Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles and ends, this time for February 12-18, 2016...

90 years ago February 18, 1926 Marvel artist Joe Maneely is born. He is co-creator of Black Knight, Ringo Kid, Yellow Claw, and Jimmy Woo.

85 years ago February 18, 1931 Cartoonist Johnny Hart is born. He creates B.C. and co-creates Wizard of Id.

50 years ago February 12, 1966 Marketer Lou Bank is born. He works for Marvel and then Dark Horse and co-founds the Ten Angry Pitbulls marketing and design firm.

40 years ago February 14, 1976 Action begins with #1. Yeah, it’s not DC’s series (which preceded it by more than three decades). This British weekly comes from IPC Magazines Ltd., is “the sensational paper for boys!”—and offers a free “red arrow” insert: “Just watch it fly!”

40 years ago February 14, 1976 Bullet begins with #1. It’s from D.C. Thomson & Co. Ltd., and the British weekly is “The new rough tough action story paper for boys!” It offers inside “this super secret sign ring plus 16 stick-on embossed symbols.” This bonus just might have the edge over a paper airplane. On the other hand, I’m still trying to figure out how both Action and Bullet #1 can be dated February 14 although Action comes out on Monday, and Bullet comes out on Tuesday. Oh, and February 14, 1976, was actually a Saturday, according to the Internet. Guess you had to be there?

20 years ago February 13, 1996 Artist Cara Sherman-Tereno dies of leukemia at age 44. She drew such characters as DC’s Wonder Woman and Arion and First Comics’ Evangeline.

10 years ago February 13, 2006 Cartoonist, painter, author, and actor Brummett Echohawk dies at age 83.

10 years ago February 18, 2006 Giovanni Gandini dies at age 76. The writer, artist, and editor was founder of the Italian “magazine of comics and illustration” linus.