1956 in comics

none Notable events of 1956 in comics. Events and publications January January 9: In Charles M. Schulz' Peanuts Snoopy starts walking on his hind legs.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/schulz.htm Charles M. Schulz lambiek.net February 2, 2021 January 21: The first issue of the British comics magazine The Beezer comes out. It will be syndicated until 21 August 1993. January 26: The Uncle Scrooge story Land Beneath the Ground!, by Carl Barks is first printed, alongside Barks' Three Un-Ducks in Walt Disney's comics and stories. February Romano Scarpa, already appreciated as cartoonist, begins his career as Disney writer with Shellfish Motives (Paperino e i gamberi in salmì). February 2: In Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge story The Second-Richest Duck Flintheart Glomgold makes his debut. In Spirou the Lucky Luke story Rails on the prairie by René Goscinny and Morris is concluded. This marks the first time Luke sings his signature song: I'm a poor lonesome cowboy.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/morris.htm Morris lambiek.net May 12, 2020 February 18: The first issue of the British comics magazine Express Weekly comes out and will run until 1960.https://britishcomics.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/express-weekly/ Express Weekly Mar 30, 2015 May 12, 2020 The final issue of the Belgian children's magazine Bimbo is published. In Walt Disney’s comics and stories, the story Secret resolutions by Carl Barks first appears in print. March First issue of Showcase (DC comics) April April 5: in Spirou, Alerte aux Pieds-Blues by Morris. April 14: The final episode of Gene Deitch's Terr'ble Thompson is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/deitch-gene.htm Gene Deitch lambiek.net May 12, 2020 In Charles M. Schulz' Peanuts Charlie Brown gets his kite stuck in a tree. This will become a running gag in the series.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/schulz.htm Charles M. Schulz lambiek.net February 2, 2021 Cancellation of Apache Kid, with issue #19, Atlas. In Italy, the Donald Duck story Paperino Don Chisciotte (Duck Quixote), by Guido Martina (script) and Pier Lorenzo de Vita (drawings), a parody of Don Quixote set in modern California, with Donald Duck in the title role and Goofy as Sancho Panza is published. After Mickey Mouse’s Hell, it is the second retelling by Martina of a literary masterpiece with the Disney characters. In Albi d’oro, Witch Hazel makes her debut in the Italian Disney comics with Paperino e l’aspirapolvere fatato (The magic vacuum) by Carlo Chendi and Luciano Bottaro (Mondadori). First issue of Rama, l'apache by Andrea Lavezzolo and Virgilio Muzzi (Dardo). May May 17: In Spirou, first chapter of Le Gorille a Mauvaise Mine by Andrè Franquin (retitled Le Gorille a Bonne Mine for the album edition.) World of fantasy, a bi-monthly publication debuts for Atlas Comics. Among the artists on the book are Werner Roth and Dick Ayers. In Valiant, Jacques Flash by Roger Lecareux and Pierre Le Guen, a journalist-detective with the power of invisibility, makes his début. June June 10: In the Italian Disney magazine Topolino, in the story Topolino e la Grande Impresa di Lascia o t’Accoppo, by Guido Martina and Giovan Battista Carpi Mickey Mouse and Uncle Scrooge appear in the same story, which is an unusual situation, since characters from these two universes rarely overlap in Disney comic stories. July In Detective Comics #233 Batwoman makes her debut. In the Uncle Scrooge story The Cat Box by Carl Barks, Little Helper makes his debut. September September: In the 29th issue of Mad Magazine, a gap-toothed character who'd previously appeared as a tiny face on the cover of issue 21 in March, is given the name Alfred E. Neuman.