Here’s the latest installment of Maggie Thompson’s ongoing look at important beginnings, middles, and ends, this time for January 31 through February 6, 2025...

120 years ago February 2, 1905 The first issue of the French comic book La Semaine de Suzette is published, introducing Joseph Pinchon’s Bécassine.

120 years ago February 3, 1905 British artist Charlie Pease is born. He works for Amalgamated Press for decades, and Lambiek calls him “one of the great names of British comics.”

115 years ago February 2, 1910 “Crown Prince of Daredevils” David Sharpe is born. His performances include stunting Captain Marvel in the 1941 12-chapter Adventures of Captain Marvel Republic serial.

110 years ago February 2, 1915 Dutch comics writer Evert Werkman is born.

110 years ago February 2, 1915 Writer-artist Don Tobin is born. The Disney animator creates the Little Woman comic strip.

110 years ago February 5, 1915 Sam Gilman is born. The Funnies Inc. artist for Centaur eventually becomes a movie actor.

105 years ago February 4, 1920 Writer-artist Fred Ray is born. He’s especially known for his Golden Age Superman cover art and for drawing DC’s Tomahawk.

105 years ago February 5, 1920 Artist George Evans is born. He is especially known for his World War I aviator stories for EC’s Aces High.

105 years ago February 5, 1920 Artist George J. Smith is born. He co-creates the comic strip The Smith Family with his wife, Virginia Quinlan Smith.

100 years ago February 4, 1925 British artist Mike Western is born. He works for Fleetway and IPC.

100 years ago February 5, 1925 Artist Jess Jodloman is born. He’s known for his work on fantasy and science fiction anthology series including Kull the Conqueror.

95 years ago February 2, 1930 Cartoonist Menny Martin is born. He works in the Philippines.

95 years ago February 6, 1930 Flemish artist Hugo Leyers is born.

95 years ago February 6, 1930 Artist Sals Bostwick dies at age 27, following an appendicitis operation that he delayed so as to draw a backlog of cartoons. The Frank King assistant created such features as Room and Board.

90 years ago February 1, 1935 British artist Keith Watson is born. He’s known for work on Dan Dare and on features based on TV series.

90 years ago February 1, 1935 Pioneering Belgian writer-artist Fernand Wicheler dies at age 60.

85 years ago February 2, 1940 Award-winning political cartoonist Larry Wright is born. His syndicated comics are Wright Angles, Motley, and Kit ’n’ Carlyle.

85 years ago February 5, 1940 Swiss artist H.R. Giger is born. He’s especially known for his designs for Alien.

80 years ago February 3, 1945 Walt Disney opens the anthology feature film The Three Caballeros in the United States. (It opened in Mexico City on December 21, 1944.) It combines animation and live-action footage and features animated characters Donald Duck, José Carioca, and Panchito Pistoles.

75 years ago February 6, 1950 Award-winning Japanese manga creator Hideo Azuma is born.

70 years ago February 1, 1955 Teacher, writer, and award-winning Dark Horse editor Diana Schutz is born.

70 years ago February 2, 1955 Writer and award-winning editor Bob Schreck is born.

70 years ago February 2, 1955 Luxembourgian artist Roger Leiner is born. He is best known for the satiric Superjhemp, co-created with Lucien Czuga.

70 years ago February 5, 1955 Artist Val Semeiks is born. He’s especially known for his work on Conan, The Demon, Lobo, Wolverine, and JLA.

65 years ago January 31, 1960 Scottish writer Grant Morrison is born. He’s known for such comics as Animal Man, The Invisibles, and New X-Men. In the 2012 Birthday Honours, he is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his work.

65 years ago February 1, 1960 Artist Ron Frenz is born. He’s known for his work on Amazing Spider-Man and co-creation (with Tom DeFalco) of Spider-Girl and New Warriors.

65 years ago February 4, 1960 Slave Labor Graphics writer-artist Scott Saavedra is born. His work includes tales of Dr. Radium.

65 years ago February 4, 1960 Rantanplan is introduced in Lucky Luke by René Goscinny and Morris.

60 years ago January 31, 1965 Dutch artist and photographer Ulli Bürer is born.

60 years ago February 1, 1965 Publisher Harry Donenfeld dies at age 71. He owned National Allied Publications (which distributed Action Comics and Detective Comics) and was founder of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

55 years ago February 2, 1970 Teenie Weenies creator artist William Donahey dies at age 86.

45 years ago January 31, 1980 Croatian artist and animator Ferdinand Bis (also known as “Ferdo Bis”) dies at age 69.

40 years ago February 5, 1985 At age 70, Dutch artist Cees Bantzinger drowns himself in a river in a reaction to what he did during the war.

30 years ago January 31, 1995 Costa Rican-Mexican award-winning journalist, writer, teacher, and editor Alfredo Cardona Peña dies at age 77. He worked for the publisher Novaro and was known for his science fiction stories.

30 years ago February 4, 1995 Canadian writer-artist Odette Fumet Vincent dies at age 84. She worked with her husband, Rodolphe Vincent.

25 years ago January 31, 2000 Influential and award-winning writer-artist Gil Kane dies of complications of lymphoma at age 73. Lambiek calls him “one of the masters of superhero comics.” Reprising Golden Age heroes in the Silver Age, he co-created the Silver Age Green Lantern with John Broome, Atom with Gardner Fox, and Iron Fist with Roy Thomas. His work included art for Ron Goulart’s Star Hawks strip, and he pioneered graphic novel formats with His Name Is … Savage and Blackmark.

25 years ago February 1, 2000 British artist Bill Holroyd dies at age 80. He was known for his contributions to Dandy and Beano.

20 years ago January 31, 2005 The George comic strip by John R. Norton begins.

20 years ago January 31, 2005 Fan, writer, publisher, agent, and retailer Doug Meirs dies of a heart attack at age 42.

20 years ago February 4, 2005 Artist Eddie Sato dies at age 82.

15 years ago February 4, 2010 Chinese animator and manhua artist Te Wei dies at age 94.

10 years ago February 3, 2015 Belgian artist Henri Ghion dies at age 80. Working as “Géri,” he created Pif (later renamed Baf) and is best known for Mr. Magellan.

10 years ago February 4, 2015 French artist Roland Garel dies at age 84. Known for such series as Galax, Les 4 As, and Chère Pauline, he was president of the Syndicate of Press Artists and head of the APAR agency.

10 years ago February 4, 2015 British writer-artist Dick Millington dies at age 81.

10 years ago February 6, 2015 French artist Jacques Kamb dies at age 81. He created Teddy Ted.

5 years ago February 3, 2020 French science fiction and fantasy artist and animator Philippe Adamov dies at age 63.

5 years ago February 6, 2020 Alice Lorraine Olsen Schenker dies at age 88. With her husband Don, she co-founded the Print Mint shop and published underground comix.

And here are the anniversaries spanning the month of February…

90 years ago February 1935 The first comic book with all-original material is the oversized (“The Big Comic Magazine”) New Fun #1, the first DC comic book (though the publisher is called National Allied Publications, Inc., not “DC”). It’s the first comic book showing Oswald the Rabbit (in a one-pager drawn by John Lindermayer). The cover is a one-page, self-contained story, and an “Ivanhoe” one-pager is scripted by the company’s president, Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson.

85 years ago February 1940 The cover date of the first newsstand issue of Fawcett’s Whiz Comics, #2, is the same as the month of death of the company’s founder, “Captain” Billy Fawcett. The issue introduces readers to characters including Captain Marvel and Sivana (in a story by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck), Golden Arrow (by Parker and Pete Costanza), Lance O’Casey (by Parker and Bob Kingett), Ibis (also by Parker and Beck), Spy Smasher (also by Parker and Beck) – and to comic books from Fawcett Publications. “Gangway for Captain Marvel!” indeed!

85 years ago February 1940 Standard’s Thrilling Comics #1 introduces itself and Dr. Strange by Richard Hughes and Alexander Kostuk. (No, not that Doctor Strange!)

85 years ago February 1940 Hugo Strange is introduced in DC’s Detective Comics #36 in a Batman story by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson. The villain is usually referred to as Professor – but he’s also Doctor Strange, right? This is Doctor Strange Month is what I’m saying. (Neither of these guys is that Doctor Strange.)

85 years ago February 1940 Fox’s Science Comics #1 introduces a bunch of characters, as well as itself: The Eagle, Cosmic Carson, Perisphere Payne, Marga (The Panther Woman), and Navy Jones. Also – Dr. Doom! And (cover-featured, no less): “with a lightning flash Electro suddenly appeared.” (But they’re not the Dr. Doom or Electro you’re thinking of. Hey, Silver Age, be more original! Just saying.)

85 years ago February 1940 And, good grief, Marvel Mystery Comics #4 also introduces Electro (“the marvel of the age”). Even though he’s more specifically both an Electro and a marvel, he’s not the Marvel Electro you’re thinking of, either. This one is a robot.

85 years ago February 1940 David McKay’s King Comics #46 introduces cartoon characters Little Lulu and Tubby to comic books (although the cover features Popeye). (It’s just five years after Marjorie Henderson Buell’s first Lulu cartoon appeared in The Saturday Evening Post.)

85 years ago February 1940 Whitman’s Super Comics #21 (containing mostly strip reprints) introduces Ken Ernst’s magician hero Magic Morro.

