Events and publications

Year overall

Fredric Wertham Fredric Wertham (; born Friedrich Ignatz Wertheimer, March 20, 1895 – November 18, 1981) was a German-American psychiatrist and author. Wertham had an early reputation as a progressive psychiatrist who treated poor black patients at his Lafarg ...

's ''

Seduction of the Innocent ''Seduction of the Innocent'' is a book by German-born American psychiatrist Fredric Wertham, published in 1954, that warned that comic books were a negative form of popular literature and a serious cause of juvenile delinquency. The book was tak ...

'' and the

United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency The United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency was established by the United States Senate in 1953 to investigate the problem of juvenile delinquency. Background The subcommittee was a unit of the United States Senate Judiciary Co ...

hearings continue to negatively affect the comics marketplace. Ace Comics, Avon Comics,

EC Comics Entertaining Comics, more commonly known as EC Comics, was an American publisher of comic books, which specialized in horror fiction, crime fiction, satire, military fiction, dark fantasy, and science fiction from the 1940s through the mid-1950 ...

Key Publications Key Publications was an American comic-book company founded by Stanley P. Morse that published under the imprints Aragon Magazines, Gillmor Magazines, Medal Comics, Media Publications, S. P. M. Publications, Stanmor Publications, and ...

(Aragon Magazines, Gillmor Magazines, Medal Comics, Media Publications, S. P. M. Publications, Stanmor Publications, and Timor Publications),

Mainline Publications Mainline Publications, also called Mainline Comics, was a short-lived, 1950s American comic book publisher established and owned by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. Foundation With the 1950s backlash against comics, led by the psychiatrist Fredric Wer ...

Nedor Comics Standard Comics was a comic book imprint of American publisher Ned Pines, who also published pulp magazines (under a variety of company names that he also used for the comics) and paperback books (under the Popular Library name). Standard in t ...

(Standard, Better, and Thrilling), and

Quality Comics Quality Comics was an American comic book publishing company which operated from 1937 to 1956 and was a creative, influential force in what historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic Books. Notable, long-running titles published by Qualit ...

all cease publishing, though EC continues to publish '' Mad'' magazine (and Nedor is succeeded by the short-lived

Pines Comics Standard Comics was a comic book imprint (trade name), imprint of United States, American publisher Ned Pines, who also published pulp magazines (under a Thrilling Publications, variety of company names that he also used for the comics) and pape ...

). The Canadian publisher Superior Publishers Limited also goes defunct. * In

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...

, ''

The Calculus Affair ''The Calculus Affair'' (french: link=no, L'Affaire Tournesol) is the eighteenth volume of ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé. It was serialised weekly in Belgium's ''Tintin'' magazine from Decemb ...

'', by

Hergé Georges Prosper Remi (; 22 May 1907 – 3 March 1983), known by the pen name Hergé (; ), from the French pronunciation of his reversed initials ''RG'', was a Belgian cartoonist. He is best known for creating ''The Adventures of Tintin'', ...

and ''

The Yellow "M" ''The Yellow "M"'' (french: La Marque Jaune ("The Yellow Mark")) by the Belgian artist Edgar P. Jacobs is the sixth comic book in the ''Blake and Mortimer'' series. It was first published in ''Tintin'' magazine between 6 August 1953 and 3 Novemb ...

'' by Edgar P. Jacobs, previously published as serials, are released as comics albums. * The album '' Lucky Luke contre Phil Defer'' by

Morris Morris may refer to: Places Australia *St Morris, South Australia, place in South Australia Canada * Morris Township, Ontario, now part of the municipality of Morris-Turnberry * Rural Municipality of Morris, Manitoba ** Morris, Manitob ...

is first released. *In

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

the ''

Spirou et Fantasio ''Spirou & Fantasio'' (french: Spirou et Fantasio, wa, Spirou eyet Fantasio) is one of the most popular classic Franco-Belgian comics. The series, which has been running since 1938, shares many characteristics with other European comics, European ...

'' album ''

Le dictateur et le champignon ''Le dictateur et le champignon'', written and drawn by Franquin, is the seventh album of the '' Spirou et Fantasio'' series. After serial publication in '' Spirou'' magazine, the story was released as a hardcover album in 1956. Story When the M ...

