Today in Comics History, April 7, 1776: They would have preferred he read them the funny papers, but...

from "Commodore John Barry" in Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact v.16 #20 [#306] (George A. Pflaum, June 8, 1961), script by John Randolph (?), pencils and inks by Reed Crandall

Today in Comics History, June 18: Happy birthday, George Mikan!

Born on this day in 1924: pro b-baller George Mikan, aka "Mr. Basketball," (Chicago American Gears and Minneapolis Lakers) the man who gave kids with glasses a hope they could play in the NBA someday!



from "The Story of George Mikan" in Treasure Chest of Fact and Fun v.17 #9/315 (Pflaum, January 4, 1962), script by Bob Weber
You could also spot him in comic books as a spokesman for Keds sneakers...




Keds sneakers ads from (top) Archie Comics cover-dated July 1955;
(middle) Archie comics cover-dated July 1957;
Harvey Comics cover-dateddated May 1957
...and for Wheaties, Breakfast of Champions™!



from (top) DC Comics cover-dated February 1952;
(bottom) Dell Comics cover-dated February 1953
Happy birthday, Mr. Basketball! Let me polish your glasses for you there.

(runs away with the magic basketball glasses)

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, February 14, Valentine's Day: Love: The only winning move is not to play

"Valentine's Day Puzzle" from Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact v.19 #12 [#358] (George A. Pflaum, February 13, 1964), creators uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, October 6, 1600: Bridezilla vows to destroy opera

from "Origin of Oratorio and Opera, the Musical Twin" in Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact v.4 #1/47 (Pflaum, September 7, 1948), script by Silvio A. Bendini, artists uncredited and unknown

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, April 15: Let's make fun of Nikita Khrushchev on his birthday!

This is a much-expanded and updated version of the post previously titled "Khrushchev asserts his hatred of dogs," originally published April 15, 2015.

Born on this day in 1894, so you just know he's out of touch: Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, head of Communist Russia, shoe-banger, subject of a song by Elton John!


from "This Godless Communism" in Treasure Chest of Fact and Fun v.17 #16/322 (Pflaum, April 12, 1962), creators unknown

Today in Comics History, February 23: Hallelujah! It's George Frideric Handel's birthday!

Born on this day in 1685, so maybe only your grand-parents might remember him: George Frideric Handel, musical composer of classics like The Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and Zadok the Priest. A lot of others, too, but that's as far as I read into the Wikipedia article. Because I have comic books to fill me in about all I need to know for him. Or, as I like to put it: "all I can Handel." (giggle snort)

Here's Handel, his famous The Messiah, his big meanie dad, his similarity to Batman when he's deep in work, and his nightshirt, which was obviously washed in Tide, because it's whiter than white!


from "The Songs of Christmas" in Four Color #1062 [Walt Scott's Christmas Stories] (Dell, December 1959); script, pencils, and inks by Walt Scott

Today in Comics History, March 7: Happy birthday, Luther Burbank!

Born on this day in 1849: groundbreaking botanist Luther Burbank, star of more comic book features than you can shake a white blackberry at!


from "Historical Almanac" in Real Fact Comics #20 (DC, May-June 1949), creators unknown
So he was great, hmm? But did he get a biography in Classics Illustrated? How can you say someone is great who's never had his biography in Classics Illustrated?


from Classics Illustrated #47 [20,000 Leagues Under the Sea] (Gilberton, May 1948), creators unknown
Even aside from all his guest appearances as Superman's nemesis, Luther Burbank got a lot of comic book press. Here's a whole comic book story devoted to him and his wacky plant-breeding schemes! Oh, Luther, you nut!

He got his start the very same way I did: taste-testing jelly.


from "Heroes of Science: Luther Burbank" in Treasure Chest of Fact and Fun v.9 #6/152 (Pflaum, November 1953), script by Frances Crandall, pencils and inks by Patty Karch
"Oh, no, son, please don't show me any more of your potato seed balls."


Luther Burbank: founder of Apple Club™. Kids love seven different kids of apples from the same apple shrub!


THEY LOVE THEM


And of course, on this very day in 1911, they named one of California's most prominent cities after him: Luther, California!*

(*This may be a lie.)


What? *Another* Luther Burbank comic book biography? Wow, I'm spoiling you guys, aren't I? Who says this isn't the Bountiful Age of Bully Business!?


from "Wizard of Nature" in True Comics #2 (Parents' Magazine, June 1941), pencils and inks by Harry George
So on this day, the occasion of his momentous birth, please help us celebrate Luther Burbank, noted pea-burner.


Walnuts, won't you? Walnuts.


Happy birthday, Luther Burbank!