1959 in comics

Notable events of 1959 in comics. See also List of years in comics.

Publications and events

January

• January 11: After two years of publication Charles M. Schulz' It's Only a Game comes to an end.[1]
• January 31: Philip Mendoza's The Adventures of Katie Country Mouse debuts. It will run until 1964.[2]
• Mr. District Attorney, with issue #67 (January/February cover date), cancelled by DC.
• Paperiade (The ducks’ Iliad) script by Guido Martina, drawings by Luciano Bottaro, on Topolino; in the year, Martina carries out Disney versions of other classics (Der ring des Nibelungen, Cantar de mio Cid, The adventures of Saturnin Farandoul).

March

• March 10: In the Italian magazine Topolino the story Mickey Mouse in the Delta Dimension, by Romano Scarpa is prepublished, which marks the debut of Atomo Bleep-Bleep and the return of Doctor Einmug, who hadn't been featured in 20 years.
• March 15: After 38 years of publication Russ Westover's Tillie the Toiler is discontinued.[3]
• March 28: The final episode of Phiny Dick, Ton Beek, Eiso Toonder and Andries Brandt's Birre Beer is published.[4]
• March: Flash Comics, a series which ended in 1949 is rebooted and marks the debut of The Flash by John Broome and Carmine Infantino.
• Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge story The Flying Dutchman is first published.
• In Italy, Renzo Barbieri debuts as writer and editor with the western series Timbergek.

May

• May 24: After two and a half years Frank Giacoia's Johnny Reb and Billy Yank comes to an end.
• May 30: John Dixon's Air Hawk and the Flying Doctors makes its debut.
• Hopalong Cassidy, with issue #135 (May/June cover date), cancelled by DC.
• Carl Barks's Donald Duck story The Beachcombers' Picnic is published in Walt Disney’s comics and stories.

June

• June 6: Leo Baxendale's The Three Bears makes its debut in The Beano.[5]
• June 21: The first issue of the Belgian children's magazine Zonnekind, a sister publication of Zonneland, is published. In the first issue Nonkel Fons and Gray Croucher's Rikske en Fikske makes its debut.[6]

July

• July 2: In Spirou the first chapter of Les Schtroumpfs noirs by Peyo is prepublished, which is the first long narrative starring the Smurfs after they debuted as side characters in Johan and Peewit a year earlier.[7]
• July 30: In Spirou the first chapter of the Lucky Luke story En remontant le Mississippi, script by Goscinny, drawn by Morris is prepublished.

August

• August 10: In the Italian magazine Topolino, first chapter of Paperino e l’isola del Tesoro (Donald and the Treasure Island) by Luciano Bottaro, inaugurating the cycle of the “pirate ducks” narratives,[8] and The man from Oola-Oola, by Romano Scarpa, are published.

September

• September 14: The new The Adventures of Nero story De Zoon van Nero starts in Het Volk, which marks the birth of Nero's son Adhemar.
• September 24:The final issue of the Belgian Disney comics magazine Mickey Magazine is published.
• September: Harvey Kurtzman's graphic novel Harvey Kurtzman's Jungle Book is first published.

October

• October 10: After 27 years of publication Norman Pett's Jane comes to an end.[9]
• October 17: After 23 years of continuous publication Bill Connor and Steve Dowling's Belinda comes to an end.[10]
• October 17: The British comics magazine The Comet ceases to exist and merges into the new magazine Tiger.[11]
• October 17: After 42 years of publication Sidney Smith's The Gumps comes to an end.[12]
• October 19: Dennis Collins' The Perishers makes its debut.
• October 24: The British boys' story paper The Hotspur is transformed into a comics magazine: The New Hotspur. It will run until 24 January 1981.[13]
• October 29: The first issue of the French comics magazine Pilote is published, which will become one of the best-selling magazines ever in only a few years. In its first issue Astérix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo (introducing Asterix, Obelix, Getafix the druid, Vitalstatistix the chieftain and Cacofonix the bard [14]), Tanguy et Laverdure by Jean-Michel Charlier and Albert Uderzo and Jean-Michel Charlier and Victor Hubinon's Redbeard make their debut.[15]

November

• November 5: Willy Vandersteen's De Rode Ridder, based on the novels by Leopold Vermeiren, makes its debut.[16][17]
• November 10: In the Italian magazine Topolino The Sacred Spring of Seasons, by Romano Scarpa is prepublished.

