TODAY IN COMIC BOOK HISTORY15515
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 TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for November 18-22, 2022... 150 years ago November 20, 1872 Canadian writer-artist René-Charles Béliveau is born. He creates La Famille Citrouillard. 135 years ago November 18, 1887 Artist Jim Navoni is born. He develops such features as Charley the Chump for the Wheeler-Nicholson syndicate. 125 years ago November 21, 1897 The Captain Kiddis Kids begins by J.B. Lowitz. 110 years ago November 21, 1912 British cartoonist Hugh McClelland is born. He works on The Daily Mirror and Daily Sketch, and his features include Beelzebub Jones and Pip Squeak and Wilfred. 100 years ago November 22, 1922 Satiric Spanish cartoonist Guillermo Cifré is born. 95 years ago November 18, 1927 Hy Fleishman is born. The Silver Age artist works for Stanmore, Atlas/Marvel, and Lev Gleason. 90 years ago November 21, 1932 French writer, critic, and historian Claude Moliterni is born. He co-founds the Angoulême International Comics Festival. 60 years ago November 22, 1962 Colorist Dan Vozzo is born. 50 years ago November 22, 1972 French writer-artist Cyril Pedrosa is born. 45 years ago November 22, 1977 Artist Irvin Shope dies at age 77. He drew the Rusty Rawlins strip written by Glenn Chaffin. 30 years ago November 21, 1992 The British magazine The Victor ends. 30 years ago November 22, 1992 Sterling Holloway dies at age 87. The voice artist’s characters include Disney’s Cheshire Cat, Kaa, and Winnie the Pooh. 15 years ago November 20, 2007 Internet CompuServe comics pioneer Paul “Zeus” Grant dies at age 55. 10 years ago November 20, 2012 Argentine artist Arnoldo Franchoni (who worked as “Francho”) dies at age 83 or 84. |
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| November 13 Kobra is an international terrorist and mad scientist who has crossed paths with the majority of Earth’s costumed heroes during his attempts to usher in the Kali Yuga. His real name is Jeffrey Franklin Burr, and he was born part of a set of siamese twins, but was stolen at birth by the Cult of the Kobra god, since a prophecy claimed he would lead them to rule the world. Under their teaching, he became a dangerous warrior and a sadistic criminal mastermind. He led the cult into using advanced technology to menace the world. Followers of Kobra would frequently address their master as “Naja-Naja”, “naja naja” being the binomial name for the Indian Cobra. However, unknown to the cult, he had a psychic link to his twin brother, Jason, who knew nothing of Kobra. As a result, one felt what the other felt, including pain. Because of this, his brother was recruited by an international agency to help them combat Kobra. At first, Kobra was unable to kill or even hurt his brother; eventually, however, he used a device that “shut off” the psychic link, and gave him the chance to kill Jason. However, Kobra was subsequently haunted by visions of his brother. Whether it really was his ghost or just Kobra’s imagination was never revealed. Jeffrey Burr Kobra and his brother Jason first appeared in Kobra #1 (November 13, 1975).  |
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| November 14 Lady Lotus was born in Japan, and exhibited strong psychic powers at a young age. She developed these abilities through constant meditation, and supplemented her powers with the sacred lotus flower. At the age of 21, she moved to the United States. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States began holding Japanese-Americans in concentration camps to determine their loyalties. Disgusted by this, Lady Lotus took refuge in New York’s Chinatown and opened a curio shop called “The House of Lotus”. She cast a subtle hypnotic suggestion over anyone who came into the store, convincing her customers that she was actually Chinese. Angered at how her people were being treated by the Americans, she vowed to destroy the United States, and allied with the Axis Powers. Lady Lotus first appeared in Invaders #37 (November 14, 1978). She possesses the ability to hypnotize others from miles away, forcing them to obey her will. She can also psychically project images into a crystal ball, cast mental illusions and had limited powers of precognition. Exposure to lotus flowers heightened her powers, and she would bathe for an hour in a bath of the flowers to increase her abilities. Due to apparent mystical means, she also does not age.  |
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| November 15 The original Injustice League was the brainchild of the interplanetary conqueror Agamemno. They first appeared in Justice League International #23 (November 15, 1989). Bored of his dominion, he set out to conquer Earth and their champions, the Justice League. Aided by the alien former dictator Kanjar Ro, Agamemno contacted Lex Luthor and they recruited other villains to their cause. Agamemno then engineered a switch wherein the villains’ minds switched with those of the JLA. In the true JLA’s absence, other Silver Ageheroes came to clash with the now seemingly evil heroes. Eventually, Green Lantern used the power of Oa’s Central Power Battery and a Thanagarian weapon called “Absorbascon” to reverse the mind swap. Having spent time in their enemies’ bodies, the villains knew their heroic counterparts inside-out. To regain the edge, the JLA used the power of Robby Reed’s alien H-Dial to transform themselves into totally different heroes. Then, using his power ring through the Absorbascon, Green Lantern removed all knowledge of the heroes’ secret identities from the villains’ minds.  |
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| November 16 A psionic teletechnopath, able to control machines with force of will alone, Amanda McKee was orphaned at a young age, and sent to live in a group home. It was there that billionaire visionary and founder of the Harbinger Foundation, Toyo Harada, discovered her and took her into his care, rescuing her from the abusive environments of her early life. For this Amanda became unfailingly devoted to Harada and his mission. Assuming the name Livewire, Amanda became a star pupil of the Harbinger Foundation, eventually becoming one of Harada’s most trusted aides. She first appeared in Harbinger #14 (November 16, 1992). All that changed, however, when Peter Stanchek joined the Harbinger Foundation. Faced with a power that nearly equaled his own, Harada’s facade of control began to fray and his domineering tendencies became clearer and clearer to Livewire. Still faithful to Harada’s vision, but believing that Peter could help balance his immense power, Livewire aided Harada’s wayward student in his escape from the Harbinger Foundation and sent herself into exile following her betrayal.  |
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| November 17 Conan the Barbarian has appeared in comics nearly non-stop since 1970. The comics are arguably, apart from the books, the vehicle that had the greatest influence on the longevity and popularity of the character. The first comic book adaptation of a Howard Conan story was the feature La reina de la Costa Negra (taken from the original Conan story, “Queen of the Black Coast”) in the miniature-size Mexican anthology title Cuentos de Abuelito #8 (November 17, 1952) published by Corporacion Editorial Mexicana, SA. The series features the main characters, Conan and Bêlit, though Conan is depicted as blond rather than black-haired. Issues 8 through 12 adapted the original Howard story, while subsequent issues featured original material. The feature ran in nearly every issue of Cuentos de Abuelito up through number 61. Aside from an earlier and unofficial Conan comic published in Mexico, the two main publishers of Conan comics have been Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics. Marvel Comics launched Conan the Barbarian and the classic Savage Sword of Conan. Dark Horse launched their Conan series in 2003. Dark Horse Comics is currently publishing compilations of the 1970s Marvel Comics series in trade paperback format.  |
