Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for July 26 through August 1, 2024...

155 years ago July 31, 1869 German illustrator, caricaturist, and comics artist Walther Caspari is born.

135 years ago July 31, 1889 Frans Masereel is born. The woodcut artist specializes in wordless novels, especially Mon Livre d’Heures, which inspires such later graphic artists as Lynd Ward and Art Spiegelman.

130 years ago July 31, 1894 Czech artist Helena Bochořáková-Dittrichová is born. She creates the woodcut storytelling book Childhood.

120 years ago August 1, 1904 Pulp and Big Little Book writer Russell R. Winterbotham is born. He co-creates the Chris Welkin – Planeteer newspaper strip.

110 years ago July 28, 1914 The Flemish comics magazine Het Mannekensblad ends, when Belgium is occupied by German forces.

110 years ago August 1, 1914 Artist Edd Cartier is born. Though best known for his science fiction and pulp magazine work, he also draws for Street and Smith’s Red Dragon Comics and Super-Magician Comics.

90 years ago July 26, 1934 Influential animator and writer-artist Winsor McCay dies of a cerebral embolism at age 64. He was best known for Little Nemo in Slumberland and “Gertie the Dinosaur.” Three of his animated shorts are in the United States National Film Registry.

75 years ago July 29, 1949 Colorist and First Comics sales manager Kurt Goldzung is born.

70 years ago July 26, 1954 Writer Lawrence Watt-Evans is born.

70 years ago July 27, 1954 Underground comix writer H.P. McElwee is born. He often works as “R.D. Bone” and co-creates Real Deal with Lawrence Hubbard.

70 years ago July 29, 1954 Writer D. Larry Hancock is born. With Michael Cherkas, he co-creates Silent Invasion.

70 years ago July 29, 1954 Colorist Lovern Kindzierski is born. He co-founds the Digital Chameleon coloring and inking studio with Chris Chuckry.

65 years ago July 27, 1959 Italian artist Franco Urru is born. He works on comics connected with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Angel TV series.

65 years ago July 28, 1959 Artist Ian Akin is born.

65 years ago July 31, 1959 Russian artist Nikolai Kogout dies at age 67.

65 years ago July 31, 1959 Writer-artist “Kaz” is born. Kazmieras G. Prapuolenis contributes to Underworld, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Phineas and Ferb.

60 years ago July 27, 1964 A one day New York City comics convention is organized by Bernie Bubnis and Ron Fradkin. The Monday afternoon event is considered to be the first comics convention.

50 years ago July 26, 1974 Cartoonist Gene Byrnes dies of a heart ailment at age 85. He created It’s a Great Life if You Don’t Weaken and Reg’lar Fellers.

40 years ago July 28, 1984 Dutch animator, teacher, and artist Henk Kabos dies at age 71. He was especially known for Tekko Taks (co-created with James Ringrose).

40 years ago July 29, 1984 Award-winning band leader Fred Waring dies of a stroke at age 84. He was also an inventor and maintained an extensive cartoon and comics collection.

40 years ago August 1, 1984 Artist Howard Nostrand dies at age 55. He was especially known for his work on Harvey’s 3D comics and horror titles as well as the Bat Masterson strip.

30 years ago July 29, 1994 The Mask, based on the Dark Horse character dreamed up by Mike Richardson and Mark Verheiden (and featured in early days in stories by Richardson, John Arcudi, Doug Mahnke, and Chris Warner) opens. Directed by Chuck Russell, it stars Jim Carrey and introduces Cameron Diaz. It is the second highest grossing (after Batman) superhero movie of the day, grossing more than $350 million internationally.

30 years ago August 1, 1994 Spanish animator and artist Agustí Asensio Saurí (who also worked as “Asen”) dies at age 45 in a car accident.

20 years ago July 26, 2004 Writer-artist, editor, and Turkish animation pioneer Oguz Aral dies of a heart attack at age 68.

20 years ago July 28, 2004 Argentine artist Eugenio Zoppi dies at age 81.

20 years ago July 28, 2004 Voice artist Jackson Beck dies of a stroke at age 92. He narrated The Adventures of Superman radio show and voiced such animated characters as Bluto.

15 years ago June 29, 2009 Pixar’s Up opens its nationwide release by Walt Disney Pictures. It is co-directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson and stars voice artists Edward Asner and Jordan Nagai. It earns more than $731 million in its theatrical release and is the second animated film ever to receive a Best Picture Oscar nomination.

10 years ago July 29, 2014 Romanian artist Jo Teodorescu dies of cancer at age 75.

5 years ago July 26, 2019 French artist Christian Gaty dies at age 94.

5 years ago July 29, 2019 Italian animator and artist Daniele Fagarazzi (who worked as “Dani”) dies at age 74.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of August…

85 years ago August 1939 “Thrills - Fun - Mystery - Exciting Exploits”: Fox’s Mystery Men Comics #1 introduces Blue Beetle, Green Mask, Rex Dexter of Mars, and Zanzibar. And more.

85 years ago August 1939 Quality Comics’ Feature Comics #23 carries the cover announcement, “Charlie Chan Starts in This Issue!” The feature drawn by Alfred Andriola (reprinting the strip that began in 1938) stars an established fictional detective introduced by Earl Derr Biggers in 1925 and featured in films starting in 1926.

85 years ago August 1939 Centaur’s Amazing Mystery Funnies Vol. 2 #8 introduces Malcolm Kildale’s Speed Centaur.

85 years ago August 1939 Quality’s Smash Comics #1 introduces Bozo the Iron Man by George Brenner, Invisible Hood by Art Pinajian, and other characters.

75 years ago August 1949 Columbia cancels Big Shot with #104, leaving some stories unfinished.

75 years ago August 1949 Marvel Mystery Comics (an anthology with a focus on Marvel’s superheroes) becomes the horror-fantasy anthology Marvel Tales with #93.

75 years ago August 1949 Marvel’s Sub-Mariner Comics becomes Best Love with #33. (Do you detect another change of focus?)

75 years ago August 1949 Speaking of a genre focus: Yep, DC’s Girls’ Love Stories anthology begins.

75 years ago August 1949 OK, the publishers are beginning to expand their output of the genre, right? Quality begins Heart Throbs. Ace begins All Romances. Harvey starts First Romance Magazine. ACG kicks off Lovelorn. Fox initiates Women in Love. And Pix-Parade introduces Youthful Love Romances. (Keep in mind that romance comics have been around for a while. This month also sees such titles as Cowboy Love #2, First Love Illustrated #4, Life Story #5, Love Problems and Advice Illustrated #2, Modern Love #2, My Confession #7, My Love Life #7, My Love Secret #25, My Own Romance #8, Real Love #27, Real West Romances #3, Sweethearts #78, Teen-Age Romances #4, and Young Love #4. Just saying.)

70 years ago August 1954 Marvel’s Ringo Kid #1 introduces (yes) Ringo Kid, drawn by Joe Maneely.

70 years ago August 1954 DC’s Mystery in Space #21 introduces Space Cabbie in “Space-Taxi!” drawn by Howard Sherman.

65 years ago August 1959 DC’s Action Comics #255 introduces Bizarro Lois Lane. “Me bring you bouquet of flowers, Lois! Bizarro want to marry you!” Aw, Bizarro just looks for a little affection in “The Bride of Bizarro!” by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.

65 years ago August 1959 DC’s The Brave and the Bold #25 introduces Suicide Squad in its first mission – “The 3 Waves of Doom!” – by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, and Mike Esposito.

65 years ago August 1959 Yes, he’s already been around as a character – but it’s in DC’s Superman #131 that he takes on the spelling he uses from now on (and that’s important). “The Menace of Mr. Mxyzptlk!” is by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino.

65 years ago August 1959 It’s “A New Easy Co. Story … ‘Ice Cream Soldier!’” DC’s Our Army at War #85 introduces him in a story by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert.

