255 years ago November 29, 1770 Swiss writer-artist David Hess is born.

150 years ago November 28, 1875 The Brazilian magazine Semana Ilustrada ends.

130 years ago November 30, 1895 Mexican artist-writer Andres C. Audiffred is born. He also works as “Pipin.”

120 years ago November 26, 1905 Scary William by C.M. Payne begins.

120 years ago December 4, 1905 Munro Leaf is born. Known for writing The Story of Ferdinand (illustrated by Robert Lawson), he’s a cartoonist whose “Watchbirds” feature runs in Ladies’ Home Journal and whose kids’ novel Sam and the Superdroop attacks comics.

115 years ago November 26, 1910 Award-winning Canadian animator and artist James Simpkins is born. He creates the Jasper the Bear cartoon panel and other comics features.

115 years ago December 3, 1910 Spanish animator and artist Salvador Mestres is born.

110 years ago November 28, 1915 French artist Georges Jordic-Pignon dies in battle at age 39.

110 years ago November 29, 1915 Animator, political cartoonist, and writer-artist Gill Fox is born. He edits Quality titles including Police Comics.

110 years ago December 2, 1915 Dutch artist Wim van Wieringen is born. He’s especially known for political caricatures and the Simpelman strip.

110 years ago December 2, 1915 Animator and artist Mike Arens is born. He starts his career at Disney and draws many Dell comic books and the daily Scamp newspaper strip.

105 years ago November 26, 1920 Award-winning Cuban artist Antonio Rubio is born (as Antonio V. Rubio Nuñez). He is founder and president of the Cuban Cartoonists Association.

95 years ago November 30, 1930 French artist Félix Molinari is born.

90 years ago November 27, 1935 British TV and film producer Verity Lambert is born. In 1963, she is the founding producer of BBC’s Doctor Who TV series.

90 years ago November 27, 1935 Artist Fred Leipziger dies at age 65. He drew Doings of the Van Loons for the McClure syndicate; it may be the first contracted daily strip.

90 years ago December 2, 1935 Cartoonist Richard Gordon Guindon is born.

75 years ago November 26, 1950 Writer-artist Doug Rice is born. He creates Dynamo Joe.

75 years ago November 27, 1950 The Jackson Twins by Dick Brooks begins.

75 years ago December 2, 1950 Small press pioneer Tim Corrigan is born. He publishes Small Press Comics Explosion.

70 years ago November 28, 1955 Artist Brian Apthorp is born.

70 years ago November 30, 1955 Lawyer, writer, publisher, and convention organizer Mitch Berger is born.

70 years ago November 30, 1955 Artist Foxo Reardon dies of cancer at age 50. He created the pantomime Bozo strip.

65 years ago November 27, 1960 Belgian artist Erwin Drèze is born.

65 years ago December 4, 1960 Comic book and storyboard artist and teacher Geof Isherwood is born. He creates LINCOLN-16.

60 years ago November 26, 1965 Wild Bill Elliott dies of lung cancer at age 61. The Western actor’s comics appearances began in Dell’s Four Color #278.

60 years ago November 26, 1965 French satellite A-1 is launched and will be named Astérix.

60 years ago December 4, 1965 Writer Jill (Beth) Miller is born.

55 years ago November 27, 1970 It’s the first day of the first Phoenix Con (which runs through November 29).

55 years ago November 27, 1970 Artist Dennis Neville dies at age 75. The Joe Shuster assistant co-created such features as “Hawkman” (for Flash Comics #1).

55 years ago November 30, 1970 Writer-artist Johnny Ryan is born. He’s known for Angry Youth Comix, Blecky Yuckerella, and Pig Goat Banana Cricket.

45 years ago November 28, 1980 John McGeehan dies by suicide at age 40. He co-created the fan indexing project “The House of Info” with his brother Tom.

45 years ago November 29, 1980 Writer-artist John Putnam dies of pneumonia at age 63. The Mad magazine art director and designer also created the mascot and logo for Paul Krassner’s The Realist.

