Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for August 28 through September 3, 2026…

155 years ago August 29, 1871 Influential writer and artist Jack Butler Yeats is born. In 1893, he creates what has been called the first serial comic strip, “Chubblock Homes,” for Comic Cuts.

145 years ago August 28, 1881 Cartoonist Ed Mack is born. He ghosts Mutt and Jeff and creates Sime the Simp and other strips.

145 years ago September 1, 1881 Dutch artist André Vlaanderen is born.

140 years ago September 1, 1886 King Features artist Roland J. Scott is born. He creates Sally’s Sallies and Scott’s Scrapbook.

135 years ago September 1, 1891 Harry O’Neill is born. He writes and draws the Broncho Bill newspaper strip from 1928 to 1950.

135 years ago September 1, 1891 Russian artist Nokolai Kogout is born.

115 years ago September 3, 1911 Dutch artist Nettie van Wijland is born.

110 years ago August 28, 1916 Carlos Conti is born. The Spanish writer-artist is founder of the Creaciones Editoriales agency.

105 years ago September 3, 1921 Serbian-Yugoslav director and writer-artist Zika Mitrovic is born. He begins his comics career in the 1930s.

100 years ago September 1, 1926 Arab News cartoonist Emil V. Abrahamian is born.

100 years ago September 1, 1926 Artist Gene Colan is born. His work includes Avengers, Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula, and Batman.

90 years ago August 30, 1936 This day kicks off the installment of the Silly Symphonies comic strip that is the first to star Donald Duck as its lead feature.

90 years ago August 31, 1936 Dorothea by William St. John Glenn begins in The Daily Mail.

90 years ago September 2, 1936 Czech artist Vlastimil Zábranský is born.

80 years ago August 31, 1946 Writer-artist Rick Parker is born. His work ranges from the Beavis and Butt-Head comic book to Marvel production work and PaperCutz’ Tales from the Crypt.

80 years ago September 2, 1946 Award-winning writer-artist Walter Simonson is born. The creator of Star Slammers and Beta Ray Bill works on a variety of comics including Thor.

75 years ago August 29, 1951 The first issue of the German Disney comic book Micky Maus is published.

65 years ago September 2, 1961 Sherri Wolfgang is born. She’s half of “The Dynamic Duo Inc.”

65 years ago September 3, 1961 Artist, designer, and editor Pat Redding Scanlon is born (as Pat Redding). She’s especially known for work at Marvel and United Feature Syndicate.

60 years ago August 28, 1966 Artist Keith Quinn is born.

60 years ago September 2, 1966 The Hanna-Barbera show The Flintstones airs its last original network episode after six seasons in ABC prime time. (NBC will pick it up for reruns in January 1967.)

60 years ago September 2, 1966 Writer-editor Francis Edward Herron dies at age 49. He was co-creator of Clock King and Golden Gladiator, Captain Marvel Jr. (with Mac Raboy), The Red Skull and Mr. Scarlet (with Jack Kirby), and Cave Carson.

45 years ago August 31, 1981 Greek artist Nikos Kastanakis dies at age 84 or 85.

45 years ago September 1, 1981 DC Vice President of Production Jack Adler retires after 31 years with the company.

45 years ago September 2, 1981 Montenegrin-Croatian artist Andrija Maurović dies at age 80. Lambiek says he was considered the father of Croatian and Yugoslav comics.

30 years ago September 3, 1996 Bulgarian teacher and artist Petar Grigorov dies at age 73.

5 years ago September 3, 2021 Patrick Henley dies at age 62. The Canadian artist worked as “Henriette Valium.”

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of September…

85 years ago September 1941 The first magician comic book series begins with Street and Smith’s Super-Magician Comics #2. (Yeah, I know. It starts with #2. Just because is why.) “The Mysterious Blackstone matches black magic with the wild tribes of Africa,” it says here. Where it also says he’s the “world’s greatest magician.” Harry Blackstone (1885-1965) is a real magician, by the way. And the Blackstone stories are written by his buddy, Walter B. Gibson. Neat, right?

