from Captain America (1968 series) #292 (Marvel, April 1984), script by J. M. DeMatteis, pencils by Paul Neary, inks by Ed Barreto, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Diana Albers
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Today in Comics History, December 24: Drinky Crow's more politically correct cousin celebrates the season
from Captain America (1968 series) #292 (Marvel, April 1984), script by J. M. DeMatteis, pencils by Paul Neary, inks by Ed Barreto, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Diana Albers
Today in Christmas Comics History, December 24: USS Palomino is hit by a mysterious ink wave
Top: original pencils to panels from The Black Hole newspaper strip (September 2, 1979), pencils by Jack Kirby;
Bottom: inks and art corrections by Mike Royer, redrawing figures to fit Disney models;
both from The Jack Kirby Collector #32 (TwoMorrows, July 2001)
366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 359: Come in, and know me better, spider-man
We started this festive holiday season by pointing out that J. Jonah Jameson was not unlike that famous curmudgeon of literature, stage, screen, and streaming-and-rebuffering-video, Ebenezer Scrooge. Which makes ya think, doesn't it? Why didn't, ya may be thinking, did Marvel never do a parody of that famous Christmas tale but starring J. Jonah Jameson?. Ya may well think that.
Ya'd be not far off reality, True Believer!
Splash page from "Jonah's Holiday Carol" in Marvel Holiday Special 2004 one-shot (January 2005), script by Tom DeFalco, pencils and inks by Takeshi Miyazawa, colors by Christina Strain, letters by Clem Robins
Of course, as Mister Magoo and Bill Murray would tell you, if you're going to be a Scrooge on Christmas Eve, you know what will happen, faster than you can say "Blackadder's Christmas Carol"...
First up, as Ghost of Christmas Past: Captain America! Technically if you're talking Marvel Comics History, that should be the Sub-Mariner, but Namor would just show him Tunas of Christmas Past, and I think we've all seen that old cliché plenty of times before.
CHECK IT OUT KID JONAH IS A FANBOY! Bwah-ha-ha-ha hey I wonder if he saved those in Mylar bags?
Next up! Funnyman Benjy Grimm, wearin' his unstable molecule snow pants. He's here to show Jonah that IT'S CHRISTMASIN' TIME! Also: that an A-Bomb may have awakened giant radioactive monsters. At last, the definite origin of Fin Fang Foom!
Even though this year Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve, Ben has taken time out of his busy latke and brisket dinner to usher Jonah around The Present of whatever Christmas of
Then it's off to your friendly neighborhood dive bar where nobody knows your name, even if you're former astronaut John Jameson (son of Jonah), fallen on hard times. Whoa, Christmas just got real. Real depressing.
Personally I woulda picked Spider-Man 2099 to be the Ghost of Christmas Future, but we just get the regular-flavored one. And how come there wasn't a spot for Ghost Rider in this Christmas story? On the other hand, I'd certainly be spooked outta my little stuffed wits if Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield dropped in as Christmas Yet to Come. Especially Garfield, as he's gonna be pretty cranky that tomorrow is Monday.
Silent Night, Peter died, that means no, mor-re Spide
r-Man
Then the Bugle goes outta business! Wow, this kinda looks like when the Impossible Man showed up at Marvel Comics HQ looking for Stan in X-Men Annual #7. Hey Jonah, the Bugle blew...out of town.
Hooray! The Spirits have done it all in
Jonah was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Petey, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.
Until he got the caterer's bill. Haw!
He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Jonah observed,
GET ME PICTURES OF SPIDER-MAN, EVERYONE!
Today in Comics History, December 24: Clyde Crashup invents the December-only calendar
from "Crashcup's Narrow Escape or You Sleigh Me Deer" in Alvin and His Pals in Merry Christmas with Clyde Crashcup and Leonardo one-shot (Dell, April 1966), script and pencils by John Stanley
Friday, December 23, 2016
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987: What Have We Learned (About the Pitt), Charlie Brown?
So, as we bid farewell to Pitt Day and its aftermath, let's see where we stand right now:
Mama mia, that'sa one big hole.
diagrams from (top) Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988);
Marvel/New Universe comics cover-dated October 1988
Mama mia, that'sa one big hole.


diagrams from (top) Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988);
Marvel/New Universe comics cover-dated October 1988
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 9:03 AM: Another classic Genesis hit song is written
from D.P.7 #18 (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Paul Ryan, inks by Danny Bulanadi, colors by Paul Becton, letters by Janice Chiang
"Mama" by Genesis (Atlantic/Virgin, 1983); written by Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford
Labels:
D.P.7,
December 23,
New Universe,
Today in Comics History
Today in Comics History, December 23: Family Services continues to build their case against David Seville for adopting three chipmunks
from "First Christmas" in Alvin and His Pals in Merry Christmas with Clyde Crashcup and Leonardo (whew!) one-shot (Dell, April 1966), script by Don Segall, artist unidentified and unknown
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Spider-Man: An Editorial by J. Jonah Jameson
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, "If you see it in THE DAILY BUGLE it's so."
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.