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| November 18 Penny Arcade is a webcomic focused on video games and video game culture, written by Jerry Holkins and illustrated by Mike Krahulik. The comic debuted on November 18, 1998 on the website loonygames.com. Since then, Holkins and Krahulik have established their own site, which is typically updated with a new comic strip each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The comics are accompanied by regular updates on the site’s blog. Penny Arcade is among the most popular and longest running webcomics currently online. Holkins and Krahulik are among the first webcomic creators successful enough to make a living from their work. The strip features Krahulik and Holkins’ cartoon alter egos, John “Gabe” Gabriel and Tycho Brahe, respectively. While often borrowing from the authors’ experiences, Holkins and Krahulik do not treat them as literal avatars or caricatures of themselves. The two characters spend much of their time playing and commenting on computer and video games, which forms the basis of the humor in the strip. Most of the time Gabe serves the purpose of the comic and Tycho the comic foil. The strip can feature in-jokes that are explained in the news posts accompanying each comic, written by the authors.  |
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| November 19 James Madrox, also called the Multiple Man, first appeared in Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 (November 19, 1974). Jamie Madrox is born to a family living near the Los Alamos research facility in New Mexico; the background radiation may have stimulated his mutation. When Jamie is born, the doctor’s slap causes him to multiply into two identical babies. Professor Charles Xavier, a friend of the Madrox family, suggests that they move to Kansas to raise the boy in privacy. Dr. Daniel Madrox, Jamie’s father, creates a suit for him to wear which is designed to absorb kinetic energy, the source of the duplication. Later, Damian Tryp of Singularity Investigations makes his own offer to look after Jamie, claiming that Jamie is not just a normal mutant, but actually a “changeling”, a predecessor to mutants who develops its powers at birth. When Jamie is fifteen years old, his parents are killed by a tornado alleged to have been caused by Tryp, and Jamie begins to run the farm by himself along with his duplicates, or “dupes”, until his suit is damaged. Jamie Madrox goes to New York City for help where he meets Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four. He contacts Professor Xavier, who sends the youth to Muir Island with Moira McTaggert, to work in her laboratory and help her with research. He later helps Moira and fellow mutants Havokand Polaris in searching for the escaped mutant Proteus. Proteus hijacks one of Madrox’s duplicates as his own body, although this does not harm Madrox. Following the X-Men’s battle with Proteus on Muir Island, Madrox is invited to join the X-Men, but he declines.  |
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| November 20 Invincible is the teenaged son of Omni-Man, an extraterrestrial superhero of the Viltrumite race. Invincible inherited his father’s superhuman strength and ability to fly and he has sworn to protect the Earth. He has had trouble adjusting to his newfound powers and coping with the reality of his origins. Invincible first appeared in Tech Jacket #1 (November 20, 2002). When Mark was seven years old, Nolan reveals that he is a member of a race of peaceful alien explorers called Viltrumites, that he had come to Earth to help mankind and that one day Mark would develop super powers. Mark’s powers manifest at the age of 17 while he is working at his part-time job. His powers, which increase with use, are: great strength, speed, flight, some invulnerability and fortunately fast healing as despite his chosen name, he is severely beaten many times, almost to death. Also an ability to hold his breath for very long periods as he flies through space at faster than light speed. Shortly afterwards, the Guardians of the Globe are attacked and killed by Omni-Man as part of the Viltrum plan to take over the Earth. The Immortal attacks Omni-Man, who kills him again in Mark’s presence and then reveals that the Viltrumites are actually a warrior race who conquer planets for their Empire, killing anyone who refuses to join. He was sent to Earth as an advance agent and killed the Guardians in preparation for the invasion. Mark, refusing his father’s entreaties to join the Viltrumites, tries to fight him but is almost killed before Omni-Man flies off planet in tears.  |
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| November 21 The first Superboy was simply Superman as a boy, acting as a superhero in Smallville, where Kal-El lives under his secret identity, Clark Kent. The original pitch for a “Superboy” character was made by Jerry Siegel (without Joe Shuster) in November 1938. The idea was turned down by Detective Comics, Inc., and the publisher again rejected a second, more detailed pitch by Siegel two years later. Siegel’s conception of Superboy was that of a comical prankster, and editor Mort Weisinger felt this would have cheapened Superman’s image and presented a bad role model for younger readers. After the appeal of kid superheroes had been demonstrated by the success of Robin, the Boy Wonder and similar characters, Detective Comics reversed itself in late 1944 and started publishing a Superboy feature, in an effort to expand the Superman franchise by presenting a version of the character to whom younger readers could easily relate. His first appearance is in More Fun Comics #101 (November 21, 1944). Though Joe Shuster supplied the art, the Superboy feature was published without the input or approval of Jerry Siegel, who was serving in World War II. This fact increased an already-growing rift between the publisher and Siegel and Shuster.  |
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| November 22 M Night Shyamalan organized the narrative of Unbreakable to parallel a comic book’s traditional three-part story structure. After settling on the origin story, Shyamalan wrote the screenplay as a speculative screenplay with Bruce Willis already set to star in the film and Jackson in mind to portray Elijah Price. Unbreakable was released on November 22, 2000. In Unbreakable, a security guard named David Dunn survives a horrific train crash. After the incident, with the help of a manipulative disabled comic art gallery owner named Elijah Price, he learns that he possesses superhuman powers. As Dunn explores and reluctantly confronts his powers while trying to navigate a difficult family life, he begins to fight crime and learns the true nature of Elijah Price. The film has subsequently gained a strong cult following. Many regard it as one of Shyamalan’s best films, and in 2011 Time listed the film as one of the top ten superhero movies of all time.  |