65 years ago August 1959 DC’s House of Secrets #23 introduces Mark Merlin in “I Scout Earth’s Strangest Secrets!” drawn by Mort Meskin.

60 years ago August 1964 Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #15 has the first mention of Mary Jane Watson – while it introduces Kraven the Hunter in a story by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

60 years ago August 1964 In “Crisis on Earth-Three!” by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs, DC’s Justice League of America #29 mixes up DC’s superhero universes, characters, and whatnot. The trailblazing tale features JSA, JLA, and The Crime Syndicate. Wow! Earth-Three super-characters Johnny Quick, Owlman, Superwoman, and Ultraman are introduced, along with the Earth-Three Power Ring.

60 years ago August 1964 “Iron Man has never been more exciting,” the cover of Marvel’s Tales of Suspense #56 says. It’s because of his battle with the newly introduced Unicorn in a story by Stan Lee and Don Heck.

60 years ago August 1964 Marvel’s Journey into Mystery #107 introduces the “New! Different! Seemingly unbeatable!” Grey Gargoyle in a story by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Chic Stone.

60 years ago August 1964 He’s an “Overlord of Crime!” Marvel’s Daredevil #3 introduces The Owl (who actually hires Matt Murdock – hee!) in a story by Stan Lee, Joe Orlando, and Vince Colletta.

60 years ago August 1964 “He flies! He fights! He’s our newest villain …” Marvel’s Strange Tales #123 introduces The Beetle in “The Birth of The Beetle!” by Stan Lee, Carl Burgos, and Dick Ayers.

55 years ago August 1969 Marvel follows DC, raising the price of its comics from 12 to 15 cents. Comics are expensive.

55 years ago August 1969 Earth-Two Superman/Kal-L is introduced in DC’s Justice League of America #73 in “Star Light, Star Bright – Death Star I See Tonight!” by Denny O’Neil, Dick Dillin, and Sid Greene.

55 years ago August 1969 In “The Heir of Frankenstein” by Stan Lee, John Buscema, and Sal Buscema in Marvel’s The Silver Surfer #7, Marvel plays with classic Frankenstein characters and new variants.

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel ends Worlds Unknown with #8, the second part of a Len Wein, George Tuska, and Vince Colletta adaptation of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad.

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel’s entertainingly named Giant-Size Man-Thing #1 does feature Man-Thing (and other characters). (Do you sometimes make fun of the series title?)

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel’s Giant-Size Avengers #1 introduces the first modern appearance of Miss America and The Whizzer. “Nuklo – the Invader That Time Forgot!” is by Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler, and Dan Adkins.

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel’s Planet of the Apes #1 is a “first issue phantasmagoria!” The stories are by Gerry Conway, Doug Moench, Mike Ploog, George Tuska, Mike Esposito, and John Romita.

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel’s The Savage Sword of Conan #1 is a “Pulse-Pounding Premiere Issue.” Stories in the black and white magazine are by Roy Thomas, Robert E. Howard, John Buscema, Pablo Marcos, Esteban Maroto, Neal Adams, Ernie Chan, Gil Kane, Archie Goodwin, and Barry Windsor-Smith.

50 years ago August 1974 Marvel’s “most offbeat superhero,” Deathlok the Demolisher (“Is he man – or machine – or monster?”), first appears in Marvel’s Astonishing Tales #25. “A Cold Knight’s Frenzy” is by Rich Buckler, Doug Moench, Klaus Janson, Al Milgrom, and Mike Esposito.

45 years ago August 1979 Marvel’s Tomb of Dracula #70 is the last issue of the Marvel series. The “special double-size issue” features “the triumphant climax of the greatest Dracula story of all!” It’s by Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan, and Tom Palmer.

45 years ago August 1979 “Enter … Captain Universe!” says the cover of Marvel’s Micronauts #8. “Earth Wars!” is by Bill Mantlo, Michael Golden, and Bob McLeod.

