Today in Comics History, February 6: Snaky birthday, Ronald Reagan!

Born on this day in 1911, the 40th President of the United Snakes, Ronald Reagan. I'm absolutely no fan of Reagan, so I'm definitely not gonna wish him a happy birthday (more like...). But I do choose to salute him the way I remember him best...


cover of Captain America (1968 series) #344 (Marvel, August 1988), pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Al Milgrom
...as a slithering snake-man Captain America got to punch in the face.

Today in Comics History, February 6: Happy birthday, Rich Buckler!

Born on this day in 1949: comics artist Rich Buckler (Justice League of America, All-Star Squadron, Mighty Crusaders, Secret Society of Super Villains, The Warlord, The Unexpected, World's Finest Comics, The Avengers, Astonishing Tales (where he created Deathlok), Black Panther (where he co-created Killmonger), Fantastic Four, The Spectacular Spider-Man, The Big Bang, Eerie, Creepy, and many more)! He's also the author of three books about working in the industry: How to Become a Comic Book Artist, How to Draw Superheroes, and How to Draw Dynamic Comic Books. He certainly was an expert in all three!


from Mighty Marvel Calendar 1976 and 1977 (Marvel, 1975 and 1976), and Marvel Age #98 (Marvel, March 1991), text by Chris Eliopolous and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme

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 6, 1902: That's gotta be one very untidy plot of ground

from "Stranger Than Fiction" in The Funnies (1936 series) #8 (Dell, May 1937), script by Richard Thomas, pencils and inks by Walter Galli

Today in Comics History, February 6, 1899: Orator balances long-winded speech balloon over his head

from Picture Stories from American History #4 (EC, Summer 1947), script by Jerry Coleman, pencils and inks by Allen Simon

Today in Comics History, February 6, 1778: Ridiculous French accent is invented

from "The Story of the War of Independence" in Picture Stories from American History #2 (EC, 1946), script by M. C. Gaines and W. W. D. Sones, pencils and inks by Allen Simon

Today in Comics History, February 6: Happy birthday, Mamie Van Doren!

Put on your 3-D glasses because it's time to salute Miss Mamie Van Doren on her birthday today! Mamie's the titular star of Untamed Youth and Girls Town (both spoofed on MST3K), High School Confidential, The Las Vegas Hillbillys (prequel to Hillbillys in a Haunted House), Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women, Sex Kittens Go to College (well, good for them!) and Francis Joins the WACS, but she didn't make many appearances in comic books, unless you count this amalgam gal in a dog-face world blend of her and Brigitte Bardot spotted in Duckburg among the race cars, lasers, and aeroplanes:


from "Sitting High" in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories v.21 #5 [#245] (Dell, February 1961); script, pencils, and inks by Carl Barks; colors by Western Publishing Production Shop; letters by Garé Barks
Happy birthday, Mamie van Ducken Doren!

Today in Comics History, February 6, 1994: The King is dead. Long live the King!

On this day in 1994, the great Jack Kirby passed away. We still miss him tremendously.


from Marvel Age #136 (Marvel, May 1994)

Today in Comics History, February 6, 1936: Crime Does Its Best to Avoid Paying the Penalty

Today: a day a crook would die! Frankly, the rest of 'em got off easy.


from "Il Diavolo's Tight-Lipped Victims" in Crime Must Pay the Penalty #19 (Ace, April 1951), pencils and inks by Frank R. Sieminsky
You know, in a world where police brutality and too-harsh penal codes are in play, you almost have to admire a criminal's family planning to resurrect him. Just don't make Jesus angry by stealing his trick! (makes sign of the cross, mumbles in Italian under my breath)


Okay, so the guy's not quite dead yet and could conceivably be revived. What do the police do? Hold him in their custody until he dies. I'm pretty sure there's a lawsuit waiting to happen here, but it's the fifties, so police always win! (scratching my head)


Still, nice try, eh? Take us out, Statement of Ownership that fills up the bottom third of the page!

Today in Comics History, February 6, 2010: Traveling from Texas to New York now requires a valid passport

from Scarlet Spider (2012 series) #17 (Marvel, July 2013), script by Christopher Yost, pencils by Carlo Barberi, inks by Walden Wong, colors by Rex Lokus, letters by Joe Caramagna

Today in Comics History, February 6: Superman fights the Suicide Squid

Panel from Adventures of Superman (2013 digital series) #29 (DC, November 2013), script by Derek Fridolfs, pencils and colors by Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, inks by Derek Laufman, letters by Wes Abbott

Today in Comics History, February 6, 1951: I'm Bankin' Stan Duff, it's a gas gas gas!

from "The Death-Cheaters of Gotham City!" in Batman (1940 series) #72 (DC, August 1952), script by David Vern, pencils and inks by Jim Mooney, letters by Ira Schnapp