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TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for November 23 through December 1, 2022... 210 years ago November 25, 1812 Henry Mayhew is born. He’s co-founder and co-editor of Punch. 190 years ago December 1, 1832 The French magazine Le Charivari begins. It will offer comics and cartoons for more than a century. 140 years ago November 26, 1882 Italian artist Giovanni Scolari is born. 135 years ago December 1, 1887 Golden Age writer-artist Fletcher Hanks is born. His creations include Fantomah Mystery Woman of the Jungle. 115 years ago November 26, 1907 Nell Brinkley “makes her debut as a cartoonist,” according to Wiki and Lambiek. 115 years ago November 26, 1907 French writer-artist Roland Moisan is born. 115 years ago November 28, 1907 Dutch artist Guus Hens is born. 110 years ago November 23, 1912 George O’Hanlon is born. He’s star of the “Joe McDoakes” comedy shorts and is a voice artist whose roles include George Jetson. 110 years ago November 23, 1912 Dutch writer-artist Lieuwe Brolsma is born. 105 years ago December 1, 1917 Jolan Kovacs is born. The model for Lois Lane, she marries Jerry Siegel and is remembered as Joanne Siegel. 100 years ago November 26, 1922 Cartoonist and Peanuts and It’s Only a Game creator Charles Schulz is born. Maybe you’ve seen his work? 100 years ago November 27, 1922 Walter Berndt’s Smitty begins from The Chicago Tribune-New York News syndicate. A variety of Internet listings give the date as either November 22 or November 29. Those were Wednesdays. In its obituary for Berndt, the New York Times said Smitty first appeared in The News on November 27, which makes more sense. 90 years ago November 30, 1932 French artist Gérard Lauzier is born. He creates Zizi Panpan and Les Chroniques de l’île Grande. 85 years ago November 27, 1937 Italian artist Carlo Santachiara is born. He creates the character Sordello. 80 years ago November 26, 1942 Fritzi Ritz creator Larry Whittington dies at age 39, when he’s hit by a car. 80 years ago November 29, 1942 (Ahem …) Writer-editor, co-editor, and co-publisher with Don Thompson of such fanzines as Comic Art and Newfangles Maggie Thompson is born (as Margaret Curtis). She co-edits and eventually becomes senior editor of Comics Buyer’s Guide. (She also provides this weekly feature for Scoop.) 75 years ago November 26, 1947 Dutch artist Flip Fermin is born. 70 years ago November 24, 1952 Judge Parker by Nicholas P. Dallis and Dan Neilman begins. 70 years ago November 26, 1952 Australian artist Edward Ambrose Dyson dies at age 43. He worked on Australian comic books in the 1940s. 70 years ago November 30, 1952 Artist-writer Keith Giffen is born. His work includes Legion of Super-Heroes, co-creation of Lobo, creation of Ambush Bug, and contributions to DC’s New 52. 65 years ago November 26, 1957 Writer, art director, animator, and storyboard artist Darrell McNeil is born. 65 years ago November 28, 1957 Jerry Ordway is born. He writes and/or draws many DC projects, including The Power of Shazam! 65 years ago November 30, 1957 Political cartoonist Brian Basset is born. He creates the comic strips Adam@Home and Red and Rover. 60 years ago November 27, 1962 Artist Paul Guinan is born. He co-creates Heartbreakers, Boilerplate, and Frank Reade with Anina Bennett. 55 years ago November 29, 1967 Letterer and colorist Andrea Albert is born. 45 years ago November 26, 1977 Greek-German artist Nikol Dimitriadis dies at age 68. 40 years ago November 24, 1982 Golden Age artist Edwin Robbins dies of a heart attack at age 63. He laid out Captain Marvel art and drew the Mike Hammer comic strip. 40 years ago November 28, 1982 Argentine artist Manuel A. Martinez Parma dies at age 72 or 73. 40 years ago November 29, 1982 French writer-artist Robert Fuzier dies the day before his 84th birthday. 40 years ago December 1, 1982 Krause Publications acquires The Buyer’s Guide for Comic Fandom from Alan Light. It will change its title to Comics Buyer’s Guide and introduce a newspaper format co-edited by Don and Maggie Thompson. 35 years ago November 24, 1987 Dutch artist Anton Pieck dies at age 92. 30 years ago November 25, 1992 The award-winning Walt Disney’s Aladdin opens in wide release. 30 years ago November 28, 1992 Dutch artist Co Egelie dies at age 87. 30 years ago November 30, 1992 Spanish artist Miguel Ambrosio Zaragoza (who worked as “Ambros”) dies at age 79. 25 years ago November 26, 1997 Aubrey Joseph is born. The actor plays Cloak in the Cloak & Dagger TV series. 25 years ago November 28, 1997 Beavis and Butt-Head ends its series on MTV, where it has run for seven seasons, with “Beavis and Butt-Head Are Dead.” (They’ll be back. Just wait.) 20 years ago November 26, 2002 Italian artist, animator, and studio founder Marco Biassoni dies at age 71 or 72. 15 years ago November 27, 2007 Bulgarian writer-artist, editor, producer, animator, and professor Donyo Donev dies at age 81. 10 years ago November 28, 2012 Spain Rodriguez dies of cancer at age 72. The underground comix creator of Trashman was one of the founders of the United Cartoon Workers of America. 10 years ago November 29, 2012 Italian artist Franco Urru dies at age 53. He worked on comics connected to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well as comics based on the Angel TV series. 10 years ago November 30, 2012 Film critic and writer Jeff Millar dies of bile duct cancer at age 70. He co-created the Tank McNamara comic strip with Bill Hinds. 5 years ago November 27, 2017 Dutch artist Bob Van den Born dies at age 90. He was known for the Professor Pi pantomime strip. 5 years ago November 29, 2017 Golden Age artist Fran Hopper dies at age 95. She worked on Fiction House features in Robert Iger’s studio. And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of December… 140 years ago December 1882 Grit (“America’s Greatest Family Newspaper”) begins. It will carry comic strips. 80 years ago December 1942 Hillman’s Air Fighters Comics #3 introduces The Heap in the Sky Wolf story “Wanted by the Nazis” by Harry Stein and Mort Leav. 80 years ago December 1942 Fawcett’s Funny Animals #1 introduces Hoppy the Marvel Bunny, introduced by Captain Marvel. 80 years ago December 1942 Quality’s Hit Comics #25 features the “most sensational hero ever to appear in print!” Drawn by Sheldon Moldoff, Kid Eternity is introduced and dies, and then Things Happen. 80 years ago December 1942 It’s right there on the cover of Fawcett’s Captain Marvel Adventures #18. “Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. proudly present Mary Marvel.” (The issue is dated December 11, but it’s the only December issue.) The story is by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze. (Spoiler: Billy Batson finds out that Mary Batson is his twin sister.) 80 years ago December 1942 It’s “the mystery of the doll who walks like a man!” DC’s Flash Comics #36 introduces The Rag Doll. “Tale of the Treasure Hunt!” is by Gardner Fox and Lou Ferstadt. 75 years ago December 1947 “Extra! Humphrey’s here.” Harvey’s Joe Palooka #15 introduces Humphrey to comic books. The art is signed by Ham Fisher. 75 years ago December 1947 Fawcett’s Captain Marvel Adventures #79 introduces Tawky Tawny in “The Talking Tiger” by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck. 75 years ago December 1947 Fox’s All Great Comics #13 introduces Dagar, the Desert Hawk. It’s also the last issue of All Great Comics, but Dagar, Desert Hawk will continue the numbering. 75 years ago December 1947 Dell’s Four Color #178 features Walt Disney’s Donald Duck, and the story is “Christmas on Bear Mountain” by the then-anonymous Carl Barks. Yes, it’s a Christmas story, but hey! It has a bonus: the introduction of Donald’s Uncle Scrooge McDuck! 65 years ago December 1957 DC’s Batman #112 introduces Signalman. “The Signalman of Crime” is by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff, and Charles Paris. 60 years ago December 1962 DC’s Adventure Comics #303 introduces Matter-Eater Lad. Yes. Just saying. (He’s from the planet Bismoll. Just saying again.) “The Fantastic Spy!” is by Jerry Siegel and John Forte. 60 years ago December 1962 Who betrayed Ant-Man in Marvel’s Tales to Astonish #38? Is it his buddies, the ants? Or is it Egghead, introduced in this issue? “Betrayed by the Ants!!” is by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, and Dick Ayers. 55 years ago December 1967 Marvel Super-Heroes #12 introduces Captain Marvel of the Kree, thereby securing the name (used for many prior years by Fawcett) for Marvel. “The Coming of Captain Marvel!” is by Stan Lee, Gene Colan, and Frank Giacoia. 55 years ago December 1967 “Introducing: The one, the only, the unmitigated – Forbush-Man.” Marvel’s Not Brand Echh #5 provides “The Origin of Forbush-Man the Way-Out Wonder” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Tom Sutton. 