Today in Comics History, March 28: Happy birthday, Rick Barry!

Born on this day: basketball superstar Rick Barry! Happy birthday, Rick!


But why would Rick's birth be a special day in comics? Why, surely you've seen his tiny appearances in one of your comic books, encouraging kids to invest heavily in seeds that you need to sell to your grandparents!



American Seed Company ad from comics throughout the 1970s
He's featured in ads as the official spokesdribbler for Spaulding basketballs, America's only basketball!



Spaulding advertisement from Marvel Comics cover-dated July 1976
...Oh, let's just get to what you wanted to see, huh?? It's The World's Greatest Comic Book Basketball Ad!, drawn by none other than Mad's Jack Davis!


"Street Ball", Spaulding ad from comics throughout the 1970s, art by Jack Davis
An ad so iconic it inspired its own Simpsons parody!


"KrustyCo Presents Dartin' Around" from Simpsons Comics #17 (Bongo, February 1996), creators unidentified and unknown
Happy birthday, Rick!