Hank Ketcham's Complete Dennis the Menace 1959-1960 (Vol. 5)
The latest volume collecting the enduringly popular Dennis the Menace newspaper panels brings the series into the 1960s. Ketcham’s gentle humor is best taken in daily doses, as originally intended; the detailing of Dennis’ dastardly deeds—exasperating and embarrassing his parents, annoying his neighbors, terrorizing babysitters—can seem repetitive and exhausting when two years’ worth is presented en masse. What doesn’t grow tiresome, at least to aficionados of masterly illustration, is Ketcham’s graphic virtuosity: his bold line work, expert compositions, and vivid characterizations make each and every panel a visual delight. --Gordon Flagg