55 years ago December 1967 Charlton cancels Judomaster with #98 and Captain Atom with #89. 55 years ago December 1967 The King Comics experiment involving bagging comics in packs to avoid returns (long story) is coming to an end. Mandrake the Magician wrapped up with the November issue (#10), and Flash Gordon #11, Popeye #92, and The Phantom #28 are the last issues of each. 50 years ago December 1972 In “A Stranger Walks among Us!” by Len Wein, Dick Dillin, and Dick Giordano, DC’s Justice League of America #103 contains an unofficial crossover with Marvel involving the (real) Rutland, Vermont, Halloween Parade. The story features (real) comics fans and pros involved in the event. Connected stories appear in Marvel’s Thor #207 (January 1973) and Amazing Adventures #16 (January 1973). 50 years ago December 1972 “We’re going to run our own lives – and you can’t stop us, Super-Dads!” Just like a couple of teenagers. Geez. DC’s World’s Finest Comics #215 introduces Batman, Jr. and Superman, Jr. in a computer simulation in which … Well … Yeah, computer simulation. Anyway, “Saga of the Super Sons!” is by Bob Haney, Dick Dillin, and Henry Scarpelli. 50 years ago December 1972 Charlton’s Midnight Tales #1 cover features the introduction of Professor Coffin and Arachne by Wayne Howard and Nicola Cuti. 50 years ago December 1972 “Beginning this issue! Action-plus with The Human Target!” DC’s Action Comics #419 introduces a new version of The Human Target in “The Assassin-Express Contract!” by Len Wein, Carmine Infantino, and Dick Giordano. 50 years ago December 1972 To whom does Ben Grimm belong? Medusa claims him, but, “He belongs to Thundra – or to no one!!” Who’s Thundra? Well, she’s introduced in Marvel’s Fantastic Four #129 in a story by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, and Joe Sinnott. 50 years ago December 1972 “And a jungle queen is born!” Marvel’s Shanna, the She-Devil #1 introduces Shanna in a story by Carole Seuling, Steve Gerber, George Tuska, and Vince Colletta. 45 years ago December 1977 Marvel’s The X-Men #108 begins John Byrne’s pencils on the series with “Armageddon Now!” 45 years ago December 1977 DC’s Detective Comics #474 introduces the first modern appearance of Deadshot, who first appeared in 1950 in Batman #59. “The Deadshot Ricochet” is by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, and Terry Austin. 45 years ago December 1977 Aardvark-Vanaheim’s Cerebus #1 kicks off the epic tale of a sword-wielding aardvark. Creator Dave Sim writes and draws what will become a long running series that begins as what at first seems to be a simple satire on swords and sorcery-focused comics. The first printing has 2,000 copies. 40 years ago December 1982 Masters of the Universe #1 begins a three-issue miniseries from DC based on Mattel’s line of action figurines. “To Tempt the Gods!” is by Paul Kupperberg, George Tuska, and Alfredo Alcala 40 years ago December 1982 Marvel’s The Uncanny X-Men #164 features the change of Ms. Marvel to Binary. “Binary Star!” is by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and Bob Wiacek. 40 years ago December 1982 Marvel’s Epic Illustrated #15 has the first appearance of Dreadstar by Jim Starlin. 40 years ago December 1982 “This woman’s name is … Plastique … and in just one more second she’s going to explode!” DC’s The Fury of Firestorm #7 introduces Plastique in “Plastique Is Another Word for Fear!” by Gerry Conway, Pat Broderick, and Rodin Rodriguez. 40 years ago December 1982 DC’s The New Teen Titans #26 introduces Terra and other characters. “Runaways” is by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, and Romeo Tanghal. 40 years ago December 1982 Another introduction! DC Comics Presents #52 introduces Ambush Bug in “Negative Woman Goes Berserk!” by Paul Kupperberg, Keith Giffen, and Sal Trapani. 40 years ago December 1982 “Now in every issue:” Green Arrow becomes star of the backup feature in DC’s Detective Comics #521. 40 years ago December 1982 Charlton Bullseye #10 is the last issue. 40 years ago December 1982 “The time has come!” DC’s Camelot 3000 #1 breaks ground. The 12-issue limited series by Mike W. Barr, Brian Bolland, and Bruce Patterson features a future in which characters from the Arthurian saga cope with aliens. The “maxiseries” pioneers DC’s releasing a series only to comics shops and using better quality paper (“Baxter paper”) than newsprint. 40 years ago December 1982 Pacific Comics’ fantasy and science fiction anthology series Alien Worlds begins. Contributors to the first issue include Joe Chiodo, Bruce Jones, Al Williamson, Val Mayerik, Nestor Redondo, and Tim Conrad. 35 years ago December 1987 DC wraps up Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes with #354. 35 years ago December 1987 The Silver Banshee says, “The Silver BansheeTM has won – Superman is dead!” (Yes, she speaks of herself in the third person and manages to add a “TM.”) DC’s Action Comics #595 introduces her in “The Ghost of Superman” by John Byrne and Keith Williams. 35 years ago December 1987 Her name is so nice, but … Marvel introduces the villainous Mercy in The Incredible Hulk #338. (She just wants to do The Hulk a favor, but. Yeah.) “Mercy Killing” is by Peter David, Todd McFarlane, and Jim Sanders III. 35 years ago December 1987 The first of four issues of one of DC’s World of Krypton series begins. “Pieces” by John Byrne, Mike Mignola, and Rick Bryant introduces a bunch of new Kryptonian characters. 35 years ago December 1987 Gladstone’s Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge #224 features “Cash Flow” by Don Rosa, the first of Rosa’s Duck tales to feature The Beagle Boys. 35 years ago December 1987 in “You Say You Want Some Evolution?” Marvel’s X-Factor #23 changes Angel (Warren Worthington III) into Archangel in a cameo. The story is by Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, and Bob Wiacek. More details will emerge in #24. 35 years ago December 1987 DC’s Wasteland anthology series begins with contributions from creators including George Freeman, John Ostrander, David Lloyd, Del Close, William Messner-Loebs, and Don Simpson. 35 years ago December 1987 DC’s Hawkman ends with #17. It’ll be back. 35 years ago December 1987 Marvel’s Solo Avengers begins, starring Hawkeye and Mockingbird. (Next issue, Hawkeye will team with Captain Marvel. So not quite so solo. Just saying.) 30 years ago December 1992 Marvel’s James Bond Jr. #12 wraps up the Marvel series. “Homeward Bound!” is by Dan Abnett, Mario Capaldi, and Bambos Georgioli. 30 years ago December 1992 You want to see The Hulk in bunny slippers? Marvel’s Incredible Hulk reaches #400. There’s other fun stuff in the issue – including a two-part story by Peter David, Jan Duursema, Chris Bachalo, and Mark Farmer. 30 years ago December 1992 “The beginning of the end!” DC’s Superman: The Man of Steel #18 features the first full appearance of Doomsday. “The Death of Superman, Part 1: Doomsday!” is by Louise Simonson, Jon Bogdanove, and Dennis Janke. Although, wait, he’s also in Superman #74 this month. Oh, I see. OK, it’s one of those events! 25 years ago December 1997 Speaking of “those events,” it’s “Big Head” month at DC with covers featuring full face images (many masked). Action Comics #740, Adventures of Superman #553, Azrael #36, Batman #549, The Batman and Robin Adventures #25 … You get the idea. 25 years ago December 1997 “The Countdown Begins … as Worlds Collide!” Marvel returns the Avengers and the Fantastic Four to primary continuity in Heroes Reborn: The Return #1. The story is by Peter David, Salvador Larroca, and Art Thibert. 20 years ago December 2002 DC’s Global Frequency #1 (featuring an organization that combats bad secret projects) begins with “Bombhead” by Warren Ellis and Garry Leach. 20 years ago December 2002 DC’s Batman: Family #1 begins the eight-issue miniseries. “Chapter One: Perception” is by John Francis Moore, Rick Hoberg, and Stefano Gaudiano. 