Now available from Drew Friedman Fine Art Prints, a limited-edition art print of Frank Sinatra, who joins Dino and Jerry in Friedman's Rat Pack pantheon. (I vote for Sammy next.)

UPDATE: Drew writes in to confirm that this portrait will indeed be included in his next book from Fantagraphics Too Soon? coming Summer 2010.

The great Drew Friedman does what he does best on the cover of this upcoming collection of writing and art from the New York Observer. I'm not sure if this piece will be in Too Soon?, our collection of Drew's celebrity portraits coming out in Summer 2010, but it oughta be. Hit Drew's blog for more info and a larger image.

UPDATE: Drew writes in to say that this image won't be included in Too Soon? — dang.

Carl (with cigar) at Skylight Books in LA in 2008 with Drew Friedman. Photo by Pam Noles. Mark Evanier has a remembrance.

As if you might need more of an excuse to go, Drew Friedman and Irwin Chusid will be at the WFMU Record Fair in NYC this coming Saturday from 2-5 PM hawking their respective wares: "My new prints will be on display and available to order, along with Old Jewish Comedian books, Jim Flora prints and calendars, and bottles and bottles of Durkee Sauce. Come one come all," says Drew.

Drew Friedman tackles the scandal that launched a thousand "Worldwide Pants" jokes for the New York Observer. See the full page on Drew's blog.

Be like Jerry and get yourself a copy of Drew Friedman's latest limited-edition fine art print reproducing his 2004 strip "HEY OSCAR!" illustrating reasons why Jerry deserves a Lifetime Achievement Award! Order here (make it a pair with Dino), and get some background and must-read anecdotes on Drew's blog.

Befitting a Friday, today's Online Commentary & Diversions is heavy on the latter:

• List: Heeb magazine names Tales Designed to Thrizzle Vol. 1 by Michael Kupperman the #2 comic of the year 5769

• Review: "...[L]ike the rest of Fantagraphics’ spectacular catalogue of books, [Mome] takes some of the most exciting talent around in comics at the moment (both Paul Hornschemeier and Dash Shaw feature in this volume, for example), adds some raw talent that you might not have heard of, and collates it into a cutting-edge anthology. An excellent taster in bite-sized portions for those who want to experiment with a range of sophisticated comics artists without breaking the bank." – Grovel

• Review: "[The Red Monkey Double Happiness Book] has a nice laid-back vibe to it, as Dave and Paul wander into and out of adventures. It's kind of fun to just watch them drive around in Dave's sweet red convertible and look at the scenery. The art has a simple, clean look that retains enough detail to make the setting feel like a real place. And, as I said, it's pretty damn funny. I liked this book and recommend it." – Sandy Bilus, I Love Rob Liefeld

• Reviews: Video blogger Manga Matt looks at Eightball, Bottomless Belly Button, Fred the Clown and Epileptic

• Things to see: The Late Show with Barack Obama, brought to you by Drew Friedman illustrating for The New Republic

• Things to see: At Comics Comics, Dash Shaw reports from his trip to Brazil; on his own blog he provides further proof that he is the most creative book-sketcher-inner (or -onner) in comics

• Things to see: At Covered, Steven Weissman's new version of Superboy #116 makes his previous version suddenly make sense

• Things to see: Tim Kreider illustrates his own (hilarious) column for The New York Times

• Things to see: The masthead for McSweeney's Quarterly #33's "San Francisco Panorama" Sunday-style newspaper sure looks like Clowes to me, and there for sure will be comics by Clowes, Ware and others inside (via The Beat)

Here's a better-quality follow-up to our previously-posted photo of Drew Friedman and Jerry Lewis backstage at Jerry's Labor Day MDA telethon earlier this month.

Hey, all you classic-comedy-loving kids! Dig this announcement:

DrewFriedman.net announces a new limited edition Drew Friedman fine art print: a career-highlights montage of legendary TV-producer writer NAT HIKEN.

http://drewfriedman.net/prints/nat-hiken.html

Hiken (1914-1968) might not be a household name, but his 1950-60s TV sitcom creations are: The Phil Silvers Show (a.k.a. Sgt. Bilko) and Car 54, Where Are You? So are the stars he wrote for: Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, Woody Allen, Sid Caesar, and Zero Mostel. During his incomparable career, Hiken was a workaholic polymath who created, produced, directed, wrote, and composed music (including Car 54's indelible theme song).

Drew Friedman and Jerry Lewis in Las Vegas this past weekend, backstage at the MDA telethon.