Today in Comics History, March 2: Happy birthday, Tatjana Wood!

Born on this day: comic book colorist Tatjana Wood! You'll recognize her name from a jillion DC Comics, bringing her skill to titles like The New Teen Titans, Action Comics, Superman, Camelot 3000, Sgt. Rock, G.I. Combat, Ghosts, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Camelot 3000, Alan Moore's Swamp Thing, the Vertigo Animal Man, Adventure Comics, Who's Who...pretty much every li'l corner of the vast DC Universe! In addition she colored a huge number of DC's covers from about 1973 through the mid-eighties (including all the comics during certain periods). She's also a dressmaker and tapestry artist, as we find out in this DC Comics profile.


from DC Comics cover-dated November 1979
Wood is also the ex-wife of comics artist Wally Wood (they were divorced in 1966), and sometimes made uncredited contributions to Wood's artwork in the 1950s EC comics. And: two-time Shazam! Award winner for colorist!


biographical entry in "Behind the Panels" from Atom Bomb and Other Stories (Fantagraphics, 2019), text by Arthur Lortie
Whatever the comic, Tatjana's coloring always helps it shine, and she rightly is considered one of the modern legends in comics art. Join with me in wishing her a happy birthday today!

Today in Comics History, March 2: Happy birthday, Laraine Newman!

Born today, so ya better wish her a happy birthday: Laraine Newman, actor, writer, and comedian! She was one of the first generation of Saturday Night Live's Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Players (and you know what that means, Marvel Team-Up collectors!) as well as appearing in films, TV shows, and as a voice actress for some fairly big animated movies like Despicable Me and its sequels, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, Wreck-It-Ralph, Toy Story 3, Monsters Incorporated and many more! She was also one of the two voices of Batman villain Baby Doll from Batman: The Animated Series (the other was Alison La Placa).


from Batman: The Adventures Continue #6 (DC, March 2021), script by Alan Burnett and Paul Dini, pencils by Ty Templeton, inks by Ty Templeton and Sean Parsons, colors by Monica Kubina, letters by AndWorld Design
But Laraine's biggest starring role in a comic book has got to be the one we always turn to when we get to celebrate a SNL alumni, the one that'll never get a reprint so it's best to look for it in the longboxes at your LCS: Marvel Team-Up #74, teaming up the original* *okay, the second season Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Players with your friendly 30 Rock-visiting Spider-Man!



cover of Marvel Team-Up #74 (Marvel, October 1978), pencils and inks by David Cockrum, Saturday Night Live pencilled and inked by Marie Severin, letters by Irv Watanabe
Here's a cramped corner panel to introduce everyone: Laraine is at the upper-right in green, and clockwise from her: John Belushi, Jane Curtain, Garrett Morris, DeForest Kelley, Jimmy Carter, and that's NBC anchorwoman Maria Shriver comin' in though the door.


from Marvel Team-Up #74; script by Chris Claremont, pencils by Bob Hall, inks and colors by Marie Severin, letters by Gaspar Saladino and Annette Kawecki
You, readers of my blog, well-know this story by now: Belushi has accidentally come into possession of a high-tech ring belonging to the Silver Samurai, and his goons are scouring the NBC Studios looking for it, faced off by Spider-Man and the cast of the show. Here's Laraine dressed up as Ms. Marvel for a skit. Excuse me while my eyes momentarily bug out over the table and my tongue rolls out to make a carpet. ... Ahem. That's better.


And she helps out Dan Ackroyd attack the baddies in full military style using fire extinguishers. Hey, you kids! Those aren't for fooling around with! Make sure Lorne has these recharged after this stunt!


Now, if you're feeling clever, you might proclaim at moi right now: "Hey, Laraine Newman played Connie in SNL's Conehead sketches, and Marvel did a Coneheads miniseries, so she also appears in that!" And you would be wrong, for I am nothin' if not a little stuffed nit-pickler. The Marvel Coneheads comics are based upon the Coneheads movie (1993), and Laraine did not play Connie in the movie: Michelle Burke (Dazed and Confused did! (Laraine did appear briefly in the movie as alien Laarta, but that character's not in the comic book.)

