Cartoons Books

I first purchased "The Bedside Mad" at a garage sale as an 11-year-old kid in the 1970s. I read it, re-read it, and then read it some more.

As a fan of Mad magazine way back when, "The Bedside Mad" was very different from what I was used to. It didn't take me long, however, to start rolling on the floor laughing. I'd seen some of the artists' work before, notably that of Jack Davis, in the magazine; however, I'd never seen anything by Wally Wood or Bill Elder. Elder, in particular, captured my imagination: "Outer Sanctum" and "Restaurant" have *so many* puns, jokes, and funny details in the background of the drawings that it makes me chuckle now just thinking about it. Over the years I purchased more of the old Mad paperbacks, and Elder's work was always "it" for me.

Many years later, I still have my old copy of "The Bedside Mad", and have now corrupted my own two kids' minds with it! They love it as much as I did.

In addition to what's been said, this book seems to illustrate well the transition of Mad Magazine from the "Tales Calculated To Drive You Mad" mock-horror genre to the general satire that would come later. The Scenes We'd Like To See segment, the Cane Mutiny send-up, and others are typical of the Mad of the 1960s, but the "Outer Sanctum" segment seems to hark back to the earlier era.

The original edition of "The Bedside MAD" was published in April 1959 by Signet Books. Originally Ballantine Books had started printing "MAD" paperbacks and published the first five, but Signet offered a better deal and Bill Gaines changed publishers. So this is the sixth book in the series of anniversary reprints of the early "MAD" paperbacks and explains the giant "ANNIVERSARY EDITION" banner running along the right border of the cover.

The title "The Bedside MAD" was a take off on the various "bedside readers" that were in vogue at the time and offers the first original cover art for a "MAD" paperback, done by illustrator Kelly Freas (compare with the Norman Mingo cover for the 1973 reissue on page xii). "MAD" has switched to being a magazine in 1959, but with two exceptions the material contained here is from the comic book period when it was created, written, and edited by Harvey Kurtzman. "Outer Sanctum!" is a Kurtzman classic from "MAD" #5 that manages to do a parody of both the radio thriller "Inner Sanctum" and all of the E.C. horror comics like "Tales from the Crypt." "The Lone Stranger Rides Again!" is, as the title indicates, a second look at "The Lone Ranger" from "MAD" #8 (cf. "MAD" #3).

There are some choice examples from some of the best artists in the "MAD" gang of usual idiots. Jack Davis does "Scenes We'd....Like to See!" and "Slow Motion," as well as the classic parody of "Hah! Noon!" from "MAD" #9, and a new take on Ernest Lawrence Thayer's poem "Casey at the Bat!" ("MAD" #6). Wallace Wood does "The Cane Mutiny" from "MAD" #19 (with "Captain Kweeg"). Bill Elder chips in with art on "Medical" ("MAD" #28), "Restaurant" ("MAD" #16), and the Kurtzman written "Robinson Crusoe!" ("MAD" #13).

All of these bits predate the point in my life when I started reading and enjoying the sick humor offered by "MAD," but if your choice is going back and looking at the old stuff or trying to make your way through the new stuff, then I say turn your back on the present and look backwards, boys and girls, to when "MAD" was a comic book and not a magazine. There are so many classic bits here that when I picked up the collected E.C. library I went with the option for getting the "MAD" volumes in color. That was not a mistake.

The entire cast of characters at Camp Swampy are reporting to the frontlines of the comics for laugh duty, SIR!

Beetle Bailey, the central character is the world's laziest, most lovable soldier in creation. He devises one funny scheme after anothe to test Sarge's mettle, lead his fellow enlisted men into hilarious stunts and in general, turns Camp Swampy into a comedy club. (Check out the part when Sarge raids the showers. That part will leave you laughing for a long time).

Yes, this book is such a worthwhile treat to have. Hop into your Government Issue Jeep and head on over to Camp Swampy!

Sarge has it comin' when he busts in on his troops in the shower....don't ask don't tell baby!

I'm not exactly sure when these strips were first published but if I had to guess I'd say sometime around the 60's. These strips are done in comic book fashion rather than the normal comic strip fashion (meaning they tell little, humorous stories). A fine addition to any Beetle Bailey fan's collection!

A great coffee table book for fans of illustration. A lot of great images to look at, if some are kind of small. But there's over 300 so, you can't beat that for the price. Check out the author's website as well if you're interested in Pulp Magazines.

Fans of pulp magazines and the art that graced them will find this, the first volume in the proposed "Pulp Art Masters" series a must have. This oversized paperback volume presents roughly 350 color cover reproductions, arranged by the various genres Belarski's illustrated (detective, air war, weird menace, etc.). The book is nicely laid out with annotations of various detail and worth along the outside edge of each page. The color reproduction is rich and sharply focused and clean up of the original pulp covers (many of which were no doubt flaked, creased, torn and otherwise marred) is masterful. In fact, the images reproduced here are probably the best these cover painting have ever looked. This is a wealth of pulp history and a great beginning for a series that is supposed to eventually include volumes devoted to Walter Baumhofer (illustrator of the Doc Savage covers) and George and Jerome Rozen (illustrators of The Shadow and Wu Fang among others). Great volume. Greater series (if all goes as planned).