'' (The dictator and the mushroom) by Franquin first appears in album form.

January

* January 9: In

Charles M. Schulz Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz (; November 26, 1922 – February 12, 2000) was an American cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip ''Peanuts'', featuring what are probably his two best-known characters, Charlie Brown and Snoopy. He is wi ...

' ''

Peanuts ''Peanuts'' is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz. The strip's original run extended from 1950 to 2000, continuing in reruns afterward. ''Peanuts'' is among the most popular and infl ...

Snoopy Snoopy is an anthropomorphic beagle in the comic strip ''Peanuts'' by Charles M. Schulz. He can also be found in all of the ''Peanuts'' films and television specials. Since his debut on October 4, 1950, Snoopy has become one of the most recog ...

starts walking on his hind legs. * January 21: The first issue of the British comics magazine ''

The Beezer ''The Beezer'' (called ''The Beezer and Topper'' for the last three years of publication) was a British comic that ran from (issues dates) 21 January 1956 to 21 August 1993, published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. Comic strips in ''The Beezer' ...

'' comes out. It will be syndicated until 21 August 1993. *January 26: In ''

Uncle Scrooge ''Uncle Scrooge'' (stylized as ''Uncle $crooge'') is a Disney comic book series starring Scrooge McDuck ("the richest duck in the world"), his nephew Donald Duck, and grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and revolving around their adventures in ...

'', '' Land Beneath the Ground!'', by Carl Barks.

February

Romano Scarpa Romano Scarpa (September 27, 1927 – April 23, 2005) was one of the most famous Italian creators of Disney comics. Biography Growing up in Venice he developed a particular love for American cartoons and Disney comics, that, at the time, were ...

, already appreciated as cartoonist, begins his career as

Disney The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

writer with ''Shellfish Motives'' (''Paperino e i gamberi in salmì''). * February 2: ** In Carl Barks' ''

'' story ''

The Second-Richest Duck "The Second-Richest Duck" is an Uncle Scrooge comic book story written and illustrated by Carl Barks in February 1956. It features the first appearance of Flintheart Glomgold. Plot The story starts when Scrooge McDuck tries to know where was hi ...

Flintheart Glomgold Flintheart Glomgold is a cartoon character created in 1956 by Carl Barks. He is a South African American Pekin Duck and the business rival of Scrooge McDuck, usually portrayed as an ambitious, ruthless, and manipulative businessman who shar ...

makes his debut. ** In '' Spirou'' the ''

Lucky Luke ''Lucky Luke'' is a Western '' bande dessinée'' series created by Belgian cartoonist Morris in 1946. Morris wrote and drew the series single-handedly until 1955, after which he started collaborating with French writer René Goscinny. Their ...

'' story '' Rails on the prairie'' by

René Goscinny René Goscinny (, ; 14 August 1926 – 5 November 1977) was a French comic editor and writer, who created the ''Astérix'' comic book series with illustrator Albert Uderzo. Raised largely in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he attended French schoo ...

and

is concluded. This marks the first time Luke sings his signature song: ''I'm a poor lonesome cowboy''. * February 18: The first issue of the British comics magazine '' Express Weekly'' comes out and will run until 1960. * The final issue of the Belgian children's magazine ''Bimbo'' is published.

April

* April 14: The final episode of Gene Deitch's ''Terr'ble Thompson'' is published. * In

' ''

Charlie Brown Charles "Charlie" Brown is the principal character of the comic strip '' Peanuts'', syndicated in daily and Sunday newspapers in numerous countries all over the world. Depicted as a "lovable loser," Charlie Brown is one of the great American a ...

gets his kite stuck in a tree. This will become a

running gag A running gag, or running joke, is a literary device that takes the form of an amusing joke or a comical reference and appears repeatedly throughout a work of literature or other form of storytelling. Though they are similar, catchphrases are no ...

in the series. * Cancellation of '' Apache Kid'', with issue #19, Atlas. * In Italy, the Donald Duck story ''Paperino Don Chisciotte'' ( Duck Quixote), by Guido Martina (script) and Pier Lorenzo de Vita (drawings), a parody of

Don Quixote is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of West ...

set in modern California, with Donald Duck in the

title role The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piece. The title of ...

and Goofy as

Sancho Panza Sancho Panza () is a fictional character in the novel ''Don Quixote'' written by Spanish author Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in 1605. Sancho acts as squire to Don Quixote and provides comments throughout the novel, known as ''sanchismos'', ...

is published. After ''Mickey Mouse’s Hell'', it is the second retelling by Martina of a literary masterpiece with the Disney characters.

