Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for January 30 through February 5, 2026…

170 years ago February 3, 1856 The Belgian satirical magazine Uylenspiegel is first published.

160 years ago January 30, 1866 Gelett Burgess is born. The writer-editor-artist creates the “Goops” books and strip, coins the term “blurb,” and writes the “Purple Cow” jingle.

125 years ago February 2, 1901 Artist Ed Keukes is born. The Cleveland Plain Dealer cartoonist co-creates the Do You Believe daily panel with Steve Freeley.

115 years ago February 4, 1911 Artist Adrian Dingle is born. With René Kulbach, he co-founds Hillborough Studio, for which he creates Nelvana of the Northern Lights.

110 years ago February 2, 1916 Writer-artist Alden McWilliams is born. He’s known for the Twin Earths, Star Trek, and Dateline: Danger! newspaper strips.

100 years ago February 4, 1926 French writer-artist Adolphe Willette dies at age 68.

95 years ago February 2, 1931 Comics fan Tom Fagan is born. He co-creates the Rutland Halloween parade’s focus on comics – and appears as a character in both DC and Marvel comic books as a result.

90 years ago January 31, 1936 Green Hornet begins broadcasting in Detroit.

90 years ago January 31, 1936 Writer-artist Grace Drayton dies at age 58. Lambiek calls her “one of the first and most successful female cartoonists.” She created the Campbell Soup Kids, “Dolly Dingle” paper dolls, and The Pussycat Princess.

85 years ago February 5, 1941 Writer-editor Marty Pahls is born.

80 years ago January 30, 1946 Spanish writer-artist Armando Salas Martinez is born.

80 years ago February 2, 1946 Jet Vrije Volk introduces Jean Dulieu’s Paulus de Boskabouter.

75 years ago February 1, 1951 Spirou begins L’Oncle Paul by Jean-Michel Charlier and Octave Jouly.

75 years ago February 3, 1951 Artist Tim Conrad is born.

75 years ago February 4, 1951 Dez Skinn is born. The award-winning writer, historian, editor, and publisher founds Warrior, Doctor Who Weekly, and Starburst.

75 years ago February 5, 1951 Cartoonist John Callahan is born.

70 years ago January 31, 1956 Alan Alexander Milne dies at age 74. The writer’s Winnie-the-Pooh stories were the basis for several Walt Disney cartoons.

70 years ago January 31, 1956 Frans Verschoor is born. The Dutch artist is known for comics based on the TV show Bassie en Adriaan.

60 years ago January 30, 1966 Scott Brick is born. The writer, voice artist, and award-winning audiobook narrator writes the “Who Killed Gwen Stacy” analysis for Comics Buyer’s Guide #1277 (May 8, 1988).

60 years ago February 4, 1966 Writer-artist Francis J. Mao is born.

60 years ago February 5, 1966 IPC’s Smash! #1 offers, “Free inside! The gun with the big bang!” (Don’t be scared. It’s a noisemaker that makes the bang by popping folded paper.) It cover-features a bunch of naughty boys rampaging outside a school, whose teachers say, “We’re not letting them into school with those horrible banging guns!”

55 years ago January 30, 1971 The Abbie an’ Slats strip ends, when its artist – Raeburn Van Buren – retires.

55 years ago January 30, 1971 Charles D. Rice dies of cancer at age 60. Rice was a member of the American Heritage Dictionary usage panel. The editor worked for This Week Magazine for 33 years. For it, he wrote “Squeans, Plewds and Briffits …” in 1954 – providing terms later used by comics artists, because of Mort Walker’s publicizing the usage in Backstage at the Strips. Walker called Rice “one of the few serious students of comicana around.”

50 years ago January 30, 1976 Artist William Juhre dies at age 72. He drew Tarzan and Draftie strips and assisted on Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, and Apple Mary.

30 years ago January 31, 1996 Danish artist-writer Claus Deleuran dies at age 49. He was especially known for The People’s Illustrated History of Denmark.

30 years ago February 5, 1996 Italian artist Roberto Raviola (who worked as “Magnus”) dies of cancer at age 56.

25 years ago February 3, 2001 Cartoonist Neg Cochran, best known for his work on Out Our Way, dies at age 87.

20 years ago January 30, 2006 DC artist Seth Fisher dies at age 33 in a fall from a roof.

20 years ago February 2, 2006 Prolific Dutch writer-artist Lo Hartog van Banda dies at age 89. He worked for Marten Toonder, especially on the Tom Poes comic.

20 years ago February 2, 2006 Guglielmo Letteri dies at age 80. He was known for his work on Tex Willer.