Compiled and edited by John P. Gunnison, Belarski: Pulp Art Masters is an superbly organized and presented artbook showcasing the distinctive work of Rudolph Belarski, a commercial artist best known for his action-packed, eye-catching covers of (in)famous "pulp" magazines. Numerous covers presented in full-color, each with a very brief yet insightful caption concerning the scene, hallmark this eye-catching collection especially recommended for fans of the uniquely captivating appeal of pulp magazine art of a yesteryear American popular culture.

If we had more top notch, no-nonsense kinda guys like this Joe Thiel in the White House, Then maybe somethin' might get done. This is a man with true vision. He cuts through red tape like a hot scapple through that soft french cheeses they sell in those upscale markets...really.Why if I knew he was in town , I'd have him over to the house for a deep pit pig roast.But first, I'd conjour up the neighbors for a parade down our main drag(state road 342)Joe,You draw and speak my thoughts and dreams. I love you man.

In Below The Beltway, Joe Thiel's first publication, his sarcastic wit and superb humorous illustrations had me laughing from cover to cover. The book is a gallery of more than sixty images of Thiel's political humor that are each bright and vibrant in color and content. (even without the "punchlines" at the end to help you with the jokes.) Each piece makes you wonder, "Why didn't I see this joke coming sooner?"... It's because Joe Thiel's insight into the common everyman's humor and slightly twisted views of some of today's most controversial politicians have made this book a must have for lovers or laughter, politics, and above all art. He has mixed a whimsical style and powerful view of politics that left me wanting more. Below The Beltway, proves that politics, humor, and "cartoony" style can all be brought together in a wonderful way. I can't wait to see what subjects Joe Thiel sinks his artistic talons into in the near future.

As a student of the majestic and enigmatic Mr. Joe Thiel, I have learned what is good and what is bad in the fields of illustration. This book represents all that is pure and holy in the toxic waste-land that is the current field of illustartion. Never before and never agian shall anyone shine light on American politics like the master that is Joe Thiel. I laughed and cryed at the cartoons that changed a nation. The story of Joe Thiel is that of one man standing agianst all the red tape and political hog-wash, proving to everyone that a lone patriot can still deliver a powerful world changing view on society. Every library and every school should be forced to carry this book as it stands for all that is America.

Well, this is a great collection. The artwork is great, but it's the clever conceptions that make these cartoons so funny. There are no stock characters or favorite themes, every panel is original and fresh. Highly recommended.

To be one of the best cartoonists, you must be capable of twisting yourself into a form that allows you to look at the world through a sequence of fun house mirrors. Dan Piraro is such a person. His cartoons present a face of the world that is always there; ordinarily it is hidden by some very effective makeup. Piraro strips off that chemical facade and shows the world as it is. You will love these cartoons, but only if you are a little bit twisted yourself.

The reason I chose that title is because Dan Piraro seems to think of simple everyday things and then let loose his imagination to create these amazing comics. Just like The Far Side and Steven Wright, there are things in his books that will make you think "why didn't I think of that?" Of course, there are also some that will make you scratch your head. All the while, you will be looking at some of the greatest comic art ever shown in a newspaper. This guy has a gift and you owe it to yourself to check out the often weird, often hilarious world created by the brain of Dan Piraro. I'm glad I did!

Belly laughs! As funny as it gets. Agree with reviewer above - don't eat or drink anything while reading!

Callahan is outrageously funny and politically incorrect. His work nails many current social issues on the head, especially our continuing tendency to patronize people with disabilities. But beware, these cartoons makes the Simpson's or South Park look like Sunday school humor. Don't eat or drink anything when you read this or you'll be wearing it by the 4th cartoon.

I received a DVD of a Callahan based show in Canada. The DVD was wonderfully politically incorrect!

The Best of the Harveyville Fun Times packs in a great deal of research. Culled from some of the best articles in the fanzines history, many pieces focus on the various Harvey characters in many different media; television, films, and comics. Indeed, you could spend many hours here, but sections of the material can be slightly repetitious since some show up again in various articles.

While a great deal of scholarly research has been done on Carl Bark's Uncle Scrooge character, this is one of the first editions done on the Casper and Richie Rich characters. In fact Mr. Christopher Barat makes some interesting comparisons to the comic book adventures of Casper and Richie with Disney's richest duck. He also does a great job summarazing and analysing many of the Richie Rich and Casper stories while looking for originality and other creative highlights in these hundreds of stories, which can get very maudlin after a while.

Something that caught my attention is when Richie Rich, who has always been faithful to his girlfriend, Gloria, has a unique encounter with the antagonist Mayda Munny in a dream sequence. Hmm. . . Maybe Richie is a bit more complicated than we thought. Anyway,it took Mr. Baret to draw this to my attention.