20 years ago December 2002 Image’s The Darkness #1 isn’t the first time Image begins a “Darkness” series; it won’t be the last. Anyway, the story in this issue is by Paul Jenkins and Dale Keown. 20 years ago December 2002 Marvel’s six-issue series Killraven begins with three stories by Alan Davis and Mark Farmer. 20 years ago December 2002 Marvel’s six-issue series Mekanix begins with “Targets” by Chris Claremont, Juan Bobillo, and Marcelo Sosa. 15 years ago December 2007 It isn’t the first Marvel Howard the Duck series; it won’t be the last. This four-issue series begins with “The Most Dangerous Game Fowl” by Ty Templeton, Juan Bobillo, and Marcelo Sosa. 15 years ago December 2007 What was I just telling you about the 2002 series? This time, the story in Image’s The Darkness #1 is by Phil Hester, Michael Broussard, and Ryan Winn. 15 years ago December 2007 DC’s six-issue series The Authority: Prime begins with “Breach of Trust” by Christos Gage and Darick Robertson. 15 years ago December 2007 How many times shall I write this sort of thing? It’s not the first Batman and the Outsiders series and it won’t be the last. The first issue features “The Chrysalis” by Chuck Dixon, Julian Lopez, and Javier Bergantiño. 15 years ago December 2007 It’s “the team you did not expect to see!” says the first issue of DC’s Green Arrow/Black Canary. Nevertheless, they seem to team up a lot. Just saying. “Dead Again: Part One: Here Comes the Bride” is by Judd Winick and Cliff Chiang. 15 years ago December 2007 Marvel’s previous Omega the Unknown series ended more than three decades earlier. Now, Marvel has added a colon, and Omega: The Unknown begins with a story by Jonathan Lethem, Karl Rusnak, and Farel Dalrymple. 15 years ago December 2007 He’s (it says here) “Gotham City’s other protector.” DC’s Simon Dark begins with “What Simon Does” by Steve Niles and Scott Hampton. 10 years ago December 2012 Marvel’s A+X #1 has variant covers, as it introduces the anthology connected to the “Now! Initiative” (with a whole bunch of other “AX” cover designs, because it’s that sort of event). 10 years ago December 2012 DC’s five-issue Ame-Comi Girls begins, featuring Wonder Woman in the first issue. The story is by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Amanda Conner, Tony Akins, and Walden Wong. 10 years ago December 2012 Dark Horse’s Hellboy in Hell starts with a story by (Hellboy creator) Mike Mignola. 10 years ago December 2012 Yeah, yeah, this is the month for DC’s Phantom Stranger #1. But the series started last month with #0. Sigh. Comics numbering … 10 years ago December 2012 Oh, and here’s a coincidence. This is the month for DC’s Sword of Sorcery #1. But the series started last month with #0. Gee whiz. 10 years ago December 2012 Wait a minute. DC’s Talon #1. Do I have to tell you? 10 years ago December 2012 There are a whole bunch of variant covers for Marvel’s Uncanny Avengers #1. “New Union” is by Rick Remender and John Cassaday. 5 years ago December 2017 Dark Horse’s Hellboy: Krampusnacht is by Mike Mignola and Adam Hughes. It will win the Eisner Award for “Best Story/Single Issue/One-Shot.” 5 years ago December 2017 DC has some “Batman:” one-shots. As in Batman: The Dawnbreaker, Batman: The Drowned, etc. Because you need more cover variants, right? 5 years ago December 2017 There are two stories in Marvel’s Falcon #1. “Bad Kid, Mad City” is by Rodney Barnes and Joshua Cassara. An untitled four-pager is by Robbie Thompson, Mark Bagley, and Andrew Hennessy. 5 years ago December 2017 Archie’s Jughead: The Hunger begins with Jughead joining the circus after turning Reggie into a werewolf. As one would. The story is by Frank Tieri, Pat Kennedy, Tim Kennedy, Bob Smith, and Jim Amash. 5 years ago December 2017 Marvel’s Mighty Thor celebrates #700 with a 50-page “The Blood of the Norns” story by a whole bunch of people. (Yeah, yeah, the November issue was #23, but it’s another drive-the-collectors-nuts installment. The series is permitted to revisit and continue earlier numberings.) 5 years ago December 2017 It’s not the only Valiant series featuring the characters, but Quantum and Woody! #1 starts a new series with a story by Daniel Kibblesmith and Kano. 5 years ago December 2017 Marvel’s five-issue limited series Spirits of Vengeance begins with “War at the Gates of Hell Part 1” by Victor Gischler and David Baldeon and includes a history of the members of Spirits of Vengeance. |
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| November 23 Opus was a Sunday strip drawn by Berkeley Breathed. Set in Bloom County, the strip documented the adventures of Breathed’s popular character Opus the Penguin, parodying both pop culture and politics along the way. It was launched with much fanfare on November 23, 2003, and was syndicated by Washington Post Writers Group. In early October 2008 the author declared he was terminating the strip because of his expectation that the United States is going to face tough times and his desire to depart from his most famous character “on a lighter note”. Opus traveled back home to Bloom County, only to find that time has changed everything and everyone he once held dear. His employment usually depended on the week’s joke – since Opus began, he has so far been a political operative, a garbageman, and a newspaper ombudsman – but he was most often depicted as a syndicated cartoonist.  |
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| November 24 Ruth Aldine is a student at the Xavier Institute and ever since she was a child, Ruth had worn a blindfold to cover up her obvious mutation and it was this that inspired her new codename “Blindfold.” Blindfold was born without eyes, a condition known as anophthalmia, but in exchange, she is psionic, though the full extent of her abilities is unknown. She first appeared in Astonishing X-Men #7 (November 24, 2004). She was first mentioned by Hisako Ichiki and Wing before their confrontation with Ord. Hisako and Wing both said she had a big mouth because she had read Wing’s mind and informed Hisako of his dreams of one day becoming an X-Man. Wing was upset, but Hisako told him not to worry, as she wanted to be an X-Man too, and that Blindfold was just lonely. Whether it was her fractured psyche or the fact that her powers were not suited for battle, Ruth tended to stay out of limelight.  |
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| November 25 La Patrouille des Castors (The Beaver Patrol) is a series of Belgian comics drawn by MiTacq and written by Jean-Michel Charlier. This series, which was first published in Spirou magazine on November 25, 1954, relates the fictional adventures of a Scout patrol. In the first album, the patrol consisted of six Scouts, although one of them, Lapin (rabbit) disappeared quickly from future stories after the team decided five main characters was a more suitable number for the series. The artist, Michel Tacq (MiTacq), had himself been a Scout during a large part of his life. It was his idea to create a series with Scouts as the main characters, but he needed a script to realise the project, which was provided in 1954 by Charlier, already a very active scriptwriter. The Beaver Patrol is a group of scouts who are taken on adventurous situations provided, most of the time, by their Scout camp during their holidays in foreign countries. As all Scouts should, they act honourably and charitably, but they face enigmas and puzzles in each region they visit in the best traditions of boys own adventures. Each character of the patrol has a very distinct profile, which makes it possible for them to have all the qualities needed in difficult situations.  |
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| November 26 Similar in appearance and tone to Archie Comics titles of the same era, Date with Debbi’s title paid homage to the long-running DC comic A Date with Judy. Date with Debbi is about Debbi’s attempts to find happiness, often through dating, the series combined humor and romance elements. The 18 issue series began with Date with Debbi #1 (November 26, 1968).  |
