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• Review: From Publishers Weekly's starred review of Humbug: "MAD's early years have been justly lauded for their japing assault on postwar American culture, but this outstanding two-volume boxed set reflects the history of comedy in the period after staff stars like Kurtzman jumped ship in 1956… for dry cocktail laughs and low schoolboy snorts, it's hard to think of a better pair of books to have at your nightstand." • Review: Comics Bulletin takes a good look at the revelations contained in The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972, concluding "The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972 reprints [some] of what many consider the peak years…

A couple more excerpts from upcoming books are up at ICv2: 4 pages of "Twain & Einstein" from Tales Designed to Thrizzle #5 and a complete 7-page story with art by John Severin from Blazing Combat. Enjoy!

  Our pals at the Daily Crosshatch talk to Arnold Roth about HUMBUG and more, in the first of a three-part interview. The site has a spiffy new design, too.

Tony Millionaire did the cover art for the new Elvis Costello record. How cool is that?

Stan Sakai sent me an email asking if I knew anything about the strange beast pictured here. It's new to me and apparently the Japanese text doesn't address the creature. Does anyone know its story– or at least a name? Comments appreciated. Stan would like to know more about this unusual obakemono and I'd just love to see a hairy cyclopian leg show up in an Usagi Yojimbo story.

I think I might start posting weekend updates — these Monday roundups are getting bananas… • Review: We received a wonderful endorsement of Supermen! from Bud Plant, which we've proudly placed on the product page • Review: John Mitchell on Supermen!: “Supermen points to a time when comic books were a new and exciting form — admittedly low brow in presentation, but filled with visual and narrative leaps that would affect how we told stories visually for decades to come… This book chronicles the exciting, silly, fun and experimental world in which these kinds of [superhero] characters were forged — fairy…

  Your unlikely book review of the day. I want to know if she identified more with Dot or Wanda, tho'.

Now available for preview and pre-order: The Complete Crumb Comics Vol. 4: "Mr. Sixties!" Back in print with the first new softcover edition of this volume in 12 years! This one has Zap #0-1, "Keep on Truckin'," and a bunch more Crumb classics and rarities from the heady hippie days. Essential! This book is scheduled to be in stock in early April and in stores approximately 4 weeks later. View a photo & video slideshow preview embedded here. Click here if it is not visible, and/or to view it larger in a new window (recommended).

Congratulations to two talented Beasts! artists for making the list of Print magazine's annual 20 people under 30 to watch in the visual arts. The links below will take you to Print's write-up about each artist.  Eleanor Davis' work in the words of Françoise Mouly: "It’s very imaginative and funny and fanciful, but it’s also very thoroughly worked out. She’s not afraid to be clear."  Josh Cochran's work  in his own words: "It’s good to have a recognizable look. It’s even better if I can transcend it." My thanks again to these two for contributing their visions to Beasts!

Now available for preview and pre-order: the 297th issue of The Comics Journal, featuring extensive interivews with Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois creator (and Sam's Strip writer) Mort Walker and French artist Emmanuel Guibert (Alan's War). Plus a gallery of art by pioneering caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson, reviews and many more features. Check out the full table of contents here and in the preview slideshow photo & video slideshow preview embedded below. Click here if it is not visible, and/or to view it larger in a new window (recommended).