Thanks first and foremost to the artists and writers who took part in this project, graciously giving of their time and talent. I also wish to thank the following individuals, who provided invaluable help along the way: Gina Gagliano, Reilly Hadden, Judy Hansen, Edite Kroll, Kate R. Kubert, Holly McGhee, Tanya McKinnon, David Saylor, and Mark Siegel.

I am grateful to my editors at Candlewick Press, Deborah Noyes, Carter Hasegawa, and Katie Ring, and art director Sherry Fatla for their consummate professionalism and good fellowship at every turn. And I thank my agent, Erica Rand Silverman, and her colleague at Sterling Lord Literistic, Caitlin McDonald, for their continuing friendship and guidance.

Finally, a tip of my hat to the two artist-provocateurs from whom I learned to love the comics form: Jules Feiffer and the original Mad man, the late Harvey Kurtzman.