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/e/elder.htm Will Elder lambiek.net 14 October 2025 September 1: In Het Parool, Piet Wijn's Frank, De Vliegende Hollander is cancelled after a year, to make place for the comeback of Pieter J. Kuhn's Kapitein Rob.Pieter Kuhn lambiek.net https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kuhn.htm 2019-09-08Piet Wijn lambiek.net https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kuhn.htm 2021-03-01 September 10: David Wright and Peter Meriton's Carol Day makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/wright-david.htm David Wright lambiek.net May 12, 2020 September 20: Maurice Tillieux' Gil Jourdan makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/tilleux.htm Maurice Tillieux lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Bill Ritchie's Baby Crockett makes its debut. September 21: The Nero story De IJzeren Kolonel by Marc Sleen is first published in the newspapers. Halfway the story the major antagonist of the series, Ricardo, makes his debut. October October 13: in Spirou, Lucky Luke contre Joss Damon, by Morris and Goscinny. October 24: The first episode of Jules Feiffer's Sick, Sick, Sick (later retitled Feiffer) is published in The Village Voice.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/feiffer.htm Jules Feiffer lambiek.net May 12, 2020 October 31: in Tintin, The Red Sea sharks, by Hergè. Showcase #4 (National Periodical Publications) — First appearance of a revamped Flash ushers in the Silver Age of Comic Books. November November 1: The final issue of the Belgian comics magazine Risque-Tout is published. November 8: In Spirou, the first chapter of Le Nid des Marsupilamis, by André Franquin is serialized. November 18: Frank Giacoia's Johnny Reb and Billy Yank makes its debut. It will run until 24 May 1959. First issue of House of secrets (DC comics) December December: Mad becomes a two-monthly black-and-white magazine with Al Feldstein and William M. Gaines as new chief editors and publishers.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/feldstein.htm Al Feldstein lambiek.netThe magazine's enduring mascot Alfred E. Neuman appears on the cover for the first time, designed by Norman Mingo.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mingo_norman.htm Norman Mingo lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Quality Comics ceases operations; many of the company's characters and title trademarks sold to National Periodical Publications, which chooses to keep only four series running: Blackhawk, G.I. Combat, Heart Throbs, and Robin Hood Tales. Cancellation of the American comics magazine Panic. The final issue of the Belgian comics magazine Heroïc Albums is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cheneval_fernand.htm Fernand Cheneval lambiek.net May 12, 2020 In the Uncle Scrooge story Back To Long Ago!, by Carl Barks, 16th-century ancestors of Scrooge McDuck and Donald Duck are introduced. In the following years, this narrative device will be widely imitated by other Disney authors. Specific date unknown Maurice Tillieux discontinues his detective series Félix in Héroïc-Albums.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/tillieux_maurice.htm Maurice Tillieux lambiek.net 18 December 2023 Oğuz Aral creates the Hayk Mammer comics series.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/a/aral-oguz.htm Oğuz Aral lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Haaken Christensen discontinues Brumle.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/christensen_haaken.htm Haaken Christensen Turkish comics artist Ratip Tahir Burak is jailed after making an editorial cartoon warning against government censorship.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/burak_ratip_tahir.htm Ratip Tahir Burak lambiek.net August 22, 2020 The first episode of Charles M. Schulz' Young Pillars is published. It will run until 1965.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/schulz.htm Charles M. Schulz lambiek.net February 2, 2021 In the French magazine Valiant, the little Indian Cha’pa and his friend, the imaginary animal Group-Group, by Jean Ollivier and Ramon Monzon, and the couple of amateur detectives Richard and Charlie, by Jean Tabary, make their debut.https://www.bdtheque.com/series/12483/cha-pa-et-group-group Cha'pa et Group-Group Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent and the United States Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency hearings continue to negatively affect the comics marketplace. Ace Comics, Avon Comics, EC Comics, Key Publications (Aragon Magazines, Gillmor Magazines, Medal Comics, Media Publications, S. P. M. Publications, Stanmor Publications, and Timor Publications), Mainline Publications, Nedor Comics (Standard, Better, and Thrilling), and Quality Comics all cease publishing, though EC continues to publish Mad magazine (and Nedor is succeeded by the short-lived Pines Comics). The Canadian publisher Superior Publishers Limited also goes defunct. The Tintin story The Calculus Affair, by Hergé and the Blake & Mortimer album The Yellow "M" by Edgar P. Jacobs, previously published as serials, are released as comics albums. The album Lucky Luke contre Phil Defer by Morris is first released. The Spirou et Fantasio album Le Dictateur et le Champignon (The Dictator and the Mushroom) by André Franquin first appears in album form. The Little Archie series is launched, with Bob Bolling as main writer an artist. The series will run until 1983.