Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for June 7-13, 2019...

135 years ago June 9, 1884 The Dutch comics writer of Flippie Flink, Clinge Doorenbos, is born.

100 years ago June 8, 1919 Actor Monte Hale, whose cowboy roles led to licensing his name and image in Fawcett comics, is born.

90 years ago June 13, 1929 Artist and letterer Jon D’Agostino is born. He begins his comics career as a Golden Age Timely colorist and goes on to work exclusively at Archie.

85 years ago June 11, 1934 King Features Syndicate introduces Mandrake the Magician by Lee Falk and Fred Fredericks. Some see him as the first comics superhero.

70 years ago June 7, 1949 Writer, artist, actor, and musician Larry Hama is born. He is especially known for his work on The ’Nam, Nth Man, and G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero as well as for the creation of Bucky O’Hare.

70 years ago June 10, 1949 Political cartoonist John T. McCutcheon dies, age 79.

70 years ago June 11, 1949 Writer Rich Margopoulos is born. He is especially known for his work for Warren and Archie comics.

70 years ago June 11, 1949 Prolific British writer-editor Steve Moore is born. He’s especially known for his work for 2000 AD and Doctor Who.

65 years ago June 9, 1954 Award-winning writer-artist George Pérez is born. He co-creates White Tiger with Bill Mantlo and is known for his work on such series as The Avengers, New Teen Titans, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and Wonder Woman. He’s Chairman of The Hero Initiative Disbursement Committee.

60 years ago June 10, 1959 Artist Howard Simpson is born.

60 years ago June 11, 1959 Writer-artist Susan Van Camp is born.

60 years ago June 13, 1959 Argentinian artist Jorge Zaffino is born. His U.S. comics include Winter World.

50 years ago June 8, 1969 The Italian Donald Duck alter ego Paperinik is introduced.

35 years ago June 7, 1984 XIII by Jean van Hamme and William Vance begins.

35 years ago June 12, 1984 Disney comics artist Bill Wright dies, age 66.

25 years ago June 10, 1994 Animator, director, and writer-artist Jack Hannah dies, age 81. He collaborated with Carl Barks on Barks’ first comic books and co-founded the Character Animation program for the California Institute of the Arts.

20 years ago June 11, 1999 Dutch artist Jan Wesseling dies, age 64. He worked in the Marten Toonder Studios.

15 years ago June 7, 2004 Award-winning Flemish-Belgian artist Karel Biddeloo dies of cancer at age 60. He was known for his work on De Rode Ridder.

10 years ago June 9, 2009 Artist and animator Dave Simons dies of cancer, age 54. He was known especially for his work on Conan, Ghost Rider, Red Sonja, and Forgotten Realms and for his storyboard and games work.