Today in Comics History, September 14, 1814: Comic books would like to remind you that today's the anniversary of the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner," our traditional, unsingable, racist national anthem

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published September 14, 2012.


cover of Magic Comics #36 (David Mckay, July 1942), painting by Edgar Franklin Wittmack

Today in Comics History, November 22, 1940: Geoff Johns Ruins Everything

from Doomsday Clock #7 (DC, November 2018), script by Geoff Johns, art by Gary Frank, design by Amie Brockway-Metcalf, colors by Brad Anderson, letters by Rob Leigh
...which, thanks to Geoff Johns' fetish for giving dates to historical but vague DC events, means that this happened today.



from All-Star Comics #3 (DC/All-American, Winter 1940), script by Gardner Fox, pencils and inks by E. E. Hibbard, aditional dialogue by yours little stuffed truly
So thanks, I guess, Geoff Johns, for making it canon that the first meeting of the Justice Society of America was on November 22, 1940. (Which was not Thanksgiving, but the Friday before it.)

Today in Comics History, September 16: Happy birthday, Lauren Bacall!

Born on this day in 1924: film and stage actor Lauren Bacall, Queen of my Heart (Golden Age Division). To Have and Have Not, Key Largo, The Big Sleep, How to Marry a Millionaire...I've taped 'em all off TCM!


from Girl in Dior graphic novel (April 2015); script, pencils and ink by Annie Goetzinger; translation by Joe Johnson; letters by Ortho

Today in Comics History, February 16, 1942: Wonder Woman scribbles "These guys suck" continuously throughout the entire meeting

from All-Star Squadron #30 (DC, February 1984), script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Mike Machlan and Richard Howell, inks by Sam de la Rosa and Mike Machlan, colors by Gene D'Angelo, letters by David Cody Weiss
Roy helpfully notes at one point that this story is an adaptation of the original tale from All-Star Comics #12. Oh, sure, Roy, easy for you to say! You've got unlimited access to the DC Vault of expensive Golden Age comic books and we don't...oh wait, hey!


from All-Star Comics (1940 series) #12 (DC/All-American, August 1942), script by Gardner Fox, pencils and inks by Jack Burnley
It's pretty much the same story, except hecka more racist. Here's a couple of the actually reprintable panels.


In conclusion, when you have the world's foremost woman warrior on your team, don't just have her take notes and fetch coffee. That's what Black Canary is there for...oh hey! Hey! Stop throwing rocks at me!

Today In Comics History, January 1, 1863: Whoa, don't cross that off your "finished" list yet, Lincoln

from "The Case of the Patriotic Crimes!" in All-Star Comics #41 (DC, June-July 1948), script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Frank Giacoia

365 Days of Defiance, Day 335: You tell 'em, Wonder Woman

"The Conscience of Man" — in the form of a beautiful transparent fairy, as good a form as any — has spent the last 50 pages sending the Justice Society of America throughout time striving to put right what once went wrong to battle the violent fear and prejudice of mankind throughout the ages. "I promised you a reward," girl with wings but sometimes not says, "Perhaps you already know what it is. You have earned it, and by earning it, you have attained the solution to your problem — it is understanding!" Which, in addition to being a pretty good albeit oft-forgotten Bob Seger song, is also the lesson du jour for fighting against bigotry and prejudice.



Panels from "The Test of Time!: Conclusion" in All-Star Comics (1940 series) #22 (Fall 1944), script by Gardner Fox, pencils and inks by Joe Gallagher
So say we all!

Comics Within Comics Month, Day 1: You call that a knife?

This month, all month, your noontime lunchbreak special feature (at no extra cost!) is Comics Within Comics, comic books where your favorite comic books are spotlighted! Don't grok the 'cept yet? Check this out, amigos!


Panels from The Flash (1959 series) #137 (June 1963), script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella



Cover of All-Star Comics (1940 series) #37 (October-November 1947), pencils and inks by Irwin Hasen

Get it now? It's as simple as that. Comics Within Comics! All month!

Today in Comics History: The Games magazine logic puzzle is invented

from "The Mystery of the Vanishing Detectives!" in All-Star Comics #57 (DC, February 1951), script by John Broome, pencils and inks by Frank Giacoia