Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for January 28 through February 3, 2022...

130 years ago February 2, 1892 James Crighton is born. The British artist works for DC Thomson and creates The Dandy’s “Korky the Cat.”

120 years ago February 1, 1902 Dutch artist and political cartoonist Huib de Ru is born.

110 years ago February 2, 1912 Golden Age artist-editor Creig Flessel is born. Especially known for his DC/National work for some of that company’s early comics, he also works for Magazine Enterprises, pulp magazines, and more.

105 years ago January 31, 1917 José Guadalupe Cruz is born. The Mexican writer-artist sometimes uses photo montages and is called the first Mexican comics artist to become independent and begin his own publishing house, Ediciones José G. Cruz.

95 years ago January 30, 1927 Award-winning Belgian artist and creator of the Jommeke series Jef Nys is born.

80 years ago January 29, 1942 Belgian writer and Spirou editor Thierry Martens is born.

75 years ago January 28, 1947 Daerick Gross is born. The artist and editor for such companies as CFW, Pacific, Innovation, Heroic, and Marvel is head of Studio G.

70 years ago January 27, 1952 Hey, remember last week, when I wrote for January 24, 1952, “Steve Leialoha is born. He provides art for a variety of comics companies including Marvel, DC, and Harris”? Well, kindly Tony Isabella (who needs to be acknowledged, because I’d never have noticed otherwise) has pointed out that Leialoha was actually celebrating his 70th birthday yesterday, on the 27th. Because that’s the correct date.

70 years ago January 30, 1952 Dann Maxx Thomas is born. She writes comics for Marvel and DC and originates the concept of DC’s Arak.

70 years ago February 2, 1952 Crockett Johnson’s Barnaby comic strip ends.

65 years ago January 30, 1957 Award-winning cartoonist and writer Guy Gilchrist is born. His work includes material for Muppets, Nancy, and Today’s Dogg.

65 years ago February 1, 1957 Gilberto Hernandez is born. The Love and Rockets writer-artist is known especially for Palomar and Luba.

50 years ago January 28, 1972 Italian writer-artist Dino Buzzati dies at age 65.

50 years ago February 2, 1972 Hungarian artist István Pesthy (who worked as “Falus”) dies at age 65.

45 years ago January 29, 1977 Marvel and DC artist Bob Brown dies of leukemia at age 61.

45 years ago February 1, 1977 Writer Edmond Hamilton dies at age 72 of complications of kidney surgery. He was especially known for his pulp science fiction and his work on Superman connected stories.

40 years ago January 29, 1982 Artist John Liney dies at age 69 or 70. He ghosted Carl Anderson’s Henry strip and drew the Dell Henry comic book.

40 years ago February 3, 1982 Norwegian artist Arent Christensen dies at age 87. He worked with writer Christian Haugen on adventure and science fiction comics.

35 years ago February 2, 1987 British writer-artist Ken Reid dies at age 67. He worked on DC Thomson features for The Beano and The Dandy.

25 years ago February 3, 1997 A pioneer of Uruguayan comics, artist Geoffrey Foladori, dies at age 88. He worked as “Fola.”

10 years ago January 31, 2012 Spanish writer Antonio Segura dies at age 64. He worked with artists including José Ortiz and (for the award-winning Eva Medusa series) Ana Miralles.

10 years ago February 2, 2012 George J. Smith dies three days before his 92nd birthday. He co-created the comic strip The Smith Family with Virginia Quinlan Smith. His The Poor Pop panel cartoon was credited to “George.”

5 years ago January 28, 2017 Prolific artist Dan Spiegle dies at age 96. He worked for Dell, Gold Key, Marvel, DC, and Eclipse, co-created Space Family Robinson with Del Connell, and drew many stories scripted by Mark Evanier.

5 years ago January 28, 2017 Dutch artist, entrepreneur, and publisher Joop Wiggers dies at age 82.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of February…

110 years ago February 1912 The Munsey pulp The All-Story publishes the first installment of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Under the Moons of Mars, which introduces the character John Carter of Mars. (The author is credited as “Norman Bean.”)

85 years ago February 1937 Giddy up! It’s cowboy time in comics! Introducing the genre, Comics Magazine Company offers Western Picture Stories (“Fast Action” including “Top Hand” by Will Eisner). And Chesler kicks off Star Ranger (“Action … Speed … Excitement” including “Silver Saddle” and “Lariat Law” drawn by Creig Flessel). That and Star Comics (“Fun for the Kiddies … the Grown-Ups too!”) introduce the Chesler line this month, too, come to think of it.