85 years ago September 1941 He’s been appearing in Walter Lantz cartoons for a couple of years, but Andy Panda’s first appearance in comic books comes in Dell’s Crackajack Funnies #39. They don’t even mention him on the cover. Aw.

85 years ago September 1941 America’s entry into World War II is months away, but there are a bunch more military and America champ intros in comic books this month. They include Captain Courageous and Lone Warrior (Ace’s Banner Comics #3, which is the first issue; see above), Captain Flag (Archie’s Blue Ribbon Comics #16), The Fighting Yank (Pines’ Startling Comics #10), Star Spangled Kid and Stripesy (in a promo ad in DC’s Action Comics #40), and Yankee Doodle Jones (in Chesler/Dynamic’s Yankee Comics #1). There are stars and stripes all over the place.

85 years ago September 1941 Dr. Fate gets the cover, but it’s Johnny Quick whom writer-editor Mort Weisinger introduces in DC’s More Fun Comics #71. 3X2(9YZ)4A!

85 years ago September 1941 It calls them “Captain Marvel’s Squadron of Justice!” on the cover. This is the first appearance of the Lieutenants Marvel, and it’s in Fawcett’s Whiz Comics #21. (While the issue is dated September 5, there’s only one September issue in 1941, so let’s just call it “September 1941.”) Fat Billy, Hill Billy, and Tall Billy Batson are drawn by C.C. Beck in “The Vengeful Four.” The fourth wall is a bit broken in the story, by the way.

85 years ago September 1941 The first appearance of Shining Knight occurs in DC’s Adventure Comics #66. Sir Justin wears a suit of chain mail, rides a winged horse named Victory, and possesses special powers via an enchanted sword Merlin gives him. The story is by Henry Lynne Perkins and Creig Flessel.

85 years ago September 1941 The first appearance of Wilbur is in a story by Harvey Willard and Lin Streeter in Archie’s Zip Comics #18. (He’ll get his own series three years later.)

80 years ago September 1946 Miss Masque is introduced in Pines’ Exciting Comics #51. “The Case of the Mad Miser!” is drawn by Lin Streeter.

75 years ago September 1951 Lulu introduces “That Awful Witch Hazel” in a story she tells Alvin in Dell’s Little Lulu #39, after he declares he’s running away from home. (“I wanna make my fortune before I get too old!”) She warns, “Hazel is a witch who lives in the woods and grabs little kids who run away from home.” Watch out, Alvin! Hazel may not have held onto Lulu, but she’s going to take over story time! This intro is by John Stanley and Irving Tripp.

70 years ago September 1956 Flintheart Glomgold (in “The Second-Richest Duck”) and Gyro Gearloose’s Little Helper are introduced in Dell’s Uncle Scrooge #15 in stories by Carl Barks.

70 years ago September 1956 Hey, let’s have that fanfare now! Though few set off celebratory fireworks at the time, it’s the start of the Silver Age with DC’s Showcase #4 which introduces the revamp of the Golden Age Flash, this time known as Barry Allen. “Whirlwind adventures of the Fastest Man Alive!” says the cover. (We all should have bought multiple copies then and there, right?) “Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!” is by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Kubert. And “The Man Who Broke the Time Barrier!” is by John Broome, Infantino, and Kubert. Oh, and wait five years.

65 years ago September 1961 Where’s that fanfare? OK, hit it again, folks! In “Flash of Two Worlds,” written by Gardner Fox and drawn by Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella (in DC’s The Flash #123), you know what happens? Yep, it’s the introduction of Earth-Two and the multiverse, not to mention Jay Garrick as The Golden Age Flash appearing as himself in the Silver Age.

65 years ago September 1961 Hey, it is a cool time. DC’s Showcase #34 introduces the Silver Age Atom (way different from the Golden Age hero-guy of the same name, just saying). “Birth of The Atom!” is by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Murphy Anderson. (You already know, I hope, that the “Ray Palmer” name is in tribute to an influential editor (1910-1977) of science fiction pulp magazines, right?)

