Wednesday, February 01, 2023

Today in Comics History, February 1, 2010: Less Jerry, Moorcock


from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest #4 (Top Shelf/Knockabout, December 2018), script by Alan Moore, pencils and inks by Kevin O'Neill, colors by Ben Dimagmaliw, letters by Todd Klein

Jerry Cornelius is the main character in a Michael Moorcock SF novel series:


Here's some pretty cool paperback covers from a recent reissue:


Putting in his two cents tuppence: Graham Morrison:


from The Invisibles (1997 series) #6 (DC/Vertigo, July 1997), script by Grant Morrison, pencils by Phil Jimenez, inks by Keith Aiken, colors by Rick Taylor, color spearations by Heroic Age, letters by Todd Klein

And, to bring it full circle, here's Alan Moore on Grant Morrison:
And, as far as I know, he's the only bone of contention between me and Michael Moorcock. Michael Moorcock is a sweet sweet man - I believe he has only ever written one letter of complain to a publisher over the appropriation of his work, that was to DC Comics over Grant Morrison, so the only bone of contention between me and Michael Moorcock is which of us Grant Morrison is ripping off the most. I say that it's Michael Moorcock, he says it's me. We've nearly come to blows over it, but I'm reluctant to let it go that far, because, I'm probably more nimble than Moorcock - I've got a few years on him, I'm probably faster, but Moorcock is huge, he's like a bear. He could just like take my arm off with one sweep of his paw, so we'll let that go undecided for the moment.

But, those are pretty much my thoughts on Grant Morrison, and hopefully now I've explained that I won't have to mention his name again.

Today in Comics History, February 1: Happy birthday, Ron Frenz!

Born on this day: Ron Frenz! prolific comics artist (The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, Spider-Girl, Superman, Ka-Zar the Savage, Star Wars, The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones, and much more)! He's also the co-creator of Spider-Girl, The New Warriors, Fantastic Five, Thunderstrike, Night Thrasher, Puma, Silver Sable, Strange Visitor, A-Next and others! Whew! Slow down an' give the rest of us a chance, Ron!


from Marvel Age #98 and 110 (Marvel, March 1991 and March 1992), text by Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#98) and Mike Lackey (#110), pencils and inks by Ron Zalme, colors by Renee Witterstaetter




Today in Comics History, February 1: I hear ya, Snoopy...I'm stressed about it tooZZZZZZZZZ


"Peanuts" (United Feature Syndicate, Februay 1, 1983), by Charles Schutz

Today in Comics History, February 1, 1946: School's out / For Hitler

Schoolteachers! Badly needed! That's why Timely Comics is going to turn Steve Rogers, Captain America, from an all-action Army man (he came in one of those little tubs with 499 other green Army guys) into the most adventurous job of them all, frought with danger, intrigue, and mystery...education!


from "The Private Life of Captain America" in Captain America Comics (1941 series) #59 (Marvel/Timely, November 1946), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Mike Sekowsky, inks by George Klein (?)

I would be suspicious of the initials of that principal, Cap. "HH?" He might as well have listed the school's address as 1488 Himmler Way! And that school name...Lee! Man, that guy sounds pretty suspicious, doesn't he?



The 1978 2017 2023 Amazing Spider-Man Mighty Marvel Comics Calendar: February Fiasco

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published February 1, 2017.

"February Is for Fantastic Friends!" in The Amazing Spider-Man Mighty Marvel Comics Calendar 1978 (Marvel, 1977);
pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by John Verpooten
(Click picture to sales-of-Rod Stewart-Do-Ya-Think-I'm-Sexy-in-1978-size)


Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 31: Are you ready for your Misery Date?


from "Love as Laughter" in Batman: The Audio Adventures Special #1 one-shot (DC, December 2021), script by Dennis McNicholas, pencils and inks by Jesús Hervás, colors by David Baron, letters by Ferran Delgado

Monday, January 30, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 30: Jimmy Olsen wishes he could go back to his limited series because that was so much more fun



from Action Comics #1007 (DC, March 2019), script by Brian Michael Bendis, pencils and inks by Steve Epting, colors by Brad Anderson, letters by Josh Reed

Today in Comics History, January 30, 1945: Publication of General MacArthur's Five-Star Battle Comics #1


from General Douglas MacArthur one-shot (Fox, 1951), creators uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, January 30, 1649: Axe me no questions


from "The Ghost Warriors" in Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1965 series) #11 (Western/Gold Key, November 1968), script by Paul S. Newman, inks by Sal Trapani, letters by Herb Field

Sunday, January 29, 2023

What's Bully Reading? What Your Cat Is Thinking by Bo Söderström

A swift read (showing how little I've gotten at my books in 2023) but enlightening. It's a synthesis of many scientific studies into cat behavior and therefore a little dryer than some books, but I picked out a lot of ideas to think about with Kitty Pryde.


