Today in Comics History, January 15, 1951: He just forgot to check his calendar, EC Comics! Not everything is a spooky supernatural thriller!

from "Reflection of Death" in Tales from the Crypt (1950 series) #23 (EC, April 1951); co-plot, script, pencils and inks by Al Feldstein; co-plot by Bill Gaines; letters by Jim Wroten
This post was suggested by faithful reader and frequent commenter Blam, who's provided a lot of date references in comics that I'll spotlight throughout 2023 in this series. Thanks, Blam!

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1946: Comic book artist just isn't feeling it for this panel

from Larry Doby, Baseball Hero one-shot (Fawcett, 1950), script by Charles Dexter, letterer uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1934: Another night upon which Chicago died, or at the least, was seriously injured and listed in critical condition

from "War on Crime" in Famous Funnies (1934 series) #31 (Eastern Color, February 1937), script by Rex Collier

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Edward Teller!

Exploding into our world on this date in 1908: physicist Edward Teller, the silent partner of Penn Jillette "Father of the Atomic Bomb" and a member of Robert Oppenheimer's "Project Manhattan." Among other creators of the Atomic Age (like Hans-Peter Dürr and Ernest Lawrence), Teller can be found here on this page. He's in the black suit at the lower left and across the bottom in this story by...who else?...Roy Thomas!


from Young All-Stars #23 (DC, March 1989), script by Roy Thomas and Dann Thomas, pencils by Ron Harris, inks by Bob Downs, colors by Gene D'Angelo, letters by Helen Vesik
Teller 'n' pals are kidnapped by Baron Blitzkrieg and his Axis Associates and strapped into this wacky tilt-a-whirl to drain their brains of all knowledge about the Atomic Bomb! Oh no! But the Young All-Stars save them, just like, I imagine Roy would point out, the JSA would've it it wasn't for Crisis on Infinite Earths.


from Young All-Stars #25 (DC, May 1989), , script by Roy Thomas and Dann Thomas, pencils by Ron Harris, inks by Bob Downs, colors by Shelley Eiber, letters by Jean Simek
Anyway, happy birthday, Eddie baby!

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Bob Petrecca!

Born on this day: comics inker Bob Petrecca (What If...?, Savage Dragon, The All-New Exiles, and others)!


from Marvel Age #97 (Marvel, February 1991), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, art by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Gene Krupa!

Born on this day in 1909: jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer, the great Gene Krupa!


from Juke Box Comics #6 (Eastern Color, January 1949); text, art, and letters by Phil Berube
Happy birthday, Gene! Hope you have one that cannot be beat.

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Kevin Tinsley!

Born on this day: Kevin Tinsley, comics colorist (Spider-Man, Excalibur, Punisher and more), creator Stonehaven, and publisher (Stickman Graphics)!


from Marvel Age #49 (Marvel, April 1987), text by Mike Carlin, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Paul Becton


from Marvel Age Special: Punisher Anniversary Magazine one-shot (Marvel, February 1994)
Happy birthday, Kevin!

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Phyllis Coates!

Born on this day in 1927: actor Phyllis Coates, who played Clark Kent's foil, the inimitable Lois Lane, in the 1951 movie Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of television's Adventures of Superman (1952-1953)!


from Limited Collectors' Edition #C-31 (DC, October 1974)


from "Superman's Photo Album" in The Amazing World of Superman treasury (DC, 1973)
Happy birthday, Phyllis! Now stop trying to prick George Reeves with a needle.

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Stan Kay!

Born on this day in 1924: comics scripter Stan Kay, who wrote a wide assortment of comic stories for Harvey (Casper the Friendly Ghost, Richie Rich, Wendy Witch World, etc.) and Marvel's Star line (Care Bears, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, more)!


from Marvel Age #49 (Marvel, April 1987), text by Mike Carlin, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Paul Becton
Happy birthday, Stan!

Today in Comics History, January 15: Happy birthday, Bill Morrison!

Born on this day and no other: Bill Morrison, comic book artist, writer, and editor; co-founder and creative director of the late lamented Bongo Comics (The Simpsons, Futurama, etc.); and draw-er of a lotta stuff, including the beloved (by me, of course) Jane Wiedlin's Lady Robotika!



from "Backstage at Bongo" in Bongo Comics Free-for-All 2006 (Bongo, May 2006), creators unidentified

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1919: Evan Dorkin really loves the 1919 Boston Molasses flood

from "Just the Facts, Maim..." in Milk & Cheese's Third Number One #1 (aka #3) (SLG, August 1992); script, pencils, inks, and letters by Evan Dorkin


from Bill & Ted's Excellent Comic Book #2 (Marvel, January 1992), script and pencils by Evan Dorkin, inks by Stephen DeStefano, colors by Robbie Busch, letters by Kurt Hathaway. I have slightly altered the panel to fix a factual typo.
And now, for the first time on stage or screen...Alan Moore really loves the 1919 Boston Molasses Flood!:


from Providence #7 (Avatar, January 2016), script by Alan Moore, pencils and inks by Jacen Burrows, colors by Juan Rodriguez, letters by Kurt Hathaway
So be sure you remember this. There will be a test. Oh there will be a test.

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1955: A new euphemism for "were electrocuted" is invented

from "The Big Heist" in Gang Busters #26 (February 1952), pencils and inks by John Lehti