40 years ago August 1984 The Marvel anthology series Amazing High Adventure begins.

40 years ago August 1984 Marvel’s The Uncanny X-Men #184 features “The Past … of Future Days” by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr., and Dan Green. It features the first appearances of Forge, Naze, and (first appearance in the present) Rachel Summers.

40 years ago August 1984 In “Power Play” in Marvel’s Power Pack #1, Louise Simonson, June Brigman, and Bob Wiacek introduce the members of Power Pack and associated characters in the story of the Snarks.

40 years ago August 1984 DC’s The Legion of Super-Heroes becomes Tales of The Legion of Super-Heroes with #314. Oh, and, simultaneously, DC begins Legion of Super-Heroes with #1, which Tales will reprint a year later. Because collecting isn’t complicated enough.

40 years ago August 1984 Marvel’s The New Mutants #18 introduces Warlock and Magus in “Death-Hunt” by Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz.

35 years ago August 1989 Wait, what? Doggone it! DC ends Legion of Super-Heroes with #63! (Should I note that Legion of Super-Heroes #1 [yes, again] will be dated November 1989? Hop in that time machine, so you don’t feel too bad.)

35 years ago August 1989 DC wraps up COPS (for “Central Organization of Police Specialists”) with #15. “Operation: Big Bust!” is by Doug Moench, Alan Kupperberg, and Robert Campanella.

35 years ago August 1989 Marvel introduces Nth Man The Ultimate Ninja. “Recall” is by Larry Hama, Ron Wagner, and Fred Fredericks.

35 years ago August 1989 Eightball by Daniel Clowes begins from Fantagraphics.

35 years ago August 1989 “My Golden Age Guest Star is supposed to meet me here,” says She-Hulk on the cover. And, sure enough, Marvel’s The Sensational She-Hulk #4 reintroduces Blonde Phantom in “Tall Dis-Order” by John Byrne and Bob Wiacek.

35 years ago August 1989 DC’s Batman #436 introduces Timothy Drake in “Different Roads” by Marv Wolfman, Pat Broderick, and John Beatty.

35 years ago August 1989 DC’s Sandman #8 introduces Death (of The Endless) in “The Sound of Her Wings” by Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg, and Malcolm Jones III.

30 years ago August 1994 Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk #420 focuses on the AIDS epidemic. In “Lest Darkness Come” by Peter David, Gary Frank, and Cam Smith, Jim Wilson dies, and, in place of the usual letters column by fans, comics pros share commentaries on AIDS.

25 years ago August 1999 “Letitia Lerner, Superman’s Babysitter!” by Kyle Baker and Elizabeth Glass appears in DC’s Elseworlds 80-Page Giant #1 (and only). It will win the Eisner Award for Best Short Story of the year.

25 years ago August 1999 DC’s Vertigo line introduces 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. It will win a bunch of awards over the years, including the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 2004.

20 years ago August 2004 With #1595, Comics Buyer’s Guide (“the world’s longest-running magazine about comics”) changes format from a weekly newspaper to a monthly newsstand magazine.

15 years ago August 2009 “Batman: Reborn”: DC kicks off Batman and Robin #1 (with Dick Grayson as Batman and Damian Wayne as Robin) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.

10 years ago August 2014 Wayward by Jim Zub and Steve Cummings begins (with variant covers) from Image.

10 years ago August 2014 Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland by Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez begins from IDW. It will win the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series of the year.

5 years ago August 2019 In the first issue of the second series of Archie’s Jughead’s Time Police, when Jughead’s entry in a pie-making contest gets him banned, Dilton will need to help him fix things via time travel. Of course! The story is by Sina Grade and Derek Charm.

5 years ago August 2019 You want variant editions? I’ll give you variant editions. Check out Marvel’s Black Cat #1. “Thieves like Us” is by Jed MacKay and Travel Foreman.

5 years ago August 2019 Woo hoo! More Marvel variants! In Silver Surfer: Black #1, a black hole is a problem in the story by Donny Cates and Tradd Moore.