David Lynch’s “Lost” Comic Strip
Who’s your favorite newspaper strip cartoonist? Is it Gary Larson of The Far Side? Berkeley Breathed of Bloom County? Perhaps Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes or the legendary Charles Schultz? For some, the answer is David Lynch, the renowned film director and artist known for his surreal and mind-bending creations.
As you may know, David Lynch is an artist of many talents. He’s a painter, designer, furniture maker, photographer, writer and film director. What many fans don’t know, is David Lynch ventured into the world of comics with his peculiar and minimalist comic strip titled The Angriest Dog in the World. This unusual comic strip, which ran from 1983 to 1992, offers a glimpse into Lynch’s distinctive sense of humor. The Angriest Dog in the World consists of a recurring four-panel format, featuring a snarling and perpetually furious dog, accompanied by repetitive and seemingly unrelated text. What makes this comic strip intriguing is its static nature; the dog and it’s dialogue remain the same in every single installment. Lynch’s intention seems to be to emphasize the inescapable nature of the dog’s anger and the futility of its existence.
This minimalist approach to comics challenges conventional storytelling norms, leaving readers to interpret the underlying messages and emotions.
Lynch’s foray into the world of comics with The Angriest Dog in the World is a testament to his versatility as an artist and his willingness to explore various creative mediums. While it may not be as widely recognized as his groundbreaking films such as Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead, this comic strip reflects Lynch’s unique vision and his ability to provoke thought and intrigue with his unconventional storytelling style. It serves as a fascinating addition to his body of work, demonstrating his commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and inviting audiences to delve into the enigmatic depths of his imagination.
Your Editor first came across this series while living in Los Angeles in the 90s. It ran in the local free newspaper, the LA Weekly. We’ve seen one lovely published collection put together by Ryan Standfest’s Rotland Press but it is long out of print. During our research for this article, we came across a review that stated, “The Angriest Dog In The World is far from an anachronism or mere historical curiosity. It is a clever, studied roadmap to understanding how an entire younger generation processes and recontextualizes the torrent of information to which they are constantly exposed.” That may be true, but for us, we just love that David Lynch is a true artist who explores all mediums with the same unique perspective. Hopefully one day we’ll see a full collected edition released by Lynch himself.
