The Great Pumpkin character first appeared in the Peanuts comic strip years before the 1966 television special It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown aired on CBS. The special, which introduced Linus's belief in a mythical Great Pumpkin that delivers toys to children, became a seasonal staple. However, the comic strip established the concept earlier.

The earliest reference surfaced on October 26, 1959, when Linus was depicted writing a letter to the Great Pumpkin. In the strip, he described the creature as rising from a pumpkin patch to deliver gifts to children, stating, 'The Great Pumpkin loves little children. I can see him now, rising up out of the pumpkin patch with his big bag of toys!' Lucy's reaction of disbelief followed. The next day, a second strip showed Charlie Brown observing Linus's explanation with a blank stare.

Schulz expanded on the idea in subsequent October strips. In 1960, Linus attempted to convince Charlie Brown to join him in waiting for the Great Pumpkin, prompting Charlie Brown to question the logistics: 'It just occurred to me that there must be ten million pumpkin patches in this country... What makes you think we're in the right one?' The following year, Linus claimed historical precedents for the Great Pumpkin's appearances, citing specific pumpkin patches in Connecticut and Texas.

A 1961 strip featured Linus declaring the economic necessity of believing in the Great Pumpkin, stating, 'It would be economically disastrous for me not to believe it!' Another strip from 1962 revealed Lucy adopting the belief after receiving pumpkin-themed cards from Linus, only to abandon it when criticized for greed.

The comic strips depicted recurring themes of Linus's persistence and his peers' skepticism. Over time, these strips were reused or referenced in the TV special, which condensed the narrative into a single Halloween night. In 1964, Schulz temporarily shifted focus to Linus's campaign for class president, integrating the Great Pumpkin into a political speech that ultimately derailed his bid. This storyline highlighted the character's unwavering, yet ridiculed, convictions.

Reading the October 1964 strips in sequence illustrates the evolution of Linus's obsession, from earnest belief to near-delusional dedication. The strips offer context for the TV special's portrayal, revealing additional layers of humor and complexity in Schulz's work. The Great Pumpkin remains a recurring motif in the comics, reflecting themes of faith, skepticism, and seasonal tradition.