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| November 27 Dr. Thomas “Tommy” Elliot was a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne, and was also born into a wealthy family. Tommy despised both his abusive father and his frail, submissive mother, who came from poverty and willingly endured every abuse dealt to her and her son to keep her lavish lifestyle. For all their failings, however, Tommy’s parents made sure he was well-educated. Driven by his desire for independence and wealth, Tommy severed the brake line of his parents’ car, causing a crash that killed his father and injured his mother; his mother, however, was saved in an emergency operation by Dr. Thomas Wayne, which enraged young Elliot. During the next few years, Tommy tended to his mother. When Bruce’s parents were murdered, Tommy resented him for inheriting the Wayne family fortune, just as he had hoped to do with his parents’ money. Tommy killed her by smothering her with a pillow. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, his mother had died of a household accident. Later, Elliot created for himself the persona of “Hush”. Hush first appeared in Batman #609 (November 27, 2002). In their attempt to destroy Batman, Hush and the Riddler manipulated several other villains into unwittingly helping them. These included the Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Killer Croc and Clayface. They even manipulated some of Batman’s closest allies against the Dark Knight, utilizing such methods as Poison Ivy using her pheromones to control the Man of Steel and Catwoman and Hush’s seemingly benevolent funding of Huntress’s vigilante activities. When Tommy finally revealed himself to a worn-out Batman, the Dark Knight was saved only by the intervention of Harvey Dent, whose Two-Face persona had been unwittingly wiped out by Tommy when he repaired Dent’s disfigured face. Once again on the side of the law, Dent shot Hush twice, throwing him off a bridge. Although Batman was sure that Hush was his childhood friend Thomas Elliot, he wasn’t able to unmask him.  |
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| November 28 Captain Marvel Jr.’s alter-ego was Freddy Freeman, a crippled newsboy saved by Captain Marvel from the villainous Captain Nazi. Junior derived his powers from Captain Marvel himself, while the other Marvels derived their powers from the wizard Shazam. By saying the name “Captain Marvel”, Freddy is transformed into the teenaged Captain Marvel Jr. Unlike Captain Marvel and the modern-era version of Mary Marvel, Junior remained a teenager in his transformed state. He first appeared in Whiz Comics #25 (November 28, 1941). The teenage Freddy Freeman, living in Midwestern Fawcett City, was shown to be an all-star student and athlete at the Binder school in Fawcett City, and a friend of Captain Marvel’s alter ego Billy Batson. One afternoon, after winning a baseball game for his school team, Freddy and his grandfather Jacob went on a fishing trip in the Fawcett Bay. At the same time, however, Captain Marvel found himself engaged in a battle with the supervillain Captain Nazi. As in the Fawcett origin, one of Marvel’s punches knocks Captain Nazi into the lake near Grandpa Jacob’s boat, and Freddy and his grandfather are attacked when they attempt to save the villain from the water, as Freddy thinks he is Captain Marvel. Captain Marvel intervenes and rushes both injured bystanders to a hospital. Grandpa Jacob slips into a coma after being thrown into the lake by Nazi, and Freddy is found to have a severely injured spine and a broken leg, which will prevent him from ever walking again. After a second attack from Captain Nazi, the injured Freddy is taken to the wizard Shazam by Captain Marvel and his sister Mary Marvel, who both grant the boy the power to become Captain Marvel Jr. However, Jacob dies, and Captain Marvel Jr. goes on a rampage against Captain Nazi until the other Marvels intervene. Nazi and Captain Marvel Jr. would become arch-enemies, regularly pitted against one another.  |
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| November 29 Polar Boy was initially suggested by reader Buddy Lavigne of Northbrook, Illinois in the letters page of Adventure Comics #304 (November 29, 1962). Brek Bannin grew up on the planet Tharr which is considered one of the hottest inhabited planets in the galaxy. Bannin’s family lives in the hottest valley of the planet where the inhabitants developed the power to create super cold, snow and ice as a way to combat the persistent heat. He first tried out for the Legion but was unable to control his powers. He was rejected because members felt his powers might interfere in missions. Bannin then started the Legion of Substitute Heroes with other rejected applicants, and was their first leader.  |
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| November 30 The Purifiers, also known as the Stryker Crusade, are a force of Christian fundamentalists led by the ruthless Reverend William Stryker. The Purifiers see themselves in a holy war against mutants, believing them to be the children of the Devil and thus worthy of extermination. They first appeared in X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills (November 30, 1982). The Purifiers are first seen aiding their vicious leader Rev. William Stryker in his plans to annihilate the mutant race. The Purifiers work to fulfill many of Stryker’s goals, abducting Professor X and several of the X-Men, killing mutant children, and defending Stryker’s church against the X-Men and Magneto. Eventually, one of the guards, horrified that Stryker would attempt to kill the young mutant Kitty Pryde, shoots the secular fraud of a “pastor” and ends his genocidal plans. With Stryker arrested and sent to prison, the Purifiers disband in his absence.  |
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| December 1 Death Note follows Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook from a Shinigami named Ryuk that grants its user the ability to kill anyone whose name and face he knows. The series centers around Light’s attempts to create and rule a world “cleansed of evil” as “God” using the notebook, and the efforts of a detective known as L to stop him. Death Note was first serialized in Shueisha’s manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump starting on December 1, 2003. Light Yagami is a genius high school student who discovers the “Death Note”, a notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it, as long as the writer has seen that person’s face. After experimenting with the notebook, Light meets the Shinigami Ryuk, the notebook’s original owner, who dropped the notebook to the human world out of boredom. Light tells Ryuk of his plan to rule as a god over a new world free from criminals, where only people he deems morally fit to live remain. Light becomes known to the public as Kira, which is derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the word “killer”. Ryuk, invisible except to those that possess the Death Note, follows Light around and takes enjoyment from Light’s meticulous actions as Kira. Kira’s killings catch the attention of Interpol and world-famous detective “L”. L, who is highly intelligent, has surmised that Kira can kill anyone by knowing their face and name, and tricks Light into revealing his location in the Kanto region of Japan. L creates a small anti-Kira task force from the local police to help discover who Kira is, including Soichiro, Light’s father, requiring Light to take several measures to keep the Death Note secure. Light and L begin a game of cat and mouse to try to further their own ends.  |
