Pop Culture Safari!

The roots of Crockett Johnson's Barnaby

The Comics Journal recollects the origins of "Barnaby," an underrated but beloved comic strip by Crockett Johnson, creator of the classic children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon."

Fantagraphics, which publishes the Journal, is collecting the complete strip in a series of hardcovers, the first of which comes out in June.

Barnaby’s fans have included Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, Family Circus creator Bil Keane, and graphic novelists Daniel Clowes, Art Spiegelman, and Chris Ware. It had many fans beyond the world of comics, too. Dorothy Parker compared Barnaby to Huckleberry Finn, and said: “I think, and I am trying to talk calmly, that Barnaby and his friends and oppressors are the most important additions to American arts and letters in Lord knows how many years. I know that they are the most important additions to my heart.”

BBC Radio this week: Professor Challenger; Bram Stoker; Goon Show; Fela Kuti, Eric Clapton!

Click the links to hear the following programs.

Professor Challenger: The Disintegration Machine Arthur Conan Doyle's indomitable academic investigates Latvian scientist Theodore Nemor.

Bram Stoker: The Squaw An arrogant American earns himself a horrific retribution. Tale from the Dracula author.

The Goon Show: Tales of Men's Shirts It's 1942 and Neddie Seagoon must stop the Germans' secret weapon. Stars Spike Milligan.

Weird Tales: The House on Pale Avenue The Williams family can't settle in their new home - is it trying to tell them something?

The Afrobeat Revolutionary Neneh Cherry concludes the story of musical pioneer and cultural revolutionary Fela Kuti.

Guitar Greats Alexis Korner presents a profile of Eric Clapton. First broadcast in 1983.

Great Carmine Infantino comic book covers pt 2

New photos from The Wolverine

Today's best thing ever: Galactus bottle opener

You'd think he'd have the Silver Surfer open his beers.

New Iron Man 3 pic

This one's kinda funny.

Teen Titans Go! premieres tonight

"Teen Titans Go!," a more comedic update of the WB's beloved "Teen Titans" toon of several years ago debuts on the Cartoon Network tonight. Nice to see the show reunites the original voice cast:

Teen Titans Go! continues the original's anime style and reunites the original voice cast in the roles of the five DC Comics-inspired crime-fighters: Scott Menville as Robin, Tara Strong as Raven, Khary Payton as Cyborg, Creg Cipes as Beast Boy and Hynden Walch as Starfire. "It was as if no time had past," Strong says of the actors' recording-booth reunion. "We have this really kibitzy, fun relationship with each other. We slid right back into those characters."

Teen Titans Go! airs Tuesdays at 7:30/6:30c on Cartoon Network and replays Saturdays mornings at 10:30/11:30c, during the network's DC Nation block.

New Iron Man 3 Imax poster

First peek at Julie Newmar classic Catwoman action figure

As you can tell from the logo slapped all over these pics, Action Figure Insider has the scoop on an upcoming Catwoman figure based on Julie Newmar from the 1966 "Batman" TV series.

This will join other 1966 Bat figures coming out from Mattel later this year. Looks great!