Today in Comics History, April 5: Happy birthday, Renee Witterstaetter!

Born on this day: Renee Witterstaetter, Marvel editor, writer, and colorist! Her work includes: being head editor of Marvel Age! Okay, that makes her cool in my book!


from Marvel Age #88 and 100 (Marvel, May 1990 and May 1991), text by Barry Dutter and Chris Eliopolous (#88) and Mike Lackey (#100); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Gregory Wright (#88) and Renee Witterstaetter (#100)

Today in Comics History, March 31: Happy birthday, Ericka Mitchell!

Born on this day in 1951: Ericka "Erie" Mitchell, receptionist at Marvel Comics from 1985 to 1991! After Stan, the most important person at Marvel — without her okay, not even Hulk is getting in!


from Marvel Age #88, and 111 (Marvel, April 1990 and April 1992); text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#88 and 99), and Mike Lackey (#111); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Gregory Wright (#88)
Can you find Ericka keeping the riff-raff out of the Marvel Bullpen?

from Marvel Age #120 (Marvel, January 1993), art by Rick Parker
(Click top picture to Bullpen-size)
Happy birthday, Ericka!


from Marvel Age #112 (Marvel, May 1992)

Today in Comics History, March 31: Happy birthday, Robbin Brosterman!

Happy birthday today to Robbin Brosterman! He was in production at Marvel Comics from 1987-1989 and an art director for DC Comics from 1990-1999.


from Marvel Age #27 (Marvel, June 1985), text by Jim Salicrup, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by George Roussos
Happy birthday, Robbin! Um...do you still have any of that Archie Goodwin cake left for a little stuffed bull?

Today in Comics History, March 20: Happy birthday, Invisible Woman!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published March 20, 2022.

Happy birthday to Susan Storm Richards, the incredible Invisible Woman (née Girl), who couldn't even be bothered to show up at her own birthday parOH THERE YOU ARE SUE didn't see ya.


from Marvel Age #111 (Marvel, April 1992); text by Mike Lackey (#111); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme
Now, this birth date is according to the Marvel Age calendar, which is possibly uncanonical, but let's celebrate it today until we find a more definitive source that says otherwise, okay? I can't find any comics story that features her birthday, so let me know in the comments if you do!


from "A Visit with the Fantastic Four" in Fantastic Four (1961 series) #11 (Marvel, February 1963), script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers, colors by Stan Goldberg, letters by Artie Simek
Happy birthday, Sue!


"The Fantastic Four Pin-Up Page" from Fantastic Four (1961 series) #10 (Marvel, January 1963), script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers, colors by Stan Goldberg, letters by John Duffy

Today in Comics History, March 6: Happy birthday, Al Milgrom!

Born on this day: Al Milgrom, writer, penciller, inker, and editor for too many comics to list from Marvel, DC, Archie, Dark Horse, Atlas/Seaboard and the proverbial many more!


from The Mighty Marvel Calendar 1976, 1977 and 1978 (Marvel, 1975, 1976, and 1977)


from Marvel Age #27, 51, 87, 99, and 111 (Marvel, June 1985, June 1987, April 1990, April 1991, and April 1992); text by Jim Salicrup (#27), Mike Carlin (#51), Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#87 and 99), and Mike Lackey (#111); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by George Roussos (#27), Paul Becton (#51), Gregory Wright (#87), and Renee Witterstaetter (#99)

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, 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, Jack Morelli!

Born on this day: comic book letterer and writer Jack Morelli (occasionally listed as John and nicknamed "Squid")! He's worked on Warlock and the Infinity Watch, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, The Thing, Elektra, Avengers, lots of Archie comics, and more!


from Marvel Age #34, 58, and 94 (Marvel, January 1986, January 1988, and November 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#34), Mike Carlin (#58), and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#94); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Adam Philips (#34), Paul Becton (#58), and Marie Javins (#94)

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 25: Happy birthday, June Brigman!

