A third collection of strips from the popular syndication follows the daily misadventures that mark the relationship between the temperamental cat Bucky, the sensitive dog Satchel, and their mild-mannered human companion, Rob Wilco. Original.

In another collection from the popular comic strip, the precocious Jason continues his torture of his parents and teen siblings with the help of his computer and pet iguana, Quincy. Original.

As 9-11 shakes the Doonesbury world, many of its denizens are drawn inexorably toward Ground Zero--Mike to attend a memorial service for a former employer; B.D., reactivated for crowd control and celebrity tourism; Marcia Feinbloom to hit on firefighters; and Zonker to deliver potent fruitcakes to weary rescue workers. Those on the home front are no less affected by events: ''I no longer care what Madonna had for breakfast,'' laments Boopsie, proof positive that Everything Has Changed. Half a world away, in Al-Qaeda Qountry, a burka-clad Roland Hedley is captured by a freelance warlord, then wounded by a can of Spam during a massive friendly food drop. Feyzabad Station Chief Havoc's effort to rescue the downed journalist speaks well for the new, improved CIA, which has somehow managed to parlay its ''massive'' intelligence failures into cult status on the nation's campuses. How else to explain Jeff Redfern's new internship with ''Acme Imports''--and his sudden affinity for shaken-not-stirred libations? Meanwhile, former inside trader Phil Slackmeyer watches from his deathbed as the effort to smoke out evildoers expands to include the entire management team of Enron. Prominent among them is ''Jimmy Jack Jumbo'' Andrews, head of over 400 Caymans-based businesses, who calls his old friend to ask the question on many an ex-exec's mind: ''What's prison like?'' And back at the White House pressroom, NPR attack-dog Mark has questions of his own, like, ''What time will you be launching the cover-up?'' and ''Will there be a lunch?'' Yes, excavating Enron's smoking crater will be a long and dirty job--even if the president barely knows ''Mr. Lay,'' the disgraced CEO with whom he exchanged 350 letters. As Dubya assures us, ''I did not have political relations with that man.''

The latest collection of "Close to Home" strips features more hilarious, absurdist adventures culled from everyday living, addressing such familiar topics as health care, parenting, shopping, dating, car repairs, and more. Original. 25,000 first printing.

Well on the day you were born, the nurses all gathered 'round. And they gazed in wide wonder, as my face hit the ground. The head nurse looked up, said, ''Leave this one prone.'' She could tell right away that I was Dad to the bone.'' --Sing to the tune of George Thorogood's Bad to the Bone If you read the job description in a want ad, you might think long and hard before responding. WANTED: A man willing to change diapers that could nuke the ozone, plop down on all fours and become a horsie at a moment's notice, arise from a deep sleep for an hour to calm nightmares, and part with a significant chunk of his hard-earned nest egg. There's only one explanation for why a man such as Baby Blues' Darryl MacPherson would accept such a challenge . . because he's Dad to the Bone. ''Now, when I coach your teams, I go out of my mind! Every holler and scream means I'm proud that you're mine! As the years go by, pretty baby, can't believe how much you've grown! I wanna' thank you for makin' me a Dad to the Bone!'' Of course, Baby Blues isn't only about fatherhood. This is a well-rounded family, with mom Wanda becoming more well-rounded every day as she heads into her third pregnancy. This collection of strips from the wildly popular feature Baby Blues, which is enjoyed by millions of parents and kids every day. Over the years, creators Jerry Scott and Rick Kirkman have perfected this family-centered strip that presents the joyful moments with the frustrating in a way that is hilarious and heartfelt without being syrupy sweet.

He blusters and grumbles. He rants and raves. He tries to outgun the school kids chasing after the bus on his route. But in his heart, Ed Crankshaft has a decent streak a mile wide. Patiently explaining death to his grandson Max. Comforting his friend Ralph as Ralph's wife descends into Alzheimer's. Thrusting flowers and candy at his son-in-law on a nearly forgotten wedding anniversary. The star of the hit comic strip Crankshaft is a gentle soul stuck in a cantankerous mood. With a supporting cast that includes Ed's two daughters, Chris and Pam; Pam's husband, Jeff; and their kids, Max and Mindy, Crankshaft appeals to families everywhere who steadfastly deal with intergenerational cares and conflicts. As one critic said: ''Crankshaft is a witty, thoughtful commentary on the trials and tribulations of today's senior citizens.'' But, of course, Crankshaft is so much more. The strip's approach to Alzheimer's generated countless letters and e-mails, as did Crankshaft's near-death illness. Hilarious and clever, honest and moving, Crankshaft both keeps readers laughing at the curmudgeon's pranks and pondering life's real meaning in this collection, Your Favorite...Crab Cakes! It's a balancing act that's rarely attempted in the comics--and with Crankshaft, it works admirably.

What happens when a cartoonist incorporates story-line suggestions from readers and merges them with innovative artwork lauded by other cartoonists as among the finest drawn today? You get Pat Brady's Rose is Rose-the strip that's earned Brady legions of loyal fans and a nomination for Cartoonist of the Year four years running from the National Cartoonists Society.High-Spirited Rose is Rose is the fifth collection featuring the high-spirited high jinks of the Gumbo family-Rose, her husband, Jimbo, and her cherished son, Pasquale. We can count on the imaginative Rose, who lightens her household load by occasionally assuming an alter ego, Vicki, a black-leather-clad biker babe. This collection features original artwork sure to please fans. More than any strip today, Rose is Rose challenges its readers to relive their childhood feelings of wonder and awe. Brady began his beloved Rose is Rose strip in 1984. Today, the strip appears in more than 500 newspapers daily.

Usually the biggest struggles (and the biggest laughs) are over the smallest things, and nowhere is this truer than in households with kids. Baby Blues Unplugged, overflows with all of the familiar domestic discord and chaos that has made this venerable family comic strip such a phenomenal success. In one strip, Hammie makes skis out of hot wheel tracks and two hair scrunchies and careens down a mountain of couch cushions. Meanwhile, Zoe carefully deliberates whether she wants her bath with or without bubbles, finally telling her Dad, ''How about a regular bath with bubbles on the side?'' Baby Blues provides parents with a much-needed laugh as they battle the daily challenges of keeping pace with their kids.

Award-winning cartoonist Mark Tonra uniquely interprets the quintessential tug-of-war we call "childhood," where innocence confronts experience, right debates wrong, and halfhearted independence challenges a loving lap to sit on. Buffered by his own wide-eyed resilience, James collides daily with life's most poignant and comic truths-exhibiting a bravado (both real and false) that is at once endearing and universally human. With a deceptively simple palette, Mark Tonra skillfully paints a detailed portrait of every reader's experience. Wit and wisdom are on full display as James marches through life with his offbeat-and equally adorable-.cohorts. James is a rare combination of heart and razor-sharp humor that has comic fans of all ages shouting for more!