We might be in the thick of winter, but with new seasons of binge-worthy shows like The Originals and Wynonna Earp dropping this month, and the release of Ant-Man & The Wasp and Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, July’s not all bad.
Over the decades, the month of July has delivered some seminal moments in pop culture history; here are just a few of those significant movements.
July, 1934 – The first-ever comic book is released
Many consider the first true American comic book to have been published in July of 1934. The first issue of Famous Funnies hit the streets; a format that would shift as decades went by to what we now consider the standard of comic book publishing.
July, 1956 – Batwoman soars into frame
Kathy Kane, aka Batwoman, made her first appearance via DC Comics’ Detective Comics Vol 1 #233. Kane would be replaced by Batgirl in the ‘60s, but due to popular demand from fans would be reintroduced in the ‘70s before appearing across numerous games, TV shows and more. Batwoman is set to make her live-action TV debut in CW’s Arrowverse later this year.
July, 1966 – Black Panther debuts
The first African American superhero, Black Panther, debuted in Fantastic Four #52. After appearing in numerous comics, games, TV shows and animated films over the years, T’Challa finally made his big screen debut 50 years later in Captain America: Civil War, portrayed by Chadwick Boseman.
July 8, 2011 – Torchwood unveils an online companion series
Voiced by “Supa-Star” John Barrowman, Captain Jack Harkness got an animated makeover for Web Of Lies, a motion comic-style Torchwood serial that was released online to accompany series four of the Doctor Who spin-off.
July 9, 2003 – Pirates Of The Caribbean sets sail
The world got its first taste of Johnny Depp as dysfunctional but lovable pirate Jack Sparrow when the first Pirates Of The Caribbean film, The Curse Of The Black Pearl, opened in US cinemas. The movie arrived on Australian shores in September of the same year.
July 13, 2000 – X-Men opens in Australian cinemas
Homegrown hero Hugh Jackman assumed the role of Wolverine for the first time in the original X-Men film, alongside a star-studded cast that featured November “Supa-Star” Ray Park (Toad), Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Eric Lensherr/Magneto), Famke Janssen (Jean Grey), Halle Berry (Ororo Munroe/Storm) and more.
July 15, 1983 – The Nintendo Entertainment System is released
The Nintendo Entertainment System was released in Japan, marking the start of a home video game console revolution. The 8-bit gaming system was finally released in Australia in 1987.
July 18, 1998 – Pokémon finally gets a movie
Pokémon: The First Movie aired in Japan, later opening in cinemas around the world with voice actors and former “Supa-Stars” Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketchum) and Eric Stuart (Brock, James, Squirtle) signing on for the animated series’ widely successful first film.
July 19, 2011 – Captain America hits the big screen
It’s hard to believe that Chris Evans’ stint as Captain America may be drawing to a close after the next Avengers film. It was back in 2011 that Marvel fans were introduced to Evans as Steve Rogers, with Captain America: The First Avenger premiering at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.
July 19, 2012 – The Dark Knight Trilogy draws to a close
Regarded as one of the best superhero film trilogies and an acclaimed take on Batman, the final instalment in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, opened in Australian theatres.
July 21, 2007 & July 13, 2011 – Harry Potter heartbreak
July can be bittersweet for Harry Potter fans, with the month marking the anniversary of two epic finales across both the original novel and film franchises. The final novel in British author J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, was released in July of 2007, while part two of its accompanying film opened in Australian cinemas on 13 July, 2011, starring November “Supa-Star” Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley.
July 26, 1951 – Alice In Wonderland premieres
Based on the books by Lewis Carroll, Disney’s animated film Alice In Wonderland premiered in New York and London, marking the production company’s 13th animated feature. The film was initially slated to be a live-action/animated feature, but Walt Disney decided to make it an all-animated project.
July 29, 1954 – The Lord Of The Rings is published
Hobbit Frodo Baggins began his journey to Middle-earth with the release of English author J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel The Fellowship Of The Ring, the first instalment in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