20 years ago February 4, 2006 Fleischer Studios animator and artist Myron Waldman dies at age 97. He contributed to Betty Boop, Raggedy Ann, Superman, and Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoons.

15 years ago February 4, 2011 Swedish artist Peter Csihas dies at age 65.

10 years ago February 1, 2016 Belgian artist Antoon Mortier dies at age 96.

10 years ago February 2, 2016 Comedian Bob Elliott dies of throat cancer at age 92. Half of the team of “Bob and Ray,” he provided material for Mad.

10 years ago February 3, 2016 Artist Jack Elrod dies at age 91. His work included The Ryatts and Mark Trail strips.

5 years ago February 4, 2021 Czech artist Vlastimil Zábranský dies at age 84.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of February…

90 years ago February 1936 Calling itself “America’s Favorite Funnies,” the first issue of Dell’s Popular Comics reprints comic strip adventures of such characters as the Gumps, Harold Teen, Orphan Annie, Tailspin Tommy, Skippy, Terry, Mutt and Jeff, Winnie Winkle, and Dick Tracy.

85 years ago February 1941 Minute-Man is introduced in Fawcett’s Master Comics #11, drawn by Charlie Sultan.

75 years ago February 1951 Marvel’s Marvel Boy #2 is the last with that title. Next month, it will be renamed Astonishing – as the pages in this issue announce.

75 years ago February 1951 DC’s All-Star Comics #57 is the last of the series to carry that title; with the next issue, it becomes DC’s All-Star Western #58. This wraps up The Justice Society’s adventures with “The Mystery of the Vanishing Detectives!” by John Broome, Frank Giacoia, Arthur F. Peddy, and Bernard Sachs.

70 years ago February 1956 Timmy the Timid Ghost is introduced in Charlton’s Timmy the Timid Ghost #3 (the first issue) in a story by Al Fago.

70 years ago February 1956 It’s the first issue of Charlton’s Fightin’ Air Force (though it’s #3). But check out what happens a decade later.

65 years ago February 1961 DC’s Justice League of America #3 introduces Kanjar Ro. “The Slave Ship of Space!” is by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs.

65 years ago February 1961 Comics fans get a look behind the curtain of comics circulations with DC’s Action Comics #273. Soon joined by other publishers meeting new postal regulations, it reveals with its statement of ownership an average paid circulation figure of 458,000 per issue for the preceding year.

60 years ago February 1966 In Marvel’s Daredevil #13, vibranium (which does weird stuff) is introduced. In “The Secret of Ka-Zar’s Origin” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and John Romita, the super-element is eventually determined to be a variant renamed Anti-Metal. Oh, and the issue has the first appearance of The Plunderer.

60 years ago February 1966 Aw! Though the cover of DC’s Adventure Comics #341 features a menacing Colossal Boy, the turning point is that Triplicate Girl becomes Duo Damsel in “Colossal Boy’s One Man War!” by Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan, and Sheldon Moldoff.

60 years ago February 1966 The cover this month says it’s Marvel’s Journey into Mystery with Thor #125. When the series gets to #126, the title will become Thor.

60 years ago February 1966 The last issue of Charlton’s Fightin’ Air Force is #53, starring American Eagle.

60 years ago February 1966 “From the Golden Age of Marvel,” Fantasy Masterpieces #1 reprints stories by Jolly Jack Kirby, Sturdy Steve Ditko, Dashing Don Heck, Jovial Joey Sinnott, and Darlin’ Dick Ayers. “See the old time fantasy thrillers of your favorite Marvel artists… dramatically recreated just for you!”

60 years ago February 1966 “Witness the birth of the incomparable Doctor Spectro Master of Moods!” Different! Dangerous! Diabolical! The story in Charlton’s Captain Atom #79 is by Steve Ditko, Joe Gill, and Rocke Mastroserio.

60 years ago February 1966 “Operation: Brain Blast!” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Frank Giacoia introduces S.H.I.E.L.D.’s E.S.P. Division, Mentallo, and The Fixer in Marvel’s Strange Tales #141.

60 years ago February 1966 Happy Hogan becomes The Freak in “If This Guilt Be Mine –!” in Marvel’s Tales of Suspense #74 by Stan Lee, Gene Colan, and Jack Abel. (Spoiler: Don’t worry. Happy gets better.)

60 years ago February 1966 The Inhuman Maximus is introduced in Marvel’s Fantastic Four #47 in “Beware the Hidden Land!” by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Joe Sinnott.

