Today in Comics History, June 8: Happy birthday, Michael Higgins!

Let's all gather around a cake for Michael Higgins today and celebrate the birthday of the Marvel Comics writer, inker, colorist, letterer, and editor on series like Marvel Comics Presents, Conan the Barbarian, Excalibur, Daredevil, The Punisher, and lots more!


from Marvel Age #30, 54, and 90 (Marvel, September 1985, September 1987, and July 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#30), Mike Carlin (#54) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#90); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yanchus (#30), Paul Becton (#54) and Renee Witterstaetter (#90)



A thorough self-examination of Mr. Higgins in the Marvel Pro File!:


from Marvel Comics cover-dated May 1988
So you think I was joking in that last alt-text? But it's true: Mike is a die-hard fan of the Grateful Dead!


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated August 1991, script by Barry Dutter; pencils, inks, and letters by Rick Parker
As seen here when Mike appears within the pages of Captain America, as Steve Rogers turns in his comic book artwork to Marvel's Michael Carlin (in the green shirt) who passes them onto a Mike Higgins (Grateful Dead shirt) who is, if not disgruntled, then actually far from gruntled.


from Captain America #314 (Marvel, February 1986), script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Paul Neary, inks by Dennis Janke, colors by Ken Feduniewicz, letters by Diana Albers
(Say, what is Cap's attitude towards Deadheads, you might wonder?)


from Captain America #357 (Marvel, September 1989), script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils and inks by Al Milgrom, letters by John Morelli
More about Michael Higgins and his life as a Deadhead in this Relix article!

Michael pops up when he's in charge of Bob Budiansky's during the infamous and wondrous Marvel event known as "Assistant Editors' Month!" Talking to John Byrne without losing his patience? Now that's dedication to his work!


from Fantastic Four #262 (Marvel, January 1984); script, pencils, and inks by John Byrne
Another encounter with Byrne (altho' he's offscreen in this panel) in Star Brand, here with Howard Mackie. Higgisn is probably commenting on the licensed books he's worked on (Conan, ROM, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe) — at least in these words Byrne is putting into his mouth. Oh, and nice shirt, Mike!


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
"Nothing to report on the Thing." Except that he's fantastic!


from "The Fateful Schedule-Meeting" fumetti in Ka-Zar the Savage #33 (Marvel, August 1984), script by Danny Fingeroth, photographs by Eliot R. Brown, letters by Rick Parker
Mike Higgins, master letterer!


from Marvel Age Special: Punisher Anniversary Magazine one-shot (Marvel, February 1994)
Well, by now you've certainly seen enough images of Michael Higgins that you ought to be able to pick him out of a police line-up cover featuring the Marvel editors. Where is he, oh faithful Higgins-fans?




cover of Marvel Age #35 (Marvel, February 1986) by James Fry and Tom Morgan
A very happy birthday to you, Michael Higgins!


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated February 1984