Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for July 30 through August 5, 2021...

110 years ago August 1, 1911 Jackie Ormes is born. She’s known as the first African-American female cartoonist and creates Torchy Brown and Patt-Jo ’n’ Ginger.

90 years ago August 1, 1931 American Greetings designer and Ziggy cartoonist Tom Wilson is born. He begins the panel in 1971 and draws it until 1987.

90 years ago August 1, 1931 Bill Ritchie is born. The Scots artist is known for his work for D.C. Thomson magazines and he creates such series as “Toots,” “Pip the Penguin,” and “The Twitz of the Ritz.”

75 years ago August 1, 1946 De Vrolijke Bengels by Willy Vandersteen begins in Ons Volkske.

75 years ago August 3, 1946 Award-winning Russian political cartoonist Viktor Deni dies at age 53.

75 years ago August 4, 1946 Claus Deleuran is born. The Danish artist is especially known for The People’s Illustrated History of Denmark.

70 years ago August 3, 1951 Jay North is born. The actor plays Dennis the Menace.

60 years ago August 5, 1961 Writer and Marvel representative Bruce Costa is born.

55 years ago July 30, 1966 Chris Sprouse is born. The artist co-creates Tom Strong with Alan Moore for America’s Best Comics.

55 years ago July 31, 1966 The Ben Casey comic strip drawn by Neal Adams ends.

55 years ago August 4, 1966 Artist Charlie Adlard is born. He’s especially known for his work on The Walking Dead.

50 years ago August 5, 1971 Publishers of British underground magazine Oz and its issue Schoolkids Oz are convicted of obscenity (but the sentences will be overturned).

45 years ago July 31, 1976 Mickey Finn by Lank Leonard ends.

40 years ago August 5, 1981 Award-winning Dutch artist Ton Smits dies at age 60.

30 years ago July 31, 1991 Writer-artist Jess “Baldy” Benton dies at age 80. The writer for Golden Age Fawcett comics also wrote the 1940s Jasper Jooks comic strip.

30 years ago August 1, 1991 Jim DeCarlo dies at age 43 from the effects of a stroke. The son of Dan DeCarlo and twin of Dan DeCarlo Jr. was an Archie artist.

20 years ago July 30 or 31, 2001 Japanese artist and editor Youji Muku dies at age 72.

20 years ago August 4, 2001 Lorenzo Music dies of lung and bone cancer at age 64. Born Gerald David Music, the writer, actor, and voice artist voiced Garfield.

15 years ago August 1, 2006 Award-winning cartoonist Bob Thaves dies at age 81. The creator of Frank & Ernest and King Baloo wrote the caption (May 3, 1982) in which characters looking at a poster for a Fred Astaire Film Festival say, “Sure he was great, but don’t forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did, .. backwards and in high heels.”

5 years ago August 4, 2016 Letterer and logo designer Gaspar Saladino dies at age 88.

5 years ago August 7, 2016 French comics writer Jean Sanitas dies at age 88. He was awarded the Légion d’Honneur

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of August…

80 years ago August 1941 USA Comics #1 (from U.S.A. Comic Magazine Corp.) introduces The Defender, The Whizzer, Mr. Liberty, Rockman, Young Avenger, and Jack Frost. America’s not yet in the war – but our heroes tackle Nazis and Hitler anyway.

80 years ago August 1941 The cover of Quality Comics’ Police Comics #1 focuses on The Firebrand (“A Smashing New Character!”). But among other newbies is Jack Cole’s Plastic Man. Also introduced are The Human Bomb and Phantom Lady.

80 years ago August 1941 Quality’s Military Comics #1 features “stories of the Army and Navy.” And it stars and introduces “That new comic sensation Blackhawk.” Blackhawk is by Will Eisner, Bob Powell, and Chuck Cuidera. As already noted, this is a few months before America enters World War II, but the story’s focus is on Warsaw in 1939 – and Nazis are the villains.

