Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, my grandfather, created a comic entitled Sandy Kean, Calling all Cars, Sandy Kean and the Radio Squad wisely shortened to Radio Squad. It was classic Depression era material. Sandy Kean, a detective on the police force answers the siren call and goes after the bad guys—mafia types who are preying on the [...]
It’s a super heroic birthday for the Major—130 years ago January 7, 1890. And it’s only taken 20 plus years to get a semblance of recognition for the man. I say semblance because his name should be synonymous with comics and that hasn’t quite happened yet. MWN circa 1920 from Strahan family collection. Please [...]
Many people have written eloquently about Howard Cruse in the last week since his death, Andy Mangels, Denis Kitchen and Chip Kidd among others. What I want you to know is something personal about Howie beyond the work and the public life—about friendship, family and love. I lived with my maternal grandparents from the time [...]
Great news from DC Comics! They are publishing a reprint of New Fun #1, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson's first comics magazine published under National Allied Publications. The magazine will be reprinted as a commemorative hardcover, original tabloid size with essays by Roy Thomas and me, Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson. New Fun #1 appeared on newsstands January 11, 1935. [...]
Happy 128th Birthday to Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson! The Major circa 1948 Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson was born on January 7th 1890. Although various internet sources state his birth as January 4th that is incorrect. Everything you read on the internet is not necessarily factual! How do I know that the Major’s birthdate is January [...]
A little over 20 years ago I embarked on an adventure to discover my paternal grandfather Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s legacy in comics history. In the process of updating the website I had an opportunity to look back at the road travelled and to reflect on what lies ahead. Like any adventure there have been some [...]
Today is the 127th anniversary of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s birth. He was born in Greenville, Tennessee January 7th 1890. The year ahead is going to be productive for the Major. Besides working on his biography I’m pleased to announce that Dan Herman of Hermes Press is publishing a second book of the Major’s adventure stories [...]
“His eye roved over the bare mesa and out to where quivering heat waves distorted the outlines of the distant hills, huge, angular masses of scarified rock, the slag and clinkers of some ancient volcanic blaze uprearing tortured pinnacles and twisted turrets to the pitiless sky.” This portrayal of Fort Bliss by Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson’s [...]
In every good comic book story there’s a moment when worlds collide, stars line up, and the evil doctor’s death ray machine threatens to blow everyone to hell and back. This is just such a story. The Mad Scientist. Fleischer Superman cartoons. 1941 In 1934 my grandfather, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson began publishing comic [...]
Happy 125th Birthday to my grandfather Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, soldier, writer of adventure stories and novels and founder of DC Comics. What does it mean to inherit the legacy of a man who lived a life of adventure and unbelievable creativity all the while maintaining his dignity and grace under fire at various points in [...]