This Day in Comic Book History: June 28
This Day in Comic Book History: June 28
June 28 is a landmark day for independent comics and beloved cartoon comics alike, honoring the publisher who changed the industry's relationship with creators and the artist who gave Uncle Scrooge McDuck his definitive biography.
June 28, 1951: Birth of Don Rosa, Master of Scrooge McDuck
Don Rosa Born — June 28
The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck · Eisner Award winner · Beloved successor to Carl Barks' Disney duck legacy
Don Rosa was born on June 28, 1951, and became one of the most celebrated writers and artists in the history of Disney comics, best known for his twelve-chapter masterwork The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck (1992–1994). Drawing meticulously on the Duck tales established by the legendary Carl Barks, Rosa crafted a sweeping, historically grounded biography of Scrooge McDuck from his childhood in Scotland through his adventures across the globe. The series won multiple Eisner Awards and is widely considered the finest Disney comic story ever written — a genuine literary achievement within the medium.
June 28, 1950: Birth of Mike Richardson, Founder of Dark Horse Comics
Mike Richardson Born — June 28
Founder of Dark Horse Comics (1986) · Revolutionized creator rights · Published Hellboy, Sin City, Aliens, Predator
Mike Richardson was born on June 28, 1950, and in 1986 founded Dark Horse Comics in Milwaukie, Oregon — a publisher that would transform the independent comics landscape by championing creator rights and publishing creator-owned titles at a time when Marvel and DC held near-total dominance. Dark Horse went on to publish landmark titles including Hellboy, Sin City, 300, and The Mask, as well as blockbuster licensed comics for Aliens, Predator, and Star Wars. Richardson's vision helped establish the modern independent comics industry.
June 28, 1949: Birth of John Higgins, Sandman Colorist
John Higgins Born — June 28
British comic colorist and artist · Watchmen · The Sandman · Judge Dredd · Essential to the look of landmark comics
John Higgins was born on June 28, 1949, and became one of the most accomplished British comics artists and colorists in the industry, best known for his coloring work on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen — arguably the most important coloring job in American comics history. His work also contributed to Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and numerous Judge Dredd stories, making him an essential figure in the visual identity of some of the most celebrated comics of the 1980s and 1990s.
June 28, 1950: Birth of Bobby London, Underground Comix Artist
Bobby London Born — June 28
Underground comix artist · Air Pirates (parodying Disney with Dan O'Neill) · Later drew Popeye newspaper strip
Bobby London was born on June 28, 1950, and made his name in the underground comix movement of the early 1970s, most notably as part of the Air Pirates collective — a group of artists who created unauthorized parodies of Disney characters and faced Disney's legendary legal wrath in response. London later had a lengthy mainstream career drawing the Popeye newspaper strip, demonstrating his versatility across both countercultural and mainstream comics traditions.
June 28, 1888: Death of Frank Bellew, Comics Pioneer
Frank Bellew — June 28
American cartoonist and pioneering comics author · 19th century visual humor · One of America's earliest comic artists
On June 28, 1888, Frank Bellew passed away — one of the earliest American cartoonists and a pioneering figure in the pre-history of American comics. Bellew's work in the 19th century helped establish the visual humor traditions that would eventually evolve into the newspaper comic strip and then the comic book, making him a foundational if often overlooked figure in the genealogy of American cartooning.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics Tied to June 28 History
- The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck #1 (December 1992) — Don Rosa's (born this date, 1951) Eisner Award-winning masterwork; the definitive biography of Uncle Scrooge.
- Uncle Scrooge #386 (Don Rosa era) — Don Rosa's continuation of Carl Barks' Duck universe; his work is the gold standard of Disney comics storytelling.
- Dark Horse Presents #1 (July 1986) — Launch of Mike Richardson's (born this date, 1950) Dark Horse Comics anthology; a cornerstone of independent publishing.
- Hellboy #1 (March 1994) — Mike Mignola's creator-owned Dark Horse masterpiece; only possible because Mike Richardson championed creator rights.
- Sin City #1 (April 1991) — Frank Miller's noir classic published by Dark Horse; exemplified the creator-owned model Richardson championed.
- Watchmen #1 (September 1986) — Colored by John Higgins (born this date, 1949); arguably the greatest coloring job in American comics history.
- Aliens #1 (July 1988) — Dark Horse's landmark licensed comic that proved film properties could be brilliantly expanded in comics form.
- 300 #1 (May 1998) — Frank Miller and Lynn Varley's Dark Horse epic; publisher Mike Richardson turned down every other bidder to champion creator-owned work.
- The Mask #0 (August 1987) — Dark Horse's comedy-horror hit; Richardson's vision for varied genres made Dark Horse the most interesting publisher of the early 1990s.
- Popeye Daily Strip (Bobby London era, 1986–1992) — Bobby London (born this date, 1950) drew the classic Elzie Crisler Segar creation for six years in mainstream newspapers.
Find Dark Horse comics, Disney classics, and Scrooge McDuck collections at Epic Panels Comics!