Today in Comics History, September 15, 1948: Galactus vows vengeance on Earth after it beats him at bowling

from Fantastic Four (2023 series) #1/694 (Marvel, January 2023), script by Ryan North, pencils and inks by Iban Coello, colors by Jesus Aburtov, letters by Joe Caramagna

Today in Comics History, September 15: Happy birthday, Richard Somers!

Hey, let's run it up the flagp[ole and see if anyone salutes today's birthday of Richard Somers, born 1778, so he missed out not only on the Bicentennial but the Ennial. Dick was a US naval officer and commander of the schooner USS Nautilus, its five year mission: to explore strange new islands which defended Tripoli from Barbary pirates and rose to the rank of Master Commandant and commanded a division of gunboats against attacks on Tripoli during the First Barbary War.


"Daredevils of Destiny: Richard Somers" from Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics #1 (Eastern Color, August 1940), script by Frank Rentfrow, pencils and inks by Don Dickson; reprinted from the Daredevils of Destiny Sunday syndicated comic strip
In September 1804, Somers became commander of the Intrepid completely manned by Vulcans of Starfleet, a "fire ship" loaded with explosives and intended to massively detonate and take our the corsair fleet in Tripoli. Unfortunately, the Intrepid blew up early, killing Somers and his entire crew. D'oh! You're suppoosed to get off the ship before it blows up!


"Highlights of History: The Barbary Pirates" in Famous Funnies #61 (Eastern Color, August 1939); text, pencils, and inks by J. Carroll Mansfield; reprinted from the Highights of History Sunday syndicated comic strip
And people say blogs aren't educational! Happy birthday, Richard Somers! Careful with those celebratory fireworks.

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1950: Geez, the Marines just seem to have anger management issues

from "Inchon or Bust" in FIghtin' Marines (1955 series) #61 (Charlton, December 1964), pencils by Charles Nicholas, inks by Vince Alascia

Today in Comics History, September 15, 2015: Opening day of Rhianna's "Shut Up and Drive" Taxi License School

from Yellow Cab (IDW, May 2022), by Christophe Chabouté, based on the novel by Benoît Cohen


"Shut Up and Drive" by Rihanna (Def Jam/SRP, 2007), by Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers; music video directed by Anthony Mandler
Why, she's not even wearing safety glasses! Please do not take this as actual car repair instruction.

Today in Comics History, September 15: Happy birthday, Fay Wray!

Born on this day in 1907: actress Fay Wray, star of a whole bunch of films and TV (The Most Dangerous Game, The Richest Girl in the World, The Countess of Monte Cristo and more), but perhaps best known for monkeyin' around.



from King Kong one-shot (Western/Gold Key, September 1968), painted cover by George Wilson

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1776: Suddenly, Washington's wooden teeth start tingling

from "Washington!" in Two-Fisted Tales #29 (EC, September), script by Harvey Kurtzman, pencils by John Severin, inks by Will Elder, colors by Marie Severin, letters by Ben Oda

Today in Comics History, September 15: Happy birthday, Lance Tooks!

Born on this day: comics artist/illustrator/editor Lance Tooks (Danger Funnies, The Black Panthers for Beginners, Narcissa, and more)!


from What If...? (1977 series) #34 (August 1982), script by Mike Carlin, pencils by Lance Tooks, inks by Ron Zalme, letters by Rick Parker
Happy birthday, Lance!

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1986: The comic book adaptation of Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" is not successful

from D.P.7 Annual #1 (Marvel/New Universe, November 1987), script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Lee Weeks, inks by Tony DeZuniga, colors by Paul Becton, letters by Phil Felix

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1950: Generals continue to play dice with men

from The 'Nam #45 (Marvel, June 1990), script by Doug Murray, breakdowns by Wayne Vansant, finishes by Tony DeZuñiga, colors and letters by Phil Felix

Today in Comics History, September 15: Happy birthday, Isaac Cates!

Born on this: very good pal Dr. Isaac Cates, editor of and contributor to the wonderful fantasy anthology Cartozia Tales, which I love a lot! (You can check it out and order at the Cartozia.com website!)


Happy birthday, Isaac!




"Bully," artwork by Isaac Cates

Today in Comics History, September 15, 2043: Geez, just get some Post-It Notes, dude

from Savage Avengers (2019 series) #24-25 (Marvel, November-December 2021), script by Gerry Duggan, pencils and inks by Patrick Zircher, colors by Java Tartaglia, letters by Travis Lanham

Today in Comics History, September 15: I have not gained 12 pounds...oh, it says Billy, not Bully. Nevermind.

from "Lady Cop" in Gang Busters #9 (DC, April 1949), script by Phil Evans, pencils and inks by Dan Barry

Today in Comics History, September 15: Happy birthday, Chris Wildgoose!

Born on this day: comics artist Chris Wildgoose (Batman: Nightwalker, Batgirl, All-New Firefly, Gotham Academy, Proctor Valley Road, more!)


from DC Comics cover-dated November 2019
Happy birthday, Chris!

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1752: Look, it's an Atom story, I don't claim to understand 'em, I just clip out panels with calendar dates in 'em

from "The Adventure of the Canceled Birthday" in The Atom (1962 series) #21 (DC, October 1965), script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Sid Greene, letters by Gaspar Saladino

Today in Comics History, September 15: Vince Colletta erases Supergirl's narrow margin of comfort

from Supergirl (1972 series) #1 (DC, November 1972), script by Cary Bates, pencils by Art Saaf, inks by Vince Colletta, letters by Ben Oda

Today in Comics History, September 15, 1988: Batman progressively walks closer to you until you can see he's carrying FOR PETE'S SAKE BATMAN PUT THAT THING DOWN

Yes, today, September 15, is when a phone vote to assassinate a comic book icon determined the fate of Batman comic books forever. Don't ask who it is that killed Jason Todd: as Mick Jagger sang, "after all it was you and me."




"Some Will Die" ads from DC comics cover dated September-December 1988, pencils by Jim Aparo

Today in Comics History, September 15: Danny prepares to go to Narnia

from The Unwritten #35.5 (DC/Vertigo, May 2012), plot by Peter Gross, script by Mike Carey, pencils and inks by Gabriel Hernandez Walta, colors by Lee Loughridge, letters by Todd Klein