I also have to give Mr. Baret credit for using the word, "discombulate." Hey! Anybody who can use a word like that is all right in my book.

The text amply has interviews with the surviving Harvey company personal,episode guides to various Richie Rich tv programs, histories on Sad Sack (a favorite of mine), and volunteered art from a variety of people.

If there is a second edition, it would be nice to include an episode guide to the ninties Casper series, (which is up on the website) and a few other odds and ends. Another possible article could be on the best Richie and Casper stories that might have had a "bittersweet" feel to them. I also thought there was something poignant with Casper and Wendy's relationship due to the fact that Casper was ultimately a ghost while longing to be human. Wendy, however, was still a human girl, though a sorceress, which must have made things difficult for the two of them at times.

And on a totally trivial note, I'd also love to hear a bit more the short-lived, "Fruitman" comic from the sixites?

While this book might not be for everyone. It's essential to comic book historians who need to know there was more to to the industry that just superheroes and Disney. Invaluable alone for the Sad Sack material.

Sincerely,

James Smith III
carolyn@dia.net

Is it too self-serving to review my own book? I think not. I just wanted to let you know that I am really excited about this as my goal for a number of years was to publish a book. I know that everyone is not necessarily a comic book fan and especially not a Harvey Comics fan, but if you are, please give this a read. I have worked on this book over a 16 year period, and am very proud of the results. Also, please let me know what you think by posting your own review here.

When I wrote this review, Mark Arnold, editor of this book, had the only other review of it. But I'm glad he reviewed his own book, which he may have been somewhat hesitant to do, because he certainly made me want to read it (along with the blurb from Scott Shaw! an astounding artist whose work I have followed for a long time). Arnold has, as they say, some chops for writing this book, as he for some sixteen years has edited a Harvey Comics fanzine, The Harveyville Fun Times. This book is called The Best of the Harveyville Fun Times because that's what it is: a whopping 11 X 8 color cover paperback weighing in at nearly 400 pages of reprints of the THFT.

At first I felt a bit ripped off since, had one been a long time subscriber, one would already have all these issues. But then I thought, "Why go to the trouble to rewrite the whole book from the fanzines rather than just reprinting them? Obviously Mark had the same idea. Great minds think alike, and so do we.

This is the best sort of browsing book, jammed with about a zillion pictures as well as Harvey trivia approached from every angle. Who knew Jerry Lewis did Sad Sack movies? Where did my favorite Harvey comic star, Hot Stuff, come from? What's the relation of the Famous/ Paramount cartoons to the comics?

I myself eagerly await each issue of a Little Lulu fanzine called The Hollywood EcLLectern, and I can't think of anything better than if all those issues were bound together in a book. What a happy thought that Mark Arnold has been there and done that with the big H comics, and even better that I can kick back with this enthralling volume and another H (Hefeweisen) and delve into the Harvey Fun Times.

This latest entry in this venerable series is one of the best--and the most inclusive, too.

Thankfully, it includes many more cartoons from foreign cartoonists. It's wonderful to enjoy an international cartooning perspective.

This is the Fourth Edition of Cagle Books I have purchased. This one in my Humble Opinion is the Best yet, and that is Due to amount of Cartoons included herein. This one has more cartoons per page than the 2005-2007 Editions and contains a few more pages as well. Hundreds of Top Political Cartoonists are featured, and Subjects like The Iraq War are right here next to Paris Hilton and O.J. Simpson.

If you have an interest in the Issues of the Day and enjoy Great Cartoons. This Book should be a part of your Library..This is an Excellent Purchase...Five Stars !!!

This book was very entertaining and a great collection of pollitical cartoons. Categorized so that the reader can look at various cartoons about a specific topic (such as the iPhone), this book was easily accessible. Sarcastic, humerous, and in some cases very true, (although not necessarily complete) this is indeed a great collection of some of the best cartoons of 2008's biggest issues.

GATES '99 is good fun. The author really captures a lot of the inside quirks of Microsoft. Plus, Bill looks great in the outfits!

This book is a riot. It's especially funny to see Bill Gates in his underwear!

Hilarious! You'll see Bill in a whole new light after being able to dress him as Janet Reno. This would fit perfectly in the holiday stocking of your favorite Microsoft drone.

Bizarro No. 10 by Dan Piraro is one of the funniest cartoon books I've ever read. It's the perfect book to keep in your purse or next to the toilet when you have a few moments to kill time.

What a great book! It kept me entertained and I didn't want to put it down. The cartoons are reminiscent of The Far Side.

This is another typically genius work from Dan Piraro. This guy's work is most often compared to The Far Side because of the single-panel format, but this is even a bit weirder, as hard as that is to believe. Some of the jokes will go over your head, but others will make you laugh out loud (I usually don't laugh out loud while reading, but Bizarro books have often made me do so). This is a great coffee table book and is fun to read with a bunch of friends. Pick this one up and you'll be hooked! Highly recommended!