1953 in comics
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Events and publications


Year overall

*
National Comics Publications v. Fawcett Publications was a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in a twelve-year legal battle between DC Comics, National Comics (also known as Detective Comics and DC Comics) and the Fawcett Comics division of Fawcett Publications, c ...
is settled out of court; Fawcett agrees to quit using the Captain Marvel character(s) and pay
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 ...
the sum of $400,000. Subsequently, Fawcett leaves the comics publishing business. *
Tut le Blanc Tut may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Tutankhamun, an Egyptian pharaoh often referred to as "King Tut" * Bernard Bartzen (born 1927), American tennis player nicknamed "Tut" * Tut Imlay (1902–1976), National Football League player (1926–1927) * ...
's comic strip ''
An Altar Boy Named Speck ''An Altar Boy Named Speck'', also known as ''Speck the Altar Boy'', is an American gag cartoon comic strip series created by Tut LeBlanc.
'' is first syndicated. * The first episode of Yaakov Ashman and Elisheva Nadal's ''Gidi Gezer'' is published.


January

* January 9:
Héctor Germán Oesterheld Héctor Germán Oesterheld, also known as his common abbreviation HGO (born July 23, 1919; disappeared and presumed dead 1977), was an Argentine journalist and writer of graphic novels and comics. He has come to be celebrated as a master in his ...
and
Hugo Pratt Ugo Eugenio Prat, better known as Hugo Pratt (15 June 1927 – 20 August 1995), was an Italian comic book creator who was known for combining strong storytelling with extensive historical research on works such as ''Corto Maltese''. He was indu ...
's '' Sergeant Kirk'' makes its debut in the comics magazine ''Misterix''. *January 20: In the story ''Avventura nell’Utah'' by
Gian Luigi Bonelli Giovanni Luigi Bonelli (22 December 1908 – 12 January 2001) was an Italian comic book author and publisher, best remembered as the co-creator of ''Tex Willer'' in 1948, together with artist Aurelio Galleppini. Career Bonelli was born in Milan. ...
and
Galep Aurelio Galleppini (28 August 1917 – 10 March 1994), better known with his nickname Galep, was an Italian comics artist and illustrator, best known as graphic creator of ''Tex Willer'' in 1948. Biography Galleppini was born at Casale di ...
,
Tex Willer Tex Willer is the main fictional character of the Italian comics series ''Tex'', created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini, and first published in Italy on 30 September 1948. It is among the most popular characters ...
becomes supreme chief of the
Navajo The Navajo (; British English: Navaho; nv, Diné or ') are a Native American people of the Southwestern United States. With more than 399,494 enrolled tribal members , the Navajo Nation is the largest federally recognized tribe in the United ...
under the name ''“Night Eagle”''.


February

* February 7: The first issue of the British comics magazine '' The Topper'' is published, which will run until 15 September 1990. In its first issue David Law's ''
Beryl the Peril Beryl the Peril (or simply Beryl) is a fictional character created by David Law, the creator of Dennis the Menace, for issue 1 of '' The Topper'' comic a Media (communication), medium used to express ideas with images, often combined ...
'' makes its debut. * February 23: 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 un ...
'' story ''De Ring van Petatje'' 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 Petatje makes her debut. * February 24: Byron Aptosoglou publishes ''Mikrós Íros'' (''The Little Hero''), which will run until 18 June 1968. * February 25: The Flemish children's magazine ''Pum-Pum'' becomes a supplement of the newspaper ''
Het Laatste Nieuws ''Het Laatste Nieuws'' (; in English ''The Latest News'') is a Dutch-language newspaper based in Antwerp, Belgium. It was founded by Julius Hoste Sr. on 7 June 1888. It is now part of DPG Media, and is the most popular newspaper in Flanders and ...
''. It will run until 11 January 1967. * In '' Walt Disney’s comics and stories''
Carl Barks Carl Barks (March 27, 1901 – August 25, 2000) was an American cartoonist, author, and painter. He is best known for his work in Disney comic books, as the writer and artist of the first Donald Duck stories and as the creator of Scrooge McDuck ...
' ''
Donald Duck Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known fo ...
'' story ''Flip decision''
April, May and June This list of Donald Duck universe characters focuses on Disney cartoon and comics characters who typically appear with Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck, but are not related to them. For relatives of Donald and Scrooge, see Duck family (Disney) or ...
make their debut.


