10 Darkly Humorous Highlights from David Lynch’s ‘The Angriest Dog in the World’ Comic Series

David Lynch, the visionary director renowned for landmark works such as Twin Peaks, The Elephant Man, and Mulholland Drive, sadly departed this world on January 15, 2025. His uniquely surreal style continues to captivate audiences; however, one of his lesser-known endeavors, The Angriest Dog in the World, faces the threat of fading into obscurity. Initially published in the now-defunct LA Reader, this comic strip depicts a perpetually agitated dog with snippets of cryptic conversations wafting from a nearby house.

Running for nine years, The Angriest Dog in the World was also featured in the comic anthology Cheval Noir and had a limited-run printed collection of just 500 copies containing 17 strips. Unfortunately, with its original online home now redirecting to Lynch’s YouTube channel, it remains at risk of becoming lost media. Fortunately, remnants of this comic still exist, allowing us to highlight 10 of its most bizarrely humorous strips from Lynch’s prolonged creative output.

10 Say What?

Who Is Inside the House?

While the narrative is centered around the forlorn dog, it is the spoken words of the unseen residents—variously named Bill, Sylvia, Pete, and Billy Jr.—that change with each strip. Emulating Lynch’s signature style, these characters appear oblivious to the dog’s turmoil, leaving much about them shrouded in mystery. This comic has drawn similarities to Lynch’s Rabbits, which juxtaposes inscrutable characters within a familiar sitcom layout, the latter being expressed through a comic format.

9 Police Record

Humor with a Dark Twist

david lynch angriest dog in the world sting

In this comic strip, Lynch cleverly weaves in playful humor, referencing the iconic band The Police and its lead vocalist, Sting. While Lynch is known for incorporating grim humor and introspective one-liners, many entries are simplistic gags reminiscent of traditional joke collections. Here’s a sample:

Bill… Monopoly jam? What the hell is that?

They say it’s a game preserve.

However, these seemingly innocent jokes provide a stark contrast to the plight of the titular canine: “the dog who is so angry he cannot move. He cannot eat. He cannot sleep. He can just barely growl….Bound so tightly with tension and anger, he approaches the state of rigor mortis.” Such stark absurdity renders even the comedic elements slightly unsettling, highlighting the tension between the mundane and the dog’s profoundly disturbed state. Additionally, an unusual detail persists in the comic strip’s design—elements appear to be ‘burned away, reflecting Lynch’s recurring theme of fire in his cinematic narratives.

8 Really, Really, Really Damn Good to Know

A Deeper Meaning

Critics have often dismissed The Angriest Dog in the World as meaningless commentary; however, Lynch has clarified that the comic serves a purpose. Following his immersion in transcendental meditation, Lynch expressed that the inspiration for the comic arose from his struggles with persistent anger, which he couldn’t explicitly identify. According to Lynch:

I made life kind of miserable for people around me at certain times… So, anger – the memory of the anger – is what does the Angriest Dog. Not the actual anger, anymore. It’s sort of a bitter attitude toward life. I don’t know where my anger came from, and I don’t know where it went.

While the comic may lack the intricate layers typical of Lynch’s films, it nonetheless encapsulates the essence of enduring frustration and the “memory of anger”.The disconnect between the banal exchanges of its characters and the resolute anger of the dog reflects the struggles of dealing with a reality often devoid of meaning.

7 Don’t Add Up to Beans

A Distinctive Narrative Voice

david lynch's angriest dog in the world mathematician-1

Lynch’s unique narrative style is undeniably present in the comic, showcasing his affinity for quirky phrases. As shared in an article by Comics Beat, editor Dan Barton reminisced about Lynch’s creative process:

Lynch had submitted the art a few years before I arrived. Every week he called in the captions by telephone….The intercom on my desk would buzz, and the receptionist would say: “It’s David Lynch”as if the pizza had just arrived for lunch. I would pick up the phone, and we would exchange pleasantries, and then he would say, “I got another Dog for you.”I’d write down the captions, and then he’d sign off.

Over the course of nine years, The Angriest Dog in the World was not merely a pre-fame project; it reflected Lynch’s ongoing dedication to his craft. This commitment resonates with his current pursuits, including his habit of sharing daily weather updates on his YouTube channel. Barton noted:

I’ve heard from a former Reader staffer about how Lynch would call in every week from the set of “Dune, ”the phone service in Mexico making the calls filled with static.

6 You Talk About Bananas

Wisdom Amidst Humor

david lynch angriest dog in the world bananas

This strip humorously suggests that even the most trivial topics hold significance when they resonate with those around you.This sentiment can certainly be valuable for creatives across the entertainment industry. Comics like Jim Davis’ Garfield or Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts may appear comical but represent substantial contributions to their creators and the industry at large.