60 years ago February 1966 Metamorpho refuses Justice League membership in DC’s Justice League of America #42. “Metamorpho Says – No!” is by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs.

55 years ago February 1971 “Daring Original Inevitable First Issue”: Alan Light publishes the first issue of The Buyer’s Guide for Comic Fandom. (It becomes Comics Buyer’s Guide, when Krause Publications takes it over in 1983.) Two different advertisers in the issue offer a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1: one priced at $11, one priced at $4. Outrageous! It’s less than 10 years old and not even the character’s first appearance! Who would pay that much?

55 years ago February 1971 The first issue of DC’s The New Gods begins “an epic for our times,” introducing Orion along with such other characters as Metron, Highfather, Kalibak, and Lightray along with New Genesis and Apokolips. “Orion Fights for Earth!” is by Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.

55 years ago February 1971 Marvel’s Chamber of Darkness changes its name to Monsters on the Prowl with #9. The cover features Gorgilla (“the monster of Midnight Mountain”)!

55 years ago February 1971 “Kirby’s here!” Superman’s a guest star in the first issue of The Forever People, which introduces the characters Big Bear, Vykin the Black, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, and Beautiful Dreamer, as well as Mother Box. “In Search of a Dream!” is by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta, and Al Plastino.

55 years ago February 1971 The Champions of Angor are introduced in Justice League of America #87 in “Batman – King of the World” by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella. Jack B. Quick, Silver Sorceress, Blue Jay, and Wandjina form a DC pastiche of members of Marvel’s The Avengers.

55 years ago February 1971 The same month as that DC Justice League of America pastiche of Marvel’s Avengers is published, Marvel publishes an evolution of its villainous pastiche of DC’s Justice League (The Squadron Sinister) from The Avengers #65. Now, it’s The Squadron Supreme in Avengers #85 in a story by Roy Thomas, Len Wein, John Buscema, and Frank Giacoia.

50 years ago February 1976 DC’s Kong the Untamed #5 is the last issue and features “Bones of the Martyr” by Gerry Conway, David Wenzel, and Bill Draut.

50 years ago February 1976 DC’s Man-Bat #2 is the last issue and features “Fugitive from Blind Justice” by Martin Pasko, Pablo Marcos, and Ricardo Villamonte.

50 years ago February 1976 DC’s The Phantom Stranger #41 is the last issue. Not only is the story by Paul Levitz and Fred Carrillo titled “A Time for Endings,” but the letters page is also titled “Epilogue for The Phantom Stranger.” (Mind you, there’ll be a #42 in 2010, but who knew in 1976?)

50 years ago February 1976 Gold Key’s Walt Disney Comics Digest #57 is the last issue and features a “Mickey Mouse Almanac” with reprints from 1957’s Mickey Mouse Almanac #1 from Dell.

50 years ago February 1976 DC’s 1st Issue Special #11 introduces the telepathic and telekinetic Jonathan Drew (also known as Code Name: Assassin) in a story by Gerry Conway, Steve Skeates, Frank and Nestor Redondo, and Al Milgrom.

50 years ago February 1976 The villainous Kobra is introduced in DC’s Kobra #1. “Fangs of the Kobra!” is by Jack Kirby, Steve Sherman, Martin Pasko, Pablo Marcos, and D. Bruce Berry.

50 years ago February 1976 “Avengers assemble – to meet the most fearsome new member of all!” (The cover also notes, “You wanted her – You’ve got her!”) Hellcat is introduced in The Avengers #144. Well, actually, Patsy Walker has been around for decades (created by Otto Binder and Ruth Atkinson in 1944, after all). But “Claws!” by Steve Englehart, George Pérez, and Mike Esposito helps her on the road of adaptation to life as a crimefighting, costume wearing superheroine.

50 years ago February 1976 Marvel’s The X-Men #97 introduces Lilandra Neramani in “My Brother, My Enemy!” by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and Sam Grainger. She leads the Shi’ar and is the first of that empire to be introduced to the Marvel universe, though her importance to come goes un-hinted at on the cover of the issue.

45 years ago February 1981 DC Publisher Jenette Kahn adds the title of DC Comics President to her credentials, succeeding Sol Harrison in that post.

45 years ago February 1981 The Legion of Super-Heroes #272 cover-features a “Dial ‘H’ for Hero” insert preview. “Powerhouse premiere issue free inside!” “Who Are the Heroes?” is by Marv Wolfman, Carmine Infantino, Frank Chiaramonte, Bob Smith, and Dennis Jensen.