80 years ago February 1942 “First Issue! All New! All Complete!” It’s Better Publications’ America’s Best Comics #1 featuring The Woman in Red, Captain Future (not the pulps’ Curtis Newton, created by Mort Weisinger a year or two earlier), The Black Terror, Doc (not Doctor) Strange, The Liberator, and Secret Ace! On the cover, Terror, Tim, Strange, and Mike are, for some reason, being shot out of a cannon as part of the celebration and seem pretty much at ease, despite the experience.

80 years ago February 1942 There are only three issues of Western’s Camp Comics, but it’s interesting to note that this is an attempt to design comic books specifically for sale to Armed Forces members, as America enters World War II. The kneeling pin-up on the first issue prays, “and please … see that he confines his maneuvers to the army!” Two stories are by Walt Kelly (and one features Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny).

80 years ago February 1942 He doesn’t get a mention on the cover of DC’s Detective Comics #60, but the issue introduces Air Wave, who even asks readers to let the editor know whether they like him. “The Case of the Missing Evidence!” is signed by Lee Harris.

80 years ago February 1942 DC’s Adventure Comics #71 provides Hourman sidekick Jimmy Martin with his own Hourman costume and introduces the Miraclo Ray device to replace the (um, yeah) power granting pill. The story is drawn by Bernard Baily.

80 years ago 1942 DC’s Action Comics #45 contains the first appearance of the Vigilante sidekick Stuff in “The Head!” by Mort Weisinger and Mort Meskin.

80 years ago 1942 DC’s Sensation Comics #2 introduces Etta Candy and The Holliday Girls in a story by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter.

80 years ago February 1942 “You’ve seen him in the movies – You’ve read his hair raising stories,” says the cover of Lev Gleason’s Silver Streak Comics #18. “Now! For the first time in any comic magazine!” The Saint (whose first appearance in a novel was in Charteris’ Meet the Tiger in 1928) is “written especially for Silver Streak Comics by Leslie Charteris.” “The Saint was next on the scaffold of doom but he wouldn’t say die.” It’s drawn by Edd Ashe.

75 years ago 1947 “Introducing Peter Porkchops and a Flock of Brand New Animal Friends!” The story in DC’s Leading Comics #23 is drawn by Otto Feuer. (Aw, Wolfie adopts newcomer Porkchops! Sweet! Might he have an ulterior motive? Could be.)

75 years ago February 1947 DC’s Funny Stuff #18 introduces Dunbar Dodo and Fenimore Frog in a story by Woody Gelman and Otto Feuer.

70 years ago February 1952 “Jolting Tales of Tension in the EC Tradition!” Shock SuspenStories #1 is jolting, indeed!

70 years ago February 1952 Did you notice the first entry in this month’s “publications” listings? Dell Four Color #375 is John Carter of Mars. The introduction of the 1912 Edgar Rice Burroughs character to comic books is drawn by Jesse Marsh.

70 years ago February 1952 Marvel launches Battle Action with the first issue cover featuring “Bayonet Charge!”

70 years ago February 1952 Patsy Walker and Hedy Wolfe were introduced in a story by Stuart Little and Ruth Atkinson in Miss America Magazine #2 (November 1944). Now, they get their very own series, starting with Marvel’s Patsy and Hedy #1.

70 years ago February 1952 Charlton kicks off The Thing with #1, announcing “Weird tales of fantasy and horror!” and actually carrying a text story titled “The Thing!”

60 years ago February 1962 There will be only two issues of Kookie, but fans of John Stanley’s work still hunt for copies of this Stanley-scripted Dell first issue (drawn by Bill Williams).

60 years ago February 1962 “At last – by popular demand! Superman Presents Supergirl to the World!” About time, just saying, considering he’s been hiding her since DC’s Action Comics #252. In this story by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney in Action Comics #285, there’s a guest appearance by John Kennedy.

60 years ago February 1962 DC’s Adventure Comics #293 proclaims, “Extra! Lex Luthor becomes a Bizarro in this issue!” “The Good Deeds of Bizarro-Luthor!” is by Jerry Siegel and John Forte. Unmentioned on the cover is that The Legion of Super Pets (including the first appearance of Comet the Super-Horse) is introduced in “The Legion of Super-Traitors” by Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan, and George Klein.

