Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "Whenever Fantagraphics releases a new Popeye book it's cause for manic joy, but this one is extra special because it introduces the mythical beast known as Eugene the Jeep who was possibly the namesake of the car/jockmobile. It also introduces Popeye's foul-tempered father, Poopdeck Pappy, who dislikes Popeye and punches Olive Oyl in the face. [...] This volume is pretty special." – Nick Gazin, Vice

• Review: "I like that Jordan Crane had decided not to play the victim of infidelity/villainous partner dynamic with the story of Leo and Dee. He has stripped them bare, which forces the reader to make his or her own decisions. Of course, the readers cannot do this through a passive reading experience. Being forced to engage isn’t a bad thing, because what we are engaging is a lush graphic narrative told in beautiful greytone art. Believing that Crane is equally good with character drama and kids’ comics may be difficult to accept, but the rollicking Simon & Jack will not only make you a believer, but also an acolyte of Crane. This is an all-ages tale because its sense of wonder and imagination will captivate all ages, and it is not too early to declare Uptight #4 one of the year’s best comics. [Grade:] A" – Leroy Douresseaux, Comic Book Bin

• Profile/Interview (Audio): At ESPN Desportes, Pedro Zayas talks to Wilfred Santiago (en Español) about 21: The Story of Roberto Clemente. An autotranslated clip from the text portion: "Santiago's graphic novel... helps us know more about the mythic history of Puerto Rican child star, before he started playing baseball, right up until his tragic death. It also includes a chapter on Puerto Rico and Clemente's childhood, as well as his life in America. It is an attractive book for all ages. 'When you make a biography the direct and personal life of the person you're writing about is important,' says Santiago. 'But at the same time is very important to the historical context in which that person lives ... It is important to know that when he lived is not the moment in which we live. '"

• Craft: At The Comics Journal, another lesson on proportion in comics layout in theory and practice from Frank Santoro

I've been hoping a report from the panel discussion with Lorenzo Mattotti & Dave McKean in London earlier this month would show up, and now one has courtesy of Joel Meadows at Walls and Bridges. (Via The Comics Reporter.)

Luc Besson's film adaptation of Jacques Tardi's The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec comes to cinemas in the UK starting April 22, reports Empire. No word about what this might mean for a potential U.S. release. (Via Bleeding Cool.)

Yet another page, pre-color, from Jason’s forthcoming book Athos in America. Via Jason’s Cats Without Dogs blog, where there are further details and an English translation of the dialogue. (Also don’t miss Jason’s hilarious list of "Things to do in Paris.")

Fans of Johnny Ryan and/or vintage horror movies and/or black metal will want to get their hands on this Lord Foul t-shirt featuring Johnny's rendition of "The Man" from the 1962 horror film Carnival of Souls.

Australian fan Luke Read found a novel use for his growing collection of our exclusive signed bookplates — wall decoration! Thanks to Luke for sharing these images on Twitter.

We have dozens of books available with these signed bookplates as a free bonus for our customers, and we've recently received some new stock: brand new bookplates signed by Joyce Farmer for Special Exits, a new twin set signed by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez for Love and Rockets: New Stories #3, and a restock of plates signed by Johnny Ryan for Prison Pit Book 2!

Cathy Malkasian has set up an online shop where you can buy t-shirts, hoodies, baby onesies, stickers and other merch featuring new artwork of the protagonist of her award-winning graphic novel Percy Gloom and other illustrations. Lots of designs, styles and colors to choose from! Additional designs will be going up this week so keep checking back. I mean come on, how can you say no to this:

We're very excited to begin presenting Michael Kupperman's Up All Night, printed weekly in the Washington City Paper and presented online exclusively here at Fantagraphics.com! The strip joins our regular weekly feature by Steven Weissman (G'n'R's back!) and our usual links to other strips from around the web:

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Up All Night by Michael Kupperman (view at original size):

"Chinese Chicken Salad Democracy" by Steven Weissman (view at original size):

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And elsewhere:

Amazing Facts... and Beyond! with Leon Beyond by guest artist Sammy Harkham:

Ectiopiary by Hans Rickheit:

Lucky by Gabrielle Bell:

Maakies by Tony Millionaire:

Mugwhump the Great by Roger Langridge (at Act-i-vate):

Today's Online Commentary & Diversions:

• Review: "The Arctic Marauder, Fantagraphics’ latest entry in their Tardi line, ...is a wickedly sly take on classic turn-of-the-century pulp adventures that nevertheless manages to both tweak and evoke those stories. It is, in short, a blast to read. [...] Tardi writes... as if he was getting paid by the exclamation point. [...] If the prose were any more purple, it would bruise. But as much fun as the overwrought text is, the art is the book’s main draw. [...] Marauder looks quite unlike any comic you’ve read before." – Chris Mautner, Robot 6

• Plug: "Just got a copy of Jacques Tardi's Arctic Marauder in the mail...looks fantastic...bravo @fantagraphics..." – Paul Pope

• Review: "The characters [in Freeway] are well crafted, and Kalesniko does a fine job contrasting the reality of his circumstances against his dream scenario — particularly in the case of his own insecurity compared to his dream-vision’s easy-going confidence. The office politics are well played and all too real, and the pages are laid out well, the illustrations suitably charming." – Michael C. Lorah, Newsarama

• Review: "In summary, you just have to buy Love from the Shadows, it’s an essential purchase for all comic lovers. Whether you’re a Love & Rockets fan from the early days, or if you’re new to the works of Gilbert Hernandez, there’s something here for everyone. In fact, due to its standalone nature, the book serves as a perfect introduction, if not not to the world of Love & Rockets, then at least to its style. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, it’s a breath-taking masterpiece. It’s like Love & Rockets meets David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive!" – Edward Kaye, Hypergeek

• Profile: Johnny Ryan is the subject of the latest Cartoonist Survey at David Baccia's David-Wasting-Paper blog: "[Q:] If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be? [A:] Give lots of rim jobs."

A Stacy Fisher / Gary Panter art show opens at Cleopatra’s in Brooklyn on Sunday. See/click the invitation for more info. Via Gary's blog.