This Day in Comic Book History: July 10
This Day in Comic Book History: July 10
July 10 connects two very different corners of comics — the science fiction adventure strip and the gentle world of children's picture books — through the births and deaths of creators who mastered each.
July 10, 1923: Birth of Dan Barry, Flash Gordon Artist
Dan Barry Born — July 10
Flash Gordon daily strip artist 1951–1990 · Longest run on Flash Gordon · Cinematic, detailed sci-fi art
Dan Barry was born on July 10, 1923, and became the defining artist of Flash Gordon's longest newspaper strip run, illustrating the daily strip from 1951 to 1990 — nearly four decades. Flash Gordon, created by Alex Raymond in 1934, was one of the great science fiction comic strips of the 20th century, and Barry's cinematic, detailed artwork sustained its visual grandeur across an era that saw science fiction move from pulp fantasy to cultural mainstream. Barry worked with some of the industry's finest writers and occasionally collaborated with Harvey Kurtzman and other luminaries during his run.
July 10, 1975: Death of Crockett Johnson, Creator of Barnaby
Crockett Johnson — July 10
Creator of Barnaby (1942) · Author of Harold and the Purple Crayon · Political cartoonist · Comics and children's literature giant
On July 10, 1975, the comics world lost Crockett Johnson, the cartoonist and illustrator best known for the newspaper comic strip Barnaby (1942–1952) and the beloved children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon (1955). Barnaby was one of the most literary and sophisticated newspaper strips of its era, following a young boy and his fairy godfather Mister O'Malley — a cigar-smoking, boastful fairy with wings too small to fly — through gentle, witty adventures. The strip was praised by critics including Dorothy Parker and E.B. White as among the finest comics of its time.
July 10: Flash Gordon — The Strip That Launched a Genre
Flash Gordon's Legacy
Created by Alex Raymond 1934 · Inspired Star Wars, Buck Rogers, every space opera since · Dan Barry's 39-year run preserved the tradition
Flash Gordon, which premiered in 1934 as a direct competitor to Buck Rogers, became one of the most influential creative works in science fiction history. George Lucas has explicitly credited Flash Gordon as the primary inspiration for Star Wars. Alex Raymond's breathtaking painted artwork established the visual language of space opera, and Dan Barry (born this date in 1923) preserved that tradition for nearly four decades of daily strips, introducing the character to generation after generation of newspaper readers.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics Tied to July 10 History
- Flash Gordon #1 (Dynamite, 2014) — Jeff Parker and Evan Shaner's acclaimed modern Flash Gordon; honoring the tradition Dan Barry (born this date, 1923) sustained for 39 years.
- Flash Gordon Daily Strip (Dan Barry era, 1951–1990) — Dan Barry's near-four-decade run; the longest continuous creative commitment to Flash Gordon in the strip's history.
- Flash Gordon #1 (King Comics, 1966) — Flash Gordon's first standalone comic book series; building on the newspaper strip tradition Dan Barry maintained.
- Barnaby (collected editions) — Crockett Johnson's (died this date, 1975) literary masterpiece comic strip; praised by Dorothy Parker and E.B. White as among the finest comics ever made.
- Buck Rogers #1 (1929 strip debut) — Flash Gordon's great sci-fi rival strip; together they established the visual vocabulary of space adventure that Dan Barry inherited.
- Star Reach #1 (1974) — Pioneer creator-owned sci-fi anthology; the tradition of thoughtful science fiction comics that connects Dan Barry to the modern era.
- Nexus #1 (1983) — Mike Baron and Steve Rude's landmark sci-fi superhero; in the tradition of Flash Gordon's blend of adventure and science fiction spectacle.
- Prophet #21 (2012) — Brandon Graham's acclaimed sci-fi reimagining; the latest chapter in the tradition of ambitious newspaper-strip-influenced comics storytelling.
- 2001: A Space Odyssey #1 (December 1976) — Jack Kirby's adaptation; Flash Gordon was a direct inspiration for Kubrick's film and Kirby's cosmic storytelling.
- Saga #1 (March 2012) — The modern heir to Flash Gordon's space opera tradition; the best-selling Image series of its era.
Find Flash Gordon collections and classic adventure strips at Epic Panels Comics!