Today in Comics History, April 28: Happy birthday, Ann-Margret!

Born on this day: actress/model/singer/dancer and all-around bombshell Ann-Margret (State Fair, Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Kitten with a Whip, Stagecoach, Grumpy Old Men, The Flintstones, and many more)!

Ann-Margret is more definitely interesting to see than Bob Hope! (Note: I've done some minor editing to this panel to correct a misspelling on Ann-Margret's name. Shame on you, Marvel Comics!)


from The 'Nam #35 (Marvel, October 1989), script by Doug Murray, pencils by Wayne Vansant, inks by Geof Isherwood, colors and letters by Phil Felix



You'd send away for a free miniature poster of her, wouldn't you (and throw away the other 15)? i know I would, especially since I am miniature, and a miniature poster would look just great in my miniature house!


ad from Archie Comics cover-dated September 1972
A teenage tomboy's life goes fast and furious when she gets a makeover that makes her look like Ann-Margret! Well, wouldn't you? Especially with gorgeous artwork by Dick Giordano!


from "The Day I Looked Like This!" in Young Love (1963 series) #52 (DC/National, November 1965), script by Jack Miller, pencils by Dick Giordano, inks by Sal Trapani, letters by Ira Schnapp
An Archie comic book means one of Archie's Generic Celebrities! Or maybe another misspelling, I can't be sure.


"Traveling in Better Circles" from The Mad House Glads #92 (Archie, March 1974), pencils by Jon D'Agostino (?), letters by Bill Yoshida
Archie Comics's obsession with the Divine Ms. Olsson continues even to the modern day, as Sabrina (Teenage Witch, Esq.) channels her inner Ann-Margret...much to the readers' acclaim!



from Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #2 (Archie, June 2015); script by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; pencils, inks, and colors by Robert Hack; letters by Jack Morelli
And just in case you're saying "Ann-Margret, Ann-Schmargret! What has she ever done with the good of comic books?"...first of all, that's a very weird thing to say, and I wanna hear you pronounce "Schmargret." Second, didja know that in a world without Ann-Margret, Spider-Man himself would be impossible (or less fun to look at), because artist John Romita. Sr. based the look of ingénue Mary Jane Watson upon Ann-Margret as seen in the Bye Bye Birdie movie? Ya know now!


from Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #42 (Marvel, November 1966), script by Stan Lee, pencils and inks by John Romita, Sr., letters by Sam Rosen
So, let's celebrate Ann-Margret's birthday by reading the comic book gossip columns about her and sending her a hearty champagne salute. Happy birthday, A-M!


"Scooter Scoops" from Swing with Scooter #5 (DC/National, February 1967), text by Barbara Friedlander (?), logo pencils and inks by Joe Orlando (?)
Wait, Adam West doesn't like people coming up to him and calling him Batman? I call shenanigans on that, Mister West.

The kindest explanation: when he's out in a suit and tie, he's dressed up as Bruce Wayne and he doesn't want the kdis to blow his cover to the Joker or Catwoman.