May

* May 17: In '' Spirou'', first chapter of ''Le gorille a mauvaise mine'' by Andrè Franquin (recalled '' Le gorille a bonne mine'' for the edition as an album.) *''World of fantasy'', a bi-monthly publication debuts for

Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic-book A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that rep ...

. Among the artists on the book are Werner Roth and

Dick Ayers Richard Bache Ayers (; April 28, 1924 – May 4, 2014) was an American comic book artist and cartoonist best known for his work as one of Jack Kirby's inkers during the late-1950s and 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comics, including on s ...

June

* June 10: In the Italian Disney magazine ''

Topolino ''Topolino'' (from the Italian name for Mickey Mouse) is an Italian digest-sized comic series featuring Disney comics. The series has had a long running history, first appearing in 1932 as a comics magazine. It is currently published by Panin ...

'', in the story ''Topolino e la grande impresa di Lascia o t’accoppo'', by Guido Martina and

Giovan Battista Carpi Giovan Battista Carpi (; November 16, 1927 – March 8, 1999) was a prolific Italian comics artist, illustrator, and teacher from Genoa. Carpi worked mainly for Disney comics, mostly on books featuring Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck, although h ...

Mickey Mouse and

appear in the same story, which is an unusual situation, since characters from these two universes rarely overlap in Disney comic stories.

July

* In '' Detective Comics'' #233 Batwoman makes her debut. *In Uncle Scrooge, ''The cat box'' by Carl Barks; debut of Little helper.

September

* September 1: In ''

Het Parool ''Het Parool'' () is an Amsterdam-based daily newspaper. It was first published on 10 February 1941 as a resistance paper during the German occupation of the Netherlands (1940–1945). In English, its name means ''The Password'' or ''The Motto' ...

'' Piet Wijn's ''Frank, De Vliegende Hollander'' is cancelled after a year, to make place for the comeback of Pieter J. Kuhn's ''

Kapitein Rob ''Kapitein Rob'' ("Captain Rob") was a Dutch adventure comic strip, created and drawn by Pieter Kuhn and written by journalist Evert Werkman. The series ran from December 11, 1945 until January 21, 1966. Together with Marten Toonder's '' Tom ...

''. * September 10:

David Wright David Allen Wright (born December 20, 1982) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career for the New York Mets. He was drafted by the Mets in 2001 MLB draft and made h ...

and Peter Meriton's '' Carol Day'' makes its debut. * September 20:

Maurice Tillieux Maurice Tillieux (7 August 1921 – 2 February 1978) was a Belgian writer and comic artist. He is regarded by many as a major figure of post-war Belgian comics. Early life Maurice Tillieux was born in Huy in 1921. At first he studied for the ...

' ''

Gil Jourdan Gil Jourdan is a Belgian detective comic strip created by Maurice Tillieux. It is a combination of mystery, adventure and humour. Origin and premise In 1956 the Belgian comic magazine '' Héroïc Albums'' ceased publication. ''Felix'', the adve ...

'' makes its debut. * Bill Ritchie's ''

Baby Crockett ''Baby Crockett'' was one of the longest running comic strips that ran from ''The Beezer ''The Beezer'' (called ''The Beezer and Topper'' for the last three years of publication) was a British comic that ran from (issues dates) 21 January ...

'' makes its debut. * September 21: The ''

Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus ( ; born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus; 15 December AD 37 – 9 June AD 68), was the fifth Roman emperor and final emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from AD 54 unti ...

'' story ''De IJzeren Kolonel'' by

Marc Sleen Marcel Honoree Nestor ( ridder) Neels (30 December 1922 – 6 November 2016), known as Marc Sleen, was a Belgian cartoonist. He was mostly known for his comic '' The Adventures of Nero and Co.'', but also created gag comics like '' Piet Fluwijn ...

is first published in the newspapers. Halfway the story the major antagonist of the series,

Ricardo Ricardo is the Spanish and Portuguese cognate of the name Richard. It derived from Proto-Germanic ''*rīks'' 'king, ruler' + ''*harduz'' 'hard, brave'. It may be a given name, or a surname. People Given name *Ricardo de Araújo Pereira, Portugu ...