40 years ago February 1986 DC’s Wonder Woman #329 is the last issue. Spoiler: Diana and Steve Trevor are married by Zeus to wrap up the series in a “48-page final issue!” in the midst of DC’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossovers. “Of Gods and Men” is by Gerry Conway and Don Heck.

40 years ago February 1986 The cover of Marvel’s The Defenders #152 says, “The end of The New Defenders.” Indeed. “The End of all Songs” by Peter B. Gillis, Don Perlin, and Dell Barras features a bunch of deaths. Will they stay dead? This is comics.

40 years ago February 1986 Batman: The Dark Knight #1 features the first installment of the four-issue miniseries by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley. The story is titled “The Dark Knight Returns,” which many then consider to be the title of the series. The 55-year-old Batman has retired but… yes… returns. And he’s got Carrie Kelly as his new Robin (though she doesn’t don the costume yet). (Yes, I know DC didn’t actually put a cover date on the issue. Let’s just call it for February, OK?)

40 years ago February 1986 Parker Brothers licensed its toy Rom the Space Knight to Marvel, which created a series that provided details and a back story. Even after the toy was dropped, Marvel continued the series until ROM #75. [I’m thinking the toy is Rom and the series is ROM; your mileage may differ.] The issue appropriately features a story by Bill Mantlo, Steve Ditko, and P. Craig Russell titled “The End!”

40 years ago February 1986 The cover of Marvel’s anthology magazine Epic Illustrated #34 proclaims that it’s the “incredible last issue” of “The Marvel Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.”

40 years ago February 1986 He’s “comics’ newest and most unusual superhero sensation!” In DC’s Booster Gold #1, “The Big Fall” by Dan Jurgens and Mike DeCarlo introduces (yes) Booster Gold along with Mindancer and Skeets, following Crisis on Infinite Earths. The self-important, self-promoting character comes from the future and uses his resultant advantages.

40 years ago February 1986 “Because you demanded it – the dramatic return of the original X-Men!” Marvel’s X-Factor #1 reveals to the team that the dead Jean Grey isn’t so dead, after all. “Third Genesis” is by Bob Layton, Jackson Guice, and Joe Rubinstein.

35 years ago February 1991 The cover of Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #344 mostly focuses on Cardiac and Rhino, but the issue by David Michelinie, Erik Larsen, and Randy Emberlin introduces serial killer Cletus Kasady. We all know (Spoiler!) he becomes Carnage in #361, don’t we?

35 years ago February 1991 “Introducing the lethal Deadpool – the mysterious Gideon – and the dynamic Domino!” Oh, and Copycat, who doesn’t get her name on the cover. Marvel’s The New Mutants #98 features “The Beginning of the End, Part One” by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza.

35 years ago February 1991 “Lo, There Shall Be an Ending” wraps up Marvel’s Power Pack series with #62. The story is by Michael Higgins, Steve Buccellato, and Don Hudson.

35 years ago February 1991 Marvel’s Heathcliff #56 is the last issue of the series based on George Gately’s newspaper comics feature.

35 years ago February 1991 “Paradise Lost” by Marv Wolfman, Tom Grummet, and Al Vey in DC’s The New Titans #73 introduces Pantha (mutated by the Wildebeest Society and possessed of cat-like abilities, including claws) and “the phantasmagorical” Phantasm (no Spoiler here; just saying).

35 years ago February 1991 Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy #9 introduces Replica and Giraud (known to some as Phoenix IX), when the team goes to the mutant-controlled planet Haven. “…And Rancor Is Her Name-O” is by Jim Valentino and Steve Montano.

35 years ago February 1991 In “Stars of Blood” by Howard Mackie, Javier Saltares, and Mark Texeira, Marvel’s Ghost Rider #10 introduces serial killer Zodiak.

35 years ago February 1991 Kitchen Sink’s Buzz #2 introduces Frank by Jim Woodring in “Frank and the Blessing of Reverse Containment.”

35 years ago February 1991 DC’s Hawk and Dove #21 introduces Bloody Mary, Malice Vundabar, and Speed Queen in “Girls’ Night Out” by Barbara and Karl Kesel, Steve Erwin, and Scott Hanna.

30 years ago February 1996 With a cover paying tribute to 1980’s The New Teen Titans #1, DC’s The New Titans #130 is the last issue. “Where Nightmares End!” is by Marv Wolfman, William Rosado, and Will Blyberg.