December

• December 10: In the 1130th issue of the Belgian magazine Spirou a small supplement Smurfs comic book is added named Le Voleur de Schtroumpfs, in which Gargamel and Azrael make their debut.[18]
• December 16: Raymond Macherot's Clifton makes its debut.[19]
• December 24: Jean Roba and Maurice Rosy's Boule et Bill makes its debut in Spirou.[20]
• Carl Barks' Donald Duck story The Wax Museum is prepublished in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories.

Specific date unknown

• Dick Millington's Mighty Moth makes its debut in TV Comic, where it will run until 1984.[21]
• In the newspaper Folha da Manha Mauricio de Sousa's comic strip Dudu makes its debut, which later, under the name Monica’s gang, will become the most popular Brazilian comic.

Deaths

January

• January 30: Hans Füsser, German caricaturist and comics artist (Jackel und Bastel), dies at age 60.[22]

March

• March 12: F. Verdugo, Spanish journalist and comics artist, passes away at age 84. [23]

April

• April 15: Harry B. Martin, American comics artist (Weatherbird, It Happened in Birdland), dies from cerebral thrombosis at age 85.[24]

May

• May 1: Reginald Arkell, British novelist, playwright and comics writer (scripted Bosch the Soldier by Alfred Leete [25]), dies at age 76.[26]

July

• July 2: R. F. Schabelitz, American illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 72. [27]
• July 6: George Grosz, German painter, caricaturist, and illustrator, dies at age 65.

August

• August 4: Eric Ericson, American comics artist and cartoonist (The Grounded Gremlin, Herkimer Fuddle), dies at age 45.[28]
• August 5: Frank Godwin, American comics artist and illustrator (Connie, Rusty Riley, continued Roy Powers, Eagle Scout), dies at age 69 from a heart attack.[29]
• August 11: Matt Baker, American comics artist (Phantom Lady, Flamingo) dies at age 37.[30]
• August 11: Bert Wymer, British comics artist and archeologist (continued Tiger Tim), dies at age 68.[31]

September

• September 28: Gerard Hoffnung, German-British cartoonist and musician, dies at age 34 from a cerebral haemorrhage. [32]
• September 29: Bruce Bairnsfather, British comics artist and cartoonist (Old Bill), passes away at age 72 from bladder cancer.[33]

October

• October 10: Carl Ed, American comics artist (Harold Teen), dies at age 69.[34]

December

• December 7: Peter Beekman, Dutch comics artist (Hansje, Ansje en de Meeuw, Rare, Maar Ware Commentaren), dies at age 48.[35]
• December 9: Gene Carr, American comics artist (Lady Bountiful, The Bad Dream That Made Bill A Better Boy), dies at age 78.[36]

Specific date unknown

• Will Donald, Australian comics artist (Fashion Plate Fanny), passes away at age 85 or 86.[37]

First issues by title

• Kathy - Marvel Comics
• A Date with Millie - Marvel Comics
• Pilote magazine, featuring debuts of the series Astérix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, and Michel Tanguy by Uderzo and Jean-Michel Charlier. (October 29)[38]
• Giubba rossa – Edizioni Araldo (June); Italian version of the English series dedicated to the RCMP sergeant Dick Daring.
• Tales of Suspense - Marvel Comics
• Tales to Astonish - Marvel Comics

Initial appearance by character name

• Pugacioff (May) in Cucciolo, created by Giorgio Rebuffi.
• Whisky & Gogo in Cucciolo, created by Luciano Bottaro.
• Asterix and Obélix make their debut on 29 October 1959 in the first issue of Pilote.[15]
• Tanguy et Laverdure make their debut in the first issue of Pilote.[15]

