Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles and ends, this time for August 26-September 1, 2016...

145 years ago August 29, 1871 Influential writer and artist Jack Butler Yeats is born. In 1893, he creates what has been called the first serial comic strip, “Chubblock Homes,” for Comic Cuts but eventually focuses on painting.

105 years ago August 26, 1911 Otto Binder is born. The brother of Jack Binder, the Fawcett writer and co-author of “Adam Link” creates and co-creates many comics characters.

90 years ago September 1, 1926 Arab News cartoonist Emil V. Abrahamian is born.

90 years ago September 1, 1926 Artist Gene Colan is born. His work includes Avengers, Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula, and Batman.

80 years ago August 30, 1936 This day kicks off the installment of the Silly Symphonies newspaper feature that is the first to star Donald Duck as its lead.

70 years ago August 27, 1946 Underground comix writer-artist, comic book publisher, and creators’ agent Denis Kitchen is born.

70 years ago August 31, 1946 Writer-artist Rick Parker is born. His work ranges from the Beavis and Butt-Head comic book to Marvel production work and PaperCutz’ new Tales from the Crypt.

50 years ago August 27, 1966 Writer-artist Phil Hester is born. He works for many companies, including BOOM! Studios and Dynamite, and creates 2008’s El Diablo for DC.

50 years ago August 28, 1966 Artist Keith Quinn is born.

35 years ago September 1, 1981 DC Vice President of Production Jack Adler retires after 31 years with the company.

10 years ago August 30, 2006 Colorist Bob LeRose dies of emphysema complications at age 85.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of September...

75 years ago September 1941 The first magician comic book series begins with Street and Smith’s Super-Magician Comics #2. (Yeah, I know. It starts with #2. Just because is why.) “The Mysterious Blackstone matches black magic with the wild tribes of Africa,” it says here. Where it also says he’s the “world’s greatest magician.” Harry Blackstone (1885-1965) is a real magician, by the way. And the Blackstone stories are written by his buddy, Walter B. Gibson. Neat, right?

75 years ago September 1941 He’s been appearing in Walter Lantz cartoons for a couple of years, but Andy Panda’s first appearance in comic books comes in Dell’s Crackajack Funnies #39. They don’t even mention him on the cover. Aw.

75 years ago September 1941 America’s entry into World War II is months away, but there are a bunch more military and America-champ intros in comic books this month. They include Captain Courageous and Lone Warrior (Ace’s Banner Comics #3, which is the first issue; see above), Captain Flag (Archie’s Blue Ribbon Comics #16), The Fighting Yank (Standard’s Startling Comics #10), Star Spangled Kid and Stripesy (in a promo ad in DC’s Action Comics #40), and Yankee Doodle Jones (in Chesler/Dynamic’s Yankee Comics #1). There are stars and stripes all over the place.

75 years ago September 1941 Dr. Fate gets the cover, but it’s Johnny Quick whom writer-editor Mort Weisinger introduces in DC’s More Fun Comics #71. 3X2(9YZ)4A!

75 years ago September 1941 It calls them “Captain Marvel’s Squadron of Justice!” on the cover. This is the first appearance of the Lieutenants Marvel, and it’s in Fawcett’s Whiz Comics #21. (While the issue is dated September 5, there’s only one September issue in 1941, so let’s just call it “September 1941.”) Fat Billy, Hill Billy, and Tall Billy Batson are drawn by C.C. Beck in “The Vengeful Four.” The fourth wall is a bit broken in the story, by the way.

75 years ago September 1941 The first appearance of Shining Knight occurs in DC’s Adventure Comics #66. Sir Justin wears a suit of chainmail, rides a winged horse named Victory, and possesses special powers via an enchanted sword Merlin gives him. The story is by Henry Lynne Perkins and Creig Flessel.

75 years ago September 1941 The first appearance of Wilbur is in a story by Harvey Willard and Lin Streeter in Archie’s Zip Comics #18. (He’ll get his own series three years later.)

70 years ago September 1946 Miss Masque is introduced in Standard’s Exciting Comics #51. “The Case of the Mad Miser!” is drawn by Lin Streeter.

