Hank Ketcham’s Complete Dennis the Menace 1959-1960

 

Hank Ketcham’s Dennis the Menace one panel gags have enjoyed folklore status for many years. Based on his estranged son, Hank has enjoyed fame through newspapers and merchandising such as Diary Queen images of the character on various ice-cream products of the company. The grit and shrewdness of Dennis is as universal from Mark Twain’s Huck and Tom to Calvin. This is volume five for Fantagraphics great reprinted collection of pristine quality.

Dennis the Menace is the second most popular cartoon kid in the world; he’s a global publishing, merchandising and multi-media phenomenon, with over 50 million book collections sold, the fondly remembered live-action TV show from 1959-63, two major motion pictures in the ’90s, a full-length animated film in 2002, and many other media tie-ins. Readers of over 1,000 newspapers currently enjoy the strip every day.

 

The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA

 
Genetically speaking the stuff of life can be pressing to explain. What is a teacher to do to explain DNA and the universe around us without much complicated lingo. You turn to comic book experts to write and draw you a cohesive explanation of the stuff of life. Mark Schultz creator of Xeonzoic Tales goes beyond dinosaurs and pens this microcosm universe concealed from our senses. Zander Cannon and Kevin Cannon lend their pencils and inks to guide you in this new frontier as chronicled in The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA.
 
Let’s face it: from adenines to zygotes, from cytokinesis to parthenogenesis, even the basics of genetics can sound utterly alien. Consequently, who better than an alien to explain it all? Enter Bloort 183, an asexual scientist on a dying planet charged with researching the fundamentals of human DNA and evolution and boiling it all down into clear, simple language so that even his slow-to-grasp-the-point leader can get it. In the hands of multiple-award-winning graphic novel author Mark Schultz, Bloort’s predicament becomes the means of giving even the most science-phobic reader a complete introduction to the history and science of genetics. Ninety percent ofThe Stuff of Life is the basic information of genetics and DNA, with Schultz’s aliens stepping in only at those points where the reader will welcome someone saying, “Hold up a moment; could you go over that last part again?” In conjunction with the absolutely stunning illustrations of the award-winning comic artists Zander Cannon and Kevin Cannon, the complex is made clear and even the most alien concept behind the genetic basis of human evolution is rendered understandable. Complete with a glossary and suggested reading, The Stuff of Life is the high-school-level introduction to the most basic facts of genetics, evolution, and life as we know it for anyone and everyone.

Astro Boy Teaser Trailer


There must be a cookie-cutter formula with CGI movies out there as of late. They all look alike. Astro Boy’s appearance in the 60’s was the building block of the Anime empire. The trailer is finally up and going and honestly I don’t know where it’s going. There is not that much pizazz going for it. Just like the "Roundabout" movie which employed American voices to empower sales. I don’t see much hope for Astro Boy in America. In Japan this movie will definitely make serious money on the back of nostalgia. Osamu Tezuka’s creation looks amazing as CGI and many other cartoon creations would also. The one thing that is missing is an interesting idea. These movies are always catering to the adults young at heart with grown-up humour clinging from infantile roots that don’t catch seed with both audiences. It’s only a first glimpse but skepticism is getting the best out of me right now.

Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody


Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody is a parody of the famous children’s classic Goodnight Moon. A presidency comes to an end and this book is the perfect send off for eight years of turmoil and uncertainty. This book is true to the art and concept of the original book and will deliver many chuckles.

Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody is a hilarious and poignant visual requiem for the Bush administration. In it we see a childlike George W. Bush tucked safely away in the confines of his own room with all of the toys he’s willfully destroyed, abused, or defaced. Complete with a quiet Dick Cheney whispering "hush," this bedtime story lets us finally say goodnight to the disaster that was the last eight years.

Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody on Facebook>>

Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody official site>>

Google Life Pictures


Life photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captures the essence of Walt Disney and along with it a cornucopia of images going back as far as 1860 during The Civil War. Goolge and Life bring to you some of the greatest pictures that graced the magazine. The inception of photography held a primitive notion that it captured the souls of those who were photographed. This is like a time trip to our history through photographs of people long gone. It’s also a good reference for artists. See more>>

Wacky Packages


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>>

The Flintstones, Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry Insight Mini-Classic Books

Insight Mini-Classic

Jerry Beck is the foremost quintessential chronicler of animation history. He delves into the foundation of every subject,tackles and sheds some interesting light into his subjects. Animation is more than cels and paint,there is the whole human aspect of the process. He dissects the politics of animation studios to give us the human side of the funny business for children. Jerry is at again with a three new little books from Insight Editions about the history of Hanna Barbera and their most popular creations. Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo shine for all to see. These tiny books that measure 4” x 4 ¾" and carry a full wallop of tidbit history in 48 pages. Jerry projects are always innovative when presentation is concerned and once again he does not fail to deliver. Read more>>

 

Peanuts on Itunes

peanuts on itunes, sandboxworld, tony medeiros
 
There are 20 new webisodes Flash animated Peanuts for Itunes. They are true to the original animated shows of old. The new technology is no different from traditional animation techniques. Gone are countless painted cells which encumber the cost of animated shows. Warner is behind these 4 minute episodes that can be downloaded for free for now. Future episodes will be cost 99 cents each, or the full season for $7.99. Peanuts has always been the leader in comic strip innovations and a leader in monopolizing character merchandising for the Schulz empire. The remaining family members are behind the project and control most the project and protecting the integrity of the final product. Now you can catch Peanuts on your phones or computers. The popularity of the strip will fill up coffers of all involved in this new venture.

Bat-Manga

Bat-manga,tony medeiro, sandbox world, Chip Kidd
Batman can transcend into any culture and Japan is no different. Besides baseball, comics was the best thing that United States offered Japan and they spun a pop culture that churns billions each year around the world. Batman was a manga character in the 60’s at the height of the bat-craze and what came out of that elusive run of manga books is now for all to see. Chip Kidd the well known book designer and an author in his own right has collected together an impressive collection of some of Batman’s strangest adventures that only the Japanese can tell.
 
The two hottest genres in comics gleefully collide head-on, as the most beloved American superhero gets the coolest Japanese manga makeover ever.

In 1966, during the height of the first Batman craze, a weekly Japanese manga anthology for boys, Shonen King, licensed the rights to commission its own Batman and Robin stories. A year later, the stories stopped. They were never collected in Japan, and never translated into English. Now, in this gorgeously produced book, hundreds of pages of Batman-manga comics more than four decades old are translated for the first time, appearing alongside stunning photographs of the world’s most comprehensive collection of vintage Japanese Batman toys.

This is The Dynamic Duo as you’ve never seen them: with a distinctly Japanese, atomic-age twist as they battle aliens, mutated dinosaurs, and villains who won’t stay dead. And as a bonus: Jiro Kuwata, the manga master who originally wrote and drew this material, has given an exclusive interview for our book.

The deluxe, expanded, and limited hardcover edition has a distinctly different cover, full-color printed endpapers, and an amazing extra adventure written by Jiro Kuwata (not included in the paperback), about a band of rogue alien robot art thieves at large in Gotham City. Guess who gets called in to save the day….

More than just a dazzling novelty,
Bat-Manga! is an invaluable, long-lost chapter in the history of one of the most beloved and timeless figures in comics. 

Futurama Bender’s Game


Futurama is becoming a self parody in a good sense. The new movies are mostly an homage to characters from past episodes with new plots and twists. Borrowing heavily from Dungeons and Dragons and Lord of the Rings. Matt Groening brings us the best so far in the animated movies of the Futurama franchise. The series always depended on pop culture references. The lampoons are the driving engine of the show. Bender’s Game seems to garnish more original material. Futurama in a sense has become pop culture too but will always be a shadow of the Simpsons. Futurama has a unique mystic that will transcend many years to come. As in any science fiction story it always has a veiled modern day message in the story. The one theme in the new feature is the energy crisis of modern times.