80 years ago August 1941 Harvey Comics begins with the digest-sized Pocket Comics #1 (100 pages for a dime!). The “biggest comics value in the world” offers “these great new comics”: Cadet Blakely, Spirit of ’76; Red Blazer (“fiery foe of evil”); Satan (“mad underworld dictator”); British Agent 99 (“aids England win the war”); The Phantom Sphynx (“super-ghost magician”); and, oh, yes, “Hollywood’s Mystery Girl” The Black Cat. (The concept: It’s sort of as if Lana Turner were to use her spare time to battle crime.) Contributors include Edd Ashe, Al Avison, Otto Binder, and Louis Cazeneuve.

80 years ago August 1941 Prize Comics #13 (from Prize) introduces “America’s Fighting Twins” Yank and Doodle, drawn by Paul Norris.

75 years ago August 1946 Parents’ Magazine Press introduces Sweet Sixteen: “Comics and stories for girls.”

65 years ago August 1956 Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds #1 and Out of This World #1 introduce two Charlton science fiction anthology series.

60 years ago August 1961 DC’s Superman #147 introduces the adult Legion of Super-Heroes – along with The Legion of Super-Villains (Saturn Queen, Lightning Lord, and Cosmic King) in a story by Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan, and Sheldon Moldoff. Oh, and a tip of the Thompson topper to the origin of Titano, as revealed in “Krypto Battles Titano!” by Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino.

60 years ago August 1961 In “War of the Superboys” by Jerry Siegel and George Papp in DC’s Adventure Comics #287, Kryptonian Dev-Em is introduced. (Watch out, Superboy, Dev-Em wants to continue a family feud!) Also in the issue: the introduction of Bizarro-Jimmy and Bizarro Perry White in “Jimmy Olsen’s Kookie Scoops” by Siegel and John Forte. A Bizarro newspaper! That is kookie!

60 years ago August 1961 In “Beware the Atomic Grenade!” by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella, DC’s The Flash #122 introduces The Top.

60 years ago August 1961 DC’s Justice League of America #6 introduces Professor Amos Fortune, whose Stimoluck device controls – yep – luck. “The Wheel of Misfortune!” is by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs.

55 years ago August 1966 Uh oh! Green Goblin learns Spidey’s secret identity in Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #39! And (Spoiler!) reveals himself to be Norman Osborn. John Romita and Mike Esposito take over the series’ art with “How Green Was My Goblin!” scripted by Stan Lee.

55 years ago August 1966 In “The Way It Began ..!” Marvel’s Fantastic Four #53 introduces Klaw with a tale by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Joe Sinnott involving his first attack on Wakanda.

55 years ago August 1966 “Now! The book you asked for!” Tower’s Dynamo #1 features “the greatest Thunder Agent of them all!” (Yeah, they dropped the “T.H.U.N.D.E.R.” bit on the cover.) Creators of the issue include Reed Crandall, Steve Ditko, Frank Giacoia, John Giunta, Mike Sekowsky, and Wally Wood. (The company’s Fight the Enemy war comic book makes its debut this month, too.)

55 years ago August 1966 DC’s Justice League of America #46 introduces the first Silver Age appearance of Sandman. (No, not Morpheus.) Doggone those parallel worlds, anyway!

50 years ago August 1971 Dick Giordano is elected president of The Academy of Comic Book Arts. Also elected: vice president Neal Adams, secretary Sal Amendola, and treasurer Mimi Gold.

50 years ago August 1971 “The shocking truth about drugs!” In Green Lantern #85, “Snowbirds Don’t Fly” by Denny O’Neil and Neal Adams begins, with Green Arrow (and readers) shocked to discover, “My ward is a junkie!” “DC attacks youth’s greatest problem … drugs!” with Comics Code approval.

50 years ago August 1971 DC raises prices from 15¢ to “Only 25¢ bigger & better” (with page count going from 36 to 52).

45 years ago August 1976 DC’s The Flash #243 ends the career of The Top (Spoiler! He’s killed 15 years after we found out about him.) “If I Can’t Rob Central City, Nobody Can!” is by Cary Bates, Irv Novick, and Frank McLaughlin.

45 years ago August 1976 Wrapping up four years of publication, DC’s Swamp Thing #24 ends the series with “the mystery of Alec Holland” as told in “The Earth Below” by David Anthony Kraft, Gerry Conway, Ernie Chan, and Fred Carrillo.