, makes his debut.

October

* October 24: The first episode of

Jules Feiffer Jules Ralph Feiffer (born January 26, 1929)''Comics Buyer's Guide'' #1650; February 2009; Page 107 is an American cartoonist and author, who was considered the most widely read satirist in the country. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 as North- ...

's ''Sick, Sick, Sick'' (later retitled ''Feiffer'') is published in

The Village Voice ''The Village Voice'' is an American news and culture paper, known for being the country's first alternative newspaper, alternative newsweekly. Founded in 1955 by Dan Wolf (publisher), Dan Wolf, Ed Fancher, John Wilcock, and Norman Mailer, th ...

. *''

Showcase Showcase or vitrine may refer to: *Cabinet (furniture) *Display case Music * ''Showcase'' (Bill Anderson album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Patsy Cline album), 1961 * ''Showcase'' (Buddy Holly album), 1964 * ''Showcase'' (Philly Joe Jones album), 1959 ...

#4'' (

National Periodical Publications National Comics Publications, Inc. (also known as NCP or simply National) was an American comic book publishing company, and the direct predecessor of modern-day DC Comics. History The corporation was originally two companies: National Allied P ...

) — First appearance of a revamped

Flash Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional aliases * Flash (DC Comics character), several DC Comics superheroes with super speed: ** Flash (Barry Allen) ** Flash (Jay Garrick) ** Wally West, the first Kid F ...

ushers in the

Silver Age of Comic Books The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and widespread commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those featuring the superhero archetype. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an in ...

November

* November 1: The final issue of the Belgian comics magazine ''Risque-Tout'' is published. *November 8: in '' Spirou'', first chapter of ''

Le Nid des Marsupilamis ''Le nid des Marsupilamis'', written and drawn by Franquin, is the twelfth album of the ''Spirou et Fantasio'' series. The title story, and another, ''La foire aux gangsters'', were serialised in '' Spirou'' magazine before the release in a hardc ...

'', by Franquin. * November 18:

Frank Giacoia Frank Giacoia (July 6, 1924 – February 4, 1988) was an American comics artist known primarily as an inker. He sometimes worked under the name Frank Ray, and to a lesser extent Phil Zupa, and the single moniker Espoia, the latter used for collab ...

's ''

Johnny Reb and Billy Yank ''Johnny Reb and Billy Yank'' was a Sunday comic strip drawn by Frank Giacoia from November 18, 1956, to May 24, 1959. It was one of the last full page Sunday strips. The last full page appeared on September 22, 1957. On May 18, 1958, the title c ...

'' makes its debut. It will run until 24 May 1959.

December

* '' Mad'' becomes a two-monthly black-and-white magazine with

Al Feldstein Albert Bernard Feldstein ( ; October 24, 1925 – April 29, 2014) was an American writer, editor, and artist, best known for his work at EC Comics and, from 1956 to 1985, as the editor of the satirical magazine '' Mad''. After retiring from ''Mad' ...

and William M. Gaines as new chief editors and publishers. On its cover the magazine's enduring mascot

Alfred E. Neuman Alfred E. Neuman is the fictitious mascot and cover boy of the American humor magazine '' Mad''. The character's distinct smiling face, parted red hair, gap-tooth smile, freckles, protruding nose, and scrawny body, first emerged in U.S. iconog ...

makes his debut, designed by

Norman Mingo Norman Theodore Mingo (January 25, 1896May 8, 1980) was an American commercial artist and illustrator. He is most famous for being commissioned to formalize the image of Alfred E. Neuman for '' Mad.''Lambiek Comiclopedia, https://www.lambiek.net ...

. *

ceases operations; many of the company's characters and title trademarks sold to

, which chooses to keep only four series running: ''

Blackhawk Black Hawk and Blackhawk may refer to: Animals * Black Hawk (horse), a Morgan horse that lived from 1833 to 1856 * Common black hawk, ''Buteogallus anthracinus'' * Cuban black hawk, ''Buteogallus gundlachii'' * Great black hawk, ''Buteogallus uru ...