85 years ago February 1940 Zip Comics #1 begins that series from Archie. The characters it introduces include Scarlet Avenger, Nevada Jones, and Mr. Satan. Oh, and “The Man of Steel.” Nope, not that Man of Steel. This one is Steel Sterling (drawn by Charles Biro).

85 years ago February 1940 The cover of DC’s More Fun Comics #52 says, “Starting this issue: The daring exploits of The Spectre!” The story by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily makes it clear that Jim Corrigan’s battle against crime isn’t over, just because he’s been killed. Get back to work, Corrigan. More fun!

85 years ago February 1940 Hillman Periodicals begins with Miracle Comics #1. Though that series only lasts four issues, Hillman has a nice run of comics and is best known for its Airboy character, introduced later. This issue features “Sky Wizard Master of Space” by Emile C. Schurmacher, Ed Kressy, and Norman Fallon.

80 years ago February 1945 Fiction House’s Rangers Comics #21 introduces Firehair. “It Happened Yesterday” is signed by John Starr and drawn by Lee Elias.

80 years ago February 1945 Though the title lasts only one issue, the line of Avon Comics begins with Molly O’Day #1 (which also introduces “super sleuth” Molly O’Day, though several other stories in the issue are reprints).

75 years ago February 1950 In Jesse L. Murrell’s “Cincinnati Rates the Comic Books,” Parents’ Magazine publishes its first installment of the comic book ratings from The Greater Cincinnati Committee on Evaluation of Comic Books. (It rates 69 of around 500 “very objectionable.”)

75 years ago February 1950 “See your favorite radio character!!!” Yep, three exclamation marks kick off the first issue of Magazine Enterprise’s Straight Arrow. It’s the first comic book appearance of radio’s Straight Arrow (whose first show was on the West Coast Don Lee Network May 6, 1948). Rancher Steve Adams becomes the Comanche warrior Straight Arrow, when the need arises. His stories are by Gardner Fox and Fred Meagher.

75 years ago February 1950 Marvel’s Captain America’s Weird Tales #75 ends the series for a while.

70 years ago February 1955 EC’s Tales from the Crypt ends with #46 featuring “In Memoriam,” an account of the canceling of the title, and Two-Fisted Tales ends with #41. Neither carries the Comics Code seal.

65 years ago February 1960 DC’s The Brave and the Bold #28 introduces Starro and Snapper Carr – and, oh, yeah, The Justice League of America. “Starro the Conqueror!” is by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs. (And here’s a tip of the Thompson topper to Peter the Puffer Fish, who warns Aquaman that an alien starfish is a threat in the first place. Thanks, Pete! You don’t get enough credit!)

65 years ago February 1960 In “The Kid from Atlantis!” DC’s Adventure Comics #269 introduces Aqualad (kicked out of his home town) in #269. (He’s afraid of fish, by the way; Aquaman helps him out with that in the story by Robert Bernstein and Ramona Fradon.)

65 years ago February 1960 Prrrrrrrr. DC’s Action Comics #261 introduces Streaky the Super-Cat. “Supergirl’s Super Pet!” is by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney. (Oh, and it introduces “x-kryptonite.”)

60 years ago February 1965 “Who is the blazing enemy we dared not show on the cover? Who? Who? Who? Who?” Oh, come on. Tell the nice readers! OK, then. I’ll do it. DC’s Our Army at War #151 introduces Enemy Ace (Hans von Hammer) in a story by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert.

60 years ago February 1965 DC’s Adventure Comics #329 introduces The Legion of Stupor-Bizarros in “The Bizarro-Legion” by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney.

60 years ago February 1965 “Even the world’s mightiest crusaders find themselves helplessly trapped,” when Marvel’s The Avengers #13 introduces Count Nefaria and The Maggia in “The Castle of Count Nefaria!” by Stan Lee, Don Heck, and Dick Ayers.

60 years ago February 1965 Well, Marvel’s Daredevil is “the man without fear.” But “be prepared for the ultimate in sheer villainy and suspense,” when Daredevil #6 introduces Mr. Fear and The Fellowship of Fear. The story is by Stan Lee and Wally Wood.

55 years ago February 1970 He’s disgusted with The Justice League, when DC’s Justice League of America #78 introduces Silver Age Vigilante, coming out of retirement. “The Coming of the Doomsters” is by Denny O’Neil, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella.

50 years ago February 1975 Marvel’s Giant-Size Fantastic Four #4 introduces Madrox. No, he isn’t a super-cookie; he’s a “multiple menace” in a story by Chris Claremont, Len Wein, John Buscema, Chic Stone, and Joe Sinnott.

