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A cartoonist is never totally commanding regarding their figures. The sketching tool might shake and wobble and veer instead of zag — uniformity stands as a wish, not a certainty. And a truly vibrant character will in time direct the author, instead of the opposite. That was always the manner in which the comic's creator Charles Schulz explained why his creation, his rambunctious invention, transformed from his debut in the mid-20th century and his final comic-strip appearances by the year 2000.

“As my drawing style became freer, Snoopy could to accomplish more,” Schulz said in 1975. “And as soon as I finally developed the method of employing his creativity to imagine himself as numerous brave personas, the comic assumed an entirely fresh perspective."

Charting the arc of Snoopy’s design and individual nature can be a chore across Peanuts collections, however, fortunately for strip enthusiasts, it's soon becoming a little easier. Scheduled for the three-quarter century mark of Schulz’s strip, The Definitive Peanuts is a deluxe prestige art book crafted by celebrated scribe Evanier that curates the most recognizable Schulz's panels and showcases them alongside new historical and cultural context. Styled by artist Chip Kidd, the book features a preamble by Jean, a preface from Mutts artist Patrick McDonnell, along with contributions from a group of prominent experts (with a space explorer fond of Snoopy). Nestled within the edition exist various keepsakes, such as postcards, reproductions, a fabric badge, decals, plus a replica original strip compilation.

Expanding upon their acclaimed Peanuts program, Evanier’s tribute explores the artist's artistic drive and the strip’s lasting impact throughout the arts, literature, and everyday life. The result underscores how the strip has surpassed eras, and became a greater phenomenon than Schulz himself might ever assign to his original vision.

Underneath, there appear special excerpts from the new volume, particularly examining how Snoopy changed during the initial period.

In his commentary, included in the pages, Evanier emphasizes how all of the artist's figures eventually changed through sheer repetition and discovery, using Snoopy as the standout case. By the decade's close, the beagle had grown taller and increasingly imaginative, changing into everything from animals to alter egos such as Joe Cool. It's a beautiful example of a skill that has declined as the newspaper industry declines, but clearly deserves a spot in the records of artistic heritage.

The Essential Peanuts, priced at seventy-five dollars, debuts in stores this October.