Four Color Comics #762 (Dell Comics) â€" cover-titled "The Sharkfighters." The 34-page story, by an unknown writer, was penciled and inked by John Buscema.
June
American News Company goes out of business, causing a huge shakeup in the publishing industry, forcing many comic book publishers and small magazine publishers out of business. Atlas Comics is forced to switch distribution to Independent News, owned by National Periodical Publications, owner of Atlas' rival, DC Comics. Because of this, Atlas is constrained as to its publishing output for the next decade (including the early years of its successor, Marvel Comics).
August
Showcase #9, Lois Lane is featured in a tryout for her own series.
Marvel Tales (vol. 1), with issue #159, canceled by Timely.
Western Kid, with issue #17, canceled by Atlas.
September
Wild Western, with issue #57, canceled by Atlas.
Ringo Kid, with issue #21, canceled by Atlas.
Outlaw Kid, with issue #19, canceled by Atlas.
Rawhide Kid, with issue #17, canceled by Atlas. (The title would be revived three years later by Marvel, continuing the numbering.)
First issues by title
Charlton Comics
Billy the Kid (November)
Marvel Comics
Adventures of Homer Ghost (June)
The Black Rider Rides Again (September)
Commando Adventures (June)
A Date with Patsy (September)
Hedy Wolfe (August)
The Kid from Dodge City (July)
The Kid from Texas (June)
Marvin Mouse (September)
Navy Tales (January)
Nellie the Nurse
Showgirls (June)
Six-Gun Western (January)
Western Trails (May)
Willie the Wise Guy
Renamed titles
Marvel Comics
Dexter the Demon #7 â€" renamed from Melvin the Monster
G.I. Tales #4 ± renamed from Sgt. Barney Barker
Marines at War #1-8 â€" renamed from Tales of the Marines (Atlas Comics)
Kid Slade, Gunfighter #5 â€" renamed from Matt Slade, Gunfighter
Navy Action #15 â€" renamed from Sailor Sweeney
Sherry the Showgirl #5 â€" renamed from Showgirls
Showgirls #4 renamed from Sherry the Showgirl
Tales of the Marines #4 â€" renamed Marines at War, renamed from Devil-Dog Dugan (Atlas Comics)
Initial appearance by character name
Billy the Kid â€" Masked Raider #6 (Charlton, February)
Captain Cold â€" Showcase #8 (DC Comics, June)
Challengers of the Unknown â€" Showcase #6 (DC Comics, February)
Cirkeline
Professor Milo â€" Detective Comics #247 (DC, September)
Professor Potter â€" Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #22 (DC, August)