March

* March 9:
Elliott Caplin Elliot Caplin (December 25, 1913 - February 20, 2000) was a comic strip writer best known as the co-creator (with Stan Drake) of ''The Heart of Juliet Jones''. His name is sometimes spelled with one extra letter: Elliott A. Caplin. He was the you ...
and
Stan Drake Stanley Albert Drake (November 9, 1921 – March 10, 1997) was an American cartoonist best known as the founding artist of the comic strip ''The Heart of Juliet Jones''. Born in Brooklyn, Drake worked in the back of a Dugan's Donut truck for a do ...
's ''
The Heart of Juliet Jones ''The Heart of Juliet Jones'' is an American comic strip series created by Elliott Caplin and drawn by Stan Drake, beginning on March 9, 1953.Brian Walker, "The Times Are A'Changin'", in Dean Mullaney, Bruce Canwell and Brian Walker, ''King of th ...
'' makes its debut. It will run until 1 January 2000. * ''
Jumbo Comics ''Jumbo Comics'' was an adventure anthology comic book published by Fiction House from 1938–1953. ''Jumbo Comics'' was Fiction House's first comics title; the publisher had previously specialized in pulp magazines. The lead feature for ''Jumbo C ...
'' (
1938 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...
series), with issue #167, canceled by Fiction House. * In the ''
Donald Duck Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor shirt and cap with a bow tie. Donald is known fo ...
'' story ''One Shots'' / ''
Back to the Klondike The human back, also called the dorsum, is the large posterior area of the human body, rising from the top of the buttocks to the back of the neck. It is the surface of the body opposite from the chest and the abdomen. The vertebral column runs ...
'' by
Carl Barks Carl Barks (March 27, 1901 – August 25, 2000) was an American cartoonist, author, and painter. He is best known for his work in Disney comic books, as the writer and artist of the first Donald Duck stories and as the creator of Scrooge McDuck ...
Goldie O'Gilt This list of Donald Duck universe characters focuses on Disney cartoon and comics characters who typically appear with Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck, but are not related to them. For relatives of Donald and Scrooge, see Duck family (Disney) o ...
makes her debut.


April

* April 1: The fourth issue of ''
Mad Magazine Mad, mad, or MAD may refer to: Geography * Mad (village), a village in the Dunajská Streda District of Slovakia * Mád, a village in Hungary * Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, by IATA airport code * Mad River (disambiguation), several r ...
'' features
Harvey Kurtzman Harvey Kurtzman (; October 3, 1924 – February 21, 1993) was an American cartoonist and editor. His best-known work includes writing and editing the parodic comic book '' Mad'' from 1952 until 1956, and writing the ''Little Ann ...
and
Wally Wood Wallace Allan Wood (June 17, 1927 – November 2, 1981) was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, widely known for his work on EC Comics's titles such as ''Weird Science (comic), Weird Science'', ''Weird Fantasy'', an ...
's classic ''Superman'' parody ''
Superduperman "Superduperman" is a satirical story by Harvey Kurtzman and Wally Wood that was published in the fourth issue of '' Mad'' (April–May 1953). Lampooning both ''Superman'' and '' Captain Marvel'', it revolutionized the types of stories seen in ''Mad ...
''. This is the first specific comic book parody in Mad and strikes a nerve among readers. The previously low-selling ''Mad'' now finally becomes a best-seller. * April 18:
Barrie Appleby Barrie Appleby is a British comics artist who works mainly for Scottish publisher D. C. Thomson & Co., drawing strips such as Dennis the Menace and Roger the Dodger for ''The Beano'' since the 1970s. He has also drawn Cuddles and Dimples for ' ...
's ''
Roger the Dodger Roger "the Dodger" Dawson is a comic strip character from the comic magazine ''The Beano''. He first appeared in his eponymous comic strip in 1953, and is one of the longest-running characters, known for his tactics of avoiding responsibility a ...
'' makes its debut in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
''. * April 30: The first issue of Chez Nous Junior, a junior supplement to the Belgian magazine Chez Nous and a French-language version of the Dutch-language magazine ''
Ons Volkske ''Ons Volkske'' (literally: "Our little people") was the youth supplement of the Flemish newspaper ''Ons Volk Ontwaakt''. It was published without interruption from 1932 until 1988, except for the years during World War II. The magazine was notabl ...
'' is published. In the first issue
Tibet Tibet (; ''Böd''; ) is a region in East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are some other ethnic groups such as Monpa people, ...
's ''
Chick Bill ''Chick Bill'' is a Belgian humorous Western comic book series created by Tibet. It was first published in 1953 in the magazine ''Chez Nous Junior'', and its Dutch language counterpart '' Ons Volkske'', and began serial publication on October 19, 1 ...
'' makes its debut, albeit in a
talking animal A talking animal or speaking animal is any non-human animal that can produce sounds or gestures resembling those of a human language. Several species or groups of animals have developed forms of communication which superficially resemble verbal ...
comic strip version. The cast will be humanized two years later. * ''
Master Comics ''Master Comics'' was a monthly ongoing comic book anthology series that began its 133-issue run (cover dated March 1940 – April 1953) during the 1930s and 1940s period known as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Published by Fawcett Comics, it conta ...
'', with issue #133, cancelled by Fawcett.