'', ''

G.I. Combat ''G.I. Combat'' was an American comics anthology featuring war stories. It was published from 1952 until 1956 by Quality Comics, followed by DC Comics until its final issue in 1987. In 2012 it was briefly revived. Publication history The focu ...

'', ''

Heart Throbs ''Heart Throbs'' was a romance comic published by Quality Comics and DC Comics from 1949 to 1972. Quality published the book from 1949–1957, when it was acquired by DC. Most issues featured a number of short comics stories, as well advice colum ...

'', and '' Robin Hood Tales''. * Cancellation of the American comics magazine ''

Panic Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety and frantic agitation consistent with an animalistic fight-or-flight reactio ...

''. * The final issue of the Belgian comics magazine ''Heroïc Albums'' is published. * In ''

'', ''Back To Long Ago!'', by Carl Barks, 16th-century ancestors of Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck are introduced. In the following years, this narrative device will be widely imitated by other Disney authors.

Specific date unknown

Oğuz Aral Oğuz Aral (1936 – 26 July 2004) was a Turkish political cartoonist and comics artist, known for his satirical style. He was also active as a theatre designer, playwright, ceramist and animator, establishing the first Turkish animation studio. ...

creates the ''Hayk Mammer'' comics series. * Haaken Christensen discontinues ''Brumle''. * Turkish comics artist Ratip Tahir Burak is jailed after making an editorial cartoon warning against government censorship. * The first episode of

' '' Young Pillars'' is published. It will run until 1965.

Births

May

* May 1: Tim Sale, American comic book artist ('' Batman: The Long Halloween'', '' Batman: Dark Victory'', '' Superman for All Seasons''), (d.

2022 File:2022 collage V1.png, Clockwise, from top left: Road junction at Yamato-Saidaiji Station several hours after the assassination of Shinzo Abe; Anti-government protest in Sri Lanka in front of the Presidential Secretariat; The global monkeypo ...

July

* July 11: Danny Shanahan, American cartoonist (worked for ''

The New Yorker ''The New Yorker'' is an American weekly magazine featuring journalism, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry. Founded as a weekly in 1925, the magazine is published 47 times annually, with five of these issues ...

''), (d.

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October 2021 coup in Sudan; Crowd shortly after t ...

September

* September 25:

Kim Thompson Kim Thompson (September 25, 1956 – June 19, 2013) was an American comic book editor, translator, and publisher, best known as vice president and co-publisher of Seattle-based Fantagraphics Books. Along with co-publisher Gary Groth, Thomps ...

, Danish-American comics editor, translator and publisher (vice-president of '' Fantagraphics Books''), (d.

2013 File:2013 Events Collage V2.png, From left, clockwise: Edward Snowden becomes internationally famous for leaking classified NSA wiretapping information; Typhoon Haiyan kills over 6,000 in the Philippines and Southeast Asia; The Dhaka garment fa ...

) from lung cancer.

Deaths

January

* January 3: Hugh Rankin, aka Doak, aka Quindaro, American illustrator and comics artist (continued ''Lord Longbow''), dies at age 77. * January 11: Charles Genty, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 69. * January 13:

Lyonel Feininger Lyonel Charles Feininger (July 17, 1871January 13, 1956) was a German-American painter, and a leading exponent of Expressionism. He also worked as a caricaturist and comic strip artist. He was born and grew up in New York City, traveling to Germa ...

, German-American painter and comics artist ('' The Kin-der-Kids'', '' Wee Willie Winkie's World''), died, aged 84. * January 22: Ward Greene, American comics writer ('' Rip Kirby'', '' Scamp''), dies at age 63 from a

pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema, also known as pulmonary congestion, is excessive liquid accumulation in the tissue and air spaces (usually alveoli) of the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause hypoxemia and respiratory failure. It is due t ...

."WARD GREEN DIES: A HEARST OFFICIAL,"
''New York Times '' (January 23, 1956), p. 25.

March

* March 2: Walter Quermann, American comics artist (''Hickory Hollow Folks''), dies from a heart attack at age 58. * March 4: Sidney Strube, British editorial cartoonist and comics artist (''Little Man''), dies at age 63. * March 25: Giovanni Scolari, Italian comics artist (''Saturno contro la Terra''), dies at age 73.

