Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for September 18-24, 2026…

160 years ago September 21, 1866 One of the fathers of science fiction, Herbert George Wells, is born. He writes The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds.

125 years ago September 20, 1901 Gus Edson is born. He takes over The Gumps at the death of Sidney Smith and he co-creates the Dondi comic strip with Irwin Hasen.

125 years ago September 21, 1901 Bulgarian political cartoonist Ilia Beshkov is born.

125 years ago September 22, 1901 Frederick Burr Opper’s Alphonse and Gaston begins.

120 years ago September 19, 1906 Danish writer Carla Hansen is born She teams with her husband, artist Vilhelm Hansen, to produce the funny animal strip Rasmus Klump.

105 years ago September 22, 1921 Mad and Little Annie Fanny artist Will Elder is born. Though best known for his work on those projects, the Comic Book Hall of Fame inductee produces a varied body of work, including adventure storytelling with John Severin.

100 years ago September 18, 1926 Writer-artist Joe Kubert is born. He’s especially known for his work on Sgt. Rock, Hawkman, Viking Prince, Tales of the Green Beret, and his own creation, Tor. He founds The Kubert School, which provides guidance for students of comic art.

100 years ago September 21, 1926 Pioneering comics mail-order seller William J. Thailing is born. The vendor of science fiction, mystery, and comics collectibles distributes his sales lists to mail-order customers. (He also lends comics to a few early researchers for their information. Thanks, Bill! Just saying.)

95 years ago September 22, 1931 DC writer, historian, and assistant editor Edward Nelson Bridwell is born. He creates such characters as The Inferior Five, Angel and the Ape, and The Secret Six.

95 years ago September 23, 1931 Writer-artist Stan Lynde is born. He creates the comic strips Rick O’Shay and Latigo.

90 years ago September 18, 1936 Mexican artist, animator, and teacher Román Arámbula is born. He draws the Mickey Mouse newspaper strip following Floyd Gottfredson.

90 years ago September 20, 1936 Spanish artist Joan Marti Aragonés (who works as “Petronius”) is born.

90 years ago September 24, 1936 Muppets creator Jim Henson is born.

85 years ago September 21, 1941 The animators’ strike of Walt Disney Productions ends.

80 years ago September 18, 1946 French satirical artist “Alexis” is born as Dominique Vallet.

80 years ago September 20, 1946 Collectibles retailer Phil Levine is born.

80 years ago September 20, 1946 The British magazine The Comet begins.

80 years ago September 24, 1946 Longtime Disney artist (and Disney Legend) Carson Van Osten is born. His career includes serving as the Disney Publishing Group vice president of international creative development.

75 years ago September 18, 1951 Writer-editor-artist Gelett Burgess dies at age 85. The author of the “Goops” books and strip coins the term “blurb” and writes “The Purple Cow!”

75 years ago September 20, 1951 Spirou #705 features the Lucky Luke story “Hors la Loi,” introducing the Daltons.

75 years ago September 21, 1951 Robotech producer and story editor Carl Macek is born. He helps bring anime to the attention of American audiences.

75 years ago September 24, 1951 Schroeder is first seen behind his piano in Charles Schulz’ Peanuts.

70 years ago September 19, 1956 Animator and artist Cecil Surry dies at age 49. He contributed to Dell comic books, and his animation work included the Oscar winners “When Magoo Flew” and “Magoo’s Puddle Jumper.”

70 years ago September 20, 1956 Gil Jourdan by Maurice Tillieux begins.

70 years ago September 23, 1956 Award-winning “Writer of Stuff” Peter David is born. The novelist, columnist, and comics, TV, movie, and videogame writer is especially known for his work on Incredible Hulk and Star Trek and his co-creation (with Bill Mumy) of Space Cases.

70 years ago September 23, 1956 Artist Dan Day is born. He’s known for work on such titles as Aztec Ace, Batman, and Swamp Thing.

65 years ago September 18, 1961 Artist Brian Garvey is born. He’s especially known for work with Ian Akin, including ROM and Starriors.

65 years ago September 19, 1961 Artist Cynthia Martin is born. She’s known for her work on Marvel’s Star Wars and on graphic biographies for Capstone Press.

65 years ago September 20, 1961 Hungarian artist Nándor Honti dies at age 83.

65 years ago September 24, 1961 Ludwig von Drake is introduced in the first episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. He sings “The Spectrum Song” and is voiced by Paul Frees.

60 years ago September 22, 1966 The first DC issue of Plastic Man goes on sale.

45 years ago September 21, 1981 The Muppets comic strip by Guy and Brad Gilchrist begins in more than 80 countries.

35 years ago September 18, 1991 Italian editor-artist Vinicio Berti dies at age 70.

35 years ago September 24, 1991 Artist Dom Orejudos dies of AIDS at age 58.

35 years ago September 24, 1991 Theodor Seuss Geisel, the cartoonist-writer known as “Dr. Seuss,” dies at age 87 following cancer and a jaw infection. He produced 46 children’s books in addition to many magazine and book cartoons, including the “Quick, Henry, the Flit!” ad campaign and political cartoons for PM. (For If I Ran the Zoo in 1950, he created the word “nerd.”)

30 years ago September 23, 1996 Award-winning Japanese manga artist Hiroshi Fujimoto dies at age 62. The co-creator of Doraemon with Motoo Abiko eventually works as “Fujiko F. Fujio.”

25 years ago September 21, 2001 Ghost World, based on the Daniel Clowes comic, opens. Directed by Terry Zwigoff, it stars Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, and Steve Buscemi.

25 years ago September 24, 2001 The cover of The New Yorker commemorates the victims of the September 11 attacks. It’s by Françoise Mouly from an idea by Art Spiegelman.

20 years ago September 18, 2006 Dutch artist and musician Johnn Bakker dies at age 59. He was known for work on Blook and Dan Teal.

20 years ago September 20, 2006 Ernie Schroeder dies at age 90. The Golden Age artist was best known for drawing and co-writing stories about The Heap for Hillman’s comics featuring Airboy.

20 years ago September 22, 2006 Chinese artist Liao Bing-xiong dies at age 91.

15 years ago September 18, 2011 Artist, colorist, and DC production manager Jack Adler dies at age 94.

15 years ago September 21, 2011 Portuguese artist Júlio Resende dies at age 93.

5 years ago September 21, 2021 Award-winning Dutch artist Nico Visscher dies at age 88.

5 years ago September 24, 2021 Award-winning Brazilian writer-artist, editor, and publisher Otacílio Costa d’Assunção Barros (who worked as “Ota”) dies at age 87.