60 years ago September 1966 Charlton’s Captain Atom #82 introduces Nightshade in “Captain Atom vs. The Ghost” by Dave Kaler, Steve Ditko, and Rocke Mastroserio.

60 years ago September 1966 Harvey’s Spyman begins, introducing Spyman and warning civilians, “Never! Never! Never touch a radioactive bomb! (There is only one electro-robot hand on hand!” (Yep, It is so alarming, the parentheses forget to close.) “The Birth of a Hero” is by Jim Steranko and George Tuska.

60 years ago September 1966 Harvey’s Jigsaw begins, introducing Jigsaw (“Man of a Thousand Parts”). The story is drawn by Tony Tallarico. (And, yes, there are other characters named Jigsaw; this is the thousand parts guy. Who, yes again, only gets two issues.)

60 years ago September 1966 It’s the first appearance of Archie as Pureheart the Powerful in (Now, let me think. Oh, yes.) Archie as Pureheart the Powerful #1. “Mite and Maim” is by Frank Doyle, Bob White, and Mario Acquaviva.

60 years ago September 1966 After 15 years of continuous publication, DC suspends publication of Mystery in Space with #110. The Multi-Alien can’t save it (even though the suspiciously similar Metamorpho, introduced at about the same time as Ultra, seems to be doing OK). Sigh. (Mind you, #111 will come out dated September 1980 with the cover announcement “It’s back! Comicdom’s first magazine of interstellar suspense!” So there’s that.)

60 years ago September 1966 Ego the Living Planet first appears in Marvel’s Thor #132. “Rigel: Where Gods May Fear to Tread!” is by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Vince Colletta.

55 years ago September 1971 In Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #100, “The Spider or the Man?” by Stan Lee, Gil Kane, Frank Giacoia, and Tony Mortellaro, the “six arms” story arc begins.

55 years ago September 1971 With #20, Charlton’s Ghost Manor changes its title to Ghostly Haunts.

55 years ago September 1971 Charlton’s Haunted begins. (Charlton finds a spooky Code-approved word not a lot of other US comics have been using since the Code came in.)

55 years ago September 1971 Yeah, it’s a scary time. DC offers “The 1st sensational issue of …” Weird War Tales. Eek! A walking skeleton on the cover? I guess the Code has changed a bit since 1954. (On the other hand, contents are mostly reprints, so things did change a while ago …)

50 years ago September 1976 DC ends The Joker with #9.

50 years ago September 1976 The influential Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art begins its first classes in Dover, NJ. Students include Stephen Bissette, Tom Yeates, and Rick Veitch.

50 years ago September 1976 Remember when Marvel comics were “still only 25¢”? Well, forget it. Marvel raises prices from 25¢ to 30¢, keeping the page count at 36. Don’t worry. I’m sure the price won’t ever go up again.

50 years ago September 1976 “Featuring the human rocket’s power-packed origin!” Nova #1 introduces Nova, “Marvel’s newest bombshell!” The issue (yes, it’s 30¢) is by Marv Wolfman, John Buscema, and Joe Sinnott.

50 years ago September 1976 Marvel’s The Eternals #3 introduces Sersi in “The Devil in New York” by Jack Kirby and John Verpoorten. (Yes, it’s 30¢, too. Seriously. Regular Marvels are now that price. Don’t make me tell you again.)

45 years ago September 1981 It’s a “special collector’s edition”! DC’s Arak, Son of Thunder #1 doesn’t introduce Arak (who got a preview a month ago in The Warlord #48), but now he has his own series. “The Sword and the Serpent!” is by Roy Thomas, Ernie Colón, and Tony DeZuniga.

40 years ago September 1986 DC cancels Superman with #423 after 47 years of continuous publication. The “historic last issue” features the first part of the two-part “Imaginary Story” by Alan Moore (drawn by Curt Swan and George Pérez) “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (The tale concludes in Action #583.) (Fear not. The series will relaunch with Adventures of Superman #424, dated January 1987).

