This Day in Comic Book History: July 28
This Day in Comic Book History: July 28
July 28 is a genuinely extraordinary day for comic book birthdays — the creator of one of the most visually beautiful independent comics in history, and one of the most beloved and versatile writers in modern mainstream comics, were both born on this date.
July 28, 1955: Birth of Dave Stevens, Creator of The Rocketeer
Dave Stevens Born — July 28
Creator of The Rocketeer (1982) · Pinup art master · Bettie Page champion · Died 2008 at age 52 · Short career, enormous legacy
Dave Stevens was born on July 28, 1955, and in his tragically brief career — he died of leukemia in 2008 at age 52 — created one of the most beautiful and beloved independent comics ever published: The Rocketeer. Debuting in 1982, The Rocketeer followed Cliff Secord, a barnstorming pilot who discovers a rocket-powered jetpack in 1930s Los Angeles. Stevens' artwork was meticulously detailed, rooted in pulp adventure illustration and Golden Age Hollywood glamour, and rendered with a technical precision that made every page a collector's item. Stevens also played a pivotal role in reviving the career of Bettie Page — his pinup artwork celebrating the 1950s model sparked renewed interest in Page that led to her cultural rehabilitation. The 1991 Disney film adaptation brought the Rocketeer to wide audiences.
July 28, 1974: Birth of Gail Simone, Comics' Essential Voice
Gail Simone Born — July 28
Birds of Prey · Wonder Woman · Batgirl · Secret Six · One of the most beloved writers in modern DC Comics
Gail Simone was born on July 28, 1974, and has become one of the most beloved and acclaimed writers in modern superhero comics. She is best known for her celebrated runs on DC's Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and Batgirl — stories noted for their compassionate character work, sharp humor, and genuine affection for the characters. Her creator-owned Secret Six is considered one of the finest DC villain series ever written. Simone began her comics career writing a popular online column called "Women in Refrigerators" that documented the disproportionate rate at which female comic book characters were killed or harmed to motivate male heroes — a critique so influential that "fridging" entered the critical vocabulary of comics discourse.
July 28, 1985: First Appearance of Arlo and Janis
Arlo and Janis Debuts — July 28
Created by Jimmy Johnson · Warmly observed domestic comedy · Award-winning newspaper strip about middle-age and marriage
On July 28, 1985, Jimmy Johnson launched Arlo and Janis, a newspaper comic strip about a middle-aged couple navigating marriage, parenthood, and growing older together with warmth, humor, and genuine emotional intelligence. The strip has been praised for its honest and non-patronizing portrayal of adult relationships — a rarity in newspaper comics — and has earned Johnson multiple award nominations across its four decades of publication.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics Tied to July 28 History
- The Rocketeer #1 (Starslayer #2, 1982) — Dave Stevens' (born this date, 1955) debut of Cliff Secord; one of the most visually breathtaking debut issues in independent comics history.
- The Rocketeer: The Complete Adventures (IDW, 2009) — The definitive Dave Stevens Rocketeer collection; every page a demonstration of his mastery of vintage illustration and adventure storytelling.
- Birds of Prey #56 (August 2003) — Gail Simone's (born this date, 1974) first issue on Birds of Prey; launched the most acclaimed run on the series and one of the finest superhero team books of its era.
- Wonder Woman #14 (January 2008) — Gail Simone's acclaimed Wonder Woman run; finally gave Diana the complex, thoughtful storytelling her character had always deserved.
- Batgirl #1 (November 2011) — Gail Simone's New 52 Batgirl; the most compassionate and character-driven Batgirl series in DC's modern publishing history.
- Secret Six #1 (October 2008) — Gail Simone's celebrated villain team book; sharp, funny, and morally complex in ways that mainstream superhero comics rarely achieve.
- The Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror (IDW, 2013) — The continuation of Stevens' legacy by other creators; a tribute to his extraordinary visual world.
- Birds of Prey #1 (January 1999) — The original ongoing Birds of Prey series that Gail Simone inherited and elevated to its finest era.
- Arlo and Janis (collected strips) — Jimmy Johnson's award-winning domestic comedy strip that debuted on this date in 1985; one of newspaper comics' most honest portraits of adult life.
- Deadpool #65 (May 2002) — Gail Simone's celebrated Deadpool run; demonstrated her range from superhero drama to irreverent comedy before her major DC work.
Find The Rocketeer, Birds of Prey, and Gail Simone's acclaimed runs at Epic Panels Comics!