Back to the beginning of Franklin

Upcoming releases

One of the interesting things to watch in the way Peanuts is being handled these days is a greater emphasis on Franklin – for a long time, he was basically absent on products, but now he’s regularly included in figurines and the various gewgaws. This was blatant during the promotion of The Peanuts Movie a couple of years ago, and there were clear business reasons for it – African Americans are a significant portion of the US movie audience, and representation does have an impact. But even if there are business reasons for it, it’s nice to see; it lets Peanuts reflect the somewhat-less-segregated world we’re living in without being untrue to the source material.

One example of the increased Franklinization is how, so soon after the release of the first physical Peanuts book to have Franklin in the title, they’ve already announced a second. Nice to Meet You, Franklin! is a storybook based on the introduction of Franklin into the strip, with his initial meeting Charlie Brown on the beach and his subsequent visit to the Browns’ neighborhood. This one drops in May.

 

Upcoming releases
Peanuts books to buy, and a free one

We’ve got a few more books listed as coming up later this year. There’s no surprise that we’re getting the paperback edition of The Complete Peanuts 1993-1994, and with it, the box set of 1991-1994. After all, these have been coming out like clockwork, and 2025 should bring us the …

Upcoming releases
Mostly recycled Peanuts books

There are some new Peanuts titles showing up in the pipeline. I don’t have covers yet, but the books are simple to explain. Welcome Home, Franklin! adopts the new TV special that will hit Apple TV+ on the 16th. Here’s to You Charlie Brown and You’re the Greatest, Charlie Brown …

Upcoming releases
Upcoming collections

Coming in May is Five Funny Snoopy and Charlie Brown Stories!, a compilation of the previously-released kids storybooks Let’s Go to the Library!; Time for School, Charlie Brown; Snoopy and Woodstock; Snoopy, First Beagle on the Moon!; and Make a Trade, Charlie Brown! We now have a cover for the …