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TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for December 2-8, 2022... 120 years ago December 7, 1902 “Father of the American Cartoon” Thomas Nast dies of yellow fever at age 62. The editorial cartoonist established such images as the Republican elephant, the Democratic donkey, and the now-traditional Santa Claus. 110 years ago December 4, 1912 Cliff Sterrett begins Polly and Her Pals (as Positive Polly) for the New York Journal. 100 years ago December 6, 1922 Golden and Silver Age artist Dave Gantz is born. He creates the Gantz Glances panel cartoon. 95 years ago December 3, 1927 Cartoonist Joseph A. Lemon dies at age 57. He was known for Willy Cute and for Professor Bughouse. 95 years ago December 6, 1927 Artist Alfonso Greene is born. His Golden Age work includes a feature on Sojourner Truth in Wonder Woman #13. Ken Quattro writes in Invisible Men that, “this was the first comic book story to be both devoted to a Black person and also drawn by one. It was a landmark achievement not touted at the time.” Greene goes on to work for Marvel in the 1950s. 90 years ago December 2, 1932 Sergio Bonelli is born. The Italian writer and publisher creates Zagor and Mister No. 90 years ago December 5, 1932 The Alley Oop comic strip begins, created by V.T. Hamlin for Newspaper Enterprise Association. 90 years ago December 5, 1932 The Jane strip by Norman Pett begins. 90 years ago December 8, 1932 Hergé’s “Tintin” adventure “The Cigars of the Pharoah” begins in Le Petit Vingtième. It introduces Inspectors Thomson and Thompson. 85 years ago December 4, 1937 DC Thomson publishes The Dandy #1. The comic book will become the third longest running comic book (after Detective Comics and Il Giornalino). 85 years ago December 5, 1937 Artist Gustave Verbeck dies at age 70. He was especially known for The Upside Downs of Little Lady Lovekins and Old Man Muffaroo. 85 years ago December 7, 1937 Spanish artist Carlos Prunés is born. He contributes to British comics along with Spanish publications. 80 years ago December 2, 1942 Fawcett’s Master Comics #33 introduces Hopalong Cassidy to comic books. The story by Otto Binder and Ralph Carlson brings to four-color tales the character who was originated in stories by Clarence E. Mulford and then modified and brought to films featuring William Boyd. 80 years ago December 3, 1942 Prolific Belgian artist Frank Sels is born. He sets up his own Studio Sels. 75 years ago December 5, 1947 Stan Lee marries Joan Clayton Boocock. 70 years ago December 3, 1952 Writer-editor John Warner is born. His work includes Gold Key’s Dark Shadows and Flash Gordon and contributions to several Marvel magazines. 60 years ago December 6, 1962 Trollords co-creator (with Paul Fricke) Scott Beaderstadt is born. 60 years ago December 8, 1962 Erik Larsen is born. The writer-artist-publisher and Image co-founder is especially known for his Savage Dragon creation. 60 years ago December 8, 1962 Comics and game designer Mike Mulvihill is born. 55 years ago December 7, 1967 Jason Lutes is born. The writer-artist is known for his work on Jar of Fools and Berlin. 30 years ago December 5, 1992 Argentine artist Arturo Del Castillo dies at age 67. He was known for his Western comics stories. 25 years ago December 3, 1997 Prolific Italian comics artist Benito Jacovitti dies at age 74. He created many features and characters (including Cocco Bill) for Il Vittorioso and other comics. 25 years ago December 8, 1997 Italian comics artist Walter Molino dies at age 82. He co-created (with Federico Pedrocchi) Capitan l’Audace and drew many cineromanzi. 15 years ago December 3, 2007 Belgian artist Eduard De Rop dies of a brain hemorrhage at age 79. 15 years ago December 3, 2007 Award-winning Australian artist James Kemsley dies at age 59. The editorial cartoonist, TV host and actor, art director, creator of the Frogin comic strip, and president of the Australian Cartoonists’ Association took over Ginger Meggs in 1983. 15 years ago December 8, 2007 Artist Alvaro Scaduto dies at age 79. He worked for decades on Jimmy Hatlo’s features and characters. King Features called him the “longest continually syndicated cartoonist.” 10 years ago December 4, 2012 The last printed issue of The Dandy (#3610) is published by D.C. Thomson on the series’ 75th anniversary, as it launches the online The Digital Dandy. 5 years ago December 5, 2017 Argentinian artist Carlos Casalla dies at age 96. 5 years ago December 6, 2017 French writer-artist and animator Yves Ker Ambrun dies at age 63. As character designer and art director, he worked in animation, including for Disney. 5 years ago December 6, 2017 British artist Jim Watson dies at age 85. He created “Colony Earth” for 2000 AD magazine. |
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| December 2 Bereet first appeared in Rampaging Hulk #1 (December 2, 1976). Bereet was a female Krylorian techno-artist who used her alien technology to produce films concerning fictional adventures of herself and the Hulk. Most of the population is obsessed with the escapist movie-like fantasies of techno-art films, leading to her popularity among her people. Bereet later traveled to Earth and became involved with the Hulk while he had Bruce Banner’s intelligence, befriending the Hulk and Rick Jones. As a Krylorian, Bereet has a number of traits typical to their avian-mammalian semi-humanoid physique, including highly porous (“hollow”) bones; a trilling, musical voice; two fingers and a thumb on each hand; two toes on each foot; red irises; and a deep pink skin color.  |
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| December 3 Zoltan Drago was the proprietor of a financially ailing wax museum who attempted to use his knowledge of chemistry to create an elixir which would turn his wax statues into living creatures, with which he would create a private army. The chemical failed to create life in wax, but Drago discovered the brew he had created could evoke fear in those who inhaled it. Designing a frightening costume for himself, Drago became Mister Fear. Zoltan Drago who first appeared in Daredevil #6 (December 3, 1964). Fear used his fear-gas to make terrified slaves of the brutish Ox of the Enforcers and the Eel. Naming his triumvirate the Fellowship of Fear, Drago ran afoul of, and was soundly defeated by Daredevil and imprisoned. He was later killed by Machinesmith (Samuel ‘Starr’ Saxon) in New York City.  |
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| December 4 Victoria Greaves-Trott is a Mohawk-sporting, voodoo priestess. Dwelling in the Bayou outside New Orleans, Punk Mambo helps the wayward, troubled, and damned remedy what afflicts them for a price. As a teenager in 1970s London, young punk rocker Victoria was abducted by Houngan, a lecherous voodoo priest. Much older than his youthful appearance suggested, the houngan- then operative under the name Joe Mayhem- collected Victoria and other young souls like her, forcing them into debauched rites and practices that fueled his immortality. Victoria observed Joe’s rites closely, and on breaking free, used their power for herself. Years later she would return to London to exact her revenge on Joe Mayhem and so-called friends who had placed her in his power. Ever the rebel, Punk Mambo left Mayhem humiliated, but alive. It was Punk Mambo who Jack Boniface turned to when he was trying to rid himself of the loa that gave him his powers of Shadowman. She debuted in Shadowman #13 (December 4, 2013). And when MI-6 needed an occult expert to guide a team into the Deadside, they naturally turned to the most mystically accomplished British national they could find. When this team went missing, Punk Mambo would enter the Deadside side-by-side with Ninjak to retrieve them. There, the two of them faced a Shadowman slaved to the will of the villainous necromancer Master Darque. Ninjak and Punk Mambo subdued Shadowman and returned the lost team and the fallen hero into the hands of MI-6.  |
