Today in Comics History, July 14: Happy birthday, Gustav Klimt!

Happy birthday (born 1862, so use a lotta candles) to painter Gustav Klimt, champion of Art Nouveau and the Vienna Secession, who gave us such famous works as Pallas Athena, Judith and the Head of Holofernes, The Three Ages of Woman, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer, Schubert at the Piano, Girlfriends (or Two Women Friends), Danaë, and The Kiss, aka The Painting Most Likely to be Displayed in an Art Major's College Dorm Room.


cover of Klimt (Glénat France, 2017), pencils and inks by Marc-Renier, colors by Mathieu Barthélémy

All-Fathers (Today in Comics History: Father's Day)

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published June 19, 2011.

Fathers

Fathers gone...

from Batman (1940 series) #404 (DC, February 1987), script by Frank Miller, pencils and inks by David Mazzucchelli, colors by Richmond Lewis, letters by Todd Klein

...but never forgotten.

from Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock #1 (Marvel, August 2007), co-plot and script by Zeb Wells; co-plot, pencils, and inks by Carmine Di Giandomenico; letters by Dave Lanphear

Fathers found...

from Uncanny X-Men (1963 series) #148 (Marvel, August 1981), script by Chris Claremont, breakdowns by Dave Cockrum, finishes by Joe Rubinstein, colors by Glynis Wein, letters by Janice Chiang

...missing...

from Generation X (1994 series) #22 (Marvel, December 1996), script by Scott Lobdell, pencils by Chris Bachalo, inks by Al Vey and Scott Hanna, colors by Steve Buccellato, letters by Richard Starkings

...and lost again.

from X-Factor (2006 series) #7 (Marvel, July 2006), script by Peter David, pencils and inks by Ariel Olivetti, colors by Jose Villarrubia, letters by Cory Petit

Fathers misguided...

from Avengers West Coast #57 (Marvel, April 1990), script and pencils by John Byrne, inks by Paul Ryan, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Bill Oakley

...and those led astray.

from Silent War #2 (Marvel, April 2007), script by David Hine; pencils, inks, and colors by Frazer Alex Irving, letters by Cory Petit

Fathers with tough love.

from Wolverine: Origins #48 (DC, July 2010), script by Daniel Way; pencils and inks by Will Conrad, colors by Andy Troy, letters by Cory Petit

Fathers who know best.

from Franklin Richards: Super Summer Spectacular #1 one-shot (Marvel, September 2006), co-plot and script by Mark Sumerak; co-plot, pencils, and inks by Chris Eliopoulos; colors by Lovern Kindzierski; letters by Chris Eliopolous

Bad fathers.

from Starman (1994 series) #72 (DC, December 2000), script by James Robinson, pencils and inks by Peter Snejbjerg, colors by Gregory Wright, color separations by Jamison, letters by Bill Oakley

Fathers and sons reconciled...

...And grandfathers too.

New fathers.

from Starman (1994 series) #75 (DC, March 2001), script by James Robinson, pencils and inks by Peter Snejbjerg, colors by Gregory Wright, letters by Bill Oakley

Fathers never met.

Men who were like fathers.

from Amazing Fantasy (1995 series) #16 (Marvel, December 1995), script by Kurt Busiek, painted by Paul Lee, letters by Richard Starkings

Fathers with their sons.

from Thor (1966 series) #353 (Marvel, March 1985), script, pencils, and inks by Walt Simonson; colors by Christie Scheele, letters by John Workman

Fathers with their daughters.

from Thor: Whoever Wields This Hammer one-shot (Marvel, June 2011), script by Christos Gage, pencils and inks by Marco Torricelli, colors by Chris Sotomayor, letters by Dave Sharpe

Fathers! Appreciate them!*

from Archie Comics #56 (Archie, May 1952), art by George Frese
*Except for The Mist.

"I'm the best there is at what I do, and what I do best is gobble up all these deeelicious cinnamon rolls."

Let's all heartily mock anti-trans rights Florida Rep. Webster Barnaby who called called transgender Floridians "demons and imps" and compared them to "mutants from another planet" during a committee hearing on Monday. He's full of hate, and he has the basic facts that we all know as the truth wrong, both about transgender rights and about the X-Men.

