Riverdale Week in Review (“Archie” strips from June 27-July 2, 1949):

The Friday Flop:

In "Thimble Theatre" on June 26, 1931, Popeye revealed that his strength derives from eating spinach:

LOOK OUT, DOC! “Betty Brown, Ph.G." by Boody Rogers, originally published on September 19, 1938, and titled "Happy Daze."

Rose O’Neill—creator of the Kewpie cartoons that became a phenomenon, and also a suffragist, novelist, and more—was born on June 25, 1874. Her Kewpie dolls were among the first mass-produced toys, and at the height of their popularity, O’Neill was the world’s highest-paid female illustrator.

Do you think Shoney’s was subconsciously trying to appeal to Disney fans?

Wordless Wednesday:

A June bride! In "Gasoline Alley," Walt Wallet wed Phyllis Blossom 100 years ago, on June 24, 1926.

A preview of the forthcoming Hogan's Alley #25: The opening pages of an amazing article about Nedra Harrison, whom Milton Caniff used as a model for his iconic Dragon Lady in Terry and the Pirates. As you'll learn upon reading the article, Harrison’s life was nearly as colorful as the Dragon Lady's!

Topper Tuesday (“Good Deed Dotty,” topper to “Dixie Dugan”):

The “Dragnet” comic strip first appeared on June 23, 1952. The property first appeared on radio (1949) then branched out to TV (1951), and the strip made its debut the next year. (Jack Webb was reputedly quite involved with approvals.) Here's the first week of strips:

The perfect website message for where we are in DC.

The More You Know Monday (“This Curious World” by William Ferguson):

“The Gumps" received a Sunday page beginning June 22, 1919. (The daily strip had run since February 1917.) Here's the debut Sunday, in which creator Sidney Smith sends off his previous character, Old Doc Yak.

Fritzi and Nancy Before Sluggo (“Fritzi Ritz” strips from June 12-17, 1933):

Slice-of-Life Sunday:

Gene Ahern’s “Room and Board,” his sort-of sequel to “Our Boarding House” (same premise, different syndicate), first appeared 90 years ago, on June 21, 1936 (a Sunday). Here’s the first strip:

Happy Father's Day from Hogan's Alley! Here's our tribute to the fathers and father figures in the comics:

From April 1977. In hand for a forthcoming issue.

Increase your hex appeal with Hogan’s Alley!

Sluggo Saturday (“Nancy” strips from June 4-9, 1945):

Happy 75th birthday to Tress MacNeille, the voice actor behind so many animated characters (Dot from Animaniacs, Babs Bunny from Tiny Toon Adventures, numerous characters from The Simpsons, and many more), who was born on June 20, 1951.

Vintage ad (Petunia Pig et al. for Hardee’s):

Riverdale Week in Review (“Archie” strips from June 20-25, 1949):

The Friday Flop:

They put some pretty benign chemicals in the White House reflecting pool.

"Garfield" by Jim Davis first appeared on June 19, 1978. Here is the first week of dailies:

"Betty Brown, Ph.G." by Boody Rogers, originally published on September 12, 1938, and titled "Cupid Takes a Powder."

Curt Swan—for a generation of comic book fans, THE Superman artist--began drawing the daily "Superman" comic strip 70 years ago, on June 18, 1956. (He had begun drawing the Man of Steel in comic books in 1948.) Here’s his debut:

The news broke at HeroesCon: Hogan's Alley and Twomorrows have entered into a relationship that makes Hogan's Alley available to comics shops with #25! We had no access to comics shops post-Diamond, but John Morrow and I worked it out so HA will be listed in Lunar’s catalog with Twomorrows' line.

Heads-up to the night shift!

Wordless Wednesday:

Sad Sack, by Sgt. George Baker, first appeared in the premiere issue of "Yank" on June 17, 1942. Here’s his first strip:

TODAY ONLY: Use the code JUNE20 at checkout to get 20% off anything in our shop—back issues, subscriptions, digital editions, the Betty Brown volume, take your pick! (We don’t run sales often, so please don’t pass up this opportunity.) Just go to www.hoganmag.com/stores …but do it today!

Pop quiz, hotshot: When was this photo taken?

Topper Tuesday (“It’s Papa Who Pays,” topper to “Toots and Casper”):

The daily "Hazel" panel first appeared on June 16, 1969. (It had run in the Saturday Evening Post, where the character made her debut, since June 1944.) Here are the first four dailies:

Vintage ad (clockwise from top left, Eldon Dedini, Robert Day, Richard Taylor, and Chon Day for Sanforized apparel):

The More You Know Monday (“This Curious World” by William Ferguson):

Joe Rogan learned to tie his necktie by watching Ralph Kramden.

Fritzi and Nancy Before Sluggo (“Fritzi Ritz” strips from June 5-10, 1933):

Slice-of-Life Sunday:

Who’s up for a little midcentury COMEDY GOLD?

Sluggo Saturday (“Nancy” strips from May 28-June 2, 1945):

Ready for a rip-roaring day two at HeroesCon! Stop by table AA-887 if you’re here!

ACK! Bill the Cat (Berke Breathed’s wry commentary on the merchandising juggernaut that was Garfield) first appeared in "Bloom County" on June 13, 1982.

Riverdale Week in Review (“Archie” strips from June 13-18, 1949):

The Friday Flop:

Adapting George Baker’s hapless comic strip GI to postwar civilian life, the Sad Sack radio program premiered 80 years ago, on June 12, 1946. (Veteran character actor Herb Vigran voiced the Sack.)

What the well-dressed comics fan will wear. (Packing for HeroesCon)