30 years ago February 1996 Star Trek #80 is the last issue of DC’s second Star Trek series. “Collision Course” by Kevin J. Ryan, Rachel Forbes-Seese, and Pablo Marcos wraps up the three-part “The Chosen.” And DC’s Star Trek: The Next Generation also ends with #80 – with “The Abandoned” by Michael Jan Friedman, Gordon Purcell, and Terry Pallot.

25 years ago February 2001 With Marvel’s The Sentry just having concluded its five-issue run, Marvel releases five separate one-shots: Sentry/Fantastic Four, Sentry/Spider-Man, Sentry/Hulk, Sentry/The Void, and Sentry/X-Men.

20 years ago February 2006 Marvel Zombies begins. OK, we know the term was applied for many years to fans who would buy any comic book produced by Marvel, right? But this is the first time it gets applied to an actual Marvel title. The story is by Robert Kirkman (yes, of Walking Dead) and Sean Phillips.

20 years ago February 2006 DC’s Testament #1 is “Abraham of Ur, Part 1: Akedah” by Douglas Rushkoff and Liam Sharp.

20 years ago February 2006 Marvel’s Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #1 features “The Boyfriend Thing” by Sean McKeever and Takeshi Miyazawa.

20 years ago February 2006 Marvel has a bunch of What If: one-shots. They feature Captain America, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Sub-Mariner, Thor, and Wolverine. Collect them all.

15 years ago February 2011 Misty Knight assigns a bunch of heroes to a job, but there’s a problem in “Are You for Hire?” in the first issue of Marvel’s Heroes for Hire. It’s by Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Brad Walker, and Andrew Hennessy.

15 years ago February 2011 Marvel’s Wolverine: The Best There Is #1 is the first chapter of “Contagion” by Charlie Huston and Juan José Ryp. [“Parental advisory! Not for kids!”]

10 years ago February 2016 The first issue of Marvel’s All-New Inhumans is by James Asmus, Charles Soule, and Stefano Caselli.

10 years ago February 2016 DC’s Harley’s Little Black Book begins with “Little Black Book” by Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, John Timms, and Dave Johnson. (It has variant editions, each encased in a black polybag.)

10 years ago February 2016 There are a bunch of comics with similar titles, but this marks DC’s Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1. (It has many variants; collect them all.) “Knights in a Half Shell” is by James Tynion IV and Freddie Williams II.

10 years ago February 2016 The title’s back again. This Marvel Daredevil #1 introduces Ellen King, Onehand, and Tenfingers in a story by Charles Soule and Ron Garney.

10 years ago February 2016 Three eras of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy get together in the first issue of the eight-issue miniseries Guardians of Infinity. The issue is by Dan Abnett, Carlo Barberi, and Walden Wong.

10 years ago February 2016 Remember February 1976? Well, Marvel’s Patsy Walker A.K.A. Hellcat! #1 is by Kate Leth and Brittney Williams.

10 years ago February 2016 It’s a class trip for Peter Parker in the first issue of Marvel’s Spidey in a story by Robbie Thompson and Nick Bradshaw.

10 years ago February 2016 Remember that 1971 issue of the Avengers that introduced The Squadron Supreme 45 years before this? Now, the first issue of Marvel’s Squadron Supreme reimagines that team in Marvel’s “Earth-616” reality, pulling its members from alternate universes. The story is by James Robinson, Leonard Kirk, and Paul Neary.

10 years ago February 2016 It’s Amadeus Cho’s first appearance as The Hulk in Marvel’s Totally Awesome Hulk #1. “Cho Time: Part One” is by Greg Pak and Frank Cho. (There are a bunch of other first appearances in the issue, too. Just saying.)

5 years ago February 2021 The DC Batman/Catwoman 12-issue series begins with “Silent Night” by Tom King and Clay Mann. Batman and Catwoman team to find her missing son.

5 years ago February 2021 The 10-issue Marvel Black Cat series begins a 10-issue story by Jed MacKay and C.F. Villa. It features Felicia Hardy, Captain America, Magneto, Doctor Strange, and more.

5 years ago February 2021 The 12-issue Beyond science fiction series by Mike Andolfo and Andrea Broccardo begins from Image.

5 years ago Marvel’s five-issue King in Black series by Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman, and J.P. Mayer begins with The Avengers coping with Knull’s arrival on Earth.

5 years ago Marvel’s five-issue series The Union begins with “The Flag Game,” the first installment of “The Britannia Project.” It’s by Paul Grist, Andrea Di Vito, and Drew Greaci.

5 years ago February 2021 The first issue of Radiant Black by Kyle Higgins and Marcelo Costa comes from Image. Hmm, what’s up with that little black hole? We – and Nathan and Marshall – shall see.