Born on this day: comic book penciller June Brigman, co-creator and artist of Marvel's Power Pack and Ahoy's Captain Ginger, artist on Alpha Flight, Barbie, Meridian, Convergence, Supergirl, Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Star Wars and more, plus the comic strips Brenda Starr and Mary Worth!


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, October 12: Happy birthday, Barbara Johnston!

Born on this day: Marvel Age designer Barbara Johnston!


from Marvel Age #58 (Marvel, January 1988), text by Mike Carlin, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Paul Becton

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, September 13: Happy birthday, Gary Barnum!

Born on this day: 1990s Marvel Comics scripter and editor Gary Barnum (Incredible Hulk, Marvel Comics Presents, The Avengers, New Warriors, West Coast Avengers and more)!


from Marvel Age #93 (Marvel, October 1990), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter
Happy birthday, Gary!


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Age #88 (Marvel, May 1990), art by Rick Parkeer

Today in Comics History, August 15: Happy birthday, Kingpin!

Born on this day: the bouncing baby boy (23 pounds 8 ounces) who would grow up to become the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk! How old is he? Well, until somebody cuts him in half and counts the rings, he's not telling.


from Marvel Age #104 (Marvel, September 1991), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Renee Witterstaetter
There's no actual canon source within a comics story to assign this date, but the Marvel Age Calendar assigns this date, so until there's a scene in Daredevil where Fisk is blowing out candles, let's celebrate today with lots of cake! Happy birthday, big guy!

13,500.

Today in Comics History, August 9: Happy birthday, Alyce Gordon!

Born on this day: Marvel secretary during the '80s Alyce Gordon!


from Marvel Age #56 and 32 (Marvel, November 1987 and November 1985; text by Mike Carlin (#56) and Jim Salicrup (#32); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Paul Becton (#56) and Andy Yanchus (#32)
Happy birthday, Alyce!

Today in Comics History, July 2: Happy birthday, Joe Hallen!

...hope you survive the experience!


from Marvel Age #103 (Marvel, August 1991); text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter; pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter
...Oh.



from "The Death of Joe Hallen: Part One of Five: Bring It On Home to Me" in The 'Nam #54 (Marvel, March 1991), cover pencils and inks by Andy Kubert, script by Chuck Dixon, breakdowns by Wayne Vansant, finishes by Tony DeZuniga, colors and letters by Phil Felix
(Read more about Joe Hallen here.)

Today in Comics History, June 26: Happy birthday, Warren Kremer!

Born on this day in 1921: comics writer and artist Warren Kremer, co-creator of Richie Rich, and creator of Hot Stuff the Little Devil and Stumbo the Giant! Sadly, uncredited within the Harvey Comics, of which he's drawn hundreds and hundreds of.


from Marvel Age #54 (L) (Marvel, September 1987) and #90 (R) (Marvel, July 1990), text by Mike Carlin (#54) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#90); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Paul Becton (#54) and Renee Witterstaetter (#90)
At Star Comics, Marvel's 1980s imprint for kids comics, Warren co-created Royal Roy, Top Dog, and Planet Terry!


from Marvel/Star Comics cover-dated December 1987
Happy birthday, Warren!

Today in Comics History, June 14: Happy Flag Day!

Just don't forget that according to the MMFTVMU (Marvel Made-for-TV=Movie Universe) that FLAG stands for "Full Latent Ability Gain!" How does that make you feel about Cap now?


from Marvel Age #90 (Marvel, July 1990), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Renee Witterstaetter

Today in Comics History, May 24: Happy birthday, Al Bensew!

Born on this day: Marvel reproduction department designer Al Bensew, who's worked on such reprint and anthology proijects like The Marvel Saga, Spider-Man: The Wedding Album, and Origin of Galactus!


from Marvel Age #101 (Marvel, June 1991); text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter Happy birthday, Al!

And what of Evan Skolnick's birthday, you might ask? Just cast your peepers here!