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bolling_bob.htm Bob Bolling lambiek.net August 22, 2024 Births May May 1: Tim Sale, American comic book artist (Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Superman for All Seasons), (d. 2022). July July 11: Danny Shanahan, American cartoonist (worked for The New Yorker), (d. 2021).https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/shanahan_danny.htm Danny Shanahan Lambiek.net October 5, 2021 September September 23: Peter David, American comic book writer (Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men).Miller John Jackson June 10, 2005 Comics Industry Birthdays http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031356/http://cbgxtra.com/knowledge-base/for-your-reference/comics-industry-birthdays February 18, 2011 August 14, 2023 Comics Buyer's Guide Iola, Wisconsin mdy-all September 25: Kim Thompson, Danish-American comics editor, translator and publisher (vice-president of Fantagraphics Books), (d. 2013). October October 21: Paul Levitz, American comic book writer (Adventure Comics, Legion of Super-Heroes). Specific date unknown Bill Willingham, American comic writer and artist (Elementals, Fables, Green Lantern). Deaths January January 3: Hugh Rankin, aka Doak, aka Quindaro, American illustrator and comics artist (continued Lord Longbow), dies at age 77.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rankin_hugh.htm Hugh Rankin lambiek.net May 26, 2021 January 11: Charles Genty, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 69.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/genty_charles.htm Charles Genty lambiek.net May 12, 2020 January 13: Lyonel Feininger, German-American painter and comics artist (The Kin-der-Kids, Wee Willie Winkie's World), died, aged 84.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/feininger_l.htm Lyonel Feininger lambiek.net May 12, 2020 January 22: Ward Greene, American comics writer (Rip Kirby, Scamp), dies at age 63 from a pulmonary edema."WARD GREEN DIES: A HEARST OFFICIAL," New York Times (January 23, 1956), p. 25. March March 2: Walter Quermann, American comics artist (Hickory Hollow Folks), dies from a heart attack at age 58.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/q/quermann_walter.htm Walter Quermann lambiek.net May 12, 2020 March 4: Sidney Strube, British editorial cartoonist and comics artist (Little Man), dies at age 63.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/strube_sidney.htm Sidney Strube lambiek.net September 29, 2020 March 25: Giovanni Scolari, Italian comics artist (Saturno contro la Terra), dies at age 73.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/scolari_g.htm Giovanni Scolari lambiek.net May 12, 2020 May May 20: Max Beerbohm, British essayist, cartoonist and caricaturist, dies at age 83. July July 21: Louis Raemaekers, Dutch cartoonist, comics artist and caricaturist (Flippie Flink), dies at age 86.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/raemaekers_louis.htm Louis Raemaekers lambiek.net May 12, 2020 August August 12: Doc Winner, American comics artist (Tubby, Elmer), dies from cancer at age 71.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/winner_doc.htm Doc Winner lambiek.net May 12, 2020 August 23: Jos Speybrouck, Belgian graphic artist, illustrator and comics artist (Het Kerkelijk Jaar in Beeld, Levenslijnen), dies at age 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/speybrouck_jos.htm Jos Speybrouck lambiek.net May 12, 2020 August 24: A.D. Condo, American comics artist (The Outbursts of Everett True, Mr. Skygack, from Mars), dies at age 84.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/condo_ad.htm A. D. Condo lambiek.net May 12, 2020 September September 6: Alex Raymond, American comics artist (Flash Gordon, Jungle Jim, Rip Kirby, Secret Agent X-9), dies at age 46 in a car crash.