Today in Comics History, June 2, 1998: Invention of new and improved Baja Blast Mountain Dew

from The Invisibles (1997 series) #17 (DC/Vertigo, August 1998), script by Grant Morrison, pencils by Chris Weston, inks by Ray Kryssing, colors by Daniel Vozzo, letters by Todd Klein

Today in Comics History, June 2, 1988: Wisconsin June weather is typical

from D.P.7 #25 (Marvel/New Universe, November 1988), script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Paul Ryan, inks by Danny Bulanadi, colors by Paul Becton, letters by Janice Chiang

Today in Comics History, June 2, 1938: Joe Lewis Said Knock You Out

"Highlights in Sports" in Real Fact Comics #3 (DC, July 1946), pencils and inks by Phil Berube

Today in Comics History, June 2, 1883: The day after the lights were installed, Roy Hobbs smashed them all with his home run

from "Bob Feller's Baseball 'Firsts'" in Baseball Thrills #3 (Ziff-Davis, Summer 1952), pencils and inks by Wally Littman

Today in Comics History, June 2, 1951: Kids all over America cut out this check and cash it, driving Marvel Comics into bankruptcy

from "The Phantom Pen" in Astonishing #6 (Marvel/20th Century Comic Corp., October 1951); pencils, inks, and letters (and scropt?) by Bill Everett
How do I know it's 1951? Because that's the date on the checks on this story's splash page!

Today in Comics History, June 2: Happy birthday, Alexander Salkind!

Born on this day in 1921: Alexander Salkind!


from Fifty Who Made DC Great one-shot (DC, 1985)
Salkind was a movie producer (The Three (and Four) Musketeers) and presenter (with son Ilya) of the movie that began modern superhero films: 1978's Superman: The Movie.


"Superman Movie Report" from DC Comics cover-dated August 1978
He also presented the sequels Superman II, Superman III, and Supergirl, plus 1985's Santa Claus: The Movie, all of which have been turned into comic books!


covers of (l-r) All-New Collectors' Edition #C-52 (DC, March 1980),
Supergirl Movie Special #1 one-shot (DC, February 1985), pencils by José Luis García-López, inks by Dick Giordano, and
Marvel Super Special #39 [Santa Claus: The Movie] (Marvel, 1985), painted art by Tom Palmer
Happy birthday to you, Alexander Salkind!

Today in Comics History, June 2: Happy birthday, Dwight Jon Zimmerman!

Born on this day: Dwight Jon Zimmerman, comics writer (Marvel Comics Presents, The Pirates of Dark Water, Magna-Man: The Last Superhero, Avengers Spotlight and more), editor at Topps Comics, interviewer, reviewer, reporter, and extensive expert of and author on military history!


from Marvel Age #30, 54, 90, and 102 (Marvel, September 1985, September 1987, July 1990, and July 1991); text by Jim Salicrup (#30), Mike Carlin (#54) and Chris Eliopoulis and Barry Dutter (#90 and 102); pencils and inks by Ron Zalme; colors by Andy Yanchus (#30), Paul Becton (#53) and Renee Witterstaetter (#89 and 101)
Happy birthday, Dwight!


from Marvel Age #82 (Marvel, December 1989)

There is No Hope in Crime Alley, Night 1: Out of the night when the full moon is bright

It's June again. Comics fans and scholars know June 26 as one of the most vital and fatal nights in comic book history. There are other dates contested for the event, some even within comics (and in the usually-reliable Super DC Calendar 1976 — I'll address that when we come to the date they think it is), but I've found most people choose to accept June 26, and that's the day (and month) I write about it here on Comics Oughta Be Fun. Except, it's really not all that fun, is it, to continually return to the scene of the crime? I don't think Batman would approve of this feature. The Joker, maybe, but I blocked him from reading this. Still, DC Comics returns to the scene with frightening regularity, which is why there's so many comics accounts of this night, on which, at 10:48 PM following a showing of a Zorro movie,, Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered in front of their son Bruce by lone gunman Joe Chill in Gotham City's Park Row — later to become known as Crime Alley.