May

* May 30: 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 wid ...
' ''
Peanuts ''Peanuts'' is a print syndication, syndicated daily strip, daily and Sunday strip, 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. ' ...
'' Lucy van Pelt is first seen trying to get
Schroeder __NOTOC__ Schroeder is a North German (from Schröder) occupational name for a cloth cutter or tailor, from an agent derivative of Middle Low German , "to cut". The same term was occasionally used to denote a gristmiller as well as a shoemaker, w ...
's romantic attention. 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 not ...
in the series.Rolf Kauka Rolf Kauka (9 April 1917 in Markranstädt, Saxony – 13 September 2000 in Thomasville, Georgia) was a comic artist, most famous for the series ''Fix and Foxi''. In 1951, Rolf Kauka founded Kauka Publishing. Aside from Rolf Kauka's original comic ...
's ''
Fix and Foxi ''Fix und Foxi'' was a weekly German comics magazine created by Rolf Kauka, which ran uninterrupted from 1953 until 1994. Re-christened ''Fix & Foxi'', it was relaunched as a monthly magazine in 2000, 2005 and 2010 respectively. Since the end of 2 ...
'' makes its debut.


June

* ''
Whiz Comics ''Whiz Comics'' was an anthology comic book series published by former American comic book publishing company, Fawcett Publications between February 1940 until June 1953. It is widely known for being the comic run in which hugely popular superhero ...
'', with issue #155, canceled by Fawcett. * ''
Captain Marvel Jr. Captain Marvel Jr. (Frederick "Freddy" Freeman) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. A member of the Marvel/Shazam Family team of superheroes associated with Captain Marvel/Shazam, he was created by Ed H ...
'', with issue #118, canceled by Fawcett.


July

* ''
Lorna the Jungle Girl Lorna the Jungle Girl, initially called Lorna the Jungle Queen, is a comic book jungle girl protagonist created by writer Don Rico and artist Werner Roth. She debuted in ''Lorna the Jungle Queen'' #1 (July 1953), published by Marvel Comics' 1950s ...
'', issue #1, created by
Don Rico Donato Francisco Rico II (September 26, 1912 – March 27, 1985) was an American paperback novelist, screenwriter, wood engraver and comic book writer-artist, who co-created the Marvel Comics characters the Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) with plot ...
and Werner Roth.


August

* August 8: In David Law's ''
Dennis the Menace and Gnasher ''Dennis the Menace and Gnasher'' (originally titled ''Dennis the Menace'' and currently titled ''Dennis and Gnasher)'' is a long-running comic strip in the British children's comic ''The Beano'', published by DC Thomson, of Dundee, Scotland. ...
'' Walter Brown makes his debut. * August 29:
Mars Ravelo Marcial "Mars" Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist who created ''Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman'', ''Bondying'', '' Varga'', ''Wanted: Perfect Mother'', ''Hiwag ...
's ''
Bondying Bondying is a comic book character created by Filipino graphic novelist Mars Ravelo and first introduced by Pilipino Komiks on August 29, 1953. He is a large person who is still considered a baby. Character history Comic books Films *In 1954, Fr ...
'' makes its debut.


