Today in Comics History, December 16: Happy birthday, Bill Hicks!

Born into this world today in 1961 (and he left all too soon on February 26, 1994, at the age of 32): comedian and social critic Bill Hicks, one of the influential voices who shaped my comic and political sensibilities into what they are today. Okay, I'm only seven, I shouldn't be listening to Mr. Hicks at my tender age, but hey...we all need to.



from Preacher #31 (DC/Vertigo, November 1997), script by Garth Ennis, pencils and inks by Steve Dillon, colors by Pamela Rambo, letters by Clem Robins
I've previously written about Bill Hicks as he's portrayed in the pages of Preacher (and probably a little more eloquently) a couple times previously, so check out my older posts "It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious." and then "I left in love, in laughter, and in truth and wherever truth, love and laughter abide, I am there in spirit."


from "Epilogue" in American Splendor Special: A Step Out of the Nest (Dark Horse, August 1994); script by Harvey Pekar; pencils, inks, and colors by Joe Zabel, letters by Gary Dumm
(You can read that John Lahr New Yorker piece on Hicks here.)

Wherever you are, Bill? Still speak truth to power.