Yes, VIRGINIA, your friends are right to be suspicious about Santa Claus. Just because you see him on every street corner doesn't mean he's real. I see Spider-Man all the time and he's no real hero, I tell you. I've seen some of these con-artists and bums masquerading as Santa Claus down in Times Square and at Macy's and I wouldn't give them a seafood dinner if they were King Namor of Atlantis! You know why? Because they can't prove it. Where's the reindeer, where's the sleigh, where's the presents? I'm gonna come right out and call each and every one of those Broadway Santas a big fat fraud. What're you gonna do, fatties? Sue me? I know more lawyers than you know elves.
Not believe in Santa Claus! That's the kind of no-nonsense, forward-looking view I want to see in an investigative reporter. You might as well believe another planet crashed into us last summer! That's outrageous! I'll tell you what I told Parker: no photos, no story. This is a picture newspaper, dammit! If we can get a picture of Donald Trump giving a Nazi salute, we can certainly get a picture of a planet crashing into the Earth. But does anybody ever think about what I want? No! A little piece and quiet is all I want. And pictures of Spider-Man! Get me pictures of Spider-Man! Get out of here, Parker!
You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, and that's the only thing that's gonna get you is the low-down story on those snake-filled baby rattles from Doctor Octopus. You think I got two Pulitzers sitting here at this desk and yelling at Parker to get me pictures of Santa Claus? No! I got them looking out this window and peering into the hearts and minds of every man, woman, and child in this city. And I know what they want. They want honest, solid journalism about corruption, crime, and Spider-Man! Ah, VIRGINIA, in this entire world there's nothing else more real and abiding than catching Spider-Man with his pants down. Metaphorically speaking.
So yes, VIRGINIA, there IS a Spider-Man. He's a threat and a menace, Thank God! for the increase in circulation every time we put one of those Spider-Man photos on the front page by Parker that looks like he shot it through cobwebs. Yes, Spider-Man will continue to threaten you and your family, and the only place you can count on to tell the truth is the DAILY BUGLE. And about this Santa Claus thing: there's only one way to tell for sure. If you don't get absolutely everything you wanted on your Christmas list, every single toy and doll and hula hoop or whatever it is you kids want it's because Spider-Man killed Santa Claus.
Dictated but not read,
J. JONAH JAMESON
JJJ/bb
Labels:
Christmas,
Daily Bugle,
holidays,
J. Jonah Jameson,
Santa Claus,
Spider-Man
366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 358: Marvel Comics finally put their Christmas decorations up on these panels
Panels from Sensational Spider-Man (1996 series) #24 (February 1998), script by Todd Dezago, pencils by Todd Nauck, inks by Andrew Hennessey, colors of Gregory Wright, letters by Kiff Scholl
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987: Marvel instantly rushes to capitalize on Pittsburgh disaster
house ad for the New Universe, from New Universe comics cover-dated May 1988
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 6:06 AM: Colonel Mac Browning swear he will never go hungry again, for tomorrow is another day
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia that didn't exist in the New Universe, tells us:
The crater itself is referred to as The Pitt, as is the event that created it. The destruction of Pittsburgh (and the unsolved mystery of its cause) leads to a dramatic rise in international tension and a vast militarization of American society, including the suspension of civil rights. Many cities suffer dramatic drop in population as residents fear becoming victims of another "Pitt." New York and surrounding areas in particular suffer severe economic downturn as, in addition to general depopulation, ash and smoke drifting Eastward from the Pitt have a negative environmental impact.Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you The New Universe: the world outside your window.
Labels:
December 23,
New Universe,
The Pitt,
Today in Comics History
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 4:57 AM: Sergeant Larry Fine picks up vital radio news
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Labels:
December 23,
New Universe,
The Pitt,
Today in Comics History
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 4:21 AM: Pittsburgh's last artisanal steel shop slowly sinks below the surface
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
8,900.
Labels:
December 23,
New Universe,
The Pitt,
Today in Comics History
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 3:18 AM: Giant Red Darth Vader mask contains full home entertainment system
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 2:00 AM: Fandom reaction to plot twist in New Universe is not surprising
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 1:43 AM: Momentary lull in Hulk activity gives military time to deal with paperwork
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Labels:
December 23,
New Universe,
The Pitt,
Today in Comics History
Today in Comics History: After two-plus hours inside armor deep in The Pitt, Jenny Swensen's hair still bouncin' and behavin'
Panels from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 1:04 AM: Letterman Show almost completely missed
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 12:52 AM: Flight out of Pittsburgh complicated by passenger complaining about Hillary b*tches
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 12:19 AM: Family sues Spitfire and the Troubleshooters for loss of their VW Beetle
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 23, 1987, 12:18 AM: Now we know why they call her Spitfire
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History December 23, 1987, 12:01 AM: Herbie Goes Bananas
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 11:02 PM: Jenny Swensen tours beautiful downtown Pittsburgh
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 10:41 PM: Silhouetted figure attempts to fool kids into thinking they're buying an Iron Man comic
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Today in Comics History, December 22, 1987, 10:16 PM: Q: Where do you get a green trenchcoat? A: Pittsburgh.
from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Pitt one-shot (Marvel/New Universe, April 1988); script by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald; pencils by Sal Buscema; inks by Stan Drake; ink assists by Chris Ivy and Donald Hudson; colors by Janet Jackson; letters by Agustin Mas, Michael Heisler, and Rick Parker
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)