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, June 10, 1940: Steven Spielberg casts Nazi Princess Leia in the new Indiana Jones movie

from "Sky-Wolf!" in Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #17 (Marvel, November 1984), script by Marv Wolfman, pencils by Dave Cockrum, inks by Joe Sinnott, colors by Andy Yanchus, letters by Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, May 6: Happy birthday, Robbie Carosella!

Born on this day: Robbie Carosella, Marvel's Photostat Supervisor (and occasional colorist) in the 1980s and '90s! Without him, your favorite Marvel Comics wouldn't even exist!


from Marvel Age #29, 53, 89, and 101 (Marvel, September 1985, August 1987, June 1990, June 1991); text by Jim Salicrup (#29), Mike Carlin (#53), Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#89), and Mike Lackey (#101); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by George Roussos (#29), Paul Becton (#53), Gregory Wright (#89), and Renee Witterstaetter (#101)

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

Today in Comics History, September 4: Happy birthday, Paul Smith!

Born on this day: comics artist Paul Smith, who y'all know for his work on Dr. Strange, Nexus, The Spirit, his own co-creation Leave It to Chance, and a li'l book y'all may have heard of, The Uncanny X-Men!


from Marvel Age #33 (Marvel, December 1985), text by Jim Salicrup, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Adam Philips

Today in Comics History, August 23: The Spirit prepares to check Dagger for dust before she goes to the Kate Bush concert

from "Cloak and Dagger: Chapter II: Dancin' the Night Away!" in Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #19 (Marvel, March 1985), script by Bill Mantlo, pencils by Rick Leonardi, inks by Terry Austin, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Rick Parker

Today in Comics History, July 30: Happy Birthday, Kate Bush!

Born on this day and currently having the best year ever: singer/songwriter/musician/producer Kate Bush, who's created ten albums that have changed my life. I didn't discover her this year, but at the same time I didn't become a fan until she put out a greatest hits album (1986's The Whole Story), so I missed the beginning of Kate Bush-mania. I'm glad for every moment and song listening that I'm a fan!

But can you find Kate inside comic books? Well, you have to look carefully.


from Doctor Strange (1974 series) #63 (Marvel, February 1984); script, pencils, and inks by Carl Potts; colors by Bob Sharen; letters by Jim Novak (credited)
There she is! But still, that's only Kate Bush on a poster. Do you think we can find a picture in comics with her in it?

Today in Comics History, July 26: Happy birthday, Harry Candelario!

Happy happy birthday to born-on-this-day Harry Candelario, Marvel Comics production photostat operator in the '90s and comic book inker (New Mutants, X-Force, Excalibur, Cable, The Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and more)!


from Marvel Age #31, 55, and 91 (Marvel, October 1985, October 1987, and August 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#31), Mike Carlin (#55) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#91); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yanchus (#31), Paul Becton (#54) and Renee Witterstaetter (#91)

Today in Comics History, June 22: Happy birthday, Armando Gil!

Born today: Armando Gil, comics penciller and inker (Conan, Micronauts, The 'Nam, Jurassic Park, Dazzler, World's Finest Comics, Spectacular Spider-Man and more)!


from Marvel Age 54 (Marvel, September 1987), text by Mike Carlin, pencils and inks by Ron Zalme. colors by Paul Becton

Today in Comics History, June 4: Happy birthday, Josef Rubinstein!

Born today: comic book artist and inker Josef Rubinstein (Amazing Spider-Man, Silver Surfer, Uncanny X-Men, OHOTMU, Captain America, Wolverine, and many more)!


from Marvel Age #30, 54, and 90 (Marvel, September 1985, September 1987, and July 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#30), Mike Carlin (#54) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#90); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yanchus (#30), Paul Becton (#54) and Renee Witterstaetter (#90)
Who knows what darkness hides in the blackness of inks? The Shadow of Joe Rubinstein knows (here with cute-as-a-button Ann Nocenti)!


from "Editori-Gal" in Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #12 (Marvel, January 1984), script by Ann Nocenti (?), pencils and inks by Al Milgrom, letters by Rick Parker (?)
Guaranteed to make you feel old: the phrase "That was back in 1971 — Joe's pushing twenty now."


"DC Profiles" from DC comics cover-dated October 1977
Can you find Josef Rubinstein at Superman's wedding?

from Superman: The Wedding Album one-shot (DC, December 1996), pencils by Dan Jurgens, inks by Jerry Ordway, colors by Glenn Whitmore, letters by Bill Oakley
(Click top picture to honeymoon-size)
Happy birthday, Joe!