So with a hearty thank you to Marvel Team-Up #74, we bid a very happy birthday to Laraine Newman!

Today in Comics History, March 2, 1776: Superman supports the military, but even he can't figure out why this history of the Marines is in his comic book

text story "Birth of the Leathernecks" in Superman (1939 series) #50 (DC/National, September 1949); pencils, inks, and colors by Raymond Perry (?)

Today in Comics History, March 2, 1936: Wait, the Alamo didn't fall until March 6. Somebody's giving out military secrets!

from "Remember the Alamo" in Stamp Comics #6 (Youthful, August 1952), pencils and inks by Walter Palais

Today in Comics History, March 2, 1942: President Roosevelt gives control of the military to General Ziffel, whole hog

from "Army Air Chief Henry 'Hap' Arnold" in Real Heroes #7 (Parents' Magazine Press, November 1942), creators unknown

Liberty Bell March, Day 1: It's...

...Liberty Bell March! Featuring Monty Python all this month on Comics Oughta Be Fun! (gasps, falls down on beach)


Each day through the month of March, we'll present to you comic books highlighting Monty Python or its members, referencing their famous routines or movies, and (trying to be) putting them in context with video examples (where available). In other words, please don't sue us, Python (Monty) Ltd.! (Warning: there will be some John Cleese and Terry Gilliam material in this feature.)

First up: We can pretty much guess that somebody like, say, Deadpool is a big fan of the absurd compedy of Monty Python. But...if you ask me (and of course you won't)...who is the least likely character in the Marvel Universe to be an aficionado of the series? I think it would probably be this guy. And yet here he is, quoting from that infamous documentary on the Piranha Brothers, Ethel the Frog:


from Namor the Sub-Mariner #16 (Marvel, July 1991); script, pencils, inks, and letters by John Byrne, colors by Glynis Oliver

from Monty Python's Flying Circus series 2, episode 1 "Face the Press (or: Dinsdale!)" (15 September 1970)

So: join us here each week, my friends / for laffs 'n' fun undying / From six quite strange Englishmen / On Python's Circus, Flying!

Bully Eats Food: The $7 $9.50 Milkshake

Remember when the "five dollar milkshake" was a whole thing?

I just bought a milkshake in a place at Industry City whose sign said "Milkshakes, $7." Gave them a ten and got 50¢ change.


I know I really should say something but I'm very poor at doing that.


It wasn't even that great a milkshake. You have lost my business, sir. I said THANK YOU, sir!

The Marvel Calendar for 2011 2022: March Marvels Mug for the Camera

Spider-Woman's got the right idea (even tho' fabric don't work like that): put your best face forward and smile, smile, smile! Red Hulk agrees! Thor and Iron Man, who do not have good dental plans, do not. But they still don't mind if you hang this odd group shot calendar up for March 2022, because it still works, even if Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo doesn't take place until August this year. Get your white-out and you can fix that. Come to think of it, I coulda fixed it in Photoshop. But, whaddaya gonna do?, he said, rhetorically.

But look out! Somebody shot a hole through Red Hulk's skull, and I bet he ain't happy about it.

"March 2011" from Marvel Calendar 2011
(Click picture to Hulk-had-to-bend-down-to-fit-in-picture-size)

The Tininha Calendar for March, April, May, and June 1977 2022: Brazil, where hearts were entertaining June March

Comics Oughta Be Fun!: Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of calendars from bygone years that you can use again in 2022! The thrill of February, and the agony of March! Now get your magnifying glasses out for this one when you cut it out and thumbtack it to the wall your mom told you not to put holes in: this is a pocket mini-calendar for the months of March-June 1977 from Tininha, a Brazilian comic book that apparently reprinted tales of the Harvey weirdos in Portuguese! Also, if I'm looking at this correctly, comics about Dennis the Menace, Beetle Bailey, and...my mom?!? Print out out, cut it out, use it and go blind, my fine friends!


cover of Tininha (1970 series) #117 (Rio Gráfica Editora, 1977)

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 Super DC Calendar for 1977 2022: March Monument Madness!

