Today in Comics History, January 20: Happy birthday, George Burns!

Born on this day in 1896: Comedian, actor, and star of vaudeville, radio, television and movies: George Burns! He was God, you know. But did you know he assisted Doc Savage on one of his most dangerous cases? Actually, it was actually wife Gracie who saved the day when she flew up in her rocket-assisted flying suit to deliver the bomb that blew up John Sunlight's Deadly Dirgible. Now you know...the rest of the story!


cover of Doc Savage Comics v.2 #2/14 (Street and Smith, April 1943), artist unknown
Hey, can you spot George Burns in the crowd at this comedy club among a deluge of great comedians (and a few bad ones)? Remember: you ain't nobody 'til Mort Drucker draws you!

"New Twists on Old Jokes" in MAD #314 (October 1992); script by Dennis Snee, pencils and inks by Mort Drucker
(Click top picture to Louis Anderson-size)
Ya did? So fast? Well, pfui on you! Try your peepers on this one: find George Burns on this cover!



from MAD #39 (May 1958), painting by C. C. Beall Jr.
Happy 126th birthday, George! Now say goodnight, Gracie.


from "Do the Copyright Thing" in Simpsons Comics #90 (Bongo, January 2004), script by Ian Boothby, pencils by John Costanza, inks by Phyllis Novin, colors by Art Villanueva, letters by Karen Bates