This week we celebrate the 125th birthday of Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson. He was a soldier, entrepreneur, writer, and founder of National Allied Publications – which, of course, would go on to turn into DC Comics and introduce the world to some of the most recognizable characters ever.

Wheeler-Nicholson was born in Greeneville, Tennessee, in January 4, 1890. After attending The Manlius School, a military academy, he joined the U.S. Cavalry in 1917. By 1922 he was out of the military and was writing books, and in 1934 he founded National Allied Publications.

National Allied Publications differed from other comic publications at the time in that it had all-original material instead of simply reprinting syndicated comic strips. The company’s premiere comic book was New Fun #1 in 1935. The company struggled financially, however, and by 1937, Wheeler-Nicholson was forced to sell the business.

Wheeler-Nicholson passed away in 1965, and though his company was struggling when he left it, his legacy continues to live on today via the contemporary success of DC Comics. In 2008, he was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame.