Today in Comics History, April 1: Happy birthday, Sheldon Mayer!

Born this day in 1917: Sheldon Mayer, writer, editor, artist, and one of the greatest comic book creators of the 20th century. He's one of my favorite-ever comic book masters.


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)



How important is Mayer? Without him, we likely wouldn't know Superman, because he's the editor who took the original strip to Harry Donenfeld to be published in Action Comics #1. He's the creator of Sugar and Spike, Scribbly, Ma Hunkel, and the Three Mouseketeers, and the co-creator of the JSA and Black Orchid.


cover of Amazing World of DC Comics #5 (DC, March 1975); detail from the cover of Comic Cavalcade #23 (DC/National, October 1947), by Harry Lampert and Alex Toth; self-portrait by by Sheldon Mayer
Mayer was the editor on the original Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern comics. He appeared in many of those comics as a character — just as I like to spotlight in this very feature! Handy, huh? See how he breaks those panel borders!





from "[Sheldon Mayer Meets the Red Tornado]" in All-American Comics #45 (DC, December 1942; script, pencils, inks, and letters by Sheldon Mayer



from "[Adventure of the Stolen Telescope!] Chapter Two: The Terrible Three Ain't So Terrible!" in All-Flash #9 (DC, March 1943); script by Gardner Fox; pencils and inks (and cover) by Lou Ferstadt
This story co-starring Sheldon Mayer is even set on April 1, making it a not only a triple threat by giving it Today in Comics History, Born on This Day, and April Fool's Day tags! Whoa, that's almost too much cross-referencing!




from "[The Man Who Unleashed the Past!]" in All-Flash #14 (DC, Spring 1944), script by Gardner Fox; pencils and inks by E. E. Hibbard
Sheldon Mayer puts an end to a "hypothetical" (imaginary?) story written by Alfred Bester (in the green checked jacket)!


from "They Are Invincible!" in Comic Cavalcade #6 (DC, Spring 1944), script by Alfred Bester, pencils and inks by Paul Reinman
SAY, YOU oughta see Mayer editing John Wentworth (in blue) writing a Johnny Thunder story as it's happening!




from "Peachy Pet's Birthday" in Flash Comics #73 (DC, July 1946), script by John Wentworth, pencils and inks by Stan Asch
And here he is menacing poor Johnny Thunder! Geez, Sheldon, we heard you wuz nice!


from the Johnny Thunder story in Flash Comics #77 (DC, November 1946), script by John Wentworth, pencils and inks by Stan Asch
A recollection from Mayer within the pages of the absolutely essential Comic Book Comics (aka The Comic Book History of Comics – seriously, get yourself a copy today; it's fascinating and funny and you'll certainly learn something) of meeting teh young Bill Gaines (Godfather of EC Comics and MAD):


from "The House of Fear" in Comic Book Comics #2 (Evil Twin, October 2008); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey
It's a wonder with his heavy schedule of appearing inside comic book stories that Sheldon ever had the chance to actually create 'em! But here he is (center) actually wearing his editor tie (and a very attractive tie it is too, S.M.!):


from Wonder Woman (1942 series) #2 (DC, Fall 1942)
We luvs ya, Sheldon Mayer — and a very happiest of birthdays to you!


Amazing World of DC Comics #5