DC Comics

• Abin Sur in Showcase #22 (October) created by John Broome and Gil Kane - DC Comics
• Bat-Mite in Detective Comics #267 (May), created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff - DC Comics
• Carol Ferris in Showcase #22 (September), created by John Broome and Gil Kane - DC Comics
• Circe in Showcase #21 (July), created by Jack Miller and Mike Sekowsky - DC Comics
• Congorilla in Action Comics #248 (January) created by Robert Bernstein and Howard Sherman - DC Comics
• Gorilla Grodd in The Flash #106 (May), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino - DC Comics
• Hal Jordan in Showcase #22 (October) created by John Broome and Gil Kane - DC Comics
• Human Flame in Detective Comics #274 (December), created by Jack Miller and Joe Certa - DC Comics
• Karin Grace in The Brave and the Bold #25 (September), created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru - DC Comics
• Lady Blackhawk in Blackhawk #133(February), created by Jack Schiff and Dick Dillin - DC Comics
• Lori Lemaris in Superman #129 (May), created by Bill Finger and Wayne Boring - DC Comics
• Lucy Lane in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #36 (April), created by Otto Binder and Curt Swan - DC Comics
• Metallo in Action Comics #252 (May), created by Robert Bernstein and Al Plastino - DC Comics
• Mirror Master in The Flash #105 (March), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino - DC Comics
• Mister Freeze in Batman #121(February), created by Dave Wood and Sheldon Moldoff - DC Comics
• Pied Piper in The Flash #106 (May), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino - DC Comics
• Rick Flag in The Brave and the Bold #25 (August), created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru - DC Comics
• Rip Hunter in Showcase #20 (June), created by Jack Miller and Ruben Moreira - DC Comics
• Sgt. Rock in Our Army at War #81 (April), created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert[39]
• Solovar in The Flash #106 (April), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino - DC Comics
• Suicide Squad in Brave and Bold #25, created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru - DC Comics
• Supergirl in Action Comics #252 (May), created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino - DC Comics
• The Clock in Detective Comics #265 (March), created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff - DC Comics
• Weather Wizard, in Flash #110 (December 1959/January 1960)

References

1. "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: It's Only a Game". toonopedia.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
2. "Philip Mendoza". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
3. "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Tillie the Toiler". www.toonopedia.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
4. "Phiny Dick". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
5. "Leo Baxendale". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
6. "Gray Croucher". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
7. "Peyo". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
8. "L'isola del tesoro di Bottaro – Luciano Bottaro cartoonist" (in Italian). Retrieved 2019-10-18.
9. "Norman Pett", Artists, Lambiek.
10. "Tony Royle". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
11. "Complete AP / Fleetway Comic Index". www.dandare.info. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
12. "Don Markstein's Toonopedia: The Gumps". www.toonopedia.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
13. McAleer, Joseph (1992). Popular Reading and Publishing in Britain: 1914-1950. ISBN 9780198203292.
14. "Albert Uderzo". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
15. "Pilote (1959-1989)". www.lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
16. "Willy Vandersteen". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
17. "1959: De Rode Ridder wordt als stripheld bekend gemaakt". roderidder.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
18. "Peyo". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
19. BDoubliées. "Tintin année 1959" (in French).
20. "Jean Roba". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
21. "Dick Millington". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
22. "Hans Füsser". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
23. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/verdugo_f.htm
24. "Harry B. Martin". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
25. "Alfred Leete". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
26. Times, Special to The New York (2 May 1959). "REGINALD ARKELL, AUTHOR., 76, DEAD; English Writer Best Known for'Novel 'Old Herbaceous' Also Was Playwright". Retrieved 29 January 2019 – via NYTimes.com.
27. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/schabelitz_rf.htm
28. "Eric Ericson". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
29. "Frank Godwin". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
30. "Matt Baker". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
31. "Bert Wymer". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
32. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/hoffnung_gerard.htm
33. "Bruce Bairnsfather". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
34. "Carl Ed". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
35. "Peter Beekman". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
36. "Gene Carr". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
37. "Will Donald". lambiek.net. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
38. BDoubliées. "Pilote année 1959" (in French).
39. Irvine, Alex; Dolan, Hannah (2010). "1950s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. In "The Rock of Easy Co.!" written by Robert Kanigher and Bob Haney, with art by Ross Andru, the reader was introduced to Sgt. Frank Rock of Easy Company.