Today in Comics History, March 6: Happy birthday, Al Milgrom!

Born on this day: Al Milgrom, writer, penciller, inker, and editor for too many comics to list from Marvel, DC, Archie, Dark Horse, Atlas/Seaboard and the proverbial many more!


from The Mighty Marvel Calendar 1976, 1977 and 1978 (Marvel, 1975, 1976, and 1977)


from Marvel Age #27, 51, 87, 99, and 111 (Marvel, June 1985, June 1987, April 1990, April 1991, and April 1992); text by Jim Salicrup (#27), Mike Carlin (#51), Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#87 and 99), and Mike Lackey (#111); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by George Roussos (#27), Paul Becton (#51), Gregory Wright (#87), and Renee Witterstaetter (#99)



Al's also made a lot of appearances within comics books. One of the most famous features Al (and his fellow creators) bedeviled by Bat-Mite!



from "Bat-Mite's New York Adventure!" in Detective Comics #482 (DC, February 1979), script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Michael Golden, inks by Bob Smith, colors by Anthony Tollin, letters by Milt Snapinn
Here's a slightly more clean-shaven Al (left) from the issue of Dazzler where Alison Blaire meets Ralph Macchio (the Marvel editor, not the Karate Kid)!


from Dazzler #30 (Marvel, January 1984), script by Jim Shooter as Ken McDonald, pencils by Frank Springer, inks by Vince Colletta, colors by Andy Yanchus, letters by Janice Chiang
Al's listed as appearing in this early Iron Fist story, but I'm not certain which character he is. The guy with the sunglasses towards the left?



from Marvel Premiere (1972 series) #24 (Marvel, September 1975), script by Chris Claremont, pencils by Pat Broderick, figure pencils and inks by Marie Severin, inks by Vince Colletta, colors by Phil Rachelson, letters by Karen Mantlo
Look, it's demandy Al, looking exactly like he did in all those "Editori-Al" pages! (He drew both!) Don't make him angry! (etc.)



from Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976 series) #86 (Marvel, January 1984), script by Bill Mantlo, pencils and inks by Al Milgrom, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Joe Rosen
Speaking of which: as editor of Marvel Fanfare, he'd appear in virtually every issue on the inside front cover! He even occasionally got his very own corner box!




from (top) Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #1 (Marvel, March 1982) and (middle) #60 (Marvel, December 1991); script, pencils, and inks by Al Milgrom, letters by Janice Chiang (?);
(bottom) cover corner box of Marvel Fanfare #13 (Marvel, March 1984), by Al Milgrom
Here's one of the adorable gag pages Roger Stern and Terry Austin produced for the Hulk reprint title. That's Milgrom in the upper right. He didn't even edit the book.


"Hulkis the Horrendous!" from Marvel Super-Heroes (1967 series) #104 (Marvel, December 1981), script by Roger Stern, pencils and inks (and letters?) by Terry Austin, colors by Michele Wolfman (?)
Not only did Al Milgrom appear within the pages of the dubious event comic Secret Wars II...



from Secret Wars II #3 (Marvel, September 1985), script by Jim Shooter, pencils by Al Milgrom, inks by Steve Leialoha, colors by Christie Scheele, letters by Joe Rosen
...he was also, apparently, The Beyonder! Never ask Al Milgrom if Spider-Man taught him how to pee, though.


cover of Marvel Age #27 (Marvel, June 1985), art by Al Milgrom
Want to learn more about Al Milgrom? Read all about him at your local library or comic book shop, or check out this DC spotlight feature!


"DC Profiles" #21, from DC comics cover-dated December 1977
Wherever you go, there Al is!


clockwise from top left: 1. from "What If the Marvel Editorial Crew Did, Too?" in What If...? (1977 series) #34 (Marvel, August 1982); script by Mike Carlin, pencils, inks, and letters by Rick Parker;
2. from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated April 1982;
3. from Peter Parker, The Spectcular Spider-Man (1976 series) #77 (Marvel, April 1983), script by Bill Mantlo, pencils by Al Milgrom, inks by Jim Mooney, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Joe Rosen
Pretty much everywhere!


from FOOM #7 (Marvel, September 1974)
I mean everywhere!



from "Scars" in The Batman Family #17 (DC, April 1978), script by Gerry Conway, pencils and inks by Jim Aparo, colors by Adrienne Roy
A very happy birthday to you, Al Milgrom, and many more!

cover of Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #45 (Marvel, August 1989), pencils and inks by John Byrne
(Click picture to Marv-AL Universe-size)