Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for December 19-23, 2025…

135 years ago December 21, 1890 Dutch artist Han Krug is born.

125 years ago December 23, 1900 Cartoonist Otto Soglow is born. The Little King creator is a co-founder (and 1953-1954 president) of the National Cartoonists Society.

125 years ago December 23, 1900 Dutch writer-artist Nans van Leeuwen is born. She draws children’s booklets featuring the goblin Piggelmee.

115 years ago December 20, 1910 Artist Tom Hickey is born. He works for DC, Dell, Hawley, Quality, Harvey, and Lev Gleason.

110 years ago December 21, 1915 Letterer Ben Oda is born.

105 years ago December 21, 1920 Cartoonist Bob Bindig is born. The ad agency art director produces Adventures of Big Boy.

100 years ago December 20, 1925 Bob De Moor is born. The Belgian Hergé collaborator is best known for creating such series as Monsieur Tric, Cori le Moussaillon, and Barelli.

95 years ago December 22, 1930 Spanish writer-artist Arturo Rojas de la Cámara is born. He also works as “Rojas.”

90 years ago December 21, 1935 Belgian artist Jean de Mesmaeker (who works as “Jidéhem”) is born.

85 years ago December 21, 1940 Frank Zappa is born. Best known as a musician, he also scripts the 1977 comic strip Zappa in Zoeloeland by Belgian artist Kamagurka.

80 years ago December 19, 1945 The first “official” “Suske en Wiske” story by Willy Vandersteen begins in De Nieuwe Standaard.

80 years ago December 20, 1945 Belgian artist Rik Delneste (who works as “Nesten”) is born.

80 years ago December 22, 1945 Willy Vandersteen introduces De Familie Snoek.

70 years ago December 20, 1955 Uruguayan writer-artist Emilio Cortinas dies of cancer at age 39. Lambiek says he’s considered one of the first grand masters of Uruguayan comics. His most famous series was Vito Nervio.

70 years ago December 23, 1955 The German comic book Mosaik begins.

65 years ago December 21, 1960 Writer-editor Doug Wheeler is born. His work includes material for Rip Off Press, NBM, Dark Horse, Caliber, and DC.

60 years ago December 21, 1965 Cartoonist Mark Engblom is born. He produces art materials for classrooms and other learning environments.

40 years ago December 19, 1985 Prolific French animator and artist Jean Ache dies at age 62. In 1941, he created what may have been the first amateur cartoon production in France. He was especially known for Arabelle, la Dernière Sirène.

40 years ago December 20, 1985 Belgian artist Al Peclers dies.

35 years ago December 21, 1990 Austrian animator and artist Susi Weigel dies at age 76.

25 years ago December 21, 2000 Award-winning Dutch artist Jan Sanders dies at age 81. His cartoons often featured ships and sailors.

10 years ago December 19, 2015 French writer-artist Jacques Rampal dies on his 71st birthday. The playwright began his career as a Pilote cartoonist.

10 years ago December 22, 2015 Longtime Disney artist (and Disney Legend) Carson Van Osten dies at age 69. His career included serving as the Disney Publishing Group vice president of international creative development.

5 years ago December 21, 2020 Spanish artist Francisco Pérez Espinoza (who worked as “Kito”) dies at age 82 or 83.