Today in Comics History, May 6: Happy birthday, John Beatty!

Today is the birthday of comic book penciller and inker John Beatty, inker on such comics as Captain America, Batman, Action Comics, G.I. Joe, the first Secret Wars, The 'Nam, Jack Kirby's TeenAgents, and many, many more!


from Jack Kirby's TeenAgents #2 (Topps, September 1993)
You probably remember John on this Captain America cover from the much-loved Assistant Editors' Month at Marvel! From L-R: J.M. DeMatteis, Mike Carlin, Mike Zeck, and John Beatty!



cover of Captain America (1968 series) #239 (January 1984), pencils by Mike Zeck, inks by John Beatty
I'm very grateful to J.M. DeMatteis for providing the definitive identification of the cover figures! Thanks, Mr. D!

On the left: me (in dark glasses) and Mike Carlin. On the right, @MikeZeck (wearing glasses) and @JohnBeattyArt.

— J.M. DeMatteis (@JMDeMatteis) May 6, 2021

We all wish you a very happy birthday, John Beatty!


from Femforce (1985 series) #6 (AC, 1986)
Also: get back ta work!


from Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #12 (Marvel, January 1984), script (and cameo!) by Ann Nocenti, pencils and inks by Al Milgrom, letters by Rick Parker (?)

Today in Comics History, January 8: Happy birthday, Ken Steacy!

Born on this day in Canada (so you know he's nice!): comics artist Ken Steacy (The Original Astro Boy, Jonny Quest, Night and the Enemy, The Sacred and the Profane, his own creation Tempus Fugitive, Marvel Fanfare, Robotech: The Graphic Novel, and many more)!


from "Editori-Al" in Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #23 (Marvel, November 1985); script, pencils, and inks by Al Milgrom
Happy birthday, Ken, and keep 'em flyin' high!


from Tempus Fugitive #1 (DC, April 1990)

Today in Comics History, March 31: Ben Grimm Goes to DashCon

Hey hey hey Baxter Building Boosters! What day is it?

Today the Human Torch plays a April Fool's joke on the Thing, in one of the finest Ben Grimm stories put down on paper! (Seriously, you need to get it. It's in Marvel Fanfare #15, and I don't know why it hasn't been reprinted twenty times. Ask for it by name!


from Marvel Fanfare #15 (Marvel, July 1984); script, pencils, inks, and colors by Barry Windsor-Smith; letters by Jim Novak
But wait, Bully! (you're saying) Why are you posting this a day too early? Have you made a mistake? (you ask). Well, no (I say). I'm not the one who made a mistake.


In any case, get a good night's sleep, and have a peaceful and serene April Fool's Day tomorrow. Don't do anything too extreme: I don't think our hearts can stand it this year.

365 Days of Defiance, Day 298: I am so, so sorry for the joke in the alt-text.

Panels from "Home Fires!" in Marvel Fanfare #18 (January 1985), co-plot by Roger McKenzie, co-plot and script by Roger Stern, pencils by Frank Miller, inks by Joe Rubinstein, colors by Lynn Varley, letters by Jim Novak

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 204: I'd recognize Chris Claremont's prose anywhere, even if it's not in Tom Orzechowski's lettering

Panels from "Fast Descent Into Hell!" in Marvel Fanfare (1982 series) #1 (March 1982); script by Chris Claremont; pencils, inks, and colors by Michael Golden; letters by Jim Novak

Today in Comics History, June 14: Flag Day Special: Correct and Incorrect Flag Display Etiquette in a Comic Book Universe

Correct flag display in a comic book universe:

Incorrect flag display in a comic book universe:

Do not leap through flag.





Do not shoot flag.





Do not set flag on fire.





I said, do not set flag on fire.





What did I just tell you?!?





Do not erect any flags higher than the American flag.





If you win a a big comic book crossover battle,
don't use the flag to be a total dick about it.





Do not use the flag as a cheap variant cover stunt.

What will happen if you use incorrect flag display in a comic book universe:

This guy will get pissed at you.

Bear Attack! Month, Day 19: The bear pulled a knife on Hulk, so Hulk had to shoot him

Panels from "A Day In the Life..." in Marvel Fanfare #17 (November 1984), script by David Anthony Kraft, pencils and inks by Tony Salmons, colors by Christie Scheele, letters by Rick Parker