September

* September 12: The final issue of the British comics magazine ''
Illustrated Chips ''Illustrated Chips'' was a British comic magazine published between 26 July 1890 and 12 September 1953. Its publisher was the Amalgamated Press, run by Alfred Harmsworth. Priced at a half-penny, ''Illustrated Chips'' was among a number of Harm ...
'' is published and merges with ''
Film Fun ''Film Fun'' was a British celebrity comics comic book that ran from (issues dates) 17 January 1920 to 15 September 1962, when it merged with ''Buster (comic), Buster'', a total of 2,225 issues. There were also annuals in the forties and fiftie ...
''. * September 19:
Paddy Brennan Paddy Brennan (born c. 1930) is an Irish people, Irish comics artist who worked mainly in the UK, drawing adventure strips for D. C. Thomson & Co. titles. He was a freelancer, working six months of the year in Dublin and six months in London.Pet ...
's ''
General Jumbo General Jumbo is a British adventure story character from the comic magazine ''The Beano''. He starred in the eponymous adventure story series, as well as the 1971 spin-off series ''Admiral Jumbo'', and was illustrated by a variety of ''Beano ...
'' makes its debut in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
''. * September 22: The passing of
H. T. Webster Harold Tucker Webster (September 21, 1885 – September 22, 1952) was an American cartoonist known for '' The Timid Soul'', ''Bridge'', ''Life's Darkest Moments'' and others in his syndicated series which ran from the 1920s into the 1950s. Because ...
also means the end of his long-running comic strip ''Timid Soul'', better known under the name of its protagonist, Casper Milquetoast. * The British comics magazine ''
Comic Cuts ''Comic Cuts'' was a British comic magazine. It was published from 1890 to 1953, lasting for 3006 issues. It was created by the reporter Alfred Harmsworth through his company Amalgamated Press (AP). In its early days, it inspired other publishe ...
'' is disestablished and merges with ''
Knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...
''. * The first issue of ''
Little Dot Little Dot is a comic book character published by Harvey Comics about a little girl who is obsessed with dots, spots, and round, colorful objects. She was created in 1949 by writer Alfred Harvey and artist Vic Herman. Publication history Dot fi ...
'' is published, in which Richie Rich makes his debut. *
Joe Kubert Joseph Kubert (; September 18, 1926 – August 12, 2012) was a Poland, Polish-born Americans, 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 Hawkm ...
and
Norman Maurer Norman Albert Maurer (May 13, 1926 – November 23, 1986) was a comic book artist and writer, and a director and producer of films and television shows. Comic books Maurer's lifelong association with the Three Stooges began about the time ...
's ''
Tor Tor, TOR or ToR may refer to: Places * Tor, Pallars, a village in Spain * Tor, former name of Sloviansk, Ukraine, a city * Mount Tor, Tasmania, Australia, an extinct volcano * Tor Bay, Devon, England * Tor River, Western New Guinea, Indonesia Sc ...
'' makes its debut.


October

* October 1: The first issues of the Dutch children's and comics magazines ''Okki'' and ''Taptoe'' are published. The magazines will run until 2016. * October 10:
Leo Baxendale Joseph Leo Baxendale (27 October 1930 – 23 April 2017) was an English cartoonist and publisher. Baxendale wrote and drew several titles. Among his best-known creations are the ''The Beano, Beano'' comic strip, strips ''Little Plum'', ''Minnie ...
's ''
Little Plum Little Plum (full name revealed to be Little Plum Stealing Varmint) is a British humoristic western comics series about a little Native American, originally created by Leo Baxendale and published in the magazine ''The Beano''. Concept The epon ...
'' makes its debut in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
''.


November

* ''
Captain Marvel Adventures ''Captain Marvel Adventures'' was a long running comic book anthology series by Fawcett Comics, starring Captain Marvel during the Golden Age of Comic Books. Publication history The series was the first solo series starring the superhero after he ...
'' (
1941 Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January–August – 10,072 men, women and children with mental and physical disabilities are asphyxiated with carbon monoxide in a gas chamber, at Hadamar Eu ...
series), with issue #150, canceled by
Fawcett Comics Fawcett Comics, a division of Fawcett Publications, was one of several successful comic book publishers during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1940s. Its most popular character was Captain Marvel, the alter ego of radio reporter Billy Bats ...
. * ''
Hopalong Cassidy Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by the author Clarence E. Mulford, who wrote a series of short stories and novels based on the character. Mulford portrayed the character as rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. He was ...
'', with issue #85, canceled by
Fawcett Comics Fawcett Comics, a division of Fawcett Publications, was one of several successful comic book publishers during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1940s. Its most popular character was Captain Marvel, the alter ego of radio reporter Billy Bats ...
. * ''
Two-Gun Kid The Two-Gun Kid is the name of two Western fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first, Clay Harder, was introduced in a 1948 comic from Marvel predecessor Timely Comics. The second, Matt Hawk a. ...
'' (
1948 Events January * January 1 ** The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is inaugurated. ** The Constitution of New Jersey (later subject to amendment) goes into effect. ** The railways of Britain are nationalized, to form British ...
series), with issue #11, revived by Marvel. * ''
Weird Fantasy ''Weird Fantasy'' is an American dark fantasy and science fiction anthology comic that was part of the EC Comics line in the early 1950s. The companion comic for ''Weird Fantasy'' was '' Weird Science''. Over a four-year span, ''Weird Fantasy'' ra ...
'', with issue #22, merges with '' Weird Science'' to become ''
Weird Science-Fantasy ''Weird Science-Fantasy'' was an American science fiction-fantasy anthology comic, that was part of the EC Comics line in the early 1950s. Over a 14-month span, the comic ran for seven issues, starting in March 1954 with issue #23 and ending with ...
'' (
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-195 ...
)