A lot of stuff on feral cats and house kittens and farm cats which doesn't apply to Kitty, but I liked the format, especially the chapter-ending checkpoint list of summing up the ideas from that section. Two paws up.

Today in Comics History, January 29, 1942: Okay, okay, stop trying to make all the other guys in your platoon look bad


from "Lieut. Nininger, Jr." in Heroic Comics #16 (Eastern Color, January 1943), creators uncredited and unknown

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Friday, January 27, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 27, 1596: Wait, what's all this about Mosquito Gulf? I wanna read the buzz about that!


from Picture Stories from American History #2 (EC, 1946), script by M. C. Gaines and W. W. D. Sones, pencils and inks by Allen Simon

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 25, 1976: Please pinch and spread your fingers on this comic book to enhance



from Public Domain #2 (Image, July 2022), by Chip Zdarsky

Today in Comics History, January 25, 1947: Daily Gazette publishes its biggest issue yet — I'm serious, this thing is like five foot tall

Well, at least I think it's 1/25/47. If you're sure it isn't (or if you're GL), get in touch with me!



from "The Terror of the Talismans, Part One" in Green Lantern (1941 series) #31 (DC/National, March 1948), script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Irwin Hasen, inks by John Belfi

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 24, 1965: Perhaps the doctor shouldn't have encouraged all those sinister animal silhouettes to hover over Churchill's bed


from "Phantom Future" in Ghosts (1971 series) #70 (DC, November 1978), pencils and inks by Ernie Chan, colors by Mario Sen

This post was suggested by faithful reader and frequent commenter Blam, who's provided a lot of date references in comics that I'll spotlight throughout 2023 in this series. Thanks, Blam!

Today in Comics History, January 24: A third helping of pumpkin pie? Don't mind if I do!


from The Road to Oz #5 (Marvel, April 2013), script by Eric Shanower, pencils and inks by Skottie Young, colors by Jean-François Beaulieu, letters by Jeff Eckleberry

Today in Comics History, January 24, 1848: YEE-HAW! GOLD!

This is an expanded and updated version of a post originally published January 24, 2021.


from "The World's Greatest Gold Strike" in Real Fact Comics #15 (DC, July 1948); script by Jack Schiff, Mort Weisinger, and Bernie Breslauer; pencils and inks by Howard Sherman







Today in Comics History, January 24, 2001: Another banner day for scum


from "Officer Down, Part Seven: The End" in Batman: Gotham Knights #13 (DC, March 2001), script by Greg Rucka, pencils by Rick Burchett, inks by Rodney Ramos, colors by Digital Chameleon, letters by Willie Schubert

Today in Comics History, January 24, 1917: Red Baron Pizza delivery turns deadly


from "Red Knight!" in Two-Fisted Tales (1950 series) #29 (EC, September 1952), script by Harvey Kurtzman, pencils and inks by John Severin, colors by Marie Severin, letters by Ben Oda

Today in Comics History, January 24, 1823: Well, kinda serves him right for making cultures out of cow pox


"The Trailblazer" from M.D. (1955 series) #2 (EC, June 1955), creators uncredited and unknown

Monday, January 23, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 23, 1942: Rest in Peace, Bert Christman

I've written more about comic book writer and illustrator Bert Christman (and his untimely death in war) in his birthday salute on May 21.


from Comic Book Comics #2 (Evil Twin, October 2008); script by Fred Van Lente; pencils, inks, and letters by Ryan Dunlavey

Today in Comics History, January 23, 1969 and 1976: Matt Murdock and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

What's Daredveil's least favorite day on the calendar? The day he got hit smack in the face with radioactive chemicals that caused his blindness and mutated four sewer turtles? (look it up...it's canon, fanboys!) The day his dad, Battlin;' Jack Murdock, died? The day his girlfriend died (for DD you really can't narrow that down). How about...January 23? In, say, 1969?


from Daredevil (1964 series) #51 (Marvel, April 1969), script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith, inks by George Klein, colors by Michele Robinson (?), letters by Artie Simek

Or maybe in the Bicentennial year of...1976!



from Daredevil (1964 series) #132 (Marvel, April 1976), script by Marv Wolfman, breakdowns by Bob Brown, finishes by Klaus Janson, colors by Michele Wolfman, letters by Joe Rosen

Come to think of it...it's Daredevil. Every day is a bad day for him, poor sucker. Get yerself a happier scripter, DD!

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 21, 1911: TFW it won't be long before all ships are powered by marine turbines

And sure enough...it wasn't long before all ships were powered by marine turbines!


from "George Westinghouse" in True Comics #50 (Parents' Magazine Press, July 1946), pencils (and inks?) by Sam Glankoff

Goooooo MARINE TURBINES!