55 years ago February 1967 Harvey cancels Warfront with #39.

55 years ago February 1967 DC’s Justice League of America #51 reunites Zatanna and Zatara in #51 in “Z – as in Zatanna – and Zero Hour” by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Sid Greene.

55 years ago February 1967 Gold Key’s The Green Hornet #1 features a cover photo of Van Williams and Bruce Lee and brings the media character (created for radio in 1936 and already featured in Harvey comics in the 1940s) to 1960s comics with art by Dan Spiegle.

55 years ago February 1967 A Silver Age Ghost Rider gets his own new series from Marvel in Ghost Rider #1. “The Origin of the Ghost Rider” is by Gary Friedrich, Roy Thomas, Vince Colletta – and Dick Ayers, who worked on the cowboy character in the 1950s.

50 years ago February 1972 DC’s The Brave and the Bold offers a “spectacular 100th issue.”

50 years ago February 1972 DC’s The New Gods #7 introduces Tigra and tells the origin of Scott Free in “The Pact” by Jack Kirby and Mike Royer.

50 years ago February 1972 Tarzan of the Apes #206 is the last in the series to carry the Gold Key brand. As the cover notes, “Tarzan and the Lion Man” is “Adapted from the famous story by Edgar Rice Burroughs.” It’s adapted by Gaylord Du Bois and drawn by Paul Norris.

50 years ago February 1972 “He drained the life-energy of the Justice Leaguers – and became the most terrifying menace in the universe!” DC’s Justice League of America #96 introduces Starbreaker in a story by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella.

50 years ago February 1972 “The moon – It’s so full – so bright – and – I’m starting to change again.” Oh, no! Marvel Spotlight #2 introduces Werewolf by Night. The story is by Roy and Jean Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Mike Ploog.

50 years ago February 1972 “What shocking truth made the town he saved fear Jonah Hex?” Maybe that he hasn’t fixed that icky mouth thing? DC’s All-Star Western #10 introduces Jonah Hex in “Welcome to Paradise” by John Albano and Tony DeZuniga.

45 years ago February 1977 Marvel ends Ka-Zar with #20.

45 years ago February 1977 Gold Key cancels The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor with #24.

45 years ago February 1977 DC ends its run of Tarzan with #258.

45 years ago February 1977 DC ends Star Spangled War Stories with #204. (Mind you, its numbering will continue with Unknown Soldier.)

45 years ago February 1977 The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #33 and Planet of the Apes #29 are the last issues of those Marvel magazines.

45 years ago February 1977 It’s the end of National Periodical Publications, Inc. The last comics published by the company under this name carry this publication date. Beginning with its March 1977 titles, comics are published by the newly named DC Comics Inc. (Yeah, no comma.)

45 years ago February 1977 “Don’t miss the nerve numbing origin of mighty Marvel’s newest sensation!” Marvel Spotlight #32 introduces Spider-Woman, who seems to have a grudge against Nick Fury. (Doggone that Hydra!) “Dark Destiny!” is by Archie Goodwin, Sal Buscema, and Jim Mooney.

45 years ago February 1977 “Beginning: The most awesomely offbeat series of all times … featuring the stories your letters have demanded!!” The first issue of Marvel’s What If? offers “What If Spider-Man Had Joined The Fantastic Four?” by Roy Thomas, Jim Craig, and Pablo Marcos.

45 years ago February 1977 DC Comics introduces the Milton Glaser designed DC “bullet” logo on its comics.

40 years ago February 1982 Epic Illustrated (“The Marvel Magazine of Fantasy & Science-Fiction”) #10 introduces Marada the She-Wolf in a story by Chris Claremont and John Bolton.

40 years ago February 1982 Marvel’s The Savage She-Hulk #25 is the last issue, with a cover proclaiming “The END of The She-Hulk.”

40 years ago February 1982 “Extra! Meet the incredible Captain Carrot and his amazing Zoo Crew in a special free 16-page preview comic!” The New Teen Titans #16 introduces them in “an instant collector’s item – from the new DC!” “This Bunny Unbound!” is by Roy Thomas, Scott Shaw!, Ross Andru, and Bob Smith.

40 years ago February 1982 Pacific Comics publishes the first issue of Starslayer, a creator owned bimonthly by Mike Grell. It introduces Starslayer (“a Celtic barbarian in the far flung future”) – and offers a promo ad for Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer, destined to start in #2.