December

* December 4: The ''
Spirou and 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 ...
'' story ''La Turbotraction'' is first prepublished in '' Spirou''. Halfway the story
Seccotine Seccotine is a recurring character from the ''Spirou et Fantasio'' comics, and the first major female character of the series, a strong-willed reporter. She was created by André Franquin, and made her first appearance in ''La turbotraction'' ser ...
the journalist makes her debut. * December 19:
Leo Baxendale Joseph Leo Baxendale (27 October 1930 – 23 April 2017) was an English cartoonist and publisher. Baxendale wrote and drew several titles. Among his best-known creations are the ''The Beano, Beano'' comic strip, strips ''Little Plum'', ''Minnie ...
's ''
Minnie the Minx Minnie the Minx, whose real name is Hermione Makepeace is a comic strip character published in the British comic magazine ''The Beano''. Created and originally drawn by Leo Baxendale, she first appeared in issue 596, dated 19 December 1953, ma ...
'' makes its debut in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
''. * December 23:
Willy Vandersteen Willy Vandersteen (15 February 1913 – 28 August 1990) was a Belgian creator of comic books. In a career spanning 50 years, he created a large studio and published more than 1,000 comic albums in over 25 series, selling more than 200 million co ...
's gag comic '' 't Prinske'' debuts in ''
Tintin Tintin or Tin Tin may refer to: ''The Adventures of Tintin'' * ''The Adventures of Tintin'', a comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé ** Tintin (character), a fictional character in the series ** ''The Adventures of Tintin'' (film), 2011, ...
''. * The long-running comics series ''Waddles'' is discontinued. Ray Carlson and Carol Hager had continued it since 1945.


Births


April

* April 3:
Pieter Aspe Pieter Aspe (officially ''Pierre Aspeslag''; 3 April 1953 – 1 May 2021) was a Belgian writer of a series of detective stories starring inspector Pieter Van In. These were adapted for the long-running TV series (2004–14) starring . He died ...
, Belgian novelist and comics writer (wrote comics in collaboration with cartoonists like Kim Duchateau, Marec,
Merho Merho, born Robert Merhottein on 24 October 1948, is a Belgian comic-book writer and artist, best known for creating the comic strip ''De Kiekeboes''. Early life Robert Merhottein was born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1948.De Weyer, Geert (2005). "Mer ...
and Patrick van Oppen ), (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 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
).


Deaths


January

* January 5: Ramiz Gökçe, Turkish comics artist (''Tombul Teyze and Sıska Dayı''), dies at age 52. * January 12: Wilfred R. Cyr, American comics artist (''Cabin Boy'' ''Exploits of Eve''), passes away at age 73. * January 23: ** Raymond De La Nezière, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 85. ** Albert Hahn Jr., Dutch illustrator, caricaturist and comics artist (made text comics for '' De Notenkraker''), dies at age 68.


February

* February 14: Mary Bergman, wife of cartoonist
Billy DeBeck William Morgan DeBeck (April 15, 1890 – November 11, 1942), better known as Billy DeBeck, was an American cartoonist. He is most famous as the creator of the comic strip ''Barney Google'', later retitled ''Barney Google and Snuffy Smith'' ...
and establisher of the annual Billy De Beck Awards, dies in a plane crash.


April

* April 18:
Frank Reynolds Frank James Reynolds (November 29, 1923 – July 20, 1983) was an American television journalist for CBS and ABC News. Reynolds was a New York–based anchor of the ''ABC Evening News'' from 1968 to 1970 and later was the Washington, D.C. ...
, British cartoonist and illustrator (''The Bristlewoods''), dies at age 67.


May

* May 5: Dick Dorgan, American comics artist (''Kid Dugan'', ''Colonel Gilfeather'', continued ''You Know Me, Al''), dies at age 60. * May 11: Hermann Schütz, German painter, illustrator and comic artist (''Der Contibuben''), dies at age 77. * May 25: Charles Quinlan, aka Carl Quinn, American comics artist (worked for Funnies Inc., L.B. Cole Studio and Sangor Studio), dies at age 52.


June

* June 20: Émile-Joseph Pinchon, French comics artist (''
Bécassine ''Bécassine'' is a French comic strip and the name of its heroine, appearing for the first time in the first issue of ''La Semaine de Suzette'' on February 2, 1905. She is considered one of the first female protagonists in the history of French ...
''), dies at age 72.


July

* July 24: Eelco Harmsen van der Beek, Dutch illustrator and comics artist (''Flipje van Tiel''), dies at age 56. * July 31:
Kornel Makuszyński Kornel Makuszyński (; 8 January 1884 – 31 July 1953) was a Polish writer of children's and youth literature. Dorota Piasecka. ''Proza Kornela Makuszyńskiego dla młodego odbiorcy: zarys problematyki''. PWN. 1984. pp. 11, 34. He was an elected ...
, Polish novelist and comics writer (''
Koziołek Matołek Koziołek Matołek (Matołek the Billy-Goat) is a fictional character created by Kornel Makuszyński (story) and Marian Walentynowicz (art) in one of the first and most famous Polish comics back in 1933. It became a cult classic, popular since its ...
''), dies at age 69.