April

* April:

Fernand Dineur Fernand Dineur (Anderlecht, Belgium, May 17, 1904– April 1956) was a Belgian cartoonist, famous for creating "Tif et Tondu Tag Image File Format, abbreviated TIFF or TIF, is an image file format for storing raster graphics images, popular a ...

, Belgian comics artist (''

Tif et Tondu Tag Image File Format, abbreviated TIFF or TIF, is an image file format for storing raster graphics images, popular among graphic artists, the publishing industry, and photographers. TIFF is widely supported by image scanner, scanning, FAX, faxi ...

''), dies at age 51.

May

* May 20:

Max Beerbohm Sir Henry Maximilian Beerbohm (24 August 1872 – 20 May 1956) was an English essayist, parodist and caricaturist under the signature Max. He first became known in the 1890s as a dandy and a humorist. He was the drama critic for the '' Saturd ...

, British essayist, cartoonist and caricaturist, dies at age 83.

July

* July 21:

Louis Raemaekers Louis Raemaekers (April 6, 1869 – July 26, 1956) was a Dutch painter and editorial cartoonist for the Amsterdam newspaper ''De Telegraaf'' during World War I, noted for his anti-German stance. Early life He was born and grew up in Roermond, ...

, Dutch cartoonist, comics artist and caricaturist (''Flippie Flink''), dies at age 86.

August

* August 12:

Doc Winner Charles H. Winner (December 18, 1885 – August 12, 1956), better known as Doc Winner, was an American cartoonist, notable for his comic strips ''Tubby'' and ''Elmer'', plus his contributions to ''Popeye, Thimble Theatre'', ''Barney Google and Sn ...

, American comics artist (''Tubby'', ''Elmer''), passes away from cancer at age 71. * August 23: Jos Speybrouck, Belgian graphic artist, illustrator and comics artist (''Het Kerkelijk Jaar in Beeld'', ''Levenslijnen''), dies at age 65. * August 24: A.D. Condo, American comics artist ('' The Outbursts of Everett True'', '' Mr. Skygack, from Mars''), passes away at age 84.

September

* September 6:

Alex Raymond Alexander Gillespie Raymond Jr. (October 2, 1909 – September 6, 1956) was an American cartoonist who was best known for creating the ''Flash Gordon'' comic strip for King Features Syndicate in 1934. The strip was subsequently adapted into many ...

, American comics artist ('' Flash Gordon'', ''

Jungle Jim Jungle Jim is the fictional hero of a series of jungle adventures in various media. The series began on January 7, 1934, as an American newspaper comic strip chronicling the adventures of Asia-based hunter Jim Bradley, who was nicknamed Jungle J ...

'', '' Rip Kirby'', ''

Secret Agent X-9 ''Secret Agent X-9'' is a comic strip created by writer Dashiell Hammett ('' The Maltese Falcon'') and artist Alex Raymond (''Flash Gordon''). Syndicated by King Features, it ran from January 22, 1934 until February 10, 1996. Premise and publ ...

''), dies at age 46 in a car crash. * September 19:

Cecil Surry Cecil Hays Surry (April 19, 1907 – September 19, 1956) was a cartoonist at various film studios in the Golden Age of Animation. Biography Surry was born to Bert F. and Lydia or Lida B. (Knoblock) Surry in Chelan, Washington, where his father and ...

, American animator and comics artist ('' Disney comics'', ''

Tom & Jerry ''Tom and Jerry'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated media franchise and series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series c ...

'',

Dell Comics Dell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publishing, which got its start in pulp magazines. It published comics from 1929 to 1974. At its peak, it was the most prominent and successful American company in the medium.Evanier, Mark" ...

), dies at age 49.

October

* October 6: Erwin Barta, Hungarian painter, illustrator and graphic artist (''Hannibal the all round sportsman''), dies at age 78.

December

* December 9: Uriel Birnbaum, Austrian illustrator, painter, poet, poster artist and comics artist, dies at age 62. * December 31: Norm Rice, Australian comics artist (''Powerman'', ''Steele Carewe'', ''Nick Carver of the Circus'', continued ''

Bluey and Curley ''Bluey and Curley'' is an Australian newspaper comic strip written by the Australian artist, caricaturist, and cartoonist Alex Gurney. Few original ''Bluey and Curley'' strips are held in public collections, because Gurney often gave the origina ...

