Of all the classic Hanna-Barbera animated cartoons from the late ’50s/early ’60s, none come across as dated as Snagglepuss. Essentially a talking pink mountain lion who wanted to be a classical stage actor, Snagglepuss was every stereotype that America had about gay people. But now, DC Comics, who have been updating classic Hanna-Barbera properties like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo for modern times, are turning their sights on ol’ Snagglepuss. But instead of ignoring all the gay stereotypes surrounding the character, they’re turning them on their head. In the new mini-series Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, the character is reinvented as a closeted gay, Tennessee Williams style playwright during the oppressive atmosphere of 1950s America. Can Snagglepuss survive the McCarthy era intact?
You can check out a preview of the first six pages from Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1, together with both variant covers below in our gallery.
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Mike Feehan
Cover Artists: Ben Caldwell (Variant) Evan “Doc” Shaner
Here’s the official synopsis:
“It’s 1953. While the United States is locked in a nuclear arms race with the Soviet Union, the gay Southern playwright known as Snagglepuss is the toast of Broadway. But success has made him a target. As he plans for his next hit play, Snagglepuss becomes the focus of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. And when powerful forces align to purge show business of its most subversive voices, no one is safe!
Exit Stage LEFT: The Snagglepuss Chronicles #1 is due to hit stores on Wednesday, January 3.
Are you ready for the return of America’s original animated, dapper pink feline? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Images: DC Comics
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