Today in Comics History, March 25: Happy birthday, Howard Cosell!

Born on this day in 1918: Howard Cosell, the 1970s' most unprevaricating, multiloquent, and periphrastic sportscaster!



from "The Return of Dr. Octopus" in Spidey Super Stories #11 (Marvel, August 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer. inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Ray Holloway

Today in Comics History, March 25: Happy birthday, Elton John!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published March 25, 2022.

Born on this date, already wearing a sparkly pair of sunglasses and chunky heels: Elton John, the world's only Rock Star!


cover of Look-In #37/1973 (ITV, 8 September 1973), creators uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, October 1: Happy birthday, Jimmy Carter!

Born on this day: the 39th President of the United States and one of the few of 'em I respect, Jimmy Carter!


from [Uncanny] X-Men #136 (Marvel, August 1980), co-plot and script by Chris Claremont, co-lot and pencils by John Byrne, inks by Terry Austin, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Tom Orzechowski
Sorry: I actually do have dozens of Jimmy Carter panels from comics — but it's been one of those weeks. Sorry, Mr. President — full treatment next year!


from "White House Rip-Off!" in Spidey Super Stories #30 (Marvel, January 1978), pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by Mike Esposito, letters by Ray Holloway
Happy birthday, President Carter!

Today in Comics History, July 18: Happy birthday, Jean Thomas!

Born on this day: Jean Thomas, Marvel office assistant, comic book scripter (My Love, Night Nurse, Our Love Story, Spidey Super Stories, more) and colorist, and co-plotter or co-scripter with her (now ex-)husband Roy Thomas (Crazy Magazine, Marvel Spotlight, more).


from Mighty Marvel Calendar 1976 (Marvel, 1975)

Today in Comics History, July 4, 1976 and 1776: Every 616 Hero Liked July 4 a lot / But the Grinch from the 31st century, did not!

from "A Bicentennial Adventure" in Spidey Super Stories #17 (Marvel, July 1976), script by Jim Salicrup, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Ray Holloway

Today in Comics History, May 1, May Day: Kraven's First Hunt

"Spidey and the Short Circus Make May Day Mischief" from Spidey Super Stories #11 (Marvel, August 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito, letters by Irving Watanabe

Today in Comics History, April 1: First appearance, Fake-Ass Mr. Mxyzptlk of Earth-57780

from "There's No Fool Like an April Fool" in Spidey Super Stories #10 (Marvel, July 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Artie Simek

Today in Comics History, February 14: On this day we can conclude, Morgan Freeman loves you, dude

"Easy Reader's Valentine" from Spidey Super Stories #8 (May 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer

A Month of... Celebrities in Comics, Day 13: Unlike any other sport, the objective in boxing is chillingly simple: One octopus-man purposefully endeavors to inflict bodily harm on a spider-man

When the Amazing Spider-Man vows to box the Delectable Doctor Octopus in a winner-takes-all tournment at Marla Madison Square Garden, of course you get the 1970s' most unprevaricating, multiloquent, and periphrastic sportscaster that ABC can lend to PBS: Howard Cosell!



Panels from "The Return of Dr. Octopus" in Spidey Super Stories #11 (August 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Irving Watanabe (?)
Alas, unlike Superman vs. Muhammad Ali, the other big-name comic book boxing match of the seventies, this one doesn't have a galaxy of real and imaginary celebrities on its cover. (I may have to devote an entire week eventually to that comic!)


Cover of Spidey Super Stories #11 (August 1975); cover by John Romita, Sr.; letters by Irving Watanabe (?)
Wait, what am I saying? There's Morgan Freeman, right there!

Today in Comics History: Spidey ain't missin' any free party

Inside-back cover comic from Spidey Super Stories #7 (April 1975), artwork is uncredited, but...art by Win Mortimer?

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 329: Jive Turkey (Today in Comics History, Thanksgiving Day)

Hope you have a giant turkey this year for Thanksgiving! Although maybe not as giant as this one.


from "Danger From a Strange Land" in Spidey Super Stories #20 (Marvel, December 1976), script by Pat Thackray, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Ray Holloway
Yes, the Impossible Man tale from Spidey Super Stories! Also known as "the one with a chapter named after an adult film."


Panels from "Danger From a Strange Land" in Spidey Super Stories #20 (December 1976), script by Pat Thackray, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Ray Holloway
I'm not certain myself what is meant by an "adult film." I'm guessing it's one about mortgages, or antacids.

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 315: A Modern Parable

Panels from "The Day of Doom" in Spidey Super Stories #9 (June 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Artie Simek
So who was the scorpion and who was the frog after all?

The Belle Stars, "The Snake" (1983)

Today in Comics History, October 31: Aunt May hands out the Werther's Originals

from Spidey Super Stories #4 (Marvel, January 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito, letters by Artie Simek

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 305/Today in Comics History, October 31: For Halloween, Jonah went as That Guy in the Green Suit

from "The Halloween Party!" in Spidey Super Stories #56 (Marvel, January 1982), script by Steven Grant, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito, colors by George Roussos, letters by Raymond Holloway

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 254: I've got good news and bad news about Spidey's webbing

"More Web Wonders" from Spidey Super Stories #6 (March 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Artie Simek

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 223: Stop trying to make the Inhumans happen, Jonah

Panel from "Beware of the Hair" in Spidey Super Stories #4 (January 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito, letters by Artie Simek

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 181: Prequel to the Afternoon of a Murder

Panels from "Into the Jaws!" in Spidey Super Stories #16 (April 1976), script by A.J. Hays, pencils and inks by John Romita Sr., letters by Gaspar Saladino

School's out forever!

back cover subscription ad from Spidey Super Stories #12 (September 1975), pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito, letters by Irving Watanabe (?)

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 136: You can learn a lot from a dummy

Really, I could have just made this whole year 366 Days of Spidey Super Stories and I bet we woulda all had a blast.


"Wonder Webbing at Work" in Spidey Super Stories #8 (May 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito
How will Spider-Man escape this dilemma?!? Tune in to find out and see the exciting conclusion, right after these thrilling adventures of Letter-Man and Easy Reader!

Oh, wait, here it is.

366 Days with J. Jonah Jameson, Day 124: It's too much, man, let it all hang out

Splash page of "The Wings and the Web-Slinger" from Spidey Super Stories #5 (February 1975), script by Jean Thomas, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, letters by Artie Simek