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| December 5 Emperor Ming the Merciless declares that he will first play with and then destroy the Earth using natural disasters. On Earth, New York Jets football star “Flash” Gordon boards a small plane, where he meets travel journalist Dale Arden. Mid-flight, the cockpit is hit by a meteorite and the pilots are lost. Flash takes control and manages to crash land into a greenhouse owned by Dr. Hans Zarkov. Zarkov, who believes the disasters are being caused because an unknown source is pushing the moon towards Earth, has secretly constructed a spacecraft that he plans to use to investigate. Zarkov’s assistant refuses to go, so Zarkov lures Flash and Dale aboard. The rocket launches, taking them to the planet Mongo, where they are captured by Ming’s troops. The film was released on December 5, 1982. Flash Gordon has since become a cult classic with fans of science fiction and fantasy. The film’s soundtrack was composed and performed by the rock band Queen. Flash Gordon was one of the earliest high-budget feature films to use a score primarily composed and performed by a rock band.  |
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| December 6 On December 6, 1982, an apparent nuclear explosion destroys Tokyo and starts World War III. By 2019, a new city called Neo-Tokyo has been built on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Although Neo-Tokyo is set to host the XXXII Olympic Games, the city is gripped by anti-government terrorism and gang violence. While riding in the ruins of old Tokyo, Tetsuo Shima, a member of the bōsōzoku gang led by Shōtarō Kaneda, is injured when his bike explodes after Takashi — a child Esper with wizened features — blocks his path. Kaneda becomes involved with Kei, a member of the terrorist organization which stages attacks against the government. The terrorists, led by Ryu and opposition parliament leader Nezu, get wind of the Colonel’s project and a mysterious figure connected with it known as “Akira”. Upon learning that Akira is being stored in a cryogenic chamber beneath Neo-Tokyo’s new Olympic Stadium, Tetsuo escapes the skyscraper with the intent of releasing Akira. Tetsuo breaks open the underground cryogenic chamber and frees Akira, who turns out to be an ordinary-looking little boy.  |
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| December 7 On the day of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt gathered available superheroes—including members of the Justice Society of America, Freedom Fighters, Seven Soldiers of Victory and solo heroes—at the White House. He asked them to band together for the war as the All-Star Squadron to battle sabotage and keep the peace on the home front during World War II. The rationale for not using the Squadron in combat situations in the European or Pacific Theaters of War was that Adolf Hitler had possession of the Spear of Destiny, a mystical object that gave him control of any superheroes with magic-based powers or a vulnerability to magic who crossed into territory held by the Axis Powers. The All-Star Squadron was first formed on December 7, 1941.  |
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| December 8 Despite their resemblance to insects, the Brood have endoskeletons as well as exoskeletons. Also unlike insects, they have fanged jaws instead of mandibles. Their skulls are triangular and flat, with a birthmark between their large eyes. Their two front legs are actually long tentacles they can use to manipulate objects. Due to their natural body armor and teeth, the Brood are very dangerous in combat. In addition, they have stingers that can deliver either paralyzing or killing poison. The Brood is governed by a supreme matriarchy, at the top of which sits the Brood Empress. The Brood reproduces asexually and therefore has no clear divisions of gender. Although the Brood lives by a caste system, some of the roles have proven to be flexible. The Brood have a civilization based on the typical communal insect societies, such as those of the bees and ants. The Queens are the absolute rulers, while the “sleazoids” do all the work; despite their evil, they never rebel against their Queens, perhaps due to the latter’s telepathic abilities. However, the Queens have no allegiance to each other. They also have developed, or stolen, advanced technology. Their true planet of origin is unknown, but such is their relentless evil, legend holds that the Brood originated not through natural evolution, but in otherworldly sorcery. They first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #155 (December 8, 1981).  |
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TURNING POINTS by Maggie Thompson Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for December 9-15, 2022... 150 years ago December 11, 1872 Irish artist René Bull is born. 145 years ago December 14, 1877 British artist and voice actor Harry Hemsley is born. He’s known for the Ovaltiney’s Concert Party radio show, which spawned its own comic book in 1935: Ovaltiney’s Own Comic. 130 years ago December 14, 1892 Punch artist Alfred Bestall is born. The British artist continues Rupert Bear, when creator Mary Tourtel leaves the series. 120 years ago December 9, 1902 British artist John Willie is born (as John Alexander Scott Coutts). 120 years ago December 11, 1902 Danish artist Arne Ungermann is born. He creates Hanne Hansen. 125 years ago December 12, 1897 The Katzenjammer Kids begins, created by Rudolph Dirks for Hearst Editor Rudolph Block (who names the strip). Wiki says it’s the longest running comic strip of all time. (The strip ended in 2006.) 110 years ago December 12, 1912 British artist David Wright is born. He creates the Carol Day comic strip. 105 years ago December 10, 1917 Artist Bill Crooks is born. The Les Turner assistant takes over the daily and Sunday Captain Easy feature in 1969. 95 years ago December 11, 1927 John Buscema is born. The award-winning artist is especially known for his Marvel work on stories featuring The Avengers, Silver Surfer, The Fantastic Four, Thor, and Conan. 85 years ago December 13, 1937 German writer-artist Robert Gernhardt is born. He is co-founder of the satirical magazine Titanic. 80 years ago December 11, 1942 Didier Comès is born. The Belgian writer-artist creates such comics novels as Silence, La Belette, and Iris. 70 years ago December 10, 1952 Hot Stuff publisher Sal Quartuccio is born. 70 years ago December 14, 1952 Defiant editor and El Capitan copy editor Deborah Purcell is born. 70 years ago December 15, 1952 Mojo Pop Comics Group writer-artist Ed Quinby is born. 65 years ago December 11, 1957 Satiric cartoonist Peter Bagge is born. He’s especially known for his work on Hate. 65 years ago December 14, 1957 Czech writer-artist Josef Lada dies three days before his 70th birthday. He’s considered one of the founding fathers of Czech comics. 65 years ago December 15, 1957 Artist Steven Bove is born. 60 years ago December 12, 1962 Award-winning Dutch artist David Bueno de Mesquita dies at age 73. He was known for creating comics featuring Dutch celebrities. 55 years ago December 12, 1967 Mac Raboy dies at age 53. The Golden Age artist was best known for his work on Captain Marvel Jr. and Green Lama comics and the Flash Gordon comic strip. 35 years ago December 13, 1987 Artist George Wunder dies of a heart attack at age 75. He replaced Milton Caniff on Terry and the Pirates. 35 years ago December 14, 1987 Argentinean-French writer-artist Raúl Taborda Damonte (who worked as “Copi”) dies of AIDS at age 48. 25 years ago December 11, 1997 German artist Heinz Schubel dies at age 91. He was known for his work on the Lurchi series. 15 years ago December 9, 2007 Writer-artist Wayne Howard dies at age 58. He was especially known for creating Charlton’s Midnight Tales. 15 years ago December 14, 2007 Golden and Silver Age artist Dave Gantz dies at age 85. He created the Gantz Glances panel cartoon. 10 years ago December 12, 2012 Mexican artist Sealtiel Alatriste Batalla dies at age 94. 5 years ago December 15, 2017 Raymond Miller dies at age 85. The comics collector’s “Information Center” column in RB/CC provided data on Golden Age comics. |
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