| Pearls Before Swine | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:PearlsBeforeSwineComic.jpeg) The cast of "Pearls" in order from left to right: Snuffles, Rat, Stephan Pastis, Pig, Goat, Larry, Guard Duck | |
| Author(s) | Stephan Pastis |
| Current status/schedule | Running |
| Launch date | December 31, 2001 (The Washington Post) January 7, 2002 |
| Syndicate(s) | United Feature Syndicate (2001–2011) Andrews McMeel Syndication (2011–present) |
| Publisher(s) | Andrews McMeel Publishing |
| Genre(s) | Humor, black comedy, gag-a-day, satire, anthropomorphic |
Pearls Before Swine (also known as Pearls) is an American comic strip written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis. The series began on December 31, 2001.[1] It chronicles the daily lives of an ensemble cast of suburban anthropomorphic animals: Pig, Rat, Zebra, Goat, and a fraternity of crocodiles,[2] as well as a number of supporting characters, one of whom is Pastis himself. Each character represents an aspect of Pastis's personality and worldview.[3] The daily and Sunday comic strip is distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication (by United Feature Syndicate until 2011).
The strip's style is notable for its black comedy, simplistic artwork, self-deprecating fourth wall meta-humor, social commentary, mockery of itself or other comic strips, and occasional elaborate stories leading to a pun.[citation needed]
- ^ Holtz, Allan (2012). American Newspaper Comics: An Encyclopedic Reference Guide. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. p. 305. ISBN 9780472117567.
- ^ The Crass Menagerie. p. 32.
- ^ "Swine Connoisseur: The Stephan Pastis Interview". Hogan's Alley. No. 16. 2009. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2014.