Today in Comics History, March 24: Happy birthday, Pasqual Ferry!

Born on this day: comic book artist Pasqual Ferry (Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange: Sorcerer Supreme, Action Comics, Thor, Fantastic Four 2099, Plasmer (co-creator!), Namor: Conquered Shores, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate Iron Man and more)!


"Bullpen Bulletins" from Marvel Comics cover-dated May 2023
Happy birthday, Pasqual!

Today in Comics History, February 29: Happy birthday, Nel Yomtov!

Born on this Leap Day: Nel Yomtov, potential anagram and comic book writer, colorist, letterer and editor! The many comics he's worked on include Transformers, Iron Man, Conan the Barbarian, Captain America, Fantastic Force, G.I. Joe Special Missions, and more, plus writing scripts for Wolverine and Hawkeye in Marvel Comics Presents, Spider-Man Adventures, A Midsummer Night's Dream and others!


from Marvel Age #50, 87 (Marvel, May 1987, April 1990, March 1991, and March 1992); text by Mike Carlin (#50), Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#87 and 98), and Mike Lackey (#110); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Gregory Wright (#87) and Renee Witterstaetter (#98)

Today in Comics History, November 2: Happy birthday, Steve Ditko!

Born on this day in 1927: comics writer/artist Steve Ditko, who created and co-created "a few" characters along the way of his lengthy career...


"DC Profiles #58" from DC Comics cover-dated April 1980

Today in Comics History, October 27: Happy birthday, Bernie Wrightson!

Born on this day in 1948: comics artist Bernie Wrightson (sometimes Berni), co-creator of Swamp Thing, artist on (wow!) so many books: Batman, House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Heavy Metal, Frankenstein, Creepy, Eerie, The Punisher, and much more!


from Marvel Age #34 and 106 (Marvel, January 1986 and November 1991); text by Jim Salicrup (#34) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#106); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yachus (#34) and Renee Witterstaetter (#106)

Today in Comics History, October 26: Happy birthday, Larry Lieber!

Born on this day in 1931: comic book writer and artist Larry Lieber, co-creator of Thor, Loki, Jane Foster, Ant-Man, Iron Man, Groot, Spider-Man's parents Mary and Richard Parker, and more! His writing and artwork appear in The Rawhide Kid, Kid Colt: Outlaw, Two-Gun Kid, Tales to Astonish, Tales of Suspense, Journey into Mystery, Strange Tales, My Own Romance, Teen-Age Romance, Captain Britain, and the proverbial etc.!


from (top) Mighty Marvel Calendar 1978-1979 (Marvel, 1977-1978);
(bottom) Marvel Age #34 and 94 (Marvel, January 1986 and November 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#34) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#94); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Adam Philips (#34) and Marie Javins (#94)

Today in Comics History, October 24: Happy birthday, Tini Howard!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published October 24, 2022.

Born on this day: comic book writer Tini Howard, who's scripted Excalibur, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Death's Head, Batman: Urban Legends, Age of Conan: Bêlit,, Boom's Power Rangers, and more! She's the co-creator of the Strikeforce team and series at Marvel and IDW/Black Crown's Euthanauts and Assassistas with Gilbert Hernandez!


"DC Nation" from DC Comics cover-dated May 2023

Today in Comics History, October 4: Happy birthday, Marcus McLaurin!

Born on this date: comic book writer, artist and editor Marcus McLaurin, who's worked on Cage, Marvel Comics Presents, The Punisher, What The--?, and, as editor on Alpha Flight, What If...?, the Epic and Razorline imprints, and developing and editing the 1994 painted series Marvels.


from Marvel Age #94 and 106 (Marvel, November 1990 and November 1991), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#94) and Mike Lackey (#106); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter

Today in Comics History, September 13: Happy birthday, Lynn Cohen!

Born on this day: Lynn Cohen-Koehler, Administrative Manager at Marvel in the 1980s — and Jim Shooter's personal assistant!


from Marvel Age #33 and 57 (Marvel, December 1985 and December 1987), text by Jim Salicrup (#33) and Mike Carlin (#57), pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Adam Philips (#33) and Paul Becton (#57)

Today in Comics History, August 22: Happy birthday, D. G. Chichester!

Born on this date: comic book scripter D. G. Chichester, writer for Daredevil, Nick Fury, Elektra, St. George, Doctor Zero, Terror Inc., and more!


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated November 1989
Here's the first couple pages of an extensive interview with D. G. about Marvel's then-forthcoming Terror Inc. series.

from Marvel Age #113 (Marvel, June 1992), interview by Nel Yomtov
(Click picture to terror-size)
H. B., D. G.!

Today in Comics History, July 22, 1986, 4:22 AM (or maybe PM): It's a New, New U / Comin ' right at you

New Universe teaser house ads in Marvel Comics (1986), art by John Romita, Jr.

IT'S COMING and we're totally in the pink

from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated April 1986, by Jim Shooter

IT'S COMING (we promise)

from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated August 1986, by Jim Shooter

Today in Comics History, May 25: Happy birthday, Barry Windsor-Smith!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published May 25, 2022.