45 years ago August 1976 Marvel’s The Champions #7 introduces Darkstar and others in “The Man Who Created The Black Widow” by Tony Isabella, George Tuska, and Vince Colletta.

45 years ago August 1976 Marvel Team-Up #48 introduces Captain Jean DeWolff in “A Fine Night for Dying!” by Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema, Mike Esposito, and Dave Hunt. (Psst! It also introduces Officer Grady and Wraith – and Wraith happens to be Brian DeWolff. Just saying.)

45 years ago August 1976 Marvel’s The Avengers #150 introduces changes to the Avengers team. “Avengers Assemble!” is by Steve Englehart, Stan Lee, George Pérez, Jack Kirby, John Tartaglione, Duffy Vohland, and Dick Ayers. Captain America’s in charge now!

45 years ago August 1976 Speaking of Captain America … Marvel’s Captain America #200 is a “Special bicentennial issue!” (“On the 200th anniversary of the United States America will die! And only Captain America can save it!”) “Dawn’s Early Light!” is by Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia.

45 years ago August 1976 Marvel’s The X-Men celebrates “At last – the spectacular 100th issue.” “Greater Love Hath No X-Man…” is by Chris Claremont and Dave Cockrum.

45 years ago August 1976 “At last … the return of the greatest comic of them all!” DC’s Green Lantern revives with #90. “Those Who Worship Evil’s Might!” is by Denny O’Neil and Mike Grell. (#89 was dated April-May 1972.)

45 years ago August 1976 DC’s Superman #302 restores the credit that Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

45 years ago August 1976 DC’s Ragman #1 introduces Ragman in “Origin of the Tatterdemalion” by Robert Kanigher, Joe Kubert, and The Redondo Studio.

45 years ago August 1976 “Beginning: A new epic of swords & science!” DC’s Starfire #1 introduces Starfire in “A World Made of War” by David Michelinie, Mike Vosburg, and Bob Smith.

45 years ago August 1976 Marvel’s The Eternals #2 introduces Ajak in “The Celestials” by Jack Kirby and John Verpoorten.

40 years ago August 1981 “Extra! Meet the sensational all-new All-Star Squadron in a special free 16-page comic!” (It’s “an instant collector’s item – from the New DC!”) DC’s Justice League of America #193 previews the team in a story by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Jerry Ordway.

40 years ago August 1981 Star-Lord (remember him?) gets the cover of Marvel Premiere #61, the last issue of the series.

40 years ago August 1981 It began nearly five years earlier; now, with #47, DC’s Super Friends ends the comic book based on the Saturday morning animated series. “The Demons from the Green Hell” is by E. Nelson Bridwell, Romeo Tanghal, and Vince Colletta.

40 years ago August 1981 DC’s The Flash #300 (“a double-sized spectacular!”) celebrates the series’ 25th anniversary. “This is it! A thrilling 300th issue extravaganza!” Cary Bates, Carmine Infantino, and Bob Smith recap the story of Flash, Kid Flash, Elongated Man, and a bunch of villains.

40 years ago August 1981 DC’s Warlord #48 insert is a preview of Arak (Son of Thunder, “the greatest sword and sorcery super star of all”) in a story by Roy Thomas, Ernie Colón, and Tony DeZuniga.

35 years ago August 1986 Following the Shadow War of Hawkman miniseries, DC revives Hawkman in his own monthly title with Hawkman #1 by Tony Isabella, Richard Howell, and Don Heck.

35 years ago August 1986 The first issue of Marvel’s Elektra: Assassin kicks off the eight-issue limited series written by Frank Miller and drawn by Bill Sienkiewicz.

35 years ago August 1986 “Is this the end of The Doctor?!” Could be – at least for the time being. Marvel’s Doctor Who #23 is the last issue of Marvel’s direct sales only reprints of British stories.

35 years ago August 1986 DC begins Teen Titans Spotlight, focusing the issue on Starfire. “Black and White” is by Marv Wolfman, Denys Cowan, and Dick Giordano.