from Batman Special #1 one-shot (DC, April 1984), script by Mike W. Barr, pencils by Michael Golden, inks by Mike DeCarlo and Michael Golden, colors by Adrienne Roy, letters by Todd Klein
Each year in June on my blog I recount this scene — the origin of Batman — in comics panels. Here's the first time that story was depicted:


from "The Batman Wars Against the Dirigible of Doom" in Detective Comics (1937 series) #33 (DC, November 1939), script by Bill Finger, figure pencils and inks by Bob Kane, background pencils and letters by Sheldon Moldoff
Here's a list (yes, I have a spreadsheet for this) of the previous years I've covered this: 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017

This year, let's continue. Nightly, I'll bring you a look at that night in Crime Alley of the experiences of young Bruce Wayne — and sometimes others — through the medium of...you guessed it, comic books. (There won't be repeat panels from any of the nights I did it in those six previous years.)



from Batman/The Maxx: Arkham Dreams (DC, November 2018); script, pencils, and inks by Sam Kieth; colors by Ronda Pattison, letters by Shawn Lee
So join me here each night in June — and find out why...There is No Hope in Crime Alley.

Today in Comics History, June 1, 1942: Successful date is had by Björk

from Young All-Stars #19 (DC, December 1988), script by Roy Thomas and Dann Thomas, pencils by Ron Harris, inks by Malcolm Jones III, colors by Gene D'Angelo, letters by Jean Simek

Today in Comics History, June 1, 1998: He got that Nine Inch Nails t-shirt from Scooby-Doo*

from The Invisibles (1997 series) #17 (DC/Vertigo, August 1998), script by Grant Morrison, pencils by Chris Weston, inks by Ray Kryssing, colors by Daniel Vozzo, letters by Todd Klein
*Yes, I know it's Air.

Today in Comics History, June 1, 1996: Once again, bookstores are the reason for the apocalypse

from Back to the Future: Biff to the Future #6 (IDW, November 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

The Marvel Calendar for 2011 2022: Jaw-dropping Jean in June

Not much to say about this one, folks: it's the X-Men vs. the X-Men (hey, where's Hank?) across the years. And look, I know Jean was dead at the time, but modern-day Emma Frost is no replacement for our favorite redhead. Phoenix that shizzle up, Ms. Grey!

Enjoy it all month long, or until you don't!

"June 2011," from Marvel Calendar 2011 (Marvel, 2010)
(Click picture to Colossusize)

Today in Comics History, June 1, 1925: He proceeded to what?!?

from "Strange Sports Facts" in Baseball Thrills #3 (Ziff-Davis, Summer 1952), pencils and inks by Mario DeMarco

The Marvel Comics Memory Album Calendar for 1977 2022: June Jive Jackhammerin'

Look! Luke! Luke Cage, that is, the fiercest, fabulousist, funkiest crimefighter this side of 1977's pre-Disneyfied Times Square. And you can look at him all month long with this Marvel calendar specially designed to entertain and inform you during the month of June in 1977 and 2022! It's got everything: the late great George Pérez, Dracula, Forbush Man, and double-sized Mary Jane Watson! Why, the only holiday this calendar doesn't have?: Sweet Christmas!

"June 1977," from Marvel Comics Memory Album Calendar 1977 (Marvel, 1976), pencils by Ron Wilson, inks by Joe SInnott
(Click picture to soul-brother--size)

Today in Comics History, June 1: Time to put up and/or take down the Christmas decorations

from Deadpool (2016 series) #25 (Marvel, March 2017), script by Gerry Duggan, pencils and inks by Scott Koblish, colors by Nick Filardi, letters by Joe Sabino

The Super DC Calendar for 1977 2022: June Jurisprudence in (Davy) Jones (Locker)

New! In a series of print 'em out, cut 'em out, paste 'em up on your wall (be cautious if you have parents or a cranky landlord): the 1977 Super DC Calendar! The wording of which always puzzles me: is it the calendar that's super, or just DC Comics? Or is the super-action between the Aquaman family (Aquaman, Lady Aquaman, Teen Aquaman, Topo, not pictured) against Black Manta? You make the call, because it's gonna be hanging on your wall (except, as I noted before, if anyone who owns your home objects) all this month long!

