Today in Comics History, April 4: Happy birthday, Bob Rozakis!

Born on this day: Bob Rozakis, DC Comics writer (Action Comics, The New Adventures of Superboy, Detective Comics, World's Finest comics, The Batman Family, 'Mazing Man, Freedom Fighters and lots more), editor, and "The Answer Man"; DC's Executive Director of Production, co-creator of Mister E, Bumblebee, 'Mazing Man, Hero Hotline, Quakemaster, and more!


from Amazing World of DC Comics #1 (DC, July 1974)



He also drove the DC ComicMobile!


Even before he worked at the Big D.C., Bob Rozakis was a major fan and frequent letter-writer. h\He started out this way...



from the letters columns of Justice League of America (1960 series) (top) #64 (DC/National, August 1968);
(bottom) #93 (DC/National, October 1971)
...but soon, he'd be answering the letters!


from Amazing World of DC Comics #1
So who is Bob Rozakis, and how did he come to be™? Let's ask an expert. Hey, DC Answer Man!


from "Ask the Answer Man" in DC Comics cover-dated March 1980
Truth in little stiffed blog-writing: Bob Rozakis is the DC Answer Man! Bob patiently and painstakingly answered questions both solid and stupid in his regular column.

PS: Remember: everything is worth 60¢ in good condition.




from "The DC Feature Page" in (top) DC Comics cover-dated June 1980;
(middle) DC Comics cover-dated December 1979;
(bottom) DC Comics cover-dated September 1979
Here's a slightly more serious mini-bio of Rozakis. And spot the bit of meta-commentary on this profile!


"DC Profiles #6" from DC Comics cover-dated June 1977
But did you know that Bob Rozakis got a DC Profile twice at the company? It's true! He also answered letters as the (fictional) assistant editor "Ted P. Skimmer." For the reasons why and more images on the Ted P. Skimmer story, see Brian Cronin's always entertaining and informative Comic Book Legends Revealed: When Justice League of America Had A Fictional Assistant Editor! (But beware: pop-up ads.)


"DC Profiles #88" from DC Comics cover-dated February 1982
In addition to all that editing, letter writing, answer manning, and having a Superman-esque secret identity, Bob was also head of production at DC, as explained in this column by Jennette Kahn:


"Publishorial" from DC New Format Comics cover-dated April 1989
Say, can you spot Bob in the crowd at the Superman/Muhammad Ali fight?

cover of All-New Collectors' Edition #C-56 (DC, March 1978), layout by Joe Kubert, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Neal Adams (?) and/or Cory Adams (?), logo design by John Workman
(Click top picture to GOAT-size)
You may have noticed above that Bob was also responsible for DC puzzles featured in the comics! Please use pencil rather than pen to avoid being sent to Hell by Cain.



"The 'Hidden Talent' Puzzle" from House of Mystery #252 (DC, May 1977), puzzle by Bob Rozakis
Bob Rozakis was also the star pitcher of the DC softball team, defeating Marvel on the ballfield (if not in the late '70s marketplace)!


"Daily Planet" from DC Comics cover-dated March 1980
And yes, he appeared in — and on — comics, too! Here's a cool Superman photomontage cover. I believe that's Bob on the far left (with Cary Bates, Jack C. Harris, and Carl Gafford).


cover of Superman #289 (DC, July 1975), art by Curt Swan and Bob Oksner, photograph by Jack Adler
Among the many DC Bat-creators conjured up by Bat-Mite was you guessed it: Bob! (Here shown with editor Al Milgrom)


from "Bat-Mite's New York Adventure!" in Detective Comics (1937 series) #482 (DC, February 1979), script by Bob Rozakis, pencils by Michael Golden, inks by Bob Smith, colors by Anthony Tollin, letters by Milt Snapinn
So happy birthday, Bob, ya big sweetie, and many more! See ya next birthday!


from the letters column of Action Comics (1938 series) #560 (DC, October 1984)
Say, Bob, how much...?


from "Ask the Answer Man" in DC Comics cover-dated July 1980