Happy birthday to comics writer, illustrator and painter Barry Windsor-Smith today! You may remember him from such films comics as Conan the Barbarian, Avengers, Weapon X, Machine Man, Uncanny X-Men, Solar: Man of the Atom, Archer and Armstrong, Rune, Barry Windsor-Smith: Storyteller, Monster, and lots more indeed! He's the co-creator of Red Sonja (comics version), Lady Deathstrike, Archer and Armstrong, Starr the Slayer, and others.


from Savage Tales #3 (Marvel, February 1974)

Today in Comics History, May 5: Happy birthday, Aunt May! (Or: Aunt May's birthday present from Peter is a five-pack of Dos Equis and a sombrero)

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published May 5, 2016.

Today (ignore the caption that sez "Tomorrow"...dunno what that's doin' there): it's the two hundred and eighth birthday of everybody's favorite Marisa Tomei impersonator, Aunt May Reilly Parker Octavius Terwilliger Jameson!


from Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964 series) #20 (Marvel, November 1986), script by Christopher Priest (as Fred Schiller and Ken McDonald), pencils by Mark Beachum, inks by Bob Wiacek, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Jim Novak
Yes oh yes, but which day is Aunt May's birthday on?

Today in Comics History, February 6: Happy birthday, Mark Bernardo!

Born on this day: comics writer, colorist, and editor Mark Bernardo (X-Man, Spectacular Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man, and the Spider-Man Peanut Butter promo comics, among others!


"Marvel Pro File" from "Bullpin Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated April 1997

Today in Comics History, February 4: Happy birthday, Dez Skinn!

Born on this day: British comics editor, scripter, and publisher Dez Skinn! He was the editor-in-chief at Marvel UK during its heyday in the late '70s, and later founded and edited Starburst and the influential and vital UK comic Warrior which included among its serialized strips Alan Moore's Marvelman (Miracleman) and V for Vendetta! He holds a Guinness World Records certificate and credit for creating the world's longest-lasting TV tie-in magazine: Doctor Who Weekly, and founded and ran Quality Comics, a famous London SF/fantasy shop, and the publishing line named for it, Quality Communications!

It's fair to say that without Dez Skinn on this Earth, we woulda never got the 1980s British Invasion of comics that so transformed DC and led to the founding of Vertigo.


from "1986 AD" in Comic Book Comics #5 (Evil Twin, March 2011); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey. Read the entire chapter (in color!) over at Ryan Dunlavey's website

Election Day: Well, if you won't listen to me, listen to Stan.

"Bullpen Bulletins" from Marvel Comics cover-dated December 1999
Well, it's too late to register for the 2022 elections...but what's keeping you from registering for your next local election, the 2021 general elections, and the very important 2024 Presidential Election. Go out and register...well, tomorrow.

If you're already registered: go out and vote today!

Today in Comics History, October 16: Happy birthday, Bob Hall!

Born on this day: comics artist and writer Bob Hall! He's drawn Emperor Doom, Batman: Joker Time, Spider-Man (Amazing and Spectacular), The Avengers, Squadron Supreme, Weird War Tales, Super-Villain Team-Up, Shadowman and more)! He's the co-creator of West Coast Avengers and the sole creator of the Armed and Dangerous series from Valiant!



from (top) Marvel Age #94 (Marvel, November 1990), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter
; (bottom) "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated August 1988
Hey look! In this Dennis the Menace story which features comics creators Owen Fitzgerald and Al Wise as hootin' hollerin' rodeo stars...


from "Welcome to the Rodeo, Folks!" in Dennis the Menace (1959 series) #61 (Hallden/Fawcett, August 1962), script by Fred Toole, pencils and inks by Owen Fitzgerald
...could this possibly be our Bob Hall here, bronco-bustin' a bull that's obviously OUT OF HIS MIND on freakin' COCAINE?


Happy birthday, Bob!

Today in Comics History, October 6: Happy birthday, Adam Kubert!

Born on this day: comics artist Adam Kubert (Uncanny and Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Action Comics, Spectacular Spider-Man, Wolverine, Doc Savage, Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine, All-New All-Different Avengers and more)! (He's also a co-creator on Ultimate X-Men!)


from Marvel Age #131 (Marvel, December 1993)
(L-R: Adam, Joe, Andy Kubert)
That "and more" above also includes The Incredible Hulk!


from"Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated June 1997
Happy birthday, Adam!


from Marvel Age #131

Today in Comics History, September 27: Happy birthday, Jim Shooter!

Born on this day: America's tallest comic book editor/creator/writer/publisher and even artist, Jim Shooter!



from (top, L-R) Mighty Marvel Calendar 1978 and 1979 (Marvel, 1977-1978); Marvel Age #57 (Marvel, December 1987); text by Mike Carlin, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors Paul Becton;(bottom) Marvel Age #33 (Marvel, December 1985); text by Jim Salicrup, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Adam Philips