October

* October 2: Les Forgrave, American comics artist (''Big Sister'') and writer (''Aladdin Junior'', ''Secrets of Magic''), passes away at age 71. * October 21: George Kerr, American comics artist and illustrator (''Santa Claus Funnies''), dies at age 84.


November

* November 29:
Karl Arnold Karl Arnold (21 March 1901 – 29 June 1958) was a German politician. He was Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia from 1947 to 1956. Early life and education Arnold was born in Herrlishöfen in Württemberg on 21 March 1901. He was tra ...
, German painter, caricaturist and comics artist (made various comics for
Simplicissimus :''Simplicissimus is also a name for the 1668 novel Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus, Simplicius Simplicissimus and its protagonist.'' ''Simplicissimus'' () was a satire, satirical German language, German weekly magazine, headquartered in Munich ...
), dies at age 70. * November 29:
Milt Gross Milt Gross (; March 4, 1895 – November 29, 1953) was an American cartoonist and animator. His work is noted for its exaggerated cartoon style and Yiddish-inflected English dialogue. He originated the non-sequitur "Banana Oil!" as a phrase defla ...
, American comics artist (''
He Done Her Wrong ''He Done Her Wrong'' is a wordless novel written by American cartoonist Milt Gross and published in 1930. It was not as successful as some of Gross's earlier works, notably his book ''Nize Baby'' (1926) based on his newspaper comic strips. ''He ...
'', ''
Count Screwloose Count Screwloose is a character in the comic strip ''Count Screwloose from Tooloose'' by Milt Gross, introduced on February 17, 1929. The count is portrayed as a mentally ill man who frequently leaves Nuttycrest Sanitarium, the insane asylum where ...
''), passes away at age 58.


December

* December 17:
Stephen Slesinger Stephen Slesinger (December 25, 1901 – December 17, 1953) was an American radio, television and film producer, creator of comic strip characters and the father of the licensing industry. From 1923 to 1953, he created, produced, published, develo ...
, American radio, film and TV producer and comics writer (''
Red Ryder Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondary ...
'', ''
King of the Royal Mounted ''King of the Royal Mounted'' is an American comics series which debuted February 17, 1935 by Stephen Slesinger, based on popular Western writer Zane Grey's byline and marketed as ''Zane Grey's King of the Royal Mounted''. The series' protagonist i ...
''), dies at age 51. * December 25:
William Haselden William Kerridge Haselden (3December 187225December 1953) was an English cartoonist and caricaturist. He was the second of five children of Adolphe Henry Haselden and his wife Susan Elizabeth (née Kerridge). Haselden's parents were both Engl ...
, British caricaturist, cartoonist and comics artist (''The Sad Experiences of Big and Little Willie''), dies at age 81.


Specific date unknown

* Curt Junghändel, German illustrator, dies at age 78 or 79. * Leon Kern, French caricaturist and comics artist (''La Famille Pouic''), dies at age 69 or 70.


First issues by title


Atlas Comics Atlas Comics may refer to * Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic book, comic-book publishing label that evolved into Marvel Comics. Magazine and mass market paperback, paperback novel publisher Martin Goodman (publisher), Martin ...
/Marvel Comics

*'' Bible Tales for Young Folk'' *'' Buck Duck'' *''
Crazy Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors performed by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can be manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or t ...
'' *''
Homer Hooper Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
'' *'' Little Lizzie'' *''
Lorna the Jungle Queen Lorna the Jungle Girl, initially called Lorna the Jungle Queen, is a comic book jungle girl protagonist created by writer Don Rico and artist Werner Roth. She debuted in ''Lorna the Jungle Queen'' #1 (July 1953), published by Marvel Comics' 1950s ...
'' * '' Menace'' (Mar.) *'' Monkey and the Bear, The'' *'' Patsy and her Pals'' *''
Secret Story Romances Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controvers ...
'' *'' Speed Carter, Spaceman'' *''
Wendy Parker Comics Wendy is a given name now generally given to girls in English-speaking countries. In Britain, Wendy appeared as a masculine name in a parish record in 1615. It was also used as a surname in Britain from at least the 17th century. Its popularity ...
''