40 years ago November 28, 1985 UPA and Jay Ward animator, producer, and story man Bill Scott dies of a heart attack at age 65. His voice artistry was on display in his performances as Bullwinkle.

40 years ago December 3, 1985 Actor and Funnies Inc. artist Sam Gilman dies at age 70.

35 years ago December 1, 1990 Jack Alderman dies at age 74. The Golden Age artist worked for a variety of studios and comics publishers, creating many features for Holyoke and Timely and, later, funny animal stories for Dell.

30 years ago December 4, 1995 Macedonian animator, director, and artist Petar Gligorovski dies at age 57.

25 years ago November 27, 2000 Writer-editor Dorothy Roubicek Woolfolk dies at age 87. In the Golden Age, she worked as an editor for Timely and EC and she was the first female editor at DC.

20 years ago November 26, 2005 Cartoonist Stan Berenstain dies of cancer at age 82. With his wife, Jan, he co-created the It’s All in the Family magazine cartoon series and the “Berenstain Bears” kids’ series.

20 years ago November 30, 2005 Writer-artist Jim Sasseville dies at age 78. The Charles Schulz assistant was best known for his Peanuts comic book stories and for drawing the Schulz feature It’s Only a Game.

20 years ago November 30, 2005 Austrian artist Hella Schiefer dies at age 81.

15 years ago November 28, 2010 Letterer, colorist, and artist Jon D’Agostino dies of bone cancer at age 81. He began his comics career in the Golden Age as a Timely colorist and went on to work exclusively at Archie.

10 years ago November 28, 2015 Spanish artist, editor, and publisher Rosa Galcerán Vilanova dies at age 98.

10 years ago November 30, 2015 Japanese manga artist Shigeru Mizuki dies at age 93. He specialized in horror and World War II themes and was especially known for Hakaba no Kitarô.

5 years ago November 26, 2020 Cartoonist and animation historian Ed Black dies at age 76. The NCS member wrote Gasoline Alley.

5 years ago December 2, 2020 Influential writer-artist Richard Corben dies at age 80. His work in underground comix included Fantagor, and he went on to create such features as Den.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of December…

165 years ago December 1860 The Brazilian magazine Semana Illustrada is established by Henrique Fleiuss and introduces Dr. Semana, Negrinha, and Moleque.

125 years ago December 1900 Richard Outcault’s Poor Li’l Mose is the first strip to star a black character.

90 years ago December 1935 New Comics #1 (beginning the second comic book series published by what will become known as DC) promises comedy, adventure, thrills, and prizes. The issue says it’s from the National Allied Newspaper Syndicate, Inc. Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson is the editor and publisher, and cover artist Vin Sullivan is the assistant editor. Other contributors include Leo O’Mealia, Robert Leffingwell, Whitney Ellsworth, Wheeler-Nicholson, Sheldon Mayer, and Walt Kelly.

85 years ago December 1940 “Dramatized for the first time in comic strip form,” the first issue of Green Hornet Comics from Helnit offers “64 pages of thrilling action stories based on the famous radio adventures of The Green Hornet… based on stories by Fran Striker.” Britt Reid, Kato, and others appear. The radio series was introduced January 31, 1936, in Detroit, and the first movie serial was released in theaters in January 1940.

80 years ago December 1945 All-American Publications uses its logo for the last time, replacing it with DC’s in the next, 1946-dated, issues.

75 years ago December 1950 “Here he is… the newest, most amazing character in comics!! Marvel Boy… the boy from another planet, at last in his own magazine!” Marvel’s Marvel Boy #1 introduces him and gives the kid from Uranus his own title. (He only gets one more issue for himself, but gee whiz. At least, he gets to be drawn by Russ Heath.)

70 years ago December 1955 Marvel’s Gunsmoke Western with #32 takes over the numbering of Western Tales of Black Rider.

65 years ago December 1960 “Here Comes Captain Boomerang!” DC’s The Flash #117 introduces Captain Boomerang (who develops a “lightning fast boomerang” to combat the speedster) in a story by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson.

