DENNIS THE MENACE No. 57, March 1962

John Kricfalusi has recently posted some Dennis the Menace artwork on his great blog, John K Stuff; and Mr. K has requested some Dennis work by Owen Fitzgerald. No problemo. Every page and panel that follows is pure Fitzgerald, including this nearly perfect Dennis cover.

Let’s not beat around the bush: after Hank Ketcham, Fitzgerald is my favorite Dennis artist. Fitzgerald had loose and relaxed down cold; and he captured such character in so few lines. Every panel has vibrant energy.

Let’s not forget the quality of writing in these stories as well, courtesy of Fred Toole, who was hand-selected by Ketcham for the comic book work. In this first story, The Great Teddy Tizzy, we find Dennis and his best pal, Joey, finding wonderful chaos. Sure, from an adult/parent perspective, Dennis was . . . a challenge. But from a kid’s point of view? Heck, they don't make pals any better than the little tow-head.

This one-page back cover is also Toole and Fitzgerald.

DENNIS THE MENACE No. 62, Sept. 1962

This post is for Albie’s kids, Gideon and Haddie. Both like sitting with pop in front of the computer, reading Kids’ Comics. Guys, Dennis cracks me up, too, so this one’s for you two!!

Dennis was drawn by many great artists in this title, but talk of “best” always boils down to either Al Wiseman or Owen Fitzgerald (both can make your jaw drop). I am in the Fitzgerald camp (see below). His loosey-goosey figures send me. This is from Dennis the Menace No. 62, September 1962, and the dazzling writing is pure Fred Toole.

“That’s what I call psychology,” says husband, Henry, in this next story, so proud. “That’s what I call fibbing,” says wife, giving her husband a typical “Alice” look. What a mom! What a family.

One wish? Every human in the world could have one childhood memory of a day like the one in the following story. I said it before, and I’ll say it again. What a family.