Today in Comics History, May 20: Happy birthday, Gardner Fox!

Born today in 1911: prolific and important writer Gardner Fox!, co-creator of The Atom, Doctor Fate, the Golden Age Flash, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, the JLA, Zatanna, and Snapper Carr (well, nobody's perfect).


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)

Today in Comics History, May 8: Happy birthday, E.E. Hibbard!

Born this day in 1909: E.E. Hibbard, Golden Age comics artist, especially known for his work on the '40s Flash Comics and Comic Cavalcade, and co-creator of the mighty Justice Society of America and Flash supporting characters Winky, Blinky, and Noddy!


"Boys & Girls: Meet the Author and Artist of The Flash — Fastest Man Alive!" from All-Flash Quarterly #1 (DC/J.R. Publishing, Summer 1941), text by Sheldon Mayer
Here he is on the left (writer Gardner Fox is on the right).


from "[The Man Who Unleashed the Past!]" in All-Flash #14 (DC/Jolaine, Spring 1944), script by Gardner Fox, pencils and inks by E.E. Hibbard
Happy birthday, Hib!

Comics Do Shakespeare: Hamlet, Act 7: The Flash sues Shakespeare for $42 billion in royalties

from "[The Tale of the Time Capsule!] Chapter 4: Traipsing through Time!" in All-Flash [Quarterly] #4 (DC/Jolaine, Spring 1942), script by Gardner Fox, pencils and inks by E. E. Hibbard

Today in Comics History, April 1: Happy birthday, Sheldon Mayer!

Born this day in 1917: Sheldon Mayer, writer, editor, artist, and one of the greatest comic book creators of the 20th century. He's one of my favorite-ever comic book masters.


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)

365 Days of Defiance, Day 87: Stop Admiring Force

Flash! Ah-uh, no, that's the wrong one. Here's Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash, champion of Earth when he and his friends are kidnapped to an alien planet to serve as gladiators in the space-pits!


Panels from "The Planet of Sport" in All-Flash #31 (October-November 1947), script by Robert Kanigher, pencils and inks by Everett E. Hibbard
Say, does the Flash ever, ever, ever, give up?


No! the Flash never, never, never gives up! (Aw, you shoulda guessed that.)


Also you guys: STOP ADMIRING FORCE. That's a great message for today, too. Thanks, Golden Age Flash!

Today in Comics History, January 8, 1942: The US Government vows to never ever turn their backs on the Gaines family

House ad from All-Flash Quarterly #4 (DC, Spring 1942)