He compared... transgender Floridians and parents of transgender children, to the X-Men, characters from the Marvel comic books in which bigotry, hatred and fear of mutants are central themes. ... "I’m looking at society today and it’s like I’m watching an 'X-Men' movie,” Barnaby said. "When you watch the 'X-Men' movies or Marvel comics, it’s like we have mutants living among us on planet Earth.... "This is the planet Earth," Barnaby continued, his voice rising, "where God created men male and women female. I'm a proud Christian, conservative Republican. -- Tampa Bay Times, April 10, 2023

Say, who'da thunk there would have been a real-Life Reverand Stryker, a bigot who doesn't know that the X-Men are on the side of good and justice.* *Except for Beast.


from Marvel Graphic Novel #5 [X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills] (Marvel, 1982), script by Chris Claremont, pencils and inks by Brent Anderson, colors by Steve Oliff, letters by Tom Orzechowski

Let's forget abpout that transphobe, and instead focus on something not only more fun but a lot more scrumptious.

The New York Times recently spotlighted a recipe for Easy No-Yeast Cinnamon Rolls, and they quoted none other expert in the world of cinnamon roll tasting for a quote than Mr. Wolverine himself, Huge Hugh Jackman!


Which of course leads me to produce this:


from [Uncanny] X-Men Annual (1970 series) #4 (Marvel, 1980), pencils by John Romita Jr., inks by Bob McLeod, colors by Glynis Oliver, new dialogue cleverly in serted by yours little stuffed truly
So, in conclusion: trans rights forever, and always eat cinnamon rolls!

Today in Comics History, February 14, 1929, Valentine's Day: Say, didja notice who's missing from that all those comic book stories about Al Capone and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre?

That's right: it's the Forrest Gump of Comic Books: Wolverine.




from Savage Wolverine #20 (Marvel, August 2014), script by Frank Tieri, pencils and inks by Felix Ruiz, colors by Dan Brown, letters by Cory Petit

The Marvel Calendar for 2011 2022: Outraged October Ontarian*

Look out! It's the Wolverine, noticing you behind him in line to get in to see Tár at your local cinema! Don't cut in front of him, or he'll cut the front of you! Also, I'd buy him some popcorn just to be on the safe side. And you can mark what days you decide for your eventuial second movie date down on this handy 2011 Marvel Calendar which works perfectly well here in 2022!

"October" from Marvel Calendar 2010 (Marvel, 2009)
(Click picture to XXL popcorn-size with bonus quart of soda)
*Note: Wolverine does not actually come from Ontario.

Today in Comics History, September 1, 1980: Madeleine Pryor tragically doesn't get a second pack of peanuts on her flight

from Uncanny X-Men (1963 series) #171 (Marvel, July 1983), script by Chris Claremont, breakdowns by Walt Simonson, finishes by Bob Wiacek, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Tom Orzechwoski

Today in Comics History, August 17 (1988?): Hijacked plane lands safely at invisible airport

from Wolverine (1988 series) #1 (Marvel, November 1988), script by Chris Claremont, pencils by John Buscema, inks by Al Williamson, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Tom Orzechowski
No, I can't read the year on that newspaper either, but it takes place in Wolverine #1, so I assume it's supposed to be 1988 or thereabouts.

Today in Comics History, August 2: Happy birthday, Carroll O'Connor!

Born today in 1924: actor, producer, and director Carroll O'Connor, who was the star of Ben Grimm's favorite TV show! (Also, I imagine the Thing liked In the Heat of the Night, but that wouldn't premiere for another 16 years.)


from Marvel Team-Up (1972 series) #3 (Marvel, July 1972), script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Frank Giacoia, letters by Artie Simek

Comics Do Shakespeare: The Henrys (#5), Act 6: Once more unto the breach, bub

from "Follow the Leader" in X-Men Unlimited (2004 series) #5 (Marvel, December 2004), script by Scott Killinger, pencils by Rael Lyra, inks by Jay Leisten, colors by Transparency Digital, letters by Dave Sharpe
Eh, maybe not, Wolverine. Here's let's let a literate X-Man recite Shakespeare, shall we?


deleted scene from X-Men: The Last Stand (20th Century Fox, 2006), directed by Brett Ratner, featuring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Kelsey Grammer as The Beast
You tell 'em, Hank! Er, Henry.

Comics Do Shakespeare: Cymbeline, Act 1: Like quills upon the fretful Wolverine

from "Best There Is" in Deadpool Nerdy 30 one-shot (Marvel, May 2021), script by Kelly Thompson, pencils by Kevin Libranda, inks by Bob Quinn, colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, letters by Joe Sabino

Today in Comics History, March 5: Happy birthday, Howard Pyle!

