Today in Comics History, November 17, A Long Time Ago: You Bet Your Life Day

On this date in 1978, the class (?) TV spectcaular The Star Wars Holiday Special aired for the very first, and the very last, time. Opinions are divided as to the quality of the show (big furry Wookiee thumbs down on everything except the cartoon, but I like the Bea Arthur segment myself), but you can't help but admit it has had a major impact upon the Star Wars mythology. Now that it's all canon, it's fun to see where the legends got their start!

Okay, yeah, you got me. Thanks to contemporary Disney-era comic books, the celebration of Life Day and some of its characters are canon, if not necessarly anything that went on in that special. Aw, that means Harvey Korman piuring a drink into his volcano head is relegeated to Legends. But did anything good ever come out of the Holiday Special? Why yes! Like this awesome comic book cover by Francesco Francavilla!


cover of Star Wars Adventures (2020 series) #3 (IDW, February 2021), art by Francesco Francavilla

Today in Comics History, June 22: Happy birthday, Edvin Biuković!

Born on this day in 1969: comics artist Edvin Biuković (Star Wars, Grendel, The Human Target and more).


from Star Wars Handbook #1 (Dark Horse, July 1998)
Edvin passed away at the age of 30 in 1999. Another great talent that's left us too soon.


from DC/Vertigo Comics cover-dated April 2000
Happy birthday, Edvin; you're missed.

Today in Comics History, May 25, 1977: And also with you

from "May the 25th Be with You" in Marvel Comics Presents (2019 series) #4 (Marvel, June 2019), script by Daniel Kibblesmith, pencils and inks by Pere Pérez, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, letters by Joe Caramagna
Happy 45th Birthday, Star Wars! Your AARP card is in the mail.

Today in Comics History, May 24: Happy birthday, Carmine Infantino!

Born today in 1925: legendary comics artist, editor, and publisher Carmine Infantino, who co-created Batgirl, The Flash (Barry Allen and Wally West), Black Canary, Animal Man, Bat Lash, Phantom Stranger, Deadman, and more! He's drawn pretty much everybody in books like Detective Comics and Batman, Star Wars, Adventure Comics, The Avengers, Mystery in Space, Spider-Woman, The Brave and the Bold, Iron Man, Green Lantern, Nova, Phantom Stranger, Daredevil, and so much more!


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)

Today in Comics History, April 12: Happy birthday, Gary Martin!

Born on this day: comics writer/artist/inker Gary Martin!


from New Talent Showcase (1984 series) #5 (DC, May 1984)
Gary has inked Sonic the Hedgehog, Marvel Comics Presents, Pryde and Wisdom, Adventures of the X-Men, The Immortal Doctor Fate, Sludge, Marvel Adventures Hulk, and many more, the co-creator of The Moth with Steve Rude and the Son of Samson series, and author of the book The Art of Comic-Book Inking.


from Star Wars Handbook #1 (Dark Horse, July 1998)
Happy birthday, Gary!

Today in Comics History, February 10: Happy birthday, Laura Dern!

Born on this very happy day, and we're glad the world gave her to us: actress, filmmaker, Academy Award-winner and all-around cool person Laura Dern! She hasn't been in as many movies or TV shows as I'd like (because of cowardly and homophobic backlashes after she appeared as a lesbian in Ellen), but she's done lots we do love: Mask, Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, October Sky, Little Women, I Am Sam, Twin Peaks, Inland Empire, F Is for Family, Big Little Lies, Bastard Out of Carolina, and a little indie film you may have heard of called Jurassic Park:



from "Jurass-Has-Had-It Park" in MAD #323 (December 1993), script by Dick Debartolo, pencils and inks by Mort Drucker
You remember the Second Rule of Comics Oughta Be Fun!, don't you?: You ain't nobody 'til you've been drawn by Mort Drucker!

What's Bully Reading?: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra by Sarah Kuhn

Yay! My copy of the Star Wars: Doctor Aphra script has arrived!