Oh no! What slippery shenanigans is stinkin' Sinestro up to now? Why, he's only done gone and hijacked the Leaning Tower of Pisa, left dangling a damsel in distress (actually, it's more of a skirt than a dress), and he's shot an evil pirate missile at this Italian tourist town, threatening to turn all its inhabitants into scurvy dogs, Jim lad! Even that guy who was selling Pisa souvenirs in Superman III! Stop him, Hal Jordan!...oh, look who I'm talkin' to.

"March 1977", from Super DC Calendar 1977 (DC, 1976), pencils by José Luis Garcia-López
(Click picture to Pisa-size)
Anyway, Hal Jordan wishes you a Happy March, reminds you that you can use this 1977 March calendar all through March 2022...and please stay away from him with that banana.

The Marvel Comics Memory Album Calendar for 1977 2022: March to the tune of the Captain America March!

Captain America welcomes you to his favorite month! Why is March his fave? Well, because March 14 is Pi Day...and if there's only one thing more American than Cap, it's apple pie!

Captain America asks that you please stop booing the little bull's dumb joke, and to clip out his calendar for use all throughout March 2022! And eat your pie!

"March 1977", from Marvel Comics Memory Album Calendar 1977 (Marvel, 1976)
(Click picture to baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Captain America-size)

Today in Comics History, March 1, 1968: Ringo says "No no no no, I don't do that no more"

from The Beatles in Comics! (NBM, November 2018), script by Gaëtan Petit, translation by Joe Johnson, art by Martin Trystram, letters by Ortho
I love Indian food, but frankly I'm with you, Ringo: let's get some fish 'n' chips.


from Rock 'n' Roll Comics: The Beatles Experience (Revolutionary/Bluewater, 2010), script by Todd Loren, art by Mike Sagara

The Gang Busters Crime Calendar for March 1935 2022: March comes in like gangsters and goes out like a firing squad

Greetings, Spring-lovers! It's time for the lion to come in and then a lamb goes out, and I guess they're using the same revolving door, because if they see each other's shadow...look, I don't know what animal is gonna come out. What I Do know is it's time for Calendars You Can Use Again in 2022! Beginning with this half-obscured month o' March from 1935...wow, it's really not that useful, is it? Well, if you only tend to use the second half of each week, this is the March calendar for you!


from "The Big Heist" in Gang Busters #26 (DC, February 1952), pencils and inks by Jack Lehti, letters by Artie Simek (?),
as reprinted in Detective Comics #423 (DC, May 1972)
Oh well! If you're the kind of go-getter who actually does something on Sunday and Monday, this calendar might not be of use to you. (Works perfectly for me!) But never fear, there's more this year...um, of calendars for 2022...coming up later today! Make yourself some toast and hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows and stay tuned!

Today in Comics History, February 28: We now return to The Strange Loves of Batman, already in progress

from Young Justice (2011 series) #12 (DC, March 2012), script by Greg Weisman, pencils and inks by Luciano Vecchio, colors by Zac Atkinson, letters by Dezi Sienty

Face It Tiger February, Day 28: And they lived happily ever af..Quesada, no!

Let's wrap up this month of accepting it as proven fact, panthera tigris, with a full-circle reminder that when he opened the door that evening, Peter Parker really did beat the usual Vegas odds and triumph over a corrupt casino system. I think I may have lost myself in that metaphor there.


from Marvel Graphic Novel: The Amazing Spider-Man: Parallel Lives (Marvel, May 1989), script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Alex Saviuk, inks by Andy Mushynsky, colors by Bob Sharen, letters by Rick Parker
So what's up for next month? I honestly don't know. We'll find out tomorrow, probably at the same time! (I bet it begins with "M!")

Today in Comics History, February 28: Happy birthday, Cindy Wilson!

Born on this day and making the world a little more fab since she arrived: singer/songwriter/actor Cindy Wilson of The B-52's, the groundbreaking new wave band that, along with the Go-Go's, brought artsy pop to the 1970s and 1980s and defied where you're supposed to put an apostrophe in your band name!!


from "Ralph Carney" in American Splendor: Our Movie Year (Random House, December 2004); script by Harvey Pekar; pencils, inks, and letters by Gary Dumm

Today in Comics History, February 28: Happy birthday, Zero Mostel!