Born on this day in 1853: painter and author Howard Pyle (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Men of Iron, The Wonder Clock, The Story of King Arthur and His Knights (and three sequels), plus many more. He's characterized by his lush and realistic style that influenced N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, and others, and known as the Father of the Brandywine School of artistic style. You've probably read at least one of his books out of the library (and I hope you got the illustrated editions), but you've likely never seen what we're about to serve up to you on this here silver plate of a blog entry: Howard Pyle in the Comics! Here's a concise biography of him, tho' (of course) not actually drawn by Pyle.




from "Howard Pyle" in Real Life Comics #37 (Pines, January 1947), creators unknown

The Marvel Age Calendar for 1994 2022: March Manly Mayhem

Whoa, there's so much testosterone on this month's Marvel Age calendar I think I grew hair on my chest! (looks again) Oh no, it's just the usual fur.

Anyway, this month's 1994 calendar that can be used for 2022 is from the classic story where Wolverine killed and skinned Fred Flintstone and wore his clothes as a cape. Later, Captain Caveman would avenge his old pal Fred, but there was no joy in Bedrock that day. Color it in and be sure to add all the extra blood that you want, coloring pals! Me, I'm gonna go get my big red permanent marker. Fred woulda wanted it that way.

"Classic Clash #3: Wolverine vs. Punisher" from Marvel Age #135 (Marvel, April 1994), pencils by Darren Auck, inks by Sergio Cariello
(Click picture to steroid-size)

The 1993 2021 Marvel Age Calendar for November: Invite your Xs for Thanksgiving

Need a calendar for November 2021? But they're all gone from the stores? Then clip 'n' save this 1993 Marvel Age calendar! It works in 2021, too! But caveat emptor: don't let Phoenix overcook your turkey!

from Marvel Age #131 (December 1993), pencils by Darren Auck, inks by Michael Kraiger
(Click picture to planetary genocide-size)
Or you may prefer this full color portrait of Wolverine from the Marvel 2010 calendar (which also works in 2021!) lurkin' over your workplace for the next thirty days! Give him a beer, for Pete's sake.

from Marvel 2010 Calendar (Marvel, 2009)
(Click picture to case of Molson-size)

The 1992 2020 Marvel Age Calendar: In April I will just stay set / And smoke a Winston cigarette

Alas! Instead of the usual monthly 1992 calendar that we can use again in this shelter-at-home era of 2020, Marvel Age #112 instead provided us with this kinda-silly house ad:


Granted, this issue does give us the bovine excellence of Mark Texeira's TexCow:


But that doesn't solve the problem of needing an April 1992 calendar you can use to count of the many, many days we're all stayin' indoors. Tell ya what: here's the Winston Cigarettes Page-a-Day calendar for April 1992.


So smoke 'em if you got 'em tear off the pages every day to keep track of the rich, delicious taste and cool menthol that only aa Winston can give you each day you don't go out without gloves and a mask and unless you really need to, okay? Remember: it tastes good like a calendar should!

PS: Don't smoke, kids. I'm dead now. Don't smoke.

PPS: I'm not dead.

Also not dead: The X-Men's Kitty Pryde, because the very first time she tried smoking...


Panel from Uncanny X-Men #186 (August 1985), script by Chris Claremont, breakdowns by John Romita, Jr., finishes by Dan Green, colors by Glynis Oliver, letters by Tom Orzechowski
...and Ms. Pryde never smoked ever again.


Panels from Generation Next #2 (April 1995), script by Scott Lobdell, pencils by Chris Bachalo, inks by Mark Buckingham, colors by Steve Buccellato, letters by Richard Starkings
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD KITTY

365 Days of Power and Responsibility, Day 40: His longest speech without using the word "bub"

Panels from "The Fundamental Thing" in X-Men Annual #14 (1990), script by Chris Claremont, pencils by Mark Heike, inks by Geof Isherwood, colors by Nelson Yomtov, letters by Michael Heisler
That is clearly the eye that's supposed to be under Wolverine's patch in that final panel.

Fun with Comics, St. Patrick's Day Edition: Lest we forget that Wolverine was famous to leprechauns

from The [Uncanny] X-Men (1963 series) #103 (Marvel, February 1977), script by Chris Claremont, pencils by Dave Cockrum, inks by Sam Grainger, colors by Janice Cohen, letters by John Costanza