50 years ago February 1975 Seaboard (a new Atlas) has just begun its releases – and in its February first issues: Morlock 2001 introduces Morlock 2001 in a story by Michael Fleisher, Al Milgrom, and Jack Abel. (Because 2001 is going to be scary, right? It lasts three issues.) The Scorpion introduces The Scorpion by Howard Chaykin. (It also lasts three issues.) Wulf the Barbarian introduces Wulf by Larry Hama and Klaus Janson. (It lasts four issues.) And The Destructor introduces (wait for it!) The Destructor by Archie Goodwin, Steve Ditko, and Wally Wood. (Yep, it also lasts four issues.)

50 years ago February 1975 Magus is introduced (and Adam Warlock’s origin is told) in Marvel’s Strange Tales #178. “Who Is Adam Warlock?” is by Jim Starlin and kicks off his run on the character.

50 years ago February 1975 With a “frightful, fearful 1st issue!” Marvel’s Giant-Size Chillers begins, “featuring more scary stories of macabre monsters & maddening menace than you can shake a skull at!!”

50 years ago February 1975 Archie’s Red Circle Sorcery #11 is the last issue.

45 years ago February 1980 Rolling Stone carried its first article about disco in 1973. (Thanks, Wikipedia!) Wiki also notes that, by September 22, 1979, “there were no disco songs in the US Top 10 chart.” So, of course, it’s now time for Marvel to introduce Dazzler in The X-Men #130 in a story by Chris Claremont, John Byrne, and Terry Austin. Dazzler (also known as Alison Blaire) is “the first mutant of the disco era.”

45 years ago February 1980 The first issue of Marvel’s The Savage She-Hulk introduces, yes, She-Hulk in a “#1 collectors’ item issue!” In “She-Hulk Lives!” Stan Lee, John Buscema, and Chic Stone describe the process via which Bruce Banner contributes to the transformation of Jennifer Walters. He saves her life, but there are … side effects.

40 years ago February 1985 The first issue of DC’s Jonni Thunder introduces Jonni Thunder and her super-identity of Thunderbolt in a “shocking origin issue” by Roy and Dann Thomas, Gerry Conway, and Dick Giordano.

40 years ago February 1985 In DC’s Tales of the Teen Titans #50, Donna Troy marries Terry Long in “We Are Gathered Here Today …” by Marv Wolfman, George Pérez, Mike DeCarlo, and Dick Giordano.

40 years ago February 1985 “And now … a moment’s silence”: In “The last Marvel Team-Up,” Marvel wraps up Marvel Team-Up with #150, featuring Spider-Man and X-Men.

40 years ago February 1985 Warrior from British publisher Quality Communications ends with #26.

35 years ago February 1990 A new DC comics series of Superboy (“The Comic Book”) begins – with a photo cover of Gerard Christopher and Stacy Haiduk – “as seen on TV and in Superman magazines.” It’s “based on the hit syndicated action series!!” (which began in October 1988).

35 years ago February 1990 Marvel’s The New Mutants #86 introduces Cable in a cameo, teasing for the next issue; both #86 and #87 are by Louise Simonson, Rob Liefeld, and Bob Wiacek. (The story introduces The Mutant Liberation Front and many of its members.)

35 years ago February 1990 The cover of Marvel’s Silver Surfer #34 announces, “1st issue of a new era of greatness,” and notes the character’s reintroduction: “Call him Thanos, call him death!” “…Even Demigods Must Dream!” is by Jim Starlin, Ron Lim, and Tom Christopher.

35 years ago February 1990 The last issue of The Terminator from Now is #17.

30 years ago February 1995 The second run of DC’s Doom Patrol ends with #87.

30 years ago February 1995 The Dark Horse anthology Instant Piano #3 includes “The Eltingville Comic Book, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Role-Playing Club in Bring Me the Head of Boba Fett” by Evan Dorkin. It will win the Eisner Award for Best Short Story of the year.

20 years ago February 2005 DC kicks off a reboot of Legion of Super-Heroes that focuses on a whole bunch of teens. “And We Are Legion” is by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, and Mick Gray.

15 years ago February 2010 Daytripper by Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá begins from DC/Vertigo. It will win the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series of the year.

10 years ago February 2015 Valiant kicks off Divinity and Imperium.

10 years ago February 2015 DC brings back Secret Six with a new line-up. “One Less Mouth to Feed” is by Gail Simone, Ken Lashley, and Drew Geraci.

10 years ago February 2015 The first issue of The Fade Out by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips comes from Image. It will win the Eisner Award for Best Limited Series of the year.

5 years ago February 2020 It’s not the first Suicide Squad #1 from DC; it won’t be the last. Just saying.

5 years ago February 2020 OK, Marvel publishes it as Dr. Strange #1 – but, yeah, we know it’s really #411. Sigh. Never mind.

5 years ago February 2020 Marvel has four more “2099” first (and, this time, only) issues: 2099 Omega, Doom 2099, Ghost Rider 2099, and Spider-Man 2099.