30 years ago August 1991 “Beware … the power of the Protege!” Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy #15 introduces Protege in a story by Jim Valentino and Steve Montano.

30 years ago August 1991 In June, preorders of this first issue of Marvel’s X-Force by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza beat the record set by Spider-Man #1, thanks in part to a marketing gimmick in which collector’s cards are bagged with the issue. The paid circulation comes to about 3,900,000.

30 years ago August 1991 DC says it on the cover: “Final issue!!” New Gods #28 ends with the story “More Deaths than One Must Die!” by Mark Evanier, Rick Hoberg, Frank McLaughlin, Steve Montano, and Charles Barnett III.

25 years ago August 1996 “Farewell to a living legend.” Marvel’s Captain America #454 is the last issue. “Sanctuary” is by Mark Waid, Ron Garney, and Scott Koblish.

25 years ago August 1996 DC’s Detective Comics #700 celebrates by kicking off “Legacy” Part 1. “Progeny of the Demon” is by Chuck Dixon, Graham Nolan, and Scott Hanna. Yeah, he’s got his belt, but, hey, Batman’s also got a sword!

20 years ago August 2001 in “The Power of Free,” Joe Field of Flying Colors suggests the creation of a Free Comic Book Day in Krause Publications’ Comics & Games Retailer. The issue carries the response from Diamond Comic Distributors’ Roger Fletcher, “We at Diamond think the Free Comic Day concept is an idea worth getting excited about!”

20 years ago August 2001 “The Eltingville Club in ‘The Intervention’ ” by Evan Dorkin is published in Dork #9 from Slave Labor. It wins an Eisner Award for Best Short Story.

15 years ago August 2006 Marvel’s Eternals returns for a time with a story by Neil Gaiman, John Romita Jr., Danny Miki, and Tim Townsend.

15 years ago August 2006 DC publishes all four issues of the Superman Returns Prequel miniseries in conjunction with and based on the 2006 Superman Returns film by Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty, and Dan Harris.

15 years ago August 2006 DC kicks off a new WW series with Wonder Woman #1. “Who Is Wonder Woman?” is by Allan Heinberg, Terry Dodson, and Rachel Dodson. Lotsa flashback stuff here.

10 years ago August 2011 Scholastic releases the graphic novel Bad Island by Doug TenNapel. (“This island is up to no good …”)

10 years ago August 2011 Angel & Faith #1 from Dark Horse kicks off the beginning of the ninth season of the extension of Joss Whedon’s characters. “Live through This, Part One” is by Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs.

10 years ago August 2011 DC publishes a whole bunch of Flashpoint first issues, setting things up for the upcoming “New 52” event. (Collect them all: Flashpoint: Hal Jordan; Flashpoint: Reverse-Flash; Flashpoint: Grodd of War; you get the idea.)

10 years ago August 2011 IDW releases a bunch of variants at the start of a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. The story is by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, and Dan Duncan.

10 years ago August 2011 Ultimate Spider-Man #160 also has a bunch of variants. Oh, and it ends the series. Because: “Death of Spider-Man: Part 5 of 5.” It’s by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Andy Lanning, and Andrew Hennessy.

5 years ago August 2016 There’s no month cover date for the issue, but on sale in August is March: Book Three by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell from Top Shelf. It wins the Eisner Award for the Best Reality-Based Work of the year.

5 years ago August 2016 Marvel provides a bunch of variants for its first issue of Han Solo (with a story by Marjorie Liu and Mark Brooks). Oh, and of the first issue of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation (with a story by Chuck Wendig and Luke Ross).

5 years ago August 2016 Kill or Be Killed by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips begins from Image.

5 years ago August 2016 Marvel produces a bunch of “Timely Comics” first (and only) issues: New Avengers, All-New Inhumans, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, yadda yadda.

5 years ago August 2016 Valiant launches Generation Zero with a bunch of variants. “We Are the Future Part One” is by Fred Van Lente and Francis Portela.

5 years ago August 2016 Rebirth stuff: It’s “Rebirth” time in the DC Universe. Batman #1 has a bunch of variants. I mean A. Bunch. Of. Variants.