Snoopy is easily one of the most iconic aspects of the Peanuts Comic Strip, and his hilarious alter-egos are a big reason. Among Snoopy’s greatest alter egos are “World Famous Lawyer” and “World War I Flying Mouse”, but arguably his best in Peanuts History is “Joe Cool”. And now, it’s time to take a look back at this iconic alter ego, complete with Joe Cool’s first appearance and all the funniest moments.
Snoopy’s Joe Cool made his first appearance in the Peanuts Comic strip published on May 27, 1971 by Charles M. Schulz. In fact, Joe Cool didn’t just have a debut comic strip, he had a debut arc. The first appearance of the old self was followed by two more comic strips published on May 28 and 29 respectively, which collectively act as Joe Cool’s breakout story.
The first Peanuts Comic with Joe Cool sees Snoopy’s alter ego wearing a pair of sunglasses, leaning against his dog house. Speaking in the third person, Joe Cool recounts his actions, saying he was hanging around the student union at his imaginary college. Linus walks by and – playing along with Snoopy’s game – asks Joe Cole how he was in his chemistry class that day. And, in true ‘too cool for school’ fashion, Joe Cole makes it clear that he couldn’t care less about chemistry.
the second Peanuts Comic with Joe Cool tells readers exactly what Snoopy’s alter ego was doing while hanging around the student union: “Egging chicks“. However, Snoopy wasn’t able to stay in character for long, as he admits that “Joe Cools are scared to death of chicks“After he learns to Lucy, who apparently is not objected by creepy dogs very well (and rightly so).
The third and final Peanuts comic in Joe Cool’s debut arc showing the cool college dog “Hanging around the dorm on a Saturday afternoon“. When Linus walks by and asks Joe Cool what he is”Hanging around the dorm on a Saturday afternoon“, Joe Keel admitted, “No worries, man!“.
Who is Joe Cool? Snoopy’s Iconic Alter-Ego, Explained
Snoopy lets readers know exactly who “Joe Cool” is during his prime Peanuts Comic strip arc, and the character only gets more fleshed out over time. Joe Cool is a college student who is literally ‘too cool for school’. He never seems to go to class because he prefers to hang around either the student union or his dorm room. Of course, this all takes place in Snoopy’s imagination, as the student union, his dorm room, and, indeed, the entire ‘college’ Joe Cole attends is really just Snoopy’s dog house.
Snoopy’s Joe Cool is truly the epitome of what being ‘cool’ means in the most over-the-top, cartoonish way possible.
To become Joe Cool, Snoopy simply puts on a pair of sunglasses, leans against a wall, and says he’s Joe Cool. Sometimes Snoopy also incorporates a sweatshirt with the name “Joe Cool” embroidered on the front, but originally, all it was was a pair of shades and the right attitude. Joe Cool’s personality is reminiscent of the classic ‘cool guys’ of the era, including James Dean and Happy days‘Fonzi.
Joe Cool’s Best Peanuts arc coincides with the soft introduction of an iconic character
Linus moves in with Snoopy when his little brother, Rerun, is born
While Joe Cole has no shortage of Hilarious Peanuts arcs (including and especially his debut), in particular one easily stands out from the rest. Published in May 1972, Peanuts gave readers a multi-comic story arc that showed Linus moving into Joe Cole’s dorm after Lucy kicks him out of the house. Linus and Joe Cole become roommates for a time, reliving the classic college experience. However, after some time passes, Charlie Brown feels the need to intervene, at which point, the story arc gets an unexpected twist.
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It is revealed that the only way Lucy was able to kick Linus out of the house for as long as she did was that Lucy and Linus’ mom was in the hospital giving birth to their little brother, Rerun. While Rerun wouldn’t be featured for some time after that Peanuts Arc, his soft introduction is the catalyst for the entire ‘Joe Cool’ story, making it not only absolutely hilarious, but also incredibly memorable.
Why Snoopy’s Joe Cool is so timelessly hilarious in Peanuts
Everything about Peanuts is timeless, as it is arguably the best comic strip ever created, and Joe Cole is firmly among the many reasons why that is the case. Snoopy’s alter ego is a hilarious parody of the classic ‘cool guy’ trope, from his appearance, to his apathetic indifference, to his complete disregard for rules and structure. Joe Cool is truly the epitome of what being ‘cool’ means in the most over-the-top, cartoonish way possible, which is why it’s so hilarious every time. Snoopy Decided to bring the old self to life Peanuts.