35 years ago February 1987 DC’s Wonder Woman resumes publication, starting with a new #1 with Wonder Woman’s origin story. “The Princess and the Power!” is by Greg Potter, George Pérez, and Bruce Patterson.

35 years ago February 1987 DC’s The Question #1 kicks off a new series with “The Bad News” by Dennis O’Neil, Denys Cowan, and Rick Magyar – and includes Editor Mike Gold’s history of the character.

35 years ago February 1987 DC’s Batman #404 begins the story arc “Batman: Year One” by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli and introduces Selina Kyle to modern continuity (though she doesn’t yet get her Catwoman costume).

35 years ago February 1987 Marvel’s Doctor Strange #81 is the last issue. “The Tongues of Men and Angels” is by Peter B. Gillis, Chris Warner, and Randy Emberlin. (Don’t worry. The Doc will be back.)

35 years ago February 1987 Xenozoic Tales makes its debut from Kitchen Sink. Created by writer-artist Mark Schultz, it’s a future with dinosaurs that follows his story “Xenozoic!” and will soon morph into pop culture including an incarnation known as Cadillacs and Dinosaurs.

35 years ago February 1987 Archie cancels Archie and Me with #161 and Archie at Riverdale High with #113.

35 years ago February 1987 Marvel begins the limited series Comet Man. The first issue, introducing Comet Man, is created by Bill Mumy, Miguel Ferrer, and Kelley Jones, written by Mumy and Ferrer, and drawn by Jones (whose name is misspelled in the issue) and Gerry Talaoc.

35 years ago February 1987 Comics market distributor Glenwood is cut off by four publishers. (It ceases business by May.)

30 years ago February 1992 Marvel’s reprints of Will Shetterly and Vince Stone’s Captain Confederacy ends with #4.

30 years ago February 1992 The cover featured statements “Giant-sized special!” and “Cancelled!” and “Last issue!” do happen to appear on the last issue of Marvel’s ALF series (#50). Fair warning. The stories are written by Michael Gallagher and drawn by Dave Manak and Marie Severin.

30 years ago February 1992 Dark Horse introduces John Byrne’s Next Men with #0 and #1, written and drawn by (indeed!) John Byrne.

30 years ago February 1992 In “the jump-on point for a major space epic,” DC’s Action Comics #674 reintroduces Supergirl. In fact, a casual shopper might think the title is Supergirl in Action Comics, because that’s what the cover says. “The Past Is Prologue” is by Roger Stern, Bob McLeod, and Denis Rodier.

30 years ago February 1992 Valiant introduces X-O Manowar in (indeed! again) X-O Manowar #1. “Into the Fire” is by Jim Shooter, Steve Englehart, Barry Windsor-Smith, Bob Layton, and Jon Holdredge.

30 years ago February 1992 “In a blaze of power …” DC’s The Ray #1 introduces the second The Ray. “Grander than Fire” is by Jack C. Harris, Joe Quesada, and Art Nichols. The series lasts only six issues but provides a link from the Golden Age The Ray (who’s still in the story) to this later incarnation to … well … more recent continuity. Keeping track …

30 years ago February 1992 Image Comics is founded by Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino in order to let them keep the rights to the material they create.

25 years ago February 1997 “The cutting edge of magik just got sharper!” DC’s The Book of Fate #1 is by Keith Giffen, Ron Wagner, and Bill Reinhold.

25 years ago February 1997 Olio’s Castle Waiting #1 is by Linda Medley. The project will win an Eisner Award for Best New Series of the year.

20 years ago February 2002 Marvel’s Cable #100 says, “’Nuff Said” on the cover – but that’s because it’s Marvel’s ’Nuff Said month (see Incredible Hulk #35, etc.), not because of the series celebration. “C” is by David Tischman and Igor Kordey.

20 years ago February 2002 DC’s Deadman #1 isn’t the first Deadman #1 and won’t be the last, but hey. The story is by Steve Vance, Josep Beroy, and Dan Green.

20 years ago February 2002 Marvel’s Nightcrawler #1 isn’t the first Nightcrawler #1 and won’t be the last, but hey (again). Part One of the four-part story is by Chris Kipiniak, Matthew Smith, and Mark Morales.

20 years ago February 2002 Giant-Size Mini-Marvels: Starring Spidey #1 (and only) features “48 pages of mini Marvel mayhem” (and actually co-stars a whole bunch of Marvel characters) written and drawn by Chris Giarrusso.