''), dies in a car accident.

Specific date unknown

Gus Mager Charles Augustus Mager (1878–1956), better known as Gus Mager, was an American painter, illustrator and cartoonist during the first half of the 20th century. He was the creator of several comic strips, notably ''Hawkshaw the Detective'' and '' S ...

, American comics artist ('' Hawkshaw the Detective''), dies at age 77 or 78. * Zuni Maud, Polish journalist, cartoonist, puppeteer and comics artist, dies at age 64 or 65. * Ralph Mayo, American comics artist and art director for AC Comics, dies at an unknown age. * Austin Bowen Payne, British comics artist (''

Pip, Squeak and Wilfred ''Pip, Squeak and Wilfred'' was a British strip cartoon published in the ''Daily Mirror'' from 1919 to 1956 (with a break c. 1940–1950), as well as the ''Sunday Pictorial'' in the early years. It was conceived by Bertram Lamb, who took the role ...

''), dies at age 79 or 80.

Initial appearances by character name

* Capitan Trueno, created by Victor Mora and Miguel Ambrosio Zaragoza *

, in ''

The Adventures of Nero ''The Adventures of Nero'' or ''Nero'' was a Belgian comic strip drawn by Marc Sleen and the name of its main character. The original title ranged from ''De Avonturen van Detectief Van Zwam'' in 1947 to ''De Avonturen van Nero en zijn Hoed' ...

'': ''De IJzeren Kolonel,'' created by Marc Steen –

Standaard Uitgeverij Standaard Uitgeverij is a Belgian publisher, and the leading publisher in the Dutch language market of Flanders. History In 1919, the Standaard group was created, mainly consisting of a chain of bookshops ( Standaard Boekhandel), a newspaper (''De ...

(Belgium) * Jolyon Wagg, in ''

'', created by Hergè –

Casterman Casterman is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics, specializing in comic books and children's literature. The company is based in Brussels, Belgium. History The company was founded in 1780 by Donat-Joseph Casterman, an editor and bookseller ...

* Gideon McDuck, in ''

'' #132-133 (January), created by

–

* Timmy the timid ghost, in ''Timmy the Timid Ghost'' #3 (February), created by

Al Fago AL, Al, Ål or al may stand for: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Al (''Aladdin'') or Aladdin, the main character in Disney's ''Aladdin'' media * Al (''EastEnders''), a minor character in the British soap opera * Al (''Fullmetal ...

– Charlton *

Fireman Farrell A firefighter is a first responder and rescuer extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten life, property, and the environment as well as to rescue people and in some cases or jurisdictions also ...

, in ''

'' #1 (March), created by

Arnold Drake Arnold Drake (March 1, 1924 – March 12, 2007) was an American comic book writer and screenwriter best known for co-creating the DC Comics characters Deadman and the Doom Patrol, and the Marvel Comics characters the Guardians of the Galaxy, amo ...

and John Prentice –

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

Mr. Muscles Mr. Muscles is a fictional comic book superhero created in 1956 by writer Jerry Siegel for Charlton Comics, and drawn by Bill Fraccio for the first of two issues of his namesake comic, and by the team of penciler Charles Nicholas and inker V ...

, in ''Mr. Muscle''s #22 (March), created by

Jerry Siegel Jerome Siegel ( ; October 17, 1914 – January 28, 1996) Roger Stern. ''Superman: Sunday Classics: 1939–1943'' DC Comics/ Kitchen Sink Press, Inc./Sterling Publishing; 2006 was an American comic book writer. He is the co-creator of Superman, i ...

– Charlton *

Nature Boy "Nature Boy" is a song first recorded by American jazz singer Nat King Cole. It was released on March 29, 1948, as a single by Capitol Records, and later appeared on the album, ''The Nat King Cole Story''. It was written by eden ahbez as a tri ...

, in ''Nature Boy'' #3 (March), created by

and John Buscema – Charlton *

Zaza the mystic Zaza may refer to: Ethnic group * Zazas, a group of people in eastern Anatolia (southeastern Turkey) * Zaza–Gorani languages, Indo-Iranian languages ** Zaza language, spoken by the Zazas People Given name * Zaza Sor. Aree (born 1993), Thai ki ...