65 years ago September 1951 Lulu introduces “That Awful Witch Hazel” in a story she tells Alvin in Dell’s Little Lulu #39, after he declares he’s running away from home. (“I wanna make my fortune before I get too old!”) She warns, “Hazel is a witch who lives in the woods and grabs little kids who run away from home.” Watch out, Alvin! Hazel may not have held onto Lulu, but she’s going to take over storytime!

60 years ago September 1956 Hey, trumpeters! Let’s have that fanfare now! Though few set off celebratory fireworks at the time, it’s the start of the Silver Age with DC’s Showcase #4 which introduces the revamp of the Golden Age Flash, this time known as Barry Allen. “Whirlwind adventures of the Fastest Man Alive!” says the cover. (We all should have bought multiple copies then and there, right?) “Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!” is by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Kubert. And “The Man Who Broke the Time Barrier!” is by John Broome, Infantino, and Kubert. Wait five years.

55 years ago September 1961 Where did those trumpeters go? OK, hit it again, guys! In “Flash of Two Worlds,” written by Gardner F. Fox and drawn by Carmine Infantino (in DC’s The Flash #123), you know what happens? Yep, it’s Earth-Two and the multiverse, not to mention Jay Garrick as The Golden Age Flash appearing as himself in the Silver Age.

55 years ago September 1961 Hey, it was a cool time. DC’s Showcase #34 introduces the Silver Age Atom (way different from the Golden Age super-guy of the same name, just saying). “Birth of The Atom!” is by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Murphy Anderson. (You already know, I hope, that the “Ray Palmer” name is in tribute to an influential editor of science fiction pulps, right?)

50 years ago September 1966 It’s the first appearance of Archie as Pureheart the Powerful in (Now, let me think. Oh, yes.) Archie as Pureheart the Powerful #1. “Mite and Maim” is by Frank Doyle, Bob White, and Mario Acquaviva.

50 years ago September 1966 After 15 years of continuous publication, DC suspends publication of Mystery in Space with #110. The Multi-Alien can’t save it (even though the suspiciously similar Metamorpho, introduced at about the same time as Ultra, seems to be doing OK). Sigh.

50 years ago September 1966 Ego the Living Planet first appears in Marvel’s Thor #132. “Rigel: Where Gods May Fear to Tread!” is by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Vince Colletta.

40 years ago September 1976 The influential Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art begins its first classes in Dover, NJ. Students include Stephen Bissette, Tom Yeates, and Rick Veitch.

40 years ago September 1976 Remember when Marvel comics were “still only 25¢?” Well, forget it. Marvel raises prices from 25¢ to 30¢, keeping the page count at 36. Don’t worry. I’m sure the price won’t ever go up again.

30 years ago September 1986 DC cancels Superman with #423 after 47 years of continuous publication. The issue features the first part of the two-part “Imaginary Story” by Alan Moore (drawn by Curt Swan and George Pérez) “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” (The tale concludes in Action #583.) (Fear not. The title will relaunch with Adventures of Superman #424, dated January 1987).

30 years ago September 1986 Speaking of Alan Moore, he and Dave Gibbons kick off DC’s Watchmen limited series, introducing The Comedian, Doctor Manhattan, Nite Owl, Ozymandias, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, Hooded Justice, and Captain Metropolis.

30 years ago September 1986 The character has yet to be fully revealed, but [Spoiler!] it’s Venom who’s introduced in Marvel’s Web of Spider-Man #18. “The Longest Road!” is by David Michelinie, Marc Silvestri, and Kyle Baker.

25 years ago September 1991 Sorry, but Archie’s Everything’s Archie #157 is the last issue. On the other hand, I think you can track down other Archie titles on the comics racks, if you look.

25 years ago September 1991 Wizard #1 carries a Todd McFarlane cover combining Spider-Man with a wizard’s costume and wand. The issue features a McFarlane interview, previews of “new hot comics,” and a “Silver Age to present” price guide.

20 years ago September 1996 Writer-artist Rob Liefeld leaves the Image group.

20 years ago September 1996 Marvel cancels Fantastic Four with #416, The Avengers with #402, and Iron Man with #332.

5 years ago September 2011 Though such issues as Action Comics #1 are cover-dated November, this month is when DC begins its release of 52 new titles as The New 52.