Born on this day in 1915, a man who couldn't have existed in ancient times because they hadn't yet invented the concept of zero: Zero Mostel! The great comedian, singer, and actor on stage and the screen starred in such classics as A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Producers, The Front and more, and he played the voice of Spell Binder in 650+ episodes of The Electric Company, where he surely met Spider-Man! And, and I almost forgot: who could forget his unforgettable star turn in the you-can't-forget-it Fiddler on the Roof, which of course led to this:


cover of MAD #156 (January 1973), painting by Norman Mingo
Which brings us to yet another application of the second rule of comics:




from "Antenna on the Roof" in MAD #156, script by Frank Jacobs, pencils and inks by Mort Drucker
Happy birthday, Zero! You're our hero!


from Movie Love #18 (Eastern Color, December 1952), pencils and inks by Frank Fogarty

Today in Comics History, February 28: Happy birthday, Joe Brozowski!

Happy birthday today to Joe Brozowski, who, under his pen name J.J. Birch, has been the artist on Boris Karloff: Tales of Mystery, Doomsday+1, Emergency, The Six Million Dollar Man, Firestorm, Star Trek, Guardians of the Galaxy, Foolkiller, Catwoman, Moon Knight, Hardware, Xombi and much more! He co-created the Rudy Jones version of the Parasite, too!


from Marvel Age #98 and 110 (Marvel, March 1991 and March 1992), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#98) & Mike Lackey (#110), art by Ron Zalme (#98) and Darren Auck (#110), colors by Renee Witterstaetter (#98)
A self-portryal of Joe (with Denny O'Neill) in this scene that caps two pages of characters walkin'-an'-talkin' in the hallways of the DC Comics offices:


from The Fury of Firestorm (1982 series) #63 (DC, September 1987), script by John Ostrander, pencils by Joe Brozowski, inks by Sam de la Rosa, colors by Nansi Hoolahan, letters by John Workman
Hey, look in that last panel: Joe's dropping this very page of art! Meta!

Happy birthday, Joe!

Today in Comics History, February 28, 1967: "Oh no, comics have never been political"

from letter column in Amazing Spider-Man (1963 series) #53 (Marvel, October 1967)

Face It Tiger February, Day 27: We're Off to See the Lizard

from Spider-Island (2015 series) #4 (Marvel, November 2015), script by Christos Gage, pencils and inks by Paco Diaz, colors by Frank D'Armata, letters by Clayton Cowles

Ten of a Kind #427: Face It Ten Tigers February

(More Ten of a Kind here.)

Today in Comics History, February 27: Happy birthday, Andy Kubert!

Born on this day in 1962: Andy Kubert, comics artist! He has been the penciller (and occasionally writer) on Batman, Batman versus Predator, X-Men, Dark Knight III, Damian: Son of Batman, Sgt. Rock, Thor, Before Watchmen: Nite Owl, Captain America, Ka-Zar, and many more!


from Marvel Age #87, 98, and 110 (Marvel, April 1990, March 1991, and March 1992), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#87 and 98) & Mike Lackey (#110); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme (#87 and 98) and Darren Auck (#110); colors by Gregory Wright (#87) and Renee Witterstaetter (#98)
Here's Andy (right) on the cover of the Rolling Stone Marvel Age, along with legendary dad Joe (center) and brother Adam (left). A talented family to be sure! I bet they have street rumbles with the Buscemas and the Romitas.



from Marvel Age #131 (Marvel, December 1993)
And yes, Andy has appeared in a Marvel comic...along with spotlight hogger Neil Gaiman! Whoever heard of that guy, anyway?


from 1602 #5 (Marvel, February 2004), script by Neil Gaiman, pencils by Andy Kubert, digital painting by Richard Isanove, letters by Todd Klein
Andy even got invited to Cyclops and Jean Grey's wedding (along with Fabian Nicieza and Matt Ryan). But (and this is the important part), I don't know which figure is him in the crowd! Do you? Let me know in the comments!


cover of X-Men (1991 series) #30 (Marvel, March 1994), pencils by Andy Kubert, inks by Matthew Ryan, letters by Todd Klein
Happy birthday, Andy!