However, the statement can also be perceived as a disinterested dismissal of meaning. In a world where mundane topics require seriousness, the question arises: where does genuine significance stem from? After all, the same sentiment fails to alleviate the dog’s distress, which remains unaddressed. Additionally, Lynch’s previous work with monkeys, as seen in his short film What Did Jack Do?, underscores a deeper, if whimsical, connection.

The monkey in a tuxedo with his arm oustretched in What Did Jack Do

5 The Idea of a Straight Line

Deciphering the Dog’s Rage

This particular comic presents a seemingly nonsensical observation that could either hold significant implications or be devoid of meaning entirely. Within the framework of The Angriest Dog in the World, there is a recurring lament over uncertainty and the elusiveness of truth. For instance, a character states, “If everything is real… then nothing is real as well.”

The case for meaningful commentary within this comic is strengthened by the fact that Lynch initiated the project, rather than being commissioned. An article in Medium captures Richard Gehr’s account as an editor at LA Reader during this time:

Lynch called up the editor James Vowell, and said, ‘Hi, I’d like to do a comic strip for you, ’ and James wisely said, ‘OK.’ And David Lynch said, ‘Well, it’s kind of a weird concept. There’s only like one…part.’ And James said, ‘Well, OK, let’s see how it goes.’

Lynch has also indicated that the indoor characters’ dialogue ties directly to the dog’s rage. He remarked on the mystery of the dog’s anger, stating that “certain clues come from the world around him.”Thus, it can be inferred that the dog’s frustration echoes the sentiments expressed by the characters, emphasizing a bleak portrayal of a life untouched by change.

4 I Like Fish Hooks

Subverting Expectations

david lynch angriest dog in the world fish hooks

Returning to its comedic roots, this comic combines absurd humor with dark, surreal imagery reminiscent of Luis Buñuel’s Un Chien Andalou, which has significantly influenced Lynch’s artistic vision. Notably, the experience of reading Lynch’s comic outside of its original weekly format diminishes its intended impact. The extended duration of the dog’s plight—captured week after week over nine years—undoubtedly contributes to a deeper understanding of the entrapment within such a dismal emotional state.

3 A Reason for Everything

Fragmentation of Meaning

angriest dog in the world reason for everything

This iteration of The Angriest Dog in the World explicitly highlights the pervasive sense of fragmented meaning. The phrase, “There is usually a reason for everything, ”simultaneously acknowledges the reality that occasionally, there is no reason at all— an unsettling acknowledgment that seems to further condemn the dog’s suffering while mirroring the “bitter attitude toward life”that Lynch describes as his creative impetus.

2 Better Than This

Dual Interpretations in Lynch’s Work

In another punchy phrase, the characters imply a positive sentiment typically associated with brighter times. Yet for the irate dog loitering outside, it represents a menacing reminder that nothing will improve—a dark sentiment often linked to feelings of despair. It’s vital to note that within Lynch’s body of work, The Angriest Dog in the World balances its somber observations with moments of absurdity. The portrayal of a dog paralyzed by anger is inherently comedic, suggesting that hope may exist if the dog could find a means to enact change in its own life.

Furthermore, an interpretation from PETA connects the strip’s themes to broader issues concerning animal welfare, arguing that it represents the plight of outdoor dogs who endure loneliness and harsh conditions. This perspective posits that the dog’s rage is a justified response to a truly unjust environment.

1 The Angriest Dog in the World

Lynch’s Meta Commentary

david lynch angriest dog in the world wordless-1

This entry within The Angriest Dog in the World departs from the typical format, entirely void of dialogue from the inside characters—leaving only the familiar visual sequence. Whether interpreted as devoid of meaning or rich in subtext, this version illustrates that the dog’s fury persists without the presence or rationale provided by its owners. In the context of a long-running series, this wordless installment gains significance by stripping away potential reasons for the dog’s emotional turmoil. In Lynch’s own words:

I don’t know why I chose a dog. It has more to do with people and that the idea that anger is so intense… I was curious about anger. Once you’re angry, you’re really, really angry.

These ten strips highlight Lynch’s eclectic journey over nine years with The Angriest Dog in the World. As explorations of emotion and experience, they affirm that Lynch had profound insights to share—thoughts that resonate with many of us. Although this comic may not have garnered the same fame as films such as Blue Velvet, it undeniably encapsulates the director’s deep exploration of the human condition.

Source: Will Salmon, GamesRadar; Comics Beat; Volodymyr Bilyk, Medium; Elena Waldman, PETA

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