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/raymond.htm Alex Raymond lambiek.net May 12, 2020 September 19: Cecil Surry, American animator and comics artist (Disney comics, Tom & Jerry, Dell Comics), dies at age 49.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/surry_cecil.htm Cecil Surry lambiek.net May 12, 2020 October October 6: Erwin Barta, Hungarian painter, illustrator and graphic artist (Hannibal the all round sportsman), dies at age 78.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/barta_erwin.htm Erwin Barta lambiek.net May 12, 2020 December December 9: Uriel Birnbaum, Austrian illustrator, painter, poet, poster artist and comics artist, dies at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/birnbaum_uriel.htm Uriel Birnbaum lambiek.net March 29, 2021 December 31: Norm Rice, Australian comics artist (Powerman, Steele Carewe, Nick Carver of the Circus, continued Bluey and Curley), dies in a car accident.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rice_norm.htm Norm Rice lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Specific date unknown Freddie Crompton, British comic artist (drew celebrity comics based on Charlie Chaplin and Syd Chaplin, Marmy and His Ma, The Brownie Boys), dies at age 67 or 68.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/crompton_freddie.htm Freddie Crompton lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Gus Mager, American comics artist (Hawkshaw the Detective), dies at age 77 or 78.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mager_g.htm Gus Mager lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Zuni Maud, Polish journalist, cartoonist, puppeteer and comics artist, dies at age 64 or 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/maud_zuni.htm Zuni Maud lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Ralph Mayo, American comics artist and art director for AC Comics, dies at an unknown age.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mayo_ralph.htm Ralph Mayo lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Austin Bowen Payne, British comics artist (Pip, Squeak and Wilfred), dies at age 79 or 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/payne_ab.htm Austin Bowen Payne lambiek.net May 12, 2020 Initial appearances by character name Capitan Trueno, created by Victor Mora and Miguel Ambrosio Zaragoza Ricardo, in The Adventures of Nero: De IJzeren Kolonel, created by Marc Steen – Standaard Uitgeverij (Belgium) Jolyon Wagg, in The Calculus Affair, created by Hergè – Casterman Gideon McDuck, in Topolino #132-133 (January), created by Romano Scarpa – Disney Timmy the timid ghost, in Timmy the Timid Ghost #3 (February), created by Al Fago – Charlton Fireman Farrell, in Showcase #1 (March), created by Arnold Drake and John Prentice – DC Comics Mr. Muscles, in Mr. Muscles #22 (March), created by Jerry Siegel – Charlton Nature Boy, in Nature Boy #3 (March), created by Jerry Siegel and John Buscema – Charlton Zaza the mystic, in Zaza the Mystic #10 (April), created by Joe Gill, Rocke Mastroserio, and Charles Nicholas – Charlton Chief Parker, in Adventure Comics #225 (June), created by Alvin Schwartz and Curt Swan – DC Comics Batwoman in Detective Comics #233 (July), created by Edmond Hamilton and Sheldon Moldoff – DC Comics Flintheart Glomgold, in Uncle Scrooge #15 (September), created by Carl Barks – Disney Little Helper, in Uncle Scrooge #15 (September), created by Carl Barks- Disney Flash in Showcase #4 (October), created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino – DC Comics Iris West Allen in Showcase #4 (October), created by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert – DC Comics Topo in Adventure Comics #229 (October), created by Ramona Fradon – DC comics Yellow Claw in Yellow Claw #1 (October), created by Al Feldstein and Joe Maneely – Marvel Jimmy Woo in Yellow Claw #1 (October), created by Al Feldstein and Joe Maneely – Marvel Lew Moxon in Detective Comics #235 (November), created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff – DC Comics Malcolm McDuck and Pintail Duck, in Uncle Scrooge #16 (December), created by Carl Barks – Disney Turtle in Showcase #4 (October), created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino – DC Comics References