This Day in Comic Book History: June 20
This Day in Comic Book History: June 20
June 20 honors diverse trailblazers and pivotal milestones — from the first African American animator at Disney to the approaching end of a sci-fi manga epic that changed the world.
June 20, 1935: Birth of Floyd Norman, Disney's Trailblazing Animator
Floyd Norman Born — June 20
First African American animator at Walt Disney Studios · The Jungle Book (1967) · Comics diversity pioneer
Born on June 20, 1935, Floyd Norman made history as the first African American animator hired by Walt Disney Studios. Before Disney, he worked as an assistant to Katy Keene comic artist Bill Woggon, and he became a vocal champion of diversity and African American history in animation and comics throughout his long career.
June 20, 1970: Birth of Marc Andreyko
Marc Andreyko Born — June 20
Co-writer of Torso (with Bendis) · Co-creator of Kate Spencer / Manhunter · Crime and superhero writer
Born on June 20, 1970, Marc Andreyko is best known for the true-crime graphic novel Torso (with Brian Michael Bendis) and for co-creating Kate Spencer, the no-nonsense Manhunter, in his acclaimed 2004 DC series praised for its adult tone and moral complexity.
June 20, 1916: Birth of Jack Sparling
Jack Sparling Born — June 20
Creator of Claire Voyant (Black Widow) · DC Silver Age · House of Mystery
Jack Sparling, born June 20, 1916, created the pioneering female superhero Claire Voyant and contributed extensively to DC Comics' Silver Age output on titles including House of Mystery.
June 20, 1969: Birth of Guy Dorian Sr.
Guy Dorian Sr. Born — June 20
Marvel, DC, IDW, Storm King artist · New Warriors debut 1991
Guy Dorian Sr., born June 20, 1969, made his major debut penciling The New Warriors for Marvel in 1991 and has since contributed to titles across Marvel, DC, IDW, and Storm King Productions.
June 20, 1990: Akira Approaches Its Historic Conclusion
Akira Nears Its End — June 20
Katsuhiro Otomo · 8-year run · 2,182 pages · Final issue June 23, 1990
In mid-June 1990, Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira was nearing the end of its landmark eight-year serialization. The 2,182-page masterwork concluded on June 23, 1990, and its English publication by Marvel's Epic Comics sparked the global manga boom of the 1990s.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics Tied to June 20 History
- Akira #1 (September 1988, Epic Comics) — First English-language Akira, nearing its June 1990 conclusion. Launched the Western manga boom.
- New Warriors #1 (July 1990) — Guy Dorian Sr. (born this date, 1969) penciled this groundbreaking Marvel teen superhero series.
- Manhunter #1 (October 2004) — First Kate Spencer as Manhunter, co-created by Marc Andreyko, born this date in 1970.
- Torso #1 (June 1998) — True-crime graphic novel by Marc Andreyko and Brian Michael Bendis; a landmark of crime comics storytelling.
- Jungle Book #1 (October 1967) — Disney film; Floyd Norman (born this date, 1935) was a key animator.
- Katy Keene #1 (1949) — Fashion comics character; Floyd Norman worked as assistant to creator Bill Woggon.
- House of Mystery #1 (January 1952) — DC anthology where Jack Sparling (born this date, 1916) contributed Silver Age stories.
- Amazing Spider-Man #122 (July 1973) — "The Goblin's Last Stand" — Bronze Age crime storytelling that influenced Andreyko's approach.
- Young Magazine #24 (June 1990) — Japanese magazine as Akira approached its historic conclusion on June 23, 1990.
- Dark Horse Presents #1 (July 1986) — Anthology that later serialized manga, building the infrastructure that brought Akira to Western readers.
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