Dance of the Comedians: 75 Years of the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote

“Beep, beep!”

In 1949, director Chuck Jones and writer Mike Maltese made history with “Fast and Furry-ous,” the first Looney Tunes cartoon starring the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.

75 years later, these beloved characters have become bona fide cultural icons. Dance of the Comedians covers the entire history of the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, tracing their long career in cartoons, comic books, films, television shows, video games, and more. Author Dan Sendker leaves no stone (or giant boulder) unturned as he examines just what makes these characters so famous, and why they still endure today.

Highlights

The literary and folkloric influences behind the characters
Full credits and synopses of every Road Runner cartoon
Information on the shorts pitting Wile E. against Bugs Bunny and the Ralph
Wolf and Sam Sheepdog series
Modern revivals featuring the characters
Never-before-seen photos and artwork
Cameos, parodies, and references to the characters across pop culture
Biographical profiles of the artists in Chuck Jones’ famed animation unit, including recollections from family members and the last surviving artists themselves
& Insight on the cancelled Coyote vs. Acme film
What the “E” in Wile E. Coyote stands for...seriously!