Celebrating 50 Years of Snoopy’s Alter Ego in 10 Classic Peanuts Comics

Snoopy, the beloved character from the Peanuts comic strip, has captivated audiences for decades with his array of quirky alter egos. From ‘Snoopy’s Tennis Pro’ to ‘World Famous Attorney’, and from ‘World War I Flying Ace’ to the ever-cool ‘Joe Cool’, these personas showcase Snoopy’s remarkable versatility. His ability to adopt different identities highlights why he remains the most iconic figure within the Peanuts universe, even more than 50 years after his debut.

In addition to these well-known personae, Snoopy has introduced many lesser-known alter egos that have brought joy and laughter to fans over the years. Recently, one such character celebrated a milestone: the ‘World-Famous Crabby Skating Pro’ turned 50, alongside a collection of enchanting Peanuts comics released in November 1974. Although Snoopy’s skating alter ego plays a central role in this comic series, there are innumerable humorous strips worth revisiting. Here, we present ten of the funniest Peanuts comics that are now half a century old!

10 The Debut of Snoopy’s Crabby Skating Pro

Peanuts – November 7, 1974

Peppermint Patty consulting Charlie Brown about Snoopy's skating skills.

In this comic, Peppermint Patty decides to participate in an ice skating competition and promptly reaches out to Charlie Brown for help in locating a skating pro. Charlie Brown, perplexed by her request, informs her he doesn’t know any skating professionals. However, Peppermint Patty insists that “the best one in the business”resides with him. Enter Snoopy, whose new persona as the ‘World-Famous Crabby Skating Pro’ takes center stage in this delightful tale.

9 Snoopy Proves His Skating Skills

Peanuts – November 8, 1974

Peppermint Patty assuring Marcie about Snoopy's teaching capabilities.

Despite Snoopy’s outlandish title, he excels at training Peppermint Patty for her big competition. While preparing, she encourages Marcie to join her on the ice, dismissing her friend’s claim of having poor skating skills. Though Marcie expresses hesitation due to her bad ankles, Peppermint Patty reassures her, saying, “He’s crabby, but he’s a good teacher!”It’s amusing to see Snoopy successfully convince Peppermint Patty of his credentials as an expert skater.

8 Peppermint Patty Questions Snoopy’s Credibility

Peanuts – November 9, 1974

Snoopy dismissing Peppermint Patty's skating performance.

After a lesson with the ‘World-Famous Crabby Skating Pro’, Peppermint Patty looks forward to feedback after demonstrating her newly acquired skills. However, when she asks for Snoopy’s thoughts, he simply responds with a dismissive “BLEAH!!”before walking away. This poor response leads Peppermint Patty to ponder the worth of her ten-dollar lesson. Here, the clever humor shines as she slowly realizes she might have been duped by an unlikely ‘scam artist.’

7 Snoopy Struggles on the Ice

Peanuts – November 10, 1974

Snoopy and Woodstock engaged in a hockey game.

In another comic, Snoopy and Woodstock engage in a friendly game of hockey. As the puck changes possession, Woodstock expertly steals it by checking Snoopy off the ice. Initially outraged, Snoopy soon concedes that it was a legitimate play. This amusing encounter suggests that despite their playful banter, Snoopy’s skating skills may not measure up to those of his acclaimed alter ego, leaving Peppermint Patty questioning her investment.

6 Time for a Writer Alter Ego

Peanuts – November 2, 1974

Snoopy facing writer's block at his typewriter.

Sitting atop his doghouse, Snoopy yearns for creativity but is stymied by writer’s block. Despite claiming his solitary word is a conscious decision, it’s evident he could benefit from a ‘writer’ alter ego. If he channeled that persona, perhaps Snoopy would find the inspiration he desperately needs!

5 Woodstock’s Resourcefulness Shines

Peanuts – November 24, 1974

Snoopy discovering Woodstock in a well-built igloo.

A surprising turn occurs when Snoopy awakens to find himself covered in snow, leading to a frantic search for his friend Woodstock. However, Snoopy discovers that Woodstock has already constructed an igloo complete with a fireplace. This heartwarming moment highlights Woodstock’s impressive ingenuity, while Snoopy realizes he underestimated his little friend.

4 Snoopy’s Absence of Dog Instincts

Peanuts – November 3, 1974

Charlie Brown tending to Snoopy's illness.

In a comical yet sweet moment, Snoopy wakes Charlie Brown in the early hours of the morning, suffering from a stomachache. His first instinct is to inform Charlie about his ailment, despite his belief that no one cares. Charlie Brown quickly calls the vet, who humorously suggests that Snoopy simply needs to eat grass—a natural remedy for dogs. The irony lies in Snoopy’s obliviousness to this instinct, a funny twist given that he’s supposedly a dog.

3 Peppermint Patty’s Bragging Backfires

Peanuts – November 28, 1974

Peppermint Patty boasting at Charlie Brown's father's barbershop.

Before her skating competition, Peppermint Patty struts into the barber shop for a haircut, where she inadvertently finds herself face-to-face with Charlie Brown’s father. As she brags about her baseball prowess relating to Charlie, the barber remains visibly unimpressed. While the outcome is left for speculation, the emergent humor surrounding this giveaway leads readers to believe her haircut might not have turned out quite as planned.

2 Peppermint Patty’s Haircut Nightmare

Peanuts – November 29, 1974

Peppermint Patty confronting Charlie Brown over her disastrous haircut.

After receiving her less-than-stellar haircut, Peppermint Patty tracks down Charlie Brown and expresses her displeasure. Upset, she exclaims, “Look what your dad did to my hair!”She accuses him of not informing his father about her being a girl, leading to an unfortunate cut. Charlie Brown’s father appears to have taken revenge for her earlier bragging, as he uses this mix-up as a mere façade for his petty decisions.

1 Lucy’s Existential Dilemma

Peanuts – November 1, 1974

Charlie Brown and Lucy pondering the meaning of life on the brick wall.

In a particularly poignant moment, Charlie Brown and Lucy contemplate life as they sit on their iconic brick wall. Lucy expresses her deep thoughts about time slipping away and how precious moments are lost in the process. Charlie Brown’s sarcastic retort, “You’re a lot of fun to be around!”encapsulates the humor of the situation, marking this comic as a standout among the ten funniest Peanuts comics that recently hit their 50th anniversary!

Source & Images