Today in Comics History, February 29: Happy birthday, Willi Smith!

Born on this day in 1948: Willi Smith, noted designer and innovator in the fashion industry.

What does Willi have to do with comics? Well...



covers of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 (Marvel, September 1987), pencils and inks by John Romita, Sr.

Today in Comics History, July 4: Popeye's cousin continues to serve out his 25-30 for bunco fraud

So. I am not going to reprint the cover of Chesler/Dynamic's 1937 Star Comics #5 (go ahead, look it up yourself; don't say I didn't warn you), but here's a gag strip about the Fourth of July. Wow, who knew there were men's right activists doing cartoons back then. Still: hardened criminals cutting out paper dolls: always good for a larf!


"Belly Laughs" from Star Comics #5 (Chesler/Dynamic, July 1937), creators uncredited and unknown

A Sugar and Spike Halloween, Night 30: How come they have all these costumes yet every Halloween story is about them not being allowed to go out trick-or-treating?

"Pint-Size Pin-Ups" in Sugar and Spike #49 (October-November 1963); script, pencils, and inks by Sheldon Mayer

A Sugar and Spike Halloween, Night 18: The Adventures of Pumpkinhead and Barrel Boy

"Trick or Treat Pint-Size Pin-Ups" in Sugar and Spike #37 (October-November 1961); script, pencils, and inks by Sheldon Mayer

A Sugar and Spike Halloween, Night 11: Reanimated Paper Voodoo Dolls of the Living Dead Babies

"Pint-Size Pin-Ups: Trick or Treat" in Sugar and Spike #43 (October-November 1962); script, pencils, and inks by Sheldon Mayer

A Sugar and Spike Halloween, Night 4: The startling return of Paper Doll Month

"Pint-Size Pin-Ups: Halloween Special" in Sugar and Spike #31 (October-November 1960); script, pencils, and inks by Sheldon Mayer