Today in Comics History, May 3: Happy birthday, Bing Crosby!

Born on this date in 1903: Bing Crosby, actor, singer, comedian, and comic book star. In fact, Bing's been in comics almost since their invention!


from "Star-Light" in Action Comics (1938 series) #5 (DC, October 1938), pencils and inks by Sheldon Moldoff

Today in Comics History, March 6, 1836, The Alamo: I question the inclusion of this story in More Fun Comics

"Just Suppose" from More Fun Comics #24 (DC/Nicholson Publishing Co., September 1937), pencils by Henry Kiefer, inks by A. D. Kiefer

Today in Comics History, June 15, 1215: Nothing smarter! Kings, watch how you rule!

Hey, can you identify this important event in history? No, it's not my birthday.


from "Real Heroes' Quiz" in Real Heroes #14 (Parents' Magazine Press, May 1946), creators uncredited and unknown
Give up? It's the Magna Carta, the foundation of English rights and law and the refuge of crackpot conspiracists in the twenty-first century!

from Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact v.12 #15 (Pflaum, March 1957), script by John Randolph, pencils and inks by Frank Borth
(Click picture to Runnymede-size)
How important is the Magna Carta? Well, the Magna Carta debuted in DC Comics several months ahead of Superman, making it the flagship character of the DC Universe! Next month it teams up with Lobo.



from "The Magic Crystal of History" in More Fun Comics #28 (DC, January 1938), pencils and inks by Homer Fleming
Now that you know all that, Mr. Mason, please answer this simple question for the class...d'oh!


from "Time Will Tell" in Jughead (1965 series) #345 (Archie, April 1986); script, pencils, inks, and letters by Samm Schwartz; colors by Barry Grossman

Today in Comics History, March 2: Happy birthday, Mel Ott!

Mel Ott, professional Major League Baseball player, was born today in 1909. His nickname "Master Melvin" is about as cool as you can get without being Iron Man, and he's a National Baseball Hall of Famer who played for the New York Giants from 1926 through 1947.

Was he in comic books? Well, that's a silly question to ask this blog!


"Mel Ott" from The Amazing Willie Mays one-shot (Eastern Color, September 1954), pencils and inks by Frank Fogarty
Hey, he won a breakfast food poll! Hmm, wonder what that breakfast food mighta been?


from Parents' Magazine Institute comics indicia-dated May 1946
Here's a barely legible scan from a microfiche from a comic feature, which only goes to prove: I'll put anything in this space for completeness!


from "Sportettes" in More Fun Comics #35 (DC, September 1938); text, pencils, and inks by Sheldon Moldoff
And here's Mel being challenged by Tiny Captain Lou Albano!


from "Sporting Facts" in Funny Picture Stories v.2 #7 (Centaur, April 1938); text, pencils, and inks by Gill Fox
Now, let's have a guessing game. Riddle me this: what is the least likely cast of comic book characters you'd expect Mel Ott to crossover with? The Marvel Universe? Watchmen? Herbie the Fat Fury? No, it's Richie Rich and the Harvey Freaks of Nature!


from Richie Rich, Casper and Wendy: National League one-shot (Harvey, July 1976), script, pencils, and inks by Warren Kremer
I do hope Willie Mays told Richie "Do it yourself, rich white boy!"

Happy birthday, Mel! I'm sorry I had to associate your birthday with Richie Rich.

Today in Comics History, January 3: My hunger burns a bullet hole, a spectre of my mortal soul (Happy birthday, Jim Corrigan!)

According to the DC Super Calendar 1976, Jim Corrigan, the Golden and Silver Age host of the wrath of God himself, The Spectre, was born today!


from DC Super Calendar 1976 (DC, 1975, letters by Ben Oda)

365 Days of Defiance, Day 215: Under the sea, under the sea / The Master Race gets a punch in the face / Take it from me

Look, I will hear no taunts or jeers against Aquaman, Superhero of the Seven Seas. Sure, he talks to fish — I mean, who doesn't? — but he's one of the most powerful beings on earth and especially under the sea, so take a seat, Jack, if you intend to mock the Aque. How tough is he? Why, in his very first appearance, he's fighting Nazis. Were you fighting Nazis in your very first appearance? I think not.


Panels from "The Submarine Strikes" in More Fun Comics #73 (November 1941), script by Mort Weisinger, pencils and inks by Paul Norris
Wondering what happens to those Nazis in this here very story? Well, let's check it out over at the Grand Comicbook Database, huh?


Don't. Threaten. Aquaman.

365 Days of DC House Ads, Day 254: Alphabet Antics House Ads Week, Day 4

DC Comics alphabet house ads
M: from Superman #43 (November 1946)
N: from World's Finest Comics #25 (December 1946)
O: from World's Finest Comics #26 (January 1947)
P: from Detective Comics #120 (February 1947)