A shorty today — click on through the links for sources & infos:

• A cut (maybe) scene from Derek Van Gieson's ongoing Mome story Devil Doll

• Two versions of this week's "I, Anonymous" spot by Steven Weissman

Panties-to-the-floor, Twilight-referencing Online Commentary & Diversions:

• List: Rob Clough's Top 100 Comics of the '00s Part Two (of Two) at The Comics Journal is chock full o' Fantagraphics

• Review: "Fantagraphics' panties-to-the-floor handsome English-language version [of Ici Même], You Are There , may blow its own share of minds some three decades after the work's initial publication. Most modern comics readers are not used to material that functions and frustrates this way. It's great work, though, well worth any effort extended in its direction. I think the key is to take the book for what it is: the kind of general satire where the beauty isn't in watching one specific thing dissected but rather several ideas and concepts collide into another in a way that makes for loud noises and then a satisfying pile of rubble. It's a lost episode of Ripping Yarns in comics form by two in-their-prime masters, the French turned up to dix." – Tom Spurgeon, The Comics Reporter

• Review: "...[A]t some point in the years between the release of Schizo #3 and #4, Brunetti matured into one of our best living cartoonists, an artist with an absolutely impeccable understanding of the craft and construction of comic strips. His timing is perfect; his lines are perfect; it doesn't feel stifling or over-thought or too precious. His strips breathe and choke and swoon in all the right places." – Tim O'Neil, "The Ten Best Comics of the Aughts," The Hurting

• Plug: Jill Pantozzi of SF Weekly's Heartless Doll blog recommends Castle Waiting Vol. 1 to Twilight fans: "Anyone who thinks damsels are meant to be in distress hasn't visited the right castle. Bella and Edward may live happily ever after, staring into each other's eyes for all eternity, but what happens to everyone else in the story once theirs ends? Castle Waiting is a look at all the minor players in the tale of Sleeping Beauty and some you've probably never heard of (the bearded nun, perhaps?) following her exit with Prince Charming. It's a smart, humorous story about strong women helping others and daily life at a castle that was meant for more than just love stories." (via Robot 6)

• Plug: PopCultureShock's Glyphs blog declares King: The Special Edition by Ho Che Anderson the Book of the Week

• Contributor notes: Newave! cartoonist T. Motley talks about his inclusion in the book

Ivan Brunetti presents: Hellzapoppin'
Tuesday, February 16 - 9:35 p.m.
H.C. Potter, 1941, 84 min
Archival 35mm print from the Library of Congress

On February 16, Doc invites comic artist Ivan Brunetti to curate and introduce an evening of anarchy, featuring a screening of the zany 1941 classic Hellzapoppin'.

Originally produced by vaudeville duo Ole Olsen and Chic Johnson as a long-running Broadway revue, Hellzapoppin' is unlike any other film from the period, featuring an indescribably absurd barrage of gags, musical numbers, and special effects - which even includes a descent into Hell. Ostensibly about an aspiring scriptwriter played by a pre-Stooges Shemp Howard, the film largely eschews narrative in favor of an endless stream of self-reflexivity, continuously shattering the fourth wall.

Ivan Brunetti, a graduate of the University of Chicago, is an acclaimed comic artist best known for his series Schizo and Ho!: The Morally Questionable Cartoons of Ivan Brunetti. He has also written an instruction manual, Cartoon: Philosophy and Practice, and edited two volumes of An Anthology of Graphics Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories (Yale University Press). His drawings occasionally appear in The New Yorker, as well as a host of other publications.

Tickets cost $5, and go on sale half an hour before the screening. Doc Films is located in the Max Palevsky Cinema in Ida Noyes Hall at The University of Chicago (1212 East 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637). Persons with a disability who may need assistance can contact us by phone or email.

Doc Films Hotline: 773-702-8575
Doc Films Office: 773-702-8574

[UPDATE: Links added! -ed.]

It's an exciting day here at the office, as Gahan Wilson is about to get on a plane in New York and fly to Seattle for his first visit to Fantagraphics (don't miss his appearance at the Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday night!). Tomorrow morning, I will have the great pleasure of taking him to our local NPR station, KUOW, where Wilson will be a guest on their "Weekday" morning program with host Steve Scher. Don't miss it!

Steven generously let us paw all over his incredible sketchbook when he was in town for his Chocolate Cheeks book signing at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery last Saturday. Check out our Flickr photoset for a few more views of the event; we should have more photos to share as soon as Jacob gets 'em to me.

Seattle Public Library has posted an MP3 (64.2 MB) of Peter Bagge's Jan. 30 talk at the Central Library. Synch it up with the photo slideshow (which autoplays, but you can pause and navigate manually — skip ahead to the third image to start) and it's almost like you were there!

Here's your first glimpse at the final cover art for the new collection of Dame Darcy's Meatcake, coming 'round about May or so. Stay tuned for more details.

We're a bit late with this update but perhaps your comics will be too, due to East Coast Snowpocalypse '010? It's a big day for Fantagraphics releases at comic shops across the land today, with the following titles scheduled to ship:

Chocolate Cheeks
By Steven Weissman

Newsarama calls it "adorably dark — or perhaps darkly adorable," Robot 6's Chris Mautner asserts "If you like the Our Gang comics or Archie or the general 'kids pal around, go on adventures and make each other miserable' type of comic, chances are you'll really like this," The Stranger's Paul Constant called it "a doozy of a book," somebody at Austin Books & Comics "is raving about the latest @fantagraphics 'Yikes' collection. Something about most warped kids since Garbage Pail Kids" and webcomic character Lydia Park declares "Weissman is a genius."

Most importantly, Steven says "When you get yours, post a pic to YIKES! friendship and we'll mail you a FREE GIFT!" It's for real!

Hank Ketcham's Complete Dennis the Menace 1959-1962 Box Set
By Hank Ketcham

Robot 6's Chris Mautner declares "See Dennis bother the barber! Pester the construction workers! Annoy Margaret! Confuse Joey! And generally drive Mr. Wilson and his parents up a frickin' wall. All in the name of fun. And adorableness."

King: The Special Edition
By Ho Che Anderson

Robot 6's Chris Mautner calls it "lush," Jog highlights it, and Gosh! Comics admires my "big sausagey fingers" in the preview video.

Newave! The Underground Mini Comix of the 1980s
By various artists; edited by Michael Dowers

Robot 6's Chris Mautner again: "I'm a sucker for discovering unexplored corners of comics history, and this collection of mini-comics from the Reagan era... seems to do just that." The Comics Reporter's Tom Spurgeon says "A really good book and quite effective as raw" and then forgets to finish his sentence but be sure to read his full rave review. Jog predicts "the real fun will likely be in editor Michael Dowers' selection -- honed in on life signs of the older 'underground' period -- of now-obscure period talents..." There's also a nice plug from Gosh! Comics.

All right, your local shop can let you know if they got 'em (or order 'em for you if they didn't) and of course you can get your fill of previews and info at the links above.

Point your peepers (and your clickers):

• How long has Kaz had these animated Underworld strips up at mylittlefunny.com? Am I late to the game? They're super well done — animation, music and voice talent, all spot on (link via Tony Millionaire)

• A latter-day sketch by Jim Flora

• Happy Family, 2005, Josh Simmons

• Wednesday means a new installment of Steven Weissman's "This Already Happened" at What Things Do