Today in Comics History, January 21, 1783: You say you want a revolution

Previously, on The Twilight Zone...

On January 20, 1893, René Noir stole a valuable "gold key" and used it to found a thriving comic book company break into the home of the mysterious Marie and the (looks through my dictionary of "L-Words") lachrymal Louis (I'm not certain if that word is right), where after he discovers he's Louis's identical double, is sedated by drugged wine and wakes up the next morning on...


from "The Secret of the Key" in The Twilight Zone #4; pencils by Alex Toth, inks by Mike Peppe, letters by Ben Oda

Y'see, the Gold Key took him back in time 100 years! Where he just happened to encounter his exact double! Who was gonna be killed the next day! How about that story, kids? Pretty scary, right? Even Ol' Uncle Bully was scared, and he doesn't scare easily!

...

THE TWILIGHT ZONE!

This post was suggested by faithful reader and frequent commenter Blam, who's provided a lot of date references in comics that I'll spotlight throughout 2023 in this series. Thanks, Blam!

Friday, January 20, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 20, 1893: You're traveling through another dimension

🎶 Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo 🎶...why, it's none other than 1963's favorite Friday Night Fear factory, The Twilight Zone! Yes, I shall watch it, and read the chilling comic book, but I will do so from behind the couch, much as i will later this year in November when that popular television premiere that influences a thousand fascinating science-fiction stories is aired for the very first time...The Kennedy Assassination.


cover of The Twilight Zone (1962 series) #4 (Western/Gold Key, August 1963), artist uncredited and unknown




Today in Comics History, January 20, 1977: For some reason I bet they still made Jimmy Carter give up his peanut farm


from Back to the Future: Biff to the Future #4 (IDW, April 2017), co-plot and script by Bob Gale, co-plot by Derek Fridolfs, pencils by Alan Robinson, inks by Alan Robinson and Jaime Castro, colors by Maria Santaolalla, letters by Shawn Lee

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 19, 1911: Platform immediately collapses into canyon because they bought it from Acme Platform Co.


from "Hop Harrigan's History of American Aviation" in All-American Comics #22 (DC/All-American, January 1941); script, pencils, and inks by Jon Blummer

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 17, 2010: Comics Oughta Be Retro!


from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest #2 (Top Shelf/Knockabout, August 2018), script by Alan Moore, pencils and inks by Kevin O'Neill, colors by Benedict Dimagmaliw, letters by Todd Klein
(Click top picture to Hero of the Beach™-size)

Monday, January 16, 2023

Today in Comics History, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Luke Cage's Sweet, Sweet, Christmas Day Off

In this year (2023, natch!) Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on January 16 - today, in comics history! How are Luke Cage, the Vision, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver going to celebrate it?


from Vision and the Scarlet Witch (1985 series) #8 (Marvel, May 1988), script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Richard Howell, inks by Frank Springer, colors by Adam Philips, letters by Bill Oakley

AW GEEZ QUICKSILVER you should have stopped just before the "but." Come to think of it, you should have ended before the "some." On third thought, why don't you just SHUT UP QUICKSILVER


Luckily Luke Cage Eplains It All for You™ in the conclusion:


Anyway, my point, and I do have one, is don't invite Quicksilver to any celebrations that are slightly to the left of Nathan Bedford Forrest Day.

Man, I loathe Quicksilver.

Today in Comics History, January 16, 1913: Godfrey Hardy tosses away the famous Neiman-Marcus chocolate chip cookie recipe


from Time Breakers #3 (DC/Helix, March 1997), script by Rachel Pollack, pencils and inks by Chris Weston, colors by Roberta Tewes, letters by Ellie de Ville

Today in Comics History, January 16, 1952: As much as I love the Marvel Universe, this probably wouldn't happen in 1952


from Fantastic Four (2023 series) #1/694 (Marvel, January 2023), script by Ryan North, pencils and inks by Iban Coello, colors by Jesus Aburtov, letters by Joe Caramagna

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1951: He just forgot to check his calendar, EC Comics! Not everything is a spooky supernatural thriller!


from "Reflection of Death" in Tales from the Crypt (1950 series) #23 (EC, April 1951); co-plot, script, pencils and inks by Al Feldstein; co-plot by Bill Gaines; letters by Jim Wroten

This post was suggested by faithful reader and frequent commenter Blam, who's provided a lot of date references in comics that I'll spotlight throughout 2023 in this series. Thanks, Blam!

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1946: Comic book artist just isn't feeling it for this panel


from Larry Doby, Baseball Hero one-shot (Fawcett, 1950), script by Charles Dexter, letterer uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, January 15, 1934: Another night upon which Chicago died, or at the least, was seriously injured and listed in critical condition


from "War on Crime" in Famous Funnies (1934 series) #31 (Eastern Color, February 1937), script by Rex Collier