Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Bill Morrison!

Born on this day and no other: Bill Morrison, comic book artist, writer, and editor; co-founder and creative director of the late lamented Bongo Comics (The Simpsons, Futurama, etc.); and draw-er of a lotta stuff, including the beloved (by me, of course) Jane Wiedlin's Lady Robotika!



from "Backstage at Bongo" in Bongo Comics Free-for-All 2006 (Bongo, May 2006), creators unidentified



Natch, just as being Stan Lee pretty much gets you a free ticket to appear in any Marvel Comic (including, for some reason, The Life of Pope John Paul II), running Bongo helps you rack up the appearances inside their comics! Another good reason I need to found a comic book company, I guess.


from Futurama Returns promo comic (Bongo, 2007), script by Patric M. Verrone, layouts by Bill Morrison, pencils by Jason Ho, inks by Mike Rote, colors by Nathan Kane, letters by Karen Bates
And naturally, a lot of photos featured on Bongo Comics text pages!



from Futurama Comics #12 (Bongo, March 2003)


from Futurama Comics #14 (Bongo, July 2003)


from "It was Raining Cat Ears and Con Dogs!" in Simpsons Comics #193 (Bongo, August 2012), photo by Art Villanueva
However: do not confuse Bongo Bill Morrison with evil Senator Bill Morrison.


from Osborn #3 (Marvel, April 2011), script by Kelly Sue DeConnick, pencils and inks by Emma Ríos, colors by José Villarrubia, letters by Clayton Cowles
So happy birthday to you, non-villainous Bill Morrison!