65 years ago December 1960 Archie ends Super Duck Comics (starring the character created by Al Fagaly) with #94.

60 years ago December 1965 “Read the first dramatic adventures of Lobo a fugitive on the side of the law!” Noted as the first black character to have his own comic book, he’s rich and leaves behind gold coins. The story in Dell’s first issue of Lobo is by D.J. Arneson, Bill Fraccio, and Tony Tallarico.

60 years ago December 1965 Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #31 introduces Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn in “If This Be My Destiny!” by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. And, yes, it’s Peter Parker’s first day of college, and Aunt May is ill. What else could go wrong? [And, hey, I think Bullpen Bulletins begins this month!]

60 years ago December 1965 Marvel’s Fantastic Four #45 introduces The Inhumans: Black Bolt, Crystal, Karnak, Triton – and Lockjaw.

60 years ago December 1965 “Notice to readers: You’ll cheer… You’ll cry… when you read – ‘The Sacrifice of Kid Psycho!’” DC’s Superboy #125 introduces Gnill Opril in a story by Otto Binder and George Papp.

55 years ago December 1970 DC’s Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134 introduces Darkseid. Well, sorta. He’s on a monitor, so just saying. “The Mountain of Judgment” is by Jack Kirby, Al Plastino, and Vince Colletta. Oh, and the cover logo reads, “Superman’s EX-Pal the new Jimmy Olsen.” (Things change so swiftly in comic books.)

55 years ago December 1970 DC’s cover proclaims “the 35th anniversary – 400th issue of” Adventure Comics.

55 years ago December 1970 Marvel’s Sub-Mariner #32 introduces Llyra. What is her “startling superpower”? “Call Her Llyra – Call Her Legend!” is by Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema, and Jim Mooney.

55 years ago December 1970 “That finishes off these male chauvinist pigs!” Marvel’s The Avengers #83 seems to introduce Valkyrie (Brunnhilde). “Come on in, the Revolution’s Fine” is by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, and Tom Palmer. (By the way, also appearing in the issue are such characters as Tom Fagan, Roy Thomas, and Jean Thomas, because it features the Rutland Halloween Parade.)

55 years ago December 1970 DC pauses Challengers of the Unknown with #77 and Metal Men with #41.

50 years ago December 1975 “Is he man – or man-monster?” DC’s Man-Bat briefly gets his own title with Man-Bat #1. He was introduced in Detective Comics #400 (June 1970).

50 years ago December 1975 DC’s The Sandman #6 is the last. I dunno, I think the character name has possibilities. Folks might want to check back in a few years (or even look at one of the entries for December 1990).

50 years ago December 1975 “Thrill-fraught final issue!” Marvel’s Fear #31 is the last. “This one you dare not miss!” “The End of a Vampire!” is by Bill Mantlo, Frank Robbins, and Vince Colletta.

50 years ago December 1975 Marvel’s The X-Men #96 introduces Stephen Lang, Michael Rossi, and Moira MacTaggert. “Night of the Demon!” is by Chris Claremont, Bill Mantlo, Dave Cockrum, and Sam Grainger.

50 years ago December 1975 By the end of 1975, Phil Seuling is offering (non-returnable) direct distribution of Marvel and DC comics to comics specialty shops. He will later incorporate with partner Jonni Levas to form Sea Gate Distributors, Inc. (Direct market footnote: It will take fewer than 20 more years for DC to announce that its comics will be distributed exclusively by Diamond Comic Distribution, Inc.)

45 years ago December 1980 Marvel Team-Up #100 is a “special double-size” issue and introduces Karma in a story titled “And Introducing – Karma! She Possesses People!” by Chris Claremont, Frank Miller, and Bob Wiacek.

45 years ago December 1980 Raw #2 begins the first chapter of Art Spiegelman’s Maus. (You know about the Pulitzer Prize, the respect it helped the comic book art form to gain, the power of the story itself… all that? Right?)

