). A true master of the medium, McDonnell ably conveys emotions with a few pen strokes and creates mood with subtle colors. His strips also slyly reference the grammar of comics and the history of art and design. This volume, published for the 25th anniversary of Mutts' debut and a sequel to a 2003 monograph, displays McDonnell's art lavishly. Designed to explore the artist's process, the book includes numerous sketches and paintings as well as published strips and art. The text is spare but insightful, as McDonnell touches on his inspirations and influences as well as his various works. Rounding out the book is commentary from the great Lynda Barry, to whom McDonnell penned illustrated letters about his life and art. VERDICT This gorgeous volume celebrates the brilliance of McDonnell and pure cartooning. Animal lovers, the artist's fans, and connoisseurs of art history will enjoy.--Bill Hardesty, Georgia State Univ. Libs., Atlanta

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2019
For 25 years, McDonnell's Mutts, centered on affable pooch Earl, curious kitty Mooch, and their human companions, has been a highlight of newspaper comics pages. This silver-anniversary celebration delves into the cartoonist's archives to collect a generous selection of best moments, all shot from the original artwork. The lavish volume also includes sketchbook pages, excerpts from McDonnell's children's picture books, a sampling of his pre-Mutts work, and revealing illustrated correspondence with fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. McDonnell's masterful drawings, taking a Miesian less is more approach that pares the visuals down to their essential elements, ideally complement his gentle, character-based gags. His devotion to his artistic forebears (he coauthored a 1986 book on the celebrated strip, Krazy Kat) manifests itself in his work, which often incorporates nods to classic comics as well as advocacy for animal shelters and vegetarianism. As newspaper comics sections become dominated by dubiously humorous strips with drawings ranging from amateurish to crude, the genuine charm and graphic acuity of Mutts makes it a welcome outlier.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)