Other publishers

* ''
Atomic Mouse Atomic Mouse is a talking animal superhero created in 1953 by Al Fago for Charlton Comics. Publication history Created by writer-artist Al Fago, Atomic Mouse debuted in Charlton Comics' ''Atomic Mouse'' #1 (cover-dated March 1953).Charlton Comics Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1945 to 1986, having begun under a different name: T.W.O. Charles Company, in 1940. It was based in Derby, Connecticut. The comic-book line was a division of Charlton ...
* ''
Classics Illustrated Junior ''Classics Illustrated Junior'' is a comic book series of seventy-seven fairy and folk tale, myth and legend comic book adaptations created by Albert Lewis Kanter as a Spin-off (media), spin-off of his flagship comic book line ''Classics Illustrate ...
'' (Oct.) — Gilberton * ''
Little Dot Little Dot is a comic book character published by Harvey Comics about a little girl who is obsessed with dots, spots, and round, colorful objects. She was created in 1949 by writer Alfred Harvey and artist Vic Herman. Publication history Dot fi ...
'' (Sept.) —
Harvey Comics Harvey Comics (also known as Harvey World Famous Comics, Harvey Publications, Harvey Comics Entertainment, Harvey Hits, Harvey Illustrated Humor, and Harvey Picture Magazines) was an American comic book publisher, founded in New York City by Alfr ...
*''
Princess Knight ''Princess Knight'', also known as ''Ribon no Kishi'' is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. This manga follows the adventures of Sapphire, a girl who was born accidentally with a blue heart of a boy and a pin ...
'', by
Osamu Tezuka Osamu Tezuka (, born , ''Tezuka Osamu''; – 9 February 1989) was a Japanese manga artist, cartoonist, and animator. Born in Osaka Prefecture, his prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such ...
, first serialized in
Kodansha is a Japanese privately-held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha is the largest Japanese publishing company, and it produces the manga magazines ''Nakayoshi'', ''Afternoon'', ''Evening'', ''Weekly Shōnen Magazine'' an ...
's ''
Shōjo Club was a monthly Japanese (girls) magazine. Founded by the publishing company Kodansha in 1923 as a sister publication to its magazine ''Shōnen Club'', the magazine published articles, short stories, illustrations, poems, and manga. ''Shōjo Clu ...
'' (Jan.) * '' The Topper'' #1 (Feb. 7) - D.C. Thomson and Co. * ''
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 Du ...
'' (Dec.) —
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"Wh ...


Renamed titles


Atlas Comics Atlas Comics may refer to * Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic book, comic-book publishing label that evolved into Marvel Comics. Magazine and mass market paperback, paperback novel publisher Martin Goodman (publisher), Martin ...
/Marvel Comics

*'' Battle Brady #10'' renamed from '' Men in Action'' *'' Bible Tales for Young People #3'' renamed from '' Bible Tales for Young Folk'' *'' Combat Casey #6'' renamed from ''
War Combat War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular ...
'' *''
Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As ...
#50'' renamed from '' Miss America Magazine'' *'' Young Men'' #21 renamed from ''
Young Men on the Battlefield Young may refer to: * Offspring, the product of reproduction of a new organism produced by one or more parents * Youth, the time of life when one is young, often meaning the time between childhood and adulthood Music * The Young, an American roc ...
'' *'' Young Men in Action'' #24 renamed from '' Young Men''


Other publishers

*''
United States Marines The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through com ...
'' #7-11 renamed from '' Fighting Leathernecks'' -
Toby Press Toby Press was an American comic-book company that published from 1949 to 1955. Founded by Elliott Caplin, brother of cartoonist Al Capp and himself an established comic strip writer, the company published reprints of Capp's ''Li'l Abner'' strip; ...


Initial appearances by character name


DC Thomson & Co.

*
Beryl the Peril Beryl the Peril (or simply Beryl) is a fictional character created by David Law, the creator of Dennis the Menace, for issue 1 of '' The Topper'' comic a Media (communication), medium used to express ideas with images, often combined ...
, in '' The Topper'' #1 (Feb. 7) *
General Jumbo General Jumbo is a British adventure story character from the comic magazine ''The Beano''. He starred in the eponymous adventure story series, as well as the 1971 spin-off series ''Admiral Jumbo'', and was illustrated by a variety of ''Beano ...
, in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
'' #583 (19 Sept.) *
Little Plum Little Plum (full name revealed to be Little Plum Stealing Varmint) is a British humoristic western comics series about a little Native American, originally created by Leo Baxendale and published in the magazine ''The Beano''. Concept The epon ...
, in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
'' #586 (10 Oct.) *
Minnie the Minx Minnie the Minx, whose real name is Hermione Makepeace is a comic strip character published in the British comic magazine ''The Beano''. Created and originally drawn by Leo Baxendale, she first appeared in issue 596, dated 19 December 1953, ma ...
, in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
'' #596 (19 Dec.) *
Roger the Dodger Roger "the Dodger" Dawson is a comic strip character from the comic magazine ''The Beano''. He first appeared in his eponymous comic strip in 1953, and is one of the longest-running characters, known for his tactics of avoiding responsibility a ...
, in ''
The Beano ''The Beano'' (formerly ''The Beano Comic'', also known as ''Beano'') is a British anthology comic magazine created by Scottish publishing company DC Thomson. Its first issue was published on 30 July 1938, and it became the world's longest-runn ...
'' #561 (18 Apr.)


