All-ages appeal: The Somerville (Mass.) Journal profiles cartoonist Jef Czekaj, creator of Grampa and Julie: Shark Hunters -- as well as the underground magazine Hypertruck (née R2D2 Is an Indie Rocker):

"I'm writing for myself, but I do keep in mind that it's for kids. I think a lot of children's art and culture is really dumbed down. When you're a kid, there's lots of stuff you don't understand, and it's not that big a deal. So I think when I put in words a kid might not know, either they'll ask their parents and they'll get something out of it, or they'll not know what that word is. I try to make it good and not cloying for grownups as well."