Topps was always known as the baseball card company and also Bazooka bubblegum. Wacky Packages is a collection of vintage wacky stickers collected through the years of wry humor of brand mocking. Way before Photoshop, they did this the hard way, they painted them. They had to draw it from scratch. Kids collected "wacky packs" and they found new homes on practically anything where stickers could stick. A favorite destination were lockers in school. Wacky Packages is introduced by artist extraordinaire Art Spiegelman. Cult comic artists who graced these sticky pieces of paper are the likes of Kim Deitch, , Bill Griffith, Jay Lynch, and Norm Saunders. Celebrate over 40 years of nonsense and nostalgia. See Wacky Packs online>>

No buts about it the latest craze for kids is funny oddity. Kimya Dawson is the architect behind Alphabutt music for kids. Here are songs that Raffi would never venture into. As you might surmise it’s all about butts. What  a way to make your kids remember Kimya’s little songs. Forget old MacDonald, Alphabutt will leave you in stitches and at the same time get those little tykes to memorize words and learn a few rhymes at the same time. Listen to samples>>

Here is a fox of an idea. Fox TV is lending support to a new show based on those lovable "hosers" with a new series called, The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie. Way past their prime, the duo who recently brewed a conflict about the show. Moranis and Thomas well known actors who appeared on the CBC and NBC show SCTV where the The McKenzie Brothers graced the screen in 1980. Rick Moranis appears not to want to be part of the show and is at odds with Dave Thomas about lending his voice since he became reclusive to the entertainment industry since his wife died. Word has at they they will replace Rick’s voice with a sound alike voice. Fox has high hopes for Animax?s, The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie to join their family of animated shows for mature audiences.

With stagnating sales in the 70’s DC and Marvel were looking for ways to make extra revue, comics were still not in comic shops because they were not yet created. These periodicals were in Mom and Pop stores all across North America. Many didn’t want to carry them, there was not much money to be made on a 15 cent comic. Carmine Infantino then DC Comics president is credited in the creating this concept. It was attempted in the forties by Fawcett Comics, but fell on the wayside. The 70’s were just right and the "tabloid" or as they were know by many fans "treasuries" took off like gangbusters. The standard size of these books were 10" x 15" inches and as soaring costs of paper climbed, the format disappeared and is sought by many today. One main theory was that many stores did not know how to store them and most became damaged. Bob Kelly the self appointed guardian of of this period in comic publishing has a great site dedicated to the hallowed "treasury" and you can discover insightful stories behind the format with his blog. Read more >>

How can a guy who is full of hot air be a welcome sight for both kids and adults. Well Balloon Guy has created himself a unique niche market with Balloon Guy Entertainment. With simple balloons he can create whole figures out of air. It’s a thing of beauty to see. Considering that kids have a short attention span this will be a hit with them. If Balloon Guy happens to be in the vicinity of your town this guy will be the talk of any party or celebration. Have a pin that will travel will just as much fun when you pop his creations.

What does New Zealand native Alex Hallatt who lives in a town called Lyttelton in South Island know about the Arctic Circle? Plenty more than you and me who live closer to it. This UK born artist you migrated to New Zealand is the latest world cartoonists to make an impact with her new strip called Arctic Circle about the environment perils that face us in the next 30 years. The inconvenient truth of it all is that Alex with her awareness is trying to bring out the dire straits of our world situation. This grave situation is laced up with a well thought out strip that all can enjoy and laugh. Ed the Penguin the main character like herself is an emigrant. He is from the Antarctic and now lives in the Arctic and the cast of original characters bring a fresh look into the melting top of the world. This is one strip you cannot put on ice, it will generate enough heat and buzz. Keep an eye on this strip as it grows. Read bio>> 

Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood are happy to bring the world a new phobia. If you are afraid of clowns and roller coasters, then you will want to stay clear of this one. Both amusement parks are launching their new Simpsons themed roller coaster ride called Krustyland. You will have to have crust to get yourself in the ride if you have a fear for such things. All others will have a ball on their favorite themed characters.

The Exoskeleton is The US Army’s answer to Iron-Man. With a second week of amazing receipts at the theatre, the idea of Iron-Man is not as far fetched as you might think. A lightweight aluminium exoskeleton is a reality and was tested in Salt Lake City. The robotic exoskeleton gives soldiers superhuman strength and will accelerate production of this idea that will maybe in ten years slim down to something like a Tony Stark prototype. I don’t know about flight, that is a long shot from now. The idea is entertaining and maybe safe lives or just trap bodies in the suit. See suit in action >>

It’s always a treat to see Fantagraphic’s Ghost World artist Dan Clowes doing New Yorker magazine covers. This week he managed to do two variant covers for our captive eyes.