The original bad boys of the comics page are back in this wildly entertaining seventh collection of Pearls Before Swine comic strips by Stephan Pastis.

You know the lineup: Mucho macho Rat, who's ready to get down with anyone he can; sensitive Pig, who can't give up his disco dreams; Zebra, who will survive; and Goat, the brains of the outfit. Violent, unstable Guard Duck and the Crocs next door round out this fabulous cast. The dark, twisted adventures continue as these characters dance the night away.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Can Guard Duck Find Love?
Comment: I'm biased, I know, because "Pearls Before Swine" is my favorite comic strip in newspapers today. But if I was able to put aside that bias, I would still have to admit that "Pearls" is one of the best comic strips running in newspapers. The strip might not have any moving plot lines and isn't filled with drama, ala "Funky Winkerbean", but it is full of fun, laughter, and wit.

MACHO MACHO ANIMALS is the 7th collection of "Pearls Before Swine" strips. The book includes a forward by Bil Keane, the creator of "Family Circus". Fans of Keane and "Family Circus" might get the impression that Keane doesn't like Stephan Pastis or "Pearls" because his introduction is a scathing satire. In fact, Keane is a big fan of Pastis and gave him permission to parody his strip in 2005 (seen in THE SOPRATOS). The comics featured in the book were seen in newspapers from around the first part of April 2006 through about the middle of May 2007. Rat, Pig, Zebra, Goat, the Crocs, and Guard Duck are all featured. Some of my favorite story lines include when the son of one of the Crocs decides to become a vegetarian and starts dating the niece of Zebra; Guard Duck's ill-fated romance with a non-anthropomorphic duck; Rat's election bid for mayor; an appearance by Abe Lincoln; and "Pearls" take on the news of the semi-retirement of Bill Amend from "Foxtrot". There's also a few strips with a character that I would like to have seen more of, Timmy the Anteater. Of course, characters named Timmy don't last long in the "Pearls" world.

Overall, MACHO MACHO ANIMALS is a good collection of strips. It's a must have for "Pearls" fans and would be a good way to introduce a new reader to the strip.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: I LOVE Pearls!
Comment: Once again a terrific collection from the incredible mind of Stephan Pastis. I own all his previous compilations and love every one. This strip is the best, the funniest, the cleverest available today.
It is intelligent humour at it's best. Previously I have compared PBS to Calvin & Hobbes and Far Side but I now realise that it also bears a striking similarity to the best of the Simpsons. Some great social commentary cleverly hidden in a humourous disguise. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll think, and occasionally, you'll groan (the puns are pretty bad..... but funny!).

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Always great. Amazingly funny, creative cartoonist.
Comment:
Cul De Sac, Lio and Pearls are the new axis of hilarity.

Pastis is a great source of creativity and consistency on the comics page. I think he's got the talent to go for many, many years without losing it like I did.

For me, I just got too involved in the celebrity aspect of it: the dinners, the clubs, the tapdancing, the orifice searches, the meaningless intimacy with hangers-on, the conversion to a cult and then my very public battle with IBS.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: In the Pearls Navy
Comment: Crocs and more crocs. This is a collection, which means it will eventually find its way into a treasury. Still, I cannot wait to buy the latest Pearls. The comics covered are from April 7, 2006 to May 13,2007. This included the touching Daddy Croc moments. The interactions between the Dad and Son croc are some of my favorite in the series, including when Son starts dating the zebra next door. For some reason, a croc also goes to college. For me, this was a must have, but I am a Pearls fan. If your favorite cartoon is the Family Circus, then you can marvel over the grown up versions.

---

Customer Rating:
Summary: Pastis Scores Again!
Comment: This latest compilation of Pearls Before Swine strips by Stephan Pastis delivers great fun & humor straight from the pages of today's newspaper comics' pages and online comics sites. Pastis has created a world in which his outrageous characters approach life with laugh-out-loud results.

The rat, pig, goat, zebra, looney crocs, and guard duck continue their irreverent behavior in hilarious situations that makes Pearls Before Swine so unique and loved by so many comics' readers.

This collection has a number of strips focusing on the crocs and their ongoing attempts to make zebra their next meal. The comics highlighting the interaction among the croc characters and dealing with family issues are especially funny.

MACHO, MACHO ANIMALS is another winner by Stephan Pastis and his great cast of eccentric animal friends.

---