Today in Comics History, October 27, 1954: Walt Disney tightens his grip around the throats of the American public

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2021), script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey, colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, September 30, 1960: It is, quite literally, a living

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2011); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, August 1, 1950: Anthropomorphic bunny rides to the Holy Land to conquer Jerusalem

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2011); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, May 20: Happy birthday, Leon Schlesinger!

Born today in 1884: Leon Schlesinger, movie producer and founder of what became the Warner Bros. Cartoon Studio.

Also: Porky Pig's boss.



from the Porky Pig story in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics (1941 series) #2 (Dell, November 1941), pencils and inks by Chase Craig
In a relationship that will surprise no one, Schlesinger was also nepotistically related to the actual Warner Bros.

Schlesinger was also probably personally responsible for locking the Warner Bros. (and Dot) up in the WB Water Tower.




from Comic Book History of Animation #2 and 3 (IDW, December 2020-January 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Ryan Dunlavey and Adam Guzowski
Leon Schlesinger starred as himself in Friz Freleng's Looney Tunes short "You Ought to Be in Pictures" (1940). No, Mel Blanc did not do his voice.


Looney Tunes "You Ought to Be in Pictures (excerpt) (Warner Bros./Vitaphone, May 18, 1940), directed by Friz Freleng

Happy birthday, Leon!

Today in Comics History, January 5: Happy birthday, Hayao Miyazaki!

Born on this date: animator, filmmaker, and manga creator Hayao Miyazaki (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and more)!




from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski
A very happy birthday to you, Hayao Miyazaki!

Today in Comics History, January 1, 1963: Anime immediately corrupts American youth

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, December 21, 1937: Small animation start-up will never go anywhere

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, December 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski


from Comic Book Comics #1 (Evil Twin, March 2008); script by Fred Van Lente, pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, December 15, 1966: They never die, the old mice / They just fade and go on ice

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, October 24, 1947: Hey Walt, you suck

from Comic Book History of Animation #3 (IDW, January 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, September 13, 1968: Very first occurrence of crooked land developer foiled by meddling kids

from Comic Book History of Animation #4 (IDW, February 2021); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey; colors by Adam Guzowski

Today in Comics History, July 14, 1933: Popeye pops up

from Comic Book History of Animation #2 (IDW, December 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, July 1, 1934: Mom, no!

from Comic Book History of Animation #2 (IDW, December 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, May 28, 1941: That's why Jorts the Cat never got his own cartoon

from Comic Book History of Animation #2 (IDW, December 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, May 7, 1937: Remember, folks: if they don't want us to have unions, they don't want us to have rights

from Comic Book Comics (2016 series) #1 (Evil Twin, March 2008); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey


from Comic Book History of Animation #2 (IDW, December 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, April 25: Happy birthday, Mort Weisinger!

Born on this day in 1915: Mort Weisinger, co-creator of Aquaman, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, and the original Vigilante; long-time editor of National/DC's Superman line; and story editor of the Adventures of Superman TV show!


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

Today in Comics History, April 22, 1896: J. Stuart Blackton interviews Edison; is allowed to take home a slice of broiled elephant

from The Comic Book History of Animation #1 (IDW, November 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, March 24: Happy birthday, Joe Barbera!

Born on this day in 1911: animator, director, producer, and artist Joseph Barbera, who, with partner Bill Hanna, founded one of the most productive animation studios of the 20th century: Hanna-Barbera!


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

Today in Comics History, January 14, 1914: Comicsgaters complain they've made Colonel Heeza Liar "too woke" in this version

from Comic Book History of Animation #1 (IDW, November 2020); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, colors and letters by Ryan Dunlavey
To me, it's a curious little cartoon whose interest lies mainly in his historicalvalue rather than its art. It's remarkably repetitive in the middle and there's a gag towards the end about shooting animals at a watering hole that seems like it'd be in (comic) character for Ross Allen. (Also, this version is silent and has no musical accompaniment.)


Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Colonel Heeza Liar can hold a candle to Commander McBragg.