20 years ago February 2002 DC’s Haven: The Broken City #1 guest stars The JLA. “History Lesson” is by Ashley-Jayne Nicolaus, Matthew P. Schuster, and Ariel Olivetti.

20 years ago February 2002 Marvel’s Moment of Silence #1 (and only), “Saluting the Heroes of September 11th,” is a celebration of those heroes.

15 years ago February 2007 DC’s The Spirit #1 (following January’s Batman/The Spirit #1) introduces Darwyn Cooke’s take on a lone Will Eisner’s The Spirit in “Ice Ginger Coffee,” inked by J. Bone.

15 years ago February 2007 DC’s Batman Confidential begins with Part One of “Rules of Engagement” by Andy Diggle, Whilce Portacio, and Richard Friend.

15 years ago February 2007 “A new era in horror begins!” DC/Wildstorm’s Friday the 13th #1 is by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, Adam Archer, and Peter Guzman – and is a title licensed from New Line Cinema.

15 years ago February 2007 The first issue of Justice Society of America features a request to reactivate the DC team. “The Next Age” is by Geoff Johns, Dave Eaglesham, Art Thibert, and Alex Ross.

15 years ago February 2007 Marvel’s New Avengers: Illuminati #1 is by Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Reed, Jim Cheung, and Mark Morales. With the end of the war with the Kree, what’s next for these super-guys?

15 years ago February 2007 And, while Marvel is at it, what was an effect of The White Event? In Newuniversal #1, “Enter” is by Warren Ellis and Salvador Larroca.

15 years ago February 2007 The first issue of DC’s Welcome to Tranquility features a retirement community for superfolk. “Fade to Grey” is by Gail Simone and Neil Googe.

10 years ago February 2012 Marvel’s Daredevil #7 is by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin, Paolo Rivera, and Joe Rivera. It will win an Eisner Award for Best Single Issue or One-Shot of the year.

10 years ago February 2012 Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint from Image releases the first issue of Thief of Thieves, created by Kirkman with a story by Kirkman, Nick Spencer, and Shawn Martinbrough.

10 years ago February 2012 You want variants? Marvel’s Avengers X-Sanction #1 has some. “Midnight” is by Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness, and Dexter Vines.

10 years ago February 2012 It’s not the first Marvel Defenders series and won’t be the last, but this one starts with “Breaker of Worlds Part 1” by Matt Fraction, Terry Dodson, and Rachel Dodson.

5 years ago February 2017 Marvel’s Gamora limited series kicks off with the first part of “Memento Mori” by Nicole Perlman and Marco Checchetto.

5 years ago February 2017 Marvel starts another Hawkeye series – in this case, starring detective Kate Bishop. The story is by Kelly Thompson and Leonardo Romero. “The adorable archer takes aim – on danger!”

5 years ago February 2017 Do we have to keep saying this sort of thing? There have been first issues of Marvel’s Hulk before, and there will be again. The first part of this series – “Deconstructed” – is by Mariko Tamaki and Nico Leon. (Surprise: There are many variant covers.)

5 years ago February 2017 OK, variant covers you want, variant covers you got. Collect them all, right? DC’s Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1 features lots of them, along with the first chapter of the story by Joshua Williamson and Jason Fabok.

5 years ago February 2017 The first issue of The Mighty Captain Marvel (yes, it’s from Marvel) is #0 by Margaret Stohl, Emilio Laiso, and Ramon Rosanas.

5 years ago February 2017 The most recent Nova series from Marvel begins with a new adventure by Jeff Loveness and Ramón Pérez.

5 years ago February 2017 Marvel’s most recent solo Rocket Raccoon series begins with an installment by Matthew Rosenberg and Jorge Coelho.

5 years ago February 2017 Marvel’s Slapstick #1 features “That’s Not Funny!” by Reilly Brown, Fred Van Lente, and Diego Olortegue.

5 years ago February 2017 The first issue of the Star Wars connected Doctor Aphra series from Marvel does (surprise!) have a bunch of variant covers. The story is by Kieron Gillen and Kev Walker.

5 years ago February 2017 Marvel’s Star-Lord #1 features “Earth-Lord Part One: There’s No Place like Home” by Chip Zdarsky and Kris Anka.

5 years ago February 2017 The first installment of The Old Guard from Image is by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández. (Rucka will provide the screenplay for the 2020 film version, which will win awards including the Hugo for Best Longform Dramatic Presentation.)