Today in Comics History, August 16, 1991: Police siren promotes the All-New WEO 94.7, playing the hits from morning 'til night!

from Madonna #1 (Personality Comics, September 1991), script by Steven Spire III, pencils and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti, letters by Dave Sharpe

Today in Comics History, August 16: Happy birthday, Madonna!

Born on this day: singer, songwriter, and (ahem) actor Madonna! Marvel shoulda given her a series in the '80s, doncha think?


from Madonna #1 (Personality Comics, September 1991), script by Steven Spire III, pencils and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti, letters by Dave Sharpe

Today in Comics History, August 16: Happy birthday, Professor Ira West!

According to the 1976 DC Super Calendar, it's the birthday of Professor Ira West, the dad of Iris ("Mrs. Flash") West!


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda
Happy birthday, Professor!




from "The Threat of the Absent-Minded Professor!," Prof. West's first appearance, in The Flash (1959 series) #134 (DC, February 1963), script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella
Uh, go easy on Barry, woncha, Prof?

Today in Comics History, August 16, 1997: Lois lies through omission to the press

from Superman (1939 series) #423 (DC, September 1986), script by Alan Moore, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Pérez, colors by Gene D'Angelo, letters by Todd Klein

Today in Comics History, August 16, 1955: Newspapers put on headphones

from "Odd News Items!" in Big Town #39 (DC, May 1956), creators uncredited and unknown;
as reprinted in Blackhawk (1957 series) #155 (DC, December 1960)
We did one the other day, but there's one more date, so you know there's more to come!

Today in 365 Days of Comics Defiance History, Day 228, August 16, 1781: You Say You Want a Revolution

cover of Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #7 (Marvel, March 1999), pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Roger Langridge
Wha...? you might say in astounded, be-baffled disbelief. I'm with ya on that front! Captain America in 1781? Is this a dream, an imaginary story, or a hoax? Is it a what-if or an elseworlds or an infinities or a deviation? It is a Red Skull-changed alternate reality? Is it a comic book? (It's a comic book.) Here's the story of a lovely lady of the Steve Rogers of 1776, complete with timely mullet. He's always copying nineties-era Superman! While discussing politics and quaffing ale out of golden tankards at his local replica Revolutionary War-era Charles Cheese Inn, Steve's alerted by 1776 Foggy Nelson (or maybe it's just ponytailed Bucky Barnes) that the Declaration of Independence has been signed! Huzzah! Three day holiday weekend, woo!

Today in Comics History, August 16, 1943: Happy (other*) birthday, Alfred Pennyworth!

from Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five (2015 series) #26 (DC digital, June 2016), script by Brian Buccellato, pencils and inks by Mike S. Miller, colors by J. Nanjan, letters by Wes Abbott
*However, this comic is non-canonical, what with it's Joker-killin' and Superman-baddenin'. And the Pre-Crisis Alfred had his birthday on April 8. So, when he actually celebrates is anybody's guess! Somebody codfiy it into a story, won'tcha? (Me, I only celebrate Alfred's birthday on April 8!)


from Super DC Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975), letters by Ben Oda

Today in Comics History, August 16: Happy birthday, Jason Todd!

Today in Comics History: Cyclops goes clubbing!


from Detective Comics #790 (DC, March 2004), script by Andersen Gabrych, pencils by Pete Woods, inks by Cam Smith, colors by Jason Wright, letters by Clem Robins
Hey, August 16 is also the birthday of Robin II, Jason Todd! Are ya gonna throw him a big party today, Bruce?


Oh. Whoops.

Today in Comics History, August 16: Punisher farts in court

from Punisher: The Trial of the Punisher #2 (Marvel, December 2013), script by Marc Guggenheim, pencils and inks by Mico Suayan, colors by Sunny Gho, letters by Cory Petit

Today in Comics History, August 16: Critics praise authentic criminal slang in new how-to book

from "The Diary of a Desperado" in Adventure Comics #145 (DC, October 1949), script by Otto Binder, pencils and inks by George Papp

Today in Comics History, August 16: Batman yadda yadda yadda so what else is new

from "Crimes of the Catwoman!" in Detective Comics #203 (DC, January 1954), script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Bob Kane, inks by Charles Paris, letters by Pat Gordon