40 years ago September 1986 Speaking of Alan Moore, he and Dave Gibbons kick off DC’s Watchmen limited series, introducing The Comedian, Doctor Manhattan, Nite Owl, Ozymandias, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, Hooded Justice, and Captain Metropolis.

40 years ago September 1986 DC wraps up its DC Comics Presents with #97.

40 years ago September 1986 The character has yet to be fully revealed, but [Spoiler!] it’s Venom who’s introduced in Marvel’s Web of Spider-Man #18. “The Longest Road!” is by David Michelinie, Marc Silvestri, and Kyle Baker. (Hey! The Marvel cover price is 75¢ by now! OK, OK, I just thought I’d mention it.)

40 years ago September 1986 Marvel’s Classic X-Men #1 begins by reprinting a chunk of Giant-Size X-Men #1.

40 years ago September 1986 Marvel’s Power Man and Iron Fist #125 is the final issue, as announced on the cover.

35 years ago September 1991 Marvel’s Wonder Man #1 features “Making It Big” by Gerard Jones, Jeff Johnson, and Terry Austin. Simon Williams was introduced in The Avengers #9 (October 1964), but many things have changed.

35 years ago September 1991 Sorry, but Archie’s Everything’s Archie #157 is the last issue. On a brighter note, I think you can track down other Archie titles on the comics racks, if you look.

35 years ago September 1991 The first issue of Wizard carries a Todd McFarlane cover combining Spider-Man with a wizard’s costume and wand. The issue features a McFarlane interview, previews of “new hot comics,” and a “Silver Age to present” price guide.

30 years ago September 1996 The first issue of Leave It to Chance from Image is by James Robinson and Paul Smith. The series wins the Eisner Award for Best New Series of the year.

30 years ago September 1996 “Heroes” by Archie Goodwin and Gary Gianni appears in DC’s Batman Black & White #4. It wins the Eisner Award for the year’s Best Short Story.

30 years ago September 1996 Kurt Busiek’s Astro City #1 from Homage Comics features “Welcome to Astro City” by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg. It wins the Eisner Award for the year’s Best Single Story/Single Issue.

30 years ago September 1996 Marvel cancels Fantastic Four with #416 (it’ll be back in November with Fantastic Four #1, by the way); The Avengers with #402 (hey, coincidence, the same sort of thing happens to Avengers!); and Iron Man with #332. (I think I’ve detected a pattern.)

30 years ago September 1996 Writer-artist Rob Liefeld leaves the Image group.

20 years ago September 2006 “The true story of a real life romance,” True Story Swear to God by Tom Beland, begins from Image.

15 years ago September 2011 Although such issues as Action #1 are cover-dated November, this month is when DC begins its release of 52 new titles as The New 52.

10 years ago September 2016 April saw Marvel’s Deadpool and the Mercs for Money #1, which kicked off five issues. Now, there’s Deadpool & the Mercs for Money #1 with some variants. The story is by Cullen Bunn and Iban Coello.

10 years ago September 2016 Archie’s Betty and Veronica wrapped up the series with #278 in December 2015. Now, Archie’s starting Betty and Veronica again with a bunch of variants of #1. And I do mean a bunch. But, yeah, it just runs #1-3. (There will be more.)

10 years ago September 2016 There’s a number of added DC “Rebirth” first issues out there (not to mention variants of last month’s first issues). Those first issues are Batgirl (“Beyond Burnside Part One” by Hope Larson and Rafael Albuquerque); Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps (“Sinestro’s Law Part 1: The Last Lantern” by Robert Venditti, Rafa Sandoval, and Jordi Tarragona); Justice League (“The Extinction Machines, Part One” by Bryan Hitch, Tony S. Daniel, and Sandu Florea); Nightwing (“Better than Batman Part 1” by Tim Seeley and Javier Fernández); and Titans (“The Return of Wally West. Part One. Run for Your Life” by Dan Abnett, Brett Booth, and Norm Rapmund).