Today in Comics History, July 7, 1917: Happy birthday, Johnny Thunder!

Born today in 1917, in the DC Universe: Johnny Thunder, master of the genie Thunderbolt!


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda



Rare for a DC character, his birthdate is such a vital part of his origin, it was included in his very first Golden Age story!


from "[The Kidnapping of Johnny Thunder]" in Flash Comics (1940 series) #1 (DC, January 1940), script by John B. Wentworth, pencils and inks by Stan Asch
So, of course you know that Roy Thomas had to revisit his origin in the 1980s!



from "The Secret Origin of Johnny Thunder" in Secret Origins (1986 series) #13 (DC, April 1987), script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Mike Clark, inks by Dave Hunt, colors by Carl Gafford, letters by Agustin Más
The genie will perform Johny's every wish upon his utterance of the secret phrase: "CEI-U" ("say you")! Yes, that includes fetching cookies!


from Doomsday Clock #12 (DC, February 2020), script by Geoff Johns, pencils and inks by Gary Frank, colors by Brad Anderson, letters by Rob Leigh
Here's what Let's Go Badhnisia has to say about all this! I hope the next section points out where all the restrooms are.



from Atlas of the DC Universe (Mayfair Games, 1990)
So to celebrate Johnny Thunder's birthday, here's the aptly-titled "Johnny Thunder's Birthday Party!"




from All-Star Western (1951 series) #91 (DC, October 1956), script by Robert Kanigher, pencils and inks by Gil Kane
SAY, YOU gave us the wrong Johnny Thunder, comics! Curse you again, DC legacy heroes!

Anyway, I wish Johnny Thunder a very happy birthday, I dareSAY. YOU?


from Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe (1985 series) #11 (DC, January 1986), pencils and inks by Steve Leialoha