Other publishers

*
Atomic Mouse Atomic Mouse is a talking animal superhero created in 1953 by Al Fago for Charlton Comics. Publication history Created by writer-artist Al Fago, Atomic Mouse debuted in Charlton Comics' ''Atomic Mouse'' #1 (cover-dated March 1953).Atomic Mouse Atomic Mouse is a talking animal superhero created in 1953 by Al Fago for Charlton Comics. Publication history Created by writer-artist Al Fago, Atomic Mouse debuted in Charlton Comics' ''Atomic Mouse'' #1 (cover-dated March 1953).Charlton Comics Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1945 to 1986, having begun under a different name: T.W.O. Charles Company, in 1940. It was based in Derby, Connecticut. The comic-book line was a division of Charlton ...
, Mar.) *
Captain 3-D Captain 3-D is a 1953 superhero in comic books published by Harvey Comics. Created by the team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character marked an early attempt to produce a 3-D comic book. Publication history Created by the writing and art t ...
, in ''
Captain 3-D Captain 3-D is a 1953 superhero in comic books published by Harvey Comics. Created by the team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character marked an early attempt to produce a 3-D comic book. Publication history Created by the writing and art t ...
'' #1 (
Harvey Comics Harvey Comics (also known as Harvey World Famous Comics, Harvey Publications, Harvey Comics Entertainment, Harvey Hits, Harvey Illustrated Humor, and Harvey Picture Magazines) was an American comic book publisher, founded in New York City by Alfr ...
, Dec.) *
Captain Harlock is a fictional character and protagonist of the ''Space Pirate Captain Harlock'' manga series created by Leiji Matsumoto. Harlock is the archetypical Romantic hero, a space pirate with an individualist philosophy of life. He is as noble as he ...
, in '' Adventures of a Honeybee'' *
Little Lotta Little Lotta is a fictional character published by Harvey Comics from 1953 to 1972, and then sporadically until 1993. A contemporary of Little Audrey, Little Dot and Wendy the Good Little Witch, she was one of Harvey's best-known female characters ...
, in ''
Little Dot Little Dot is a comic book character published by Harvey Comics about a little girl who is obsessed with dots, spots, and round, colorful objects. She was created in 1949 by writer Alfred Harvey and artist Vic Herman. Publication history Dot fi ...
'' #1 (
Harvey Comics Harvey Comics (also known as Harvey World Famous Comics, Harvey Publications, Harvey Comics Entertainment, Harvey Hits, Harvey Illustrated Humor, and Harvey Picture Magazines) was an American comic book publisher, founded in New York City by Alfr ...
, Sept.) * Richie Rich, in ''
Little Dot Little Dot is a comic book character published by Harvey Comics about a little girl who is obsessed with dots, spots, and round, colorful objects. She was created in 1949 by writer Alfred Harvey and artist Vic Herman. Publication history Dot fi ...
'' #1 (
Harvey Comics Harvey Comics (also known as Harvey World Famous Comics, Harvey Publications, Harvey Comics Entertainment, Harvey Hits, Harvey Illustrated Humor, and Harvey Picture Magazines) was an American comic book publisher, founded in New York City by Alfr ...
, Sept.) *
Ringo Kid The Ringo Kid is a fictional Western appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. His comic book series was originally released by the company's 1950s predecessor, Atlas Comics. A lesser-known character than the company's Kid Colt ...
, in '' The Ringo Kid Western'' #1 (
Atlas Comics Atlas Comics may refer to * Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic book, comic-book publishing label that evolved into Marvel Comics. Magazine and mass market paperback, paperback novel publisher Martin Goodman (publisher), Martin ...
, Aug.) *
Superduperman "Superduperman" is a satirical story by Harvey Kurtzman and Wally Wood that was published in the fourth issue of '' Mad'' (April–May 1953). Lampooning both ''Superman'' and '' Captain Marvel'', it revolutionized the types of stories seen in ''Mad ...
, in '' Mad'' #4 (EC, Apr./May) *
Zombie A zombie (Haitian French: , ht, zonbi) is a mythological undead corporeal revenant created through the reanimation of a corpse. Zombies are most commonly found in horror and fantasy genre works. The term comes from Haitian folklore, in whic ...
, in '' Menace'' #5 (
Atlas Comics Atlas Comics may refer to * Atlas Comics (1950s) Atlas Comics is the 1950s comic book, comic-book publishing label that evolved into Marvel Comics. Magazine and mass market paperback, paperback novel publisher Martin Goodman (publisher), Martin ...
, July)


References

{{reflist 1950s comics