This Day in Comic Book History: July 6
This Day in Comic Book History: July 6
July 6 connects the Golden Age Captain America artist to a beloved modern DC illustrator, and marks the debut of one of the most popular teen comic strips in recent American newspaper history.
July 6, 1920: Birth of Al Avison, Captain America Co-Creator
Al Avison Born — July 6
Captain America Comics artist · Co-creator of The Whizzer · Golden Age Timely Comics workhorse
Al Avison was born on July 6, 1920, and became one of the primary artists on Captain America Comics during the Golden Age, contributing to the title's visual identity during some of its most important early years. Avison also co-created The Whizzer — Marvel's original speedster, a character who predated the Flash's Silver Age revival and demonstrated the Golden Age's rich variety of superhero archetypes. His prolific work at Timely Comics (the forerunner of Marvel) made him an essential if often overlooked figure of the Golden Age.
July 6, 1985: Birth of Evan "Doc" Shaner, Modern DC Master
Evan Shaner Born — July 6
DC Comics artist · Shazam! · Future State · Flash Gordon · Beloved for clean retro-inspired style and emotional warmth
Evan "Doc" Shaner was born on July 6, 1985, and has become one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed artists in modern DC Comics for his clean, retro-inspired style that evokes the best of the Silver Age while feeling entirely contemporary. His work on Shazam!, various Future State titles, and especially his Flash Gordon work for Dynamite has earned him a devoted following among readers who value clarity, warmth, and genuine affection for the superhero genre. Shaner draws comics that look like they were made with pure joy.
July 6, 1997: First Appearance of Zits, Award-Winning Teen Strip
Zits Debuts — July 6
Created by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman · Award-winning teen comic strip · Multiple Reuben Awards · Appeared in thousands of newspapers
On July 6, 1997, Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman launched Zits, the comic strip about 15-year-old Jeremy Duncan navigating high school, parents, music, and growing up. The strip quickly became one of the most successful newspaper comics launches in decades, earning multiple Reuben Awards and appearing in thousands of newspapers worldwide. Zits succeeded by treating teenagers with genuine respect and humor rather than condescension, and its authentic voice made it beloved by both teens and their parents.
July 6, 1977: Death of Roy Crane, Adventure Strip Pioneer
Roy Crane — July 6
Creator of Wash Tubbs (1924) and Buz Sawyer (1943) · Pioneer of action-adventure newspaper comics · Reuben Award winner
On July 6, 1977, Roy Crane passed away, leaving behind a legacy as one of the true pioneers of the action-adventure newspaper comic strip. Crane's Wash Tubbs (1924) and its spin-off Captain Easy were among the first newspaper comics to prioritize action, adventure, and genuine narrative momentum over static gag-based humor. His later strip Buz Sawyer (1943–1983) was a WWII naval aviator adventure that ran for four decades. Crane's influence on subsequent adventure strip artists was enormous, and he was honored with the Reuben Award for his lifetime contributions.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics Tied to July 6 History
- Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) — Al Avison (born this date, 1920) was one of the primary artists; his work defined Cap's visual identity alongside Kirby and Simon.
- All-Winners Comics #1 (Summer 1941) — Golden Age Timely Comics team-up title featuring Al Avison's characters including The Whizzer and Captain America.
- Shazam! #1 (2019) — Evan Shaner's (born this date, 1985) DC work demonstrated his ability to bring warmth and clarity to classic superhero characters.
- Flash Gordon #1 (Dynamite, 2014) — Evan Shaner's celebrated Flash Gordon series; clean retro-science fiction art that earned widespread critical praise.
- Zits: Sketchbook #1 (1998 collection) — First Zits collection; the strip debuted on this date in 1997 and became one of the most acclaimed newspaper comics launches in decades.
- Wash Tubbs Daily Strip (Roy Crane, 1924) — Roy Crane's (died this date, 1977) pioneering adventure strip; among the first newspaper comics to prioritize genuine narrative action.
- Buz Sawyer #1 (1943) — Roy Crane's long-running WWII aviator strip; ran for four decades and demonstrated his mastery of adventure storytelling.
- Modesty Blaise Complete (various) — The British adventure strip that ended on this date in 2002; one of the great European action comics.
- DC: The New Frontier #1 (March 2004) — The Silver Age-styled DC epic; Evan Shaner's art pays homage to this era of comics storytelling that inspires his work.
- Amazing Spider-Man #252 (May 1984) — First black costume Spider-Man (Marvel); introduced by the Secret Wars symbiote — one of the key costume changes in the summer crossover era born this week.
Find Golden Age Captain America, Zits collections, and modern DC art at Epic Panels Comics!