Today in Comics History, January 22: Happy birthday, Howard Mackie!

Born on this day: comics writer and editor Howard Mackie! Co-creator of the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider! Assistant editor to the legendary Mark Gruenwald! Editor of the New Universe! Writer for Amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker: Spider-Man, and Web of Spider-Man, not to mention too many other comics series to, um...mention, like X-Factor, Mutant X, Marvel Comics Presents, Spirits of Vengeance, Gambit, a couple Venom miniseries, and yep, even more! (Oh wait, was that a mention?)


from Marvel Age #49, 86, and 97 (Marvel, April 1987, March 1990, and February 1991); text by Mike Carlin (#49), & Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#86 and 97); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Paul Becton (#49), & Gregory Wright (#86) and Renee Witterstaetter (#97)




From such a humble beginning as this...


from Marvel Age #19 (Marvel, October 1984)
...through getting his own Creator Pro File...


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated November 1987
...Howard's had a lot of good times in the Marvel Age spotlight of stars!





from Marvel Age #35, 88, 115, and 137 (Marvel, February 1986, May 1990, August 1992, and June 1994)
Here's a short interview with Mackie and artist Tom Lyle about their Spider-Man plans. ("1: Make him keep dates with MJ. #2: Stop ghosting Aunt May. #3: Take a photography class.")

from Spider-Man Collectors Preview one-shot (Marvel, December 1994)
(Click picture to power and responsibilisize)
It's not too long before Howard starts showing up inside the comics as well! Here, two SHIELD agents named after him and Marvel letterer Jack Morelli run headlong into danger and destruction. And, I'm sorry to tell you, into death! DARN YOU JOHN BYRNE


from Marvel Graphic Novel #18 [The Sensational She-Hulk] (Marvel, 1985), script and pencils by John Byrne, inks by Kim DeMulder, colors by Petra Goldberg, letters by Janice Chiang
Howard (white shirt) discusses the ramifications of real-world superheroes in the New Universe ("outside your window, down the street, turn left at the Hardee's") with John Byrne (red shirt) and Mark Gruenwald (blue):


from Star Brand #11 (Marvel/New Universe, January 1988), script and pencils by John Byrne, inks by Tom Palmer, colors by Andy Yanchus, letters by Joe Rosen
In the next issue, they all attend a Pittsburgh comic convention and man-splain superheroes to Kenneth "Star Brand" Connell. They're not wrong, tho'. Just obnoxious. Geez, guys, Duck worked on that cool suit for days!




from Star Brand #12 (Marvel/New Universe, March 1988), script and pencils by John Byrne, inks by Tom Palmer, colors by Andy Yanchus, letters by Joe Rosen
It is the last argument they'll ever have.


Whenever Mackie's not on screen, all the other characters should be asking, "Where's Mackie?"


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated August 1991; script by Barry Dutter, art by Rick Parker
Can you find Howard Mackie at the Superman/Muhammad Ali prize fight? No! You can't. Sheesh! Because he wasn't even in the comics industry then. Well, then, how about finding him among the Marvel Editors rushin' at you on this cover? Huh, fanboys? I dares ya!




cover of Marvel Age #35 (Marvel, February 1986) by James Fry and Tom Morgan
Have a happy birthday, Howard Mackie!