45 years ago December 1980 “Blind he may be – but evil he can see – !” DC’s Secrets of Haunted House #31 introduces Mister E. “The Twice-Cursed Man!” is by Bob Rozakis and Dan Spiegle.

45 years ago December 1980 DC’s The New Teen Titans #2 introduces Wintergreen and Deathstroke the Terminator in “Today… the Terminator!” by George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, and Romeo Tanghal.

45 years ago December 1980 Dick Briefer dies at age 65. Though many sources identify his birth date as January 9, 1915, the date of his death is (so far) given simply as December 1980. The artist’s Golden Age gag treatment of Frankenstein’s monster was his best known work, but he also created The Target and The Targeteers.

40 years ago December 1985 In a double-sized issue, Marvel’s Uncanny X-Men #200 features “The Trial of Magneto” by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr., and Dan Green. Lots of stuff happens in the story’s 40 pages. Just saying.

40 years ago December 1985 Marvel’s Star imprint introduces the first issue of ThunderCats, based on the TV series. “Survival Run” is by David Michelinie, Leonard Starr, Jim Mooney, and Brett Breeding.

40 years ago December 1985 The Marvel Saga: The Official History of the Marvel Universe begins, “Featuring: The secrets of The Fantastic Four! Alpha Flight! The X-Men! And much, much more!”

40 years ago December 1985 Marvel’s Epic line introduces Bozz Chronicles by David Michelinie and Bret Blevins. Victorian England is the environment of an alien detective.

35 years ago December 1990 Harvey ends Wendy the Good Little Witch with #97.

35 years ago December 1990 Now’s The Real Ghostbusters #28 is the last issue of the ongoing series based on the TV show (which aired for almost another year). (Mind you, Now will release four more issues in a series starting with a fresh first issue dated November 1991.)

35 years ago December 1990 Dave McKean’s Cages begins from Tundra.

35 years ago December 1990 DC’s Sandman #21 by Neil Gaiman introduces Delirium, one of The Endless, drawn in the issue by Mike Dringenberg and Malcolm Jones III. The issue involves a family reunion of sorts and kicks off “A Season of Mists.”

30 years ago December 1995 Marvel’s Amazing Fantasy #16 begins a brief run continuing the numbering of the series that introduced Spider-Man in 1962. “An Amazing World” is by Kurt Busiek and Paul Lee.

15 years ago December 2010 Marvel’s Uncanny X-Force begins with a bunch of variant covers. Archangel, Deadpool, Wolverine, and others are involved in the new X-Force team tale “The Apocalypse Solution Chapter One” by Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña.

15 years ago December 2010 “Post Mortem” by Greg Rucka, Michael Lark, and Stefano Gaudiano appears in Marvel’s I Am an Avenger #2. It will win an Eisner Award for Best Short Story of the year.

10 years ago December 2015 It’s Amazing Spider-Man #1. Again? Well, there’s a whole bunch of variants this time. Go figure. The Amazing Spider-Man wrapped up in February 2014 (with #700.5). Later, The Amazing Spider-Man #20.1 wrapped up a series in October 2015. But now it’s December 2015, and… Yep. Back again! (Mind you, this #1 will eventually be considered #757, because the series numbering will be revamped.)

10 years ago December 2015 Marvel’s The Astonishing Ant-Man begins with six variant covers and a story by Nick Spencer and Ramón Rosanas.

5 years ago December 2020 The Comic Arts Los Angeles convention is canceled due to COVID.

5 years ago December 2020 Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man #49 has a vast variety of variant covers. Something must be happening in the issue. (Oh, it’s also #850.) And, hmm, so does, Spider-Woman #5. (It’s actually #100. Just saying.) And, yeah, Venom #29 (which is #194, which would seem to be less of an anniversary type event, though the story involves the origin of a character).

5 years ago December 2020 For that matter, DC has six variant covers for Batman #100. (The first Batman #100 was June 1956: noting that for the record.)

5 years ago December 2020 DC’s Rorschach of Watchmen gets his own year-long series starting this month.