"June 1977," from Super DC Calendar 1977 (DC, 1976), pencils and inks by Jim Aparo
(Click picture to blue whale*-size)
(*klaxon blares for Alan Davies)
The same thing, but for Marvel? Comin' up in a mere half hour!

Today in Comics History, June 1: Happy birthday, James DiGiovanna!

Born on this day: Marvel comics editor in the '90s James DiGiovanna (The Incredible Hulk, Sensational She-Hulk, G.I. Joe, Nth Man, more)! He's also been a film and comics critic for Tucson Weekly (here's a short piece about Jimmy Olsen comics that made me giggle) and is now a college professor.


from "Bullpen Bulletins" in Marvel Comics cover-dated February 1990
Happy birthday, James!

The Marvel Age Calendar for 1994 2022: Jaw-dropping June Justice

Hullo folks hullo! If you have looked at the calendar or a newspaper or your rent bill you may have noticed that it's now


from Mighty Marvel Calendar 1981 (Marvel, 1980)
...and I hope it is a very fearless month for you, too.

One of the things that might help you wipe away the scares (aside from putting in your air conditioner) is a proper calendar to keep track of all the days in June. The beginning of Pride Month (today)! Father's Day (June 19)! Juneteenth (also the 19th)! Flag Day (June 14)! National Fudge Day (my fav'rit, on the 16th)! So as I do each month, pal-endars, I'm here to lend a hand by giving you a free June calendar! Pin it up and mark off Take Your Dog to Work Day (every day)!


from The Fury of Firestorm #63 (DC, September 1987), script by John Ostrander, pencils by Joe Brozowski, insk by Sam de la Rosa, colors by Nansi Hoolahan, letters by John Workman
Oh dear. That's very tiny and not of much use, huh? Well, let's take a big gapin' gander at this June calendar! It's got the Bee on it!


from "Vacation Vexation" in Archie and Me #104 (Archie, September 1978), script by George Gladir, pencils by Stan Goldberg, inks by Rudy Lapick, colors by Barry Grossman, letters by Bill Yoshida
Well, that's a perfectly legible calendar but it's not one you can use in 2022. But hang onto it! You can use it next year in 2023! You'd better clip 'n' save it now because I'm not gonna remind you in a year. (I will totally remind you in a year.)

No, better we switch off to an actual usuable calendar for June 2022 from the far-away long-gone era of 1994! Temember that fabulous year? Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan attacked! Major League baseball players strike! Newt Gingrich named House Speaker! Uh, on second thought let's forget all about 1994 and just focus on this nifty calendar of Captain America and Nick Fury takin' down a big-ass robot from A.I.M.* Go get 'em, Cap! Yo, Nick! *Ain't It Malicious

"Classic Clash #6: Cap and Fury vs. A.I.M." from Marvel Age #138 (Marvel, July 1994), pencils by Darren Auck, inks by Keith Williams
(Click picture to big-ass-robot-size)
Except, Cap doesn't fight any foe that looks like this in Tales of Suspense #79, and Fury doesn't even appear in that story! More research for me to do? Probably! Anyway, enjoy it while you can (i.e., this month), because there's only a few more months left of the Marvel Age calendar...and for that matter, Marvel Age!

More June calendars in a bit, so stay tuned, Bunky!

Today in Comics History, June 1, 1954: Carver Coleman's crippling ketchup addiction threatens to become public

from Doomsday Clock #10 (DC, July 2019), script by Geoff Johns, pencils and inks by Gary Frank, colors by Brad Anderson, letters by Rob Leigh

Happy Pride Month!

from Marvel's Voices #1 one-shot (Marvel, April 2020); script, pencils, inks and colors by Luciano Vecchio, letters by Travis Lanham