Key underground comics creator Robert Crumb is back in the spotlight again this summer thanks to the success of MQ Publications' R. Crumb Handbook, the brick-thick 432-page collection that has been in the BookScan Top Ten for the past two weeks (and in the Top 20 for the past month -- see 'Fruits Basket Tops Bookstore Sales').  MQ, which reportedly sold 20,000 copies of the Crumb Handbook in the U.K., has printed 100,000 copies of the book and the reclusive creator has just completed an unprecedented North American book tour in support of the project.  Crumb appeared on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross and at the New York Public Library with Time Magazine art Critic Robert Hughes.

In addition to the R. Crumb Handbook a number of related items are back in print including Crumb's three trading card sets, Heroes of the Blues, Early Jazz Greats and Pioneers of Country Music -- all newly available from Denis Kitchen Publishing along with the Mr. Natural Postcard Book.  Fantagraphics' Complete Crumb series is now up to volume #17 and Last Gasp has a new issue of Zap.  Randy Bowen has a Devil Girl Statue, Dark Horse a Devil Girl Lunchbox and Cheesy Products has just released Devil Girl Hot Kisses, red-hot cinnamon candies packaged in an arresting Crumb-designed tin and display.