Thank you, Sarah Kuhn! Thank you, The Ripped Bodice!

Fun with Comics: I don't think this is a spoiler anymore, Mister Vader

from Marvel Age #4 (Marvel, July 1983)

Life Under Quarantine: Mr. Bull regrets he's unable to lunch today

Thanks to the pandemic, I have nothing to put on my April Darth Vader planner calendar.


Sigh. Guess I'll go play Monopoly by myself. Again.

Bully and His Pals: Artoo-Detoo

While on our vacation in Westbrook, Conneticut (dig our comfortable homestay apartment overlooking the sea!), Artoo-Detoo and me are hanging out watching Rogue One, as you do!

This is the electronic Artoo that will follow along watching Star Wars movies and interact with the film. Unfortunately, this is a broadcast on TNT and includes commercials, so he keeps resyncing. So far Artoo has commented on ads for Pinot Noir and perfume, and danced to Beyoncé’s "Halo."


I think I need to try him out with a) DVD, not a broadcast with commercials; b) a movie with him in it more than Rogue One. When it worked he was great, but as it went on he seemed to be a few seconds ahead of the movie with his reactions.

You're a great pal, Artoo!

Comics at Housing Works: Please let these Star Wars stay

I have added lots of new backissue comics, sets, and 5-packs to the stock for sale at Housing Works Bookstore and Café, so remember they're all 30% off all day tomorrow! I processed and priced a large collection of Dark Horse Star Wars comics featuring many retconned-from-existence "Star Wars Legends!" Mara Jade Lives!

What's Bully Reading?: Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy by Amy Ratcliffe and Elsa Charretier

Comics at Housing Works: Star Wars #1

Hello, gorgeous!


It's now on sale in the "Rare Comics" section of the Comics Cart here at Housing Works Bookstore and Café! Use the Force and c'mon by!

Comics at Housing Works: From a galaxy far, far away

Hello gorgeous! You may be in poor condition but I loves ya to pieces!


And if you want to buy it, it's on sale now at Housing Works Bookstore and Café!

UPDATE on 3/15/2019: It's been sold, faster than those two droids to Uncle Owen!

Bully and His Pals: My entire Last Jedi sequel is this

365 Days of Defiance, Day 363: Although it's been said, many times, many ways

Panels from Star Wars: Rogue One #6 (November 2017), script by Jody Houser, pencils and inks by Emilio Laiso, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, letters by Clayton Cowles

365 Days of Defiance, Day 332: Say hello to my little friend

Panels from Poe Dameron Annual #1 (August 2017), script by Robbie Thompson, pencils and inks by Nik Virella, colors by Jordan Boyd, letters by Joe Caramagna

365 Days of Defiance, Day 321: Pick Your Side

Panels from Poe Dameron #7 (December 2016), script by Charles Soule, pencils and inks by Angel Unzueta, colors by Frank D'Armata, letters by Joe Caramagna

365 Days of Defiance, Day 310: "And you tell those monkeyfightin' fake fanboys that they're not re-makin' any movie while I'm here."

Panels from Star Wars: Mace Windu #5 (February 2018), script by Matt Owens, pencils by Denys Cowan, inks by Roberto Poggi, colors by Guru eFX, letters by Joe Caramagna

365 Days of Defiance, Day 231: With a rebel yell, he cried, you're not stopping this ship

At last Luke Skywalker is up against an Imperial who has more sense and fighting abilities than the usual misshooting Stormtrooper: Sergeant Kreel, the guy so bad he's named after a fishing basket. Will Luke give up the rebel spirit against Kreel?


Panels from Star Wars (2015 Marvel series) #25 (January 2017); script by Jason Aaron, pencils and inks by Jorge Molina, colors by Matt Milla, letters by Joe Caramagna
Heck no. Not in a Star Wars story! Well, one published by Marvel at least.


Say, what sort of grade do you think Sergeant Kreel will get for his performance review by his boss>