Queer Side of Things), dies at age 83. May 9 : Stanislav Lolek, Czech illustrator and comics artist (The Cunning Little Vixen or Vixen Sharp Ears) dies at the age of 62. July July 3: Charles Reese, American comics artist (made various short-lived newspaper comics), dies at age 74. July 19: Apeles Mestres, Spanish musician, novelist, illustrator and comics artist (made some sequential illustrations), dies at age 81. Specific date unknown Ed Leffingwell, American comics artist (Little Joe), dies. Charles Small, American comics artist (continued Salesman Sam), passes away. Pál Spanyár, Hungarian painter, cartoonist and drawing teacher (13th District Secondary School), passes away at age 61 or 62. Exhibitions and shows Conventions First issues by title Big Book of Fun Comics (March, National Periodical Publications) The Comics Magazine (Funny Pages) (May, Centaur Publications) The Funnies (October, Dell Comics) King Comics (April, David McKay Publications) Popular Comics (February, Dell Comics) Tip Top Comics (April, United Features) Initial appearances by character name Clock, by George Brenner, in Funny Pages #6 and Funny Picture Stories #1 (November) - Centaur Publications Comics debuts without a specific date Barney Baxter by Frank Miller. Belinda by Steve Dowling. Ben Bowyang by Alex Gurney. Biffen och Bananen by Rit-Ola Laff-a-Day debuts. Rebo by Cesare Zavattini (plot), Federico Pedrocchi (script) and Giovanni Scolari (art) Room and Board by Gene Ahern. Sources