Krazy and Ignatz Volume Four – Howling Among the Halls of Night

Krazy and Ignatz Volume Four – Howling Among the Halls of Night (1989, Eclipse Books/Turtle Island Foundation) ****

W/A: George Herriman.

Eclipse’s fourth volume contains the Sundays from 1919 and a rare treat they are. Herriman had more than hit his stride by this time and the strips are only let down by some poor reproduction.

Krazy and Ignatz – “There is a Heppy Lend – Fur, Fur Awa-a-y”

Krazy and Ignatz – “There is a Heppy Lend – Fur, Fur Awa-a-y” (2002, Fantagraphics Books) ****1/2

W/A: George Herriman.

Fantagraphics’ first volume collecting the Sunday Krazy Kat strip picks right up where Eclipse left off a decade earlier, with improved reproduction and a snazzy design by Acme Novelty Library’s Chris Ware.  This volume collects 1925 and 1925 and contains some of the best comics ever created.  The only thing that keeps this from having five stars is the format of the strips foisted upon Herriman by William Randolph Hearst, his publisher.

Krazy and Ignatz – “Love Letters in Ancient Brick”

Krazy and Ignatz: 1927-1928 – “Love Letters in Ancient Brick” (2002, Fantagraphics Books) ****

W/A: George Herriman.

Fantagraphics’ second Krazy Kat collection is as charming as the first, again boasting a design by Chris Ware, this time perhaps even prettier than the previous volume. Again, the strips are only let down by the imposed format.  Highly recommended, if not essential.