Today in Comics History, December 17, 1903: Compared to other realities, our Wright Brothers totally suck

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published December 17, 2014.

Today in American History (not just comics, altho' they overlap, as you shall see): one of the most important technological steps forward in humanity as the Wright Brothers finally realized our dream of flying. (Insert your own lost luggage joke here.)


from "Scoops...Pictures to Remember" in Real Fact Comics #1 (DC, March 1946), pencils and inks by George Roussos
Because the name of the comic book is Real Facts, i assure you that is fact, brother, just exactly as it happened, maybe minus Lex Luthor there underneath the yellow hat. Exciting, huh?

Today in Comics History, November 10, 1939: All the News That Fits (About Amazing-Man)

from "Amazing-Man Loose!" in Amazing Man Comics #7 (Centaur, November 1939), script by A. L. Kirby, pencils and inks by Bill Everett
Many thanks to Twitter pal Ken Parille for bringing this page to my attention!

Today in Comics History, May 24: Happy birthday, Queen Victoria!

Let's gather 'round a big royal birthday cake for the queen with the quality, the monarch with the most, Queen Victoria (born this very day in 1819; wow, she old.) She's also a frequent comic book star (see the popular DC series Seven Soldiers of Victoria).


from "Were You Born in May?" in Amazing Man Comics #12 (Centaur, May 1940); text, pencils and inks by Joseph A. Kaliff

Today in Comics History, May 6, 1896: I'm learning to fly / But I ain't got wings / Coming down / Is the hardest thing

"Amazing Men of Aviation" in Amazing Man Comics #12 (Centaur, May 1940); text, pencils, and inks by Joseph A. Kaliff
Yes, Amazing Man Comics #12! The one where Billy Batson kills a bull by saying SHAZAM!


from "Aman the Amazing-Man" in Amazing Man Comics #12; script by A. L. Kirby, pencils and inks by Louis Glanzman and Sam Glanzman as Sam Decker
I hate you, Billy Batson.

Today in Comics History, July 12, 44 BCE: Happy Birthday, Salad Inventor Guy

from "Were You Born in July" in Amazing Man Comics #14 (July 1940), pencils and inks by Joseph A. Kaliff
Hey, wanna read more about Caesar? Sure, we all do! Check out my pal John's post on Thirteen Comic Book Caesars over at 13th Dimension! An' I helped!