, in ''Zaza the Mystic'' #10 (April), created by

Joe Gill Joseph P. Gill (July 13, 1919 – December 17, 2006)_Goodman.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Martin/nowiki> Goodman">/nowiki>Martin/nowiki> Goodman – who wnedMarvel later – into comics, and did the first omicsin my brother's office". Gill is reporte ...

Rocke Mastroserio Rocco A. "Rocke" Mastroserio (June 8, 1927 — early March 1968Dates per AdditionaWebCitation archivemade June 15, 2010. Note: The Social Security Death Index lists Rocco Mastroserioof New York City, born September 15, 1901, died December 1966.) w ...

, and Charles Nicholas – Charlton * Chief Parker, in '' Adventure Comics'' #225 (June), created by Alvin Schwartz and Curt Swan –

* Batwoman in '' Detective Comics'' #233 (July), created by

Edmond Hamilton Edmond Moore Hamilton (October 21, 1904 – February 1, 1977) was an American writer of science fiction during the mid-twentieth century. Early life Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania. So ...

and

Sheldon Moldoff Sheldon Moldoff (; April 14, 1920 – February 29, 2012) was an American comics artist best known for his early work on the DC Comics characters Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and as one of Bob Kane's primary "ghost artists" (uncredited collaborator ...

–

, in ''

'' #15 (September), created by Carl Barks –

* Little Helper, in ''

'' #15 (September), created by Carl Barks-

in ''

'' #4 (''October''), created by

Robert Kanigher Robert "Bob" Kanigher (; June 18, 1915 – May 7, 2002)Social Security Death Index, social security #116-07-5117. was an American comic book writer and editor whose career spanned five decades. He was involved with the Wonder Woman franchise for ...

and Carmine Infantino –

* Iris West Allen in ''

'' #4 (''October''), created by

, Carmine Infantino and

Joe Kubert Joseph Kubert (; September 18, 1926 – August 12, 2012) was a Polish-born American comic book artist, art teacher, and founder of The Kubert School. He is best known for his work on the DC Comics characters Sgt. Rock and Hawkman. He is also kno ...

–

* Topo in '' Adventure Comics'' #229 (October), created by

Ramona Fradon Ramona Fradon (born October 2, 1926) is an American comics artist known for her work illustrating Aquaman and Brenda Starr, and co-creating the superhero Metamorpho. Her career began in 1950. Early life Ramona Fradon was born in Chicago and mov ...

–

DC comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

* Yellow Claw in '' Yellow Claw'' #1 (October), created by

and

Joe Maneely Joseph Maneely (; February 18, 1926 – June 7, 1958) was an American comic book artist best known for his work at Marvel Comics' 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics, where he co-created the Marvel characters the Black Knight, the Ringo Kid, the Yell ...

–

Marvel Marvel may refer to: Business * Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company ** Marvel Comics, the primary imprint of Marvel Entertainment ** Marvel Universe, a fictional shared universe ** Marvel Music, an imprint of Marvel Comics * ...

Jimmy Woo James "Jimmy" Woo (Woo Yen Jet) is a fictional secret agent appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by EC Comics writer Al Feldstein and artist Joe Maneely, the Chinese-American character first appeared in '' Yel ...

in '' Yellow Claw'' #1 (October), created by

and

–

* Lew Moxon in '' Detective Comics'' #235 (November), created by

Bill Finger Milton "Bill" Finger (February 8, 1914 – January 18, 1974) was an American comic strip, comic book, film and television writer who was the co-creator (with Bob Kane) of the DC Comics character Batman. Despite making major (sometimes, signatur ...

and

–

Malcolm McDuck File:Glasgow 1877 by Don Rosa.jpg, 329px, ''Glasgow 1877'', Clan McDuck portrait by Don Rosa; left to right: Jake, Matilda, Downy, Fergus, Hortense, Scrooge (age 10), and Angus; wall portraits: Malcolm, Eider, Quackly, Roast, and Hugh (Clicking o ...

and Pintail Duck, in ''Uncle Scrooge'' #16 (December), created by Carl Barks –

Turtle Turtles are an order of reptiles known as Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked t ...

in ''

'' #4 (October), created by

and Carmine Infantino –

References

{{Reflist 1950s comics