This Day in Comic Book History: June 30
This Day in Comic Book History: June 30
June 30 closes out one of comic book history's richest months. From the birth of one of the most exciting modern DC artists to the end of a beloved Western comic strip, today marks both endings and exciting beginnings.
June 30, 1987: Birth of Dan Mora, Rising DC Star
Dan Mora Born — June 30
Costa Rican comics artist · Batman / Superman: World's Finest · Dark energetic linework · One of DC's most exciting current artists
Dan Mora was born on June 30, 1987, in Costa Rica, and has become one of the most exciting and sought-after comic book artists working today. His bold, dynamic linework and masterful storytelling have made him the defining visual voice of DC's Batman / Superman: World's Finest series, where his ability to render both intimate character moments and colossal superhero action on the same page has earned him a devoted following among modern readers. Mora represents a new generation of Latin American artists bringing tremendous energy and craft to mainstream American comics.
June 30, 1983: Final Strip of Latigo
Latigo Ends — June 30
Western comic strip by Stan Lynde · Ran 1979–1983 · Successor to Rick O'Shay · End of an era for Western newspaper comics
On June 30, 1983, Stan Lynde's Latigo published its final strip, ending the four-year run of the Western comic strip Lynde launched in 1979 as a successor to his beloved Rick O'Shay. The end of Latigo marked a significant moment in the slow decline of the adventure and Western comic strip genre in American newspapers — a tradition that had thrived since the early 20th century but was shrinking under competition from television and changing reader tastes.
June 30: Sgt. Rock's DC Birthday
Sgt. Rock's DC Birthday
Franklin John Rock · First appeared Our Army at War #83 (1959) · Created by Robert Kanigher · DC's definitive WWII hero
According to DC Comics lore, June 30 is celebrated as the in-universe birthday of Sergeant Franklin John Rock — DC's definitive World War II hero, created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert in 1959. Sgt. Rock led Easy Company through the horrors of the European theater, and his no-nonsense, deeply human portrayal of the American soldier made him one of DC's most enduring and beloved characters for nearly three decades of publication.
June 30: Looking Back at June's Comic Book History
A Month of Comic Book History
Superman born · Garfield debuted · Akira concluded · Silver Age launched · Steve Ditko died · An extraordinary month
As June closes, it's worth reflecting on the extraordinary density of comic book history contained within this single month. June gave us Action Comics #1 (1938), the birth of Superman and the superhero genre. It saw Garfield debut (1978) and Akira conclude (1990). Julius Schwartz was born in June. Steve Ditko died in June. Asterix first appeared in June. Mafalda ran her final strip in June. Comic book history — like the medium itself — is richer than any single day or month can contain. But June comes very close to holding it all.
🏆 Top 10 Key Comics for June 30 and the Close of June
- Batman/Superman: World's Finest #1 (May 2022) — Dan Mora's (born this date, 1987) defining work; his dynamic art made this one of DC's most popular modern titles.
- Action Comics #1 (June 1938) — The issue that launched it all; June's most important comic and the beginning of the superhero era.
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) — First Spider-Man by Steve Ditko, who died on June 29, 2018; the most consequential superhero debut after Action Comics #1.
- Our Army at War #83 (June 1959) — First Sgt. Rock, whose DC birthday falls on June 30; DC's definitive war comics hero created by Robert Kanigher.
- Rick O'Shay #1 (1958) — Stan Lynde's Western strip that preceded Latigo, which ended on this date in 1983; one of the finest Western newspaper comics ever drawn.
- Asterix the Gaul #1 (1961) — First Asterix album; the character debuted June 29, 1959, and became the best-selling Franco-Belgian comic ever written.
- Black Panther #1 (1998) — Christopher Priest's landmark run, debuted June 29; the definitive modern Black Panther story.
- Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck #1 (1992) — Don Rosa's masterwork (Rosa born June 28, 1951); the finest Disney comics story ever written.
- New Gods #1 (1971) — Kirby's Fourth World, inked by Mike Royer (born June 27, 1941); introduced Darkseid and a mythology DC still mines today.
- Watchmen #1 (1986) — Colored by John Higgins (born June 28, 1949); the most acclaimed graphic novel in American comics history closes out a remarkable June.
Shop Epic Panels Comics — as June closes and July begins, find the classics and new arrivals that keep comic book history alive every single day!