Hank Ketcham's Complete Dennis the Menace 1951-1952 (Softcover)
By Hank Ketcham

The first volume of Hank Ketcham's Complete Dennis the Menace, collecting every single panel strip from 1951 and 1952, is now available in this handsome and affordable softcover edition.

Dennis the Menace began on March 14, 1951 (four months after Ketcham's friend and colleague Charles Schulz started his own historic comic strip). He went on to become the second most popular cartoon kid in the world — after Charlie Brown, of course. Dennis the Menace first appeared in 16 American newspapers; by the end of 1951, he was appearing in over a hundred. The reason for Dennis' success is easy to figure out: It was one of the most brilliantly observed and empathetic comic strips about childhood ever drawn. Ketcham captured the mischievousness, rambunctiousness, and anarchy of a kid's world better than any other cartoonist. The strip appeals to both parents and children — while parents shake their heads ruefully at how accurately Ketcham caught the essence of children's natural zest for mayhem, children identify with Dennis and the chaos that he leaves in his wake — just a hop, skip, and a jump away from their own fantasy of themselves! Ketcham was a cartoonist with a vivacious line that was exquisitely suited to depicting adults and children. His gags were funny, subtle and touching. Ketcham drew Dennis the Menace from 1951 to 1994, when he retired and let his assistant take over the strip.

624-page black & white 5 1/8" x 6" softcover • $18.99
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Bob Fingerman revealed this cover art for his upcoming book Connective Tissue (currently due from Fantagraphics in Spring '09) over on his "Art Blog Thinger," where he's also been posting some cute-n-gruesome art samples.

Irwin Chusid unveils plans for a third volume of Jim Flora artwork, tentatively titled The Sweetly Diabolic Art of Jim Flora, currently slated for a late Summer 2009 release from Fantagraphics. Stay tuned to the Jim Flora art blog for sneak peeks!

Ellen Forney reveals more of her Sound Transit station public art proposal on her blog. I really like the way she's designed her horizontal mural to relate to the other artist's proposed installation.

Not long ago my old pal Jordan Crane visited Seattle for the first time.

Here's some evidence...

You've seen THIS , right?

Courtesy Kevin Scalzo: 

Tonight in Toronto: THE WORLD OF STEVE DITKO, a Canuckian book launch for Toronto author BLAKE BELL on Wednesday, June 18th from 7PM-9PM at the Lillian H. Smith Library (239 College St., Toronto). And yes, FREE.

By Miss Lasko-Gross, Ted Stearn, Leah Hayes, Dash Shaw, Sam Henderson, Jason, Lynda Barry, Michael Kupperman, and Alex Cox. (Click the thumbnails for larger versions.) Fantastic, one and all. I'll get you next time, Mr. Panter.