Today in Comics History, July 9: Happy birthday, Virginia Romita!

Happy birthday today to Marvel's famous and beloved Production Traffic Manager Virginia Romita!


from Marvel Age #31, 55, 91, and 103 (Marvel, October 1985, October 1987, August 1990, and August 1991); text by Jim Salicrup (#31), Mike Carlin (#55) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#91 and 103); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yanchus (#31), Paul Becton (#54) and Renee Witterstaetter (#91 and 103)



Virginia's the (ex-)wife of John Romita, Sr., and mother of John Romita, Jr, so love of the comics worlds runs in the family. As Traffic Manager, she kept books coming out on schedule! Without her, Marvel Comics themselves would be impossible — or at least, very late!



from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated January 1984 (top), and Marvel/New Universe Comics cover-dated September 1987>
In a job like that you've gotta be tough but fair! Or, fair but tough! Virginia was both, in fact!


from "The Fateful Schedule-Meeting" in Ka-Zar the Savage #33 (Marvel, August 1984), script by Danny Fingeroth, photos by Eliot R. Brown, letters by Rick Parker
Here, let's let Virginia Romita herself describe her vital job:


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated June 1984
Can you find Virginia in the offices of Marvel 1992? (As far as I'm concerned, she should have the biggest and best office!)

from Marvel Age #120 (Marvel, January 1993), art by Rick Parker
(Click top picture to Bullpen-size)
That means one of the most feared tasks among the Marvel creators is reporting to Virginia that your book'll be a little late:


from "The Marvel Bullpen" in Marvel Age Annual #1 (Marvel, 1985), script by Kurt Busiek, pencils by James Fry, inks by Keith Williams, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Rick Parker
You can probably get away with it if you run the place, though. (Here, with VP Michael Hobson and EIC Jim Shooter.)


from [Uncanny] X-Men Annual #7 (Marvel, January 1984), script by Chris Claremont, pencils by Bret Blevins, inks by Al Milgrom, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters bu Michael Higgins
Besides, Marvel owes her one from the time Spidey trashed John Sr. and Virginia's apartment:


from Peter Parker: Spider-Man (1990 series) #89 (Marvel, March 1998), script by Howard Mackie, pencils by John Romita, Jr., inks by Scott Hanna, colors by Gregory Wright, letters by Kiff Scholl and Richard Starkings
A very happy birthday to the much-loved Virginia Romita!


from Marvel Age #112 (Marvel, May 1992)