Today in Comics History, May 18, 1980: Cartoon car's brakes fail, skids over panel gutter

from "Dig the Plant, Man!" in Secrets of Haunted House #43 (DC, December 1981), plot and pencils by Rodin Rodriguez, script by Robin Snyder, inks by Andy Mushynsky, colors by Jerry Serpe, letters by Pierre Bernard Jr.
But that's not the end of adventures for Doc Bill Poteet, uh uh! (No way!) Thanks to the all encompassing chronological nature of this terrifying tale, you'll see update on this panel all tgroughout this year (and into the next, wouldja believe?)! And it's all capped off with this super-scary cover by the Master, Joe Orlando!


cover of Secrets of Haunted House #43; pencils and inks by Joe Orlando
Stay tuned for more plantnanigans!

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, May 18, 1372: Past events like these will influence Batman stories in the future

Good morning! Here's a cheerful comic book for you to start out the day with!


from Batman: Killing Time #3 (DC, July 2022), script by Tom King, pencils and inks by David Marquez, colors by Alejandro Sánchez, letters by Clayton Cowles

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy (another) birthday, Queen Hippolyta!

Born on this day in (mumblemumbleclearsthroat), the woman the kids call Mrs. Wonder Woman's Mom: Queen Hippolyta!


from "The Shrinking City!" in Wonder Woman (1942 series) #93 (DC, October 1957), script by Robert Kanigher, pencils and inks by Harry Peter

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, Perry Como!

Born on this day in 1912, crooner Perry Como!, the most relaxed man in show business!

But what does Mr. Como have to do with comic books, you ask? Hmmmm...




advertisement from DC Comics cover-dated September 1958
Well, for one, here he is, RIGHT ON A FREAKIN' COMIC BOOK COVER. That's what!


cover of Penny #6 (Avon, September 1947), pencils and inks by Harry Haenigsen

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, Linda Lee Danvers! (This time for sure!)

"Born" on this day and at least two others this year, Linda Lee Danvers, aka Kara Zor-El: Supergirl!
I shall explain.


from "Supergirl's Busiest Day!" in Action Comics #270 (DC, November 1960), script by Jerry Siegel, pencils and inks by Jim Mooney

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, James Fry!

Say a heraty happy birthday to comic book penciller and inker James W. Fry: he's worked on Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Star Trek, Blasters, Moon Knight, Elvira, Shadowhawk, Sonic and more; he's the co-creator of Slapstick and The Liberty Project!


from Marvel Age #29 and 89 (Marvel, August 1985 and June 1990); text by Jim Salicrup (#29) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#89); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Renee Witterstaetter (#89)
Can you find him on this cover featuring the Marvel Bullpen? Of course you can! I have confidence in you!




cover of Marvel Age #35 (Marvel, February 1986) by James Fry and Tom Morgan
Happy birthday, James!

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, Alan Kupperberg!

Born on this day: comic book/strip scripter and artist Alan Kupperberg (The Invaders, The Defenders, What If...?, Marvel Two-in-One, Thor, Crazy Magazine, Spider-Ham, Hostess ads, and more)!


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

Today in Comics History, May 18: Happy birthday, Bill Everett!

Born on this day in 1917: comics writer and artist Bill Everett, creator of Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner and Hydroman; co-creator of Daredevil, Simon Garth the Zombie, Moondragon, Stingray, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Battlin' Jack Murdock, Namorita, and more!


from Fantastic Four Annual #7 (Marvel, November 1969)

Today in Comics History, May 18, 1922: Maurice W. Moe implores Alan Moore to stop writing to him

back cover of Providence #1 (Avatar, May 2015), script by Alan Moore

Today in Comics History, May 18, 1994: The greatest crime of Tony Stark: using Comic Sans

from Iron Man #306 (Marvel, July 1994), text by Len Kaminski

Today in Comics History, May 18, 1956: Ernie Kovacs Presents Jokes from Your Dad

from "Strangely Believe It!" in MAD #38 (March 1958); script by Ernie Kovacs; pencils, inks, and letters by Wally Wood

Today in Comics History, May 18, 1947: Jackie Robinson hits pencils

from Jackie Robinson #1 (Fawcett, Summer 1949), script by Charles Dexter, pencils by Clem Weisbecker, inks by John Jordan

Today in Comics History, May 18, 1940: This is the worst episode of The Fred Allen Show ever

from "Underground Girl!" in Famous Stars #3 (Ziff-Davis, 1950), creators uncredited and unknown