Hank Ketcham (1920–2001)

I didn't really appreciate Ketcham's artistry when I read his cartoons in the newspaper as a child. He did set himself a pretty narrow working space; a one-panel cartoon about a 6-year-old boy, a real "boy's boy" who's a lot more mischievous than most, but with a basically good heart. And it can't go much beyond the bounds of believability, and the artwork has to be inobtrusive but contribute perfectly to the idea, and it's gotta be funny... and the artist has to do it every day for decades show more without letup, repetition or fall in humor. Pretty tall order. There are a few comic strip artists that have done this, but offhand I can't think of any that have done it this well or long with a single panel. "Dennis the Menace" may be one of the more underappreciated comic strips I know of. show less

For some reason I'm really coming to enjoy this strip as I read the collected panels. It's a remarkably even work, with few clunkers, a few exceptional panels, and most of them a consistently good idea, and fine draftsmanship in an understated way. I also like the nostalgic charm and simplicity of the strip. I think my favorite of this book is the one that has Dennis walking up behind his parents who are on the couch snuggling, with Alice on Henry's lap (she is quite a babe in this show more collection, by the way). Dennis cannot see his father's face, just that someone is holding his mother on his lap, and he says "Hi, Mom. Is that Dad?" Henry's facial expression is a remarkable blend of emotions, and I think the level of humor and artwork here is quite sophisticated, and unusual for this strip - or any strip of the early 1950's. I also quite like the strip which appeared on the day I was born, September 25, 1954. show less

I love that so many comic strips are getting the complete reprint treatment these days. I never would have picked it before becoming re-familiarized with it through Fantagraphic's fine reprints, but "Dennis the Menace" was certainly an underrated and well-chosen candidate for it. I would imagine one-panel cartoons are harder than the multi-panel format, but Ketcham pulled it off for decades, consistently at a high level of humor, and an artistic line and design that show an effortless show more mastery. It's not a brilliant psychological study on the level of "Peanuts". It's just a very good, funny one panel comic strip about a mischievous little boy that has never disappointed. show less

I become more impressed with this strip as I read more and more of it. It's not that there are any particularly standout panels here; it's just that in its 5th and 6th years now, I am aware of how consistently fine it is. Ketcham's artwork is simple and basic, but perfectly designed and laid out to complement the humor. And the same can be said for how the funny ideas match up to the art, bringing out the maximum in each. It even gets a little philosophical on pg. 467 when Dennis prays at show more bedtime, "...and make me a good boy. Or better, anyway." This also introduces Margaret, the little priss who immediately sets her sights on Dennis as someone who could be molded into future husband material. This strip's longevity and consistency make it one of the near-greats. show less