With fuel prices skyrocketing, the Planet Express crew sets off on a dangerous mission: to infiltrate the world’s only dark-matter mine, source of all spaceship fuel. But deep beneath the surface lies a far stranger place… a medieval land of dragons and sorcery and intoxicated knights who look suspiciously like Bender. So park your hover-car and saddle up your unicorn for Futurama’s grandest adventure yet: BENDER’S GAME!

Aviary Online Image Editor


When it comes to image authoring software from Adobe and Corel, there is not much choice out there. Most programs are mimicking the two big players in the market. The cost to have both Adobe and Corel can buy you a TV.  The serious illustrator will invest for his profession. For the not quite ready for prime-time can be in left in the cold. There is an interesting alternative choice. This is where Aviary comes in. Their online version of the two big boys is a joy to navigate and do work online. No need to load software. Your projects can be online for those out of the office jobs. If you feel comfortable, it can become a welcome addition to other software you have.

Edit images, create mind-blowing effects, design logos, find colors, collaborate and more. All you need is a web browser. Try it now completely free!

Forever Young Paul Rogers


Forever Young is Paul Roger’s latest kids’ book about the song Forever Young by Bob Dylan’s 1972 album Planet Waves. It seems as of late Bob Dylan has found new fame and this book will introduce many kids to Bob’s great body of work. Many will cringe at Bob’s voice, however, his lyrical landscape of words have evoked many generations of writers and musicians. This brave step by Paul Rogers into kids’ literature is a fresh approach on how Dylan’s songs easily transcend into graphical interaction with kids. The art is reminiscent of beatnik art and a true send off to Dyaln who fancied himself as a Beatnik. This is one book you cannot afford to not flip through. You will have to buy it after reading it.
 
Now award-winning artist Paul Rogers gives us a new interpretation of the lyrics. With images inspired by classic Dylan songs and pieces of his life, this is a bold and touching tribute to an anthem whose message will always stay forever young.

Indie Fonts: Digital Type from Independent Foundries



Fonts distinguish the look and feel of any project. Getting the right font is a tricky thing at times. Sure there are oodles of fonts out there on the net for free. Indie Fonts is a collection of books that can grace any serious crafts-person who deals with fonts and depends on that extra punch for their project. This tome of three in a series of the collected fonts from the net is both free and in book form. These upscale fonts will dazzle and spruce up any project. If you have time to spare and search the fonts on line, Indie Fonts has an easy way of doing so with their linked based version of the books. The site does not do justice to the handsomely collected books. This is a trove of hours of search and fun for people who take their fonts seriously. See fonts>> 

Family Game Night

Family Game Night

Gaming night for the whole family? There is such an animal. Thanks to the folks at Hasbro and Nintendo now the classic board games that were a proven success through the years are Wii bound. This are games that the whole family can enjoy and have a sense of even-steven in the competition for the whole family.
 
Join your host, Mr. Potato Head, as you and your family play classic Hasbro games, as well as exciting new versions of old favorites created for the Nintendo Wii. Hasbro Family Game Night features family favorites such as Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, SORRY! and the all new, SORRY! Sliders.
 
Key Game Features:
Classic Games - Play the classic games that you know and love.
Play like Never Before - Exciting new ways to play every game – like Connect Four Power Chips, Boggle Portal Cubes, Reverse Yahtzee and Battleship Barrage.
Deck Out Your Very Own Game Room
Choose the game room theme that’s right for you.
Earn new game themed trophies, furniture and decorations to customize your game room
Host a Game Party - Quickly build a custom Party Game by choosing your favorite games, number of players, and time you want to play.
 

The Partridge Family Season 3


After a long hiatus between season box sets of the Partridge Family, season three is finally here. Come on get happy and join the music family that made waves in the early 70’s with bell bottomed Keith who melted on many young girl’s Tiger Beat folded posters. There is talk of a remake of the series going the way of "The Brady Bunch" to reboot the almost 40 year show. They don’t make shows like this anymore. See more>>