Tom Heintjes

Happy 75th birthday to "The Far Side" creator Gary Larson, who was born on August 14, 1950.

The well-known phrase "truth, justice and the American way" was first used in the intro to Superman's radio show on August 31, 1942. (Superman had been on the radio since February 1940, but introductions in previous episodes only mentioned Supes fighting for "truth and justice." Ah, mission creep.)

Krazy Kat creator George Herriman, one of the great geniuses of cartooning who showed the medium’s literary potential, was born on August 22, 1880.

Riverdale Week in Review (“Archie” strips from March 7-12, 1949):

The Friday Flop:

PLAY BALL! In "Peanuts," Charlie Brown first played baseball (though not yet as pitcher) 75 years ago, on March 6, 1951:

The Chicago Tribune ran this ad in November 1970. I suppose the artist did his best, bless his heart. (Sorry, girls—this opportunity was open only to boys.)

"Betty Brown, Ph.G." by Boody Rogers, originally published on March 7, 1938, and titled "A Big Attraction." (I love a Rogers crowd scene.)

The Phantom first left a skull mark from his ring (on an unfortunate pirate's cheek) 90 years ago, on March 5, 1936.

Wordless Wednesday:

Alex Raymond's "Rip Kirby" first appeared 80 years ago, on March 4, 1946. (It was the strip he was working on at the time of his death in a 1956 car crash.) Here’s the first week of dailies:

Topper Tuesday (“No Brains But,” topper to “Bringing Up Father”):

Before there was Farmville, there was "U.S. Acres," and the Jim Davis-created strip first appeared 40 years ago, on March 3, 1986. Here’s the first week of dailies: