1988 in comics

See also:List of years in comics

Notable events of1988 in comics.

Events and publications

January

• January 16:The first episode ofDavid Sutherland's gag comicTotally Gross Germsis published inThe Beano.

February

• February 1:
  • The first episode ofBud Grace'sPiranha Clubappears in print. The series will run until 2018.
  • The first episode of Rick Detorie's newspaper comicOne Big Happyis published.
• February 12:Belgian comic artistFrançois Craenhalsis knighted in the Order of the Belgian Crown.
• February 19:
  • The Dutch comics magazineEppo Wordt Vervolgdchanged its name toSjors en Sjimmie Weekblad,based on the popularity of their signature seriesSjors en Sjimmie.It continued until 1994, after which it was renamed asSjosji.
  • In the first issue,Hanco KolkandPeter de Wit'sphoto comicMannetje en Mannetjemakes its debut.

March

• March 14:
  • Timefeatures cover and interior art forSuperman's 50th anniversary byJohn ByrneandJerry Ordway.
  • Batman: The Killing JokebyAlan MooreandBrian Bolland,is published by DC Comics.

April

• April 7:Morrisreceives a medal from theWorld Health Organizationfor makingLucky Lukea non-smoker after so many decades.
• April 10:FoxTrotbyBill Amendis launched byUniversal Press Syndicate.
• April 17:The final episode of Kevin McCormick'sArnoldis published.
• April 23:
  • The Journal of Luke Kirbyseries begins in2000 AD#571 (IPC Media).
  • Action Comics#599 features the firstBonus Book,a free insert showcasing the work of new comics creators.
  • Teen Titans Spotlightis canceled by DC Comics with issue #21.

May

• May 12:Two criminals try to kidnapPeanutscartoonistCharles M. Schulz's wife, but are scared away in their attempt.
• May 24:
  • Action Comics,with issue #601, became a weekly anthology title. (This format lasted until issue #642, March 14, 1989.)
  • Action Comics#600:Golden anniversaryissue featuringSupermanandWonder Womanin "Different Worlds," byJohn ByrneandGeorge Pérez.
  • The Amazing Spider-Man#300: "Venom,"byDavid MichelinieandTodd McFarlane.
  • Green Lantern Corpsis canceled by DC with issue #224.
• May 28:Belgian comic artistMarc Sleenis declared ahonorary citizenofSint-Niklaas.

June

• TheEvolutionary Warcrossover event takes place inMarvel Comics.

July

• July 1–3:The first annualHarvey Awardsare organized and presented at theChicago Comicon.
• Tales of the Teen Titansis canceled by DC with issue #91.

August

• August 14:In the ItalianDisney comicsmagazineTopolinoLittle Gum makes his debut in the storyPaperinik e l’incredibile Little GumbyGiulio Chierchini.
• August 26:Belgian comics characterJommekereceives his first statue. It is revealed in front of the library ofBeveren,but is destroyed by vandals a few years later.

October

• October 3:
  • The first episode ofRay Billingsley'sCurtisis published.
  • The first episode ofBill Holbrook's newspaper comicSafe Havensis published.
• October 5:The first episode ofRaoul Cauvinand Malik's gag comicCupidonare published inSpirou.
• October 16:
  • The final episode of Lee Holley's comic stripPonytailis published.
  • "Inferno",company-wideMarvel Comicscrossoverdebuted, involving the mutant titlesThe Uncanny X-Men,X-Factor,The New Mutants,andExcalibur,as well as theX-Terminatorslimited series and various other Marvel titles.

November

• November 4-5-6:During the Stripdagen inThe HagueToon van Drielwins theStripschapprijs.Wilbert Plijnaar, Jan van Die and Robert van der Kroft win the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten (nowadays the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs).
• Creator's Bill of Rightssigned in Northampton, Massachusetts, bySteve Bissette,Craig Farley,Gerhard,Mark Martin,Larry Marder,Michael Zulli,Ken Mitchroney,Scott McCloud,Dave Sim,Rick Veitch,Peter Laird,Kevin Eastman,and the artists ofMirage Studios.
• Black Orchid#1 (of 3), the first American comic written byNeil Gaiman,published by DC Comics.
• Star Trekis canceled by DC Comics with issue #56.
• The Draft,aNew Universeone-shot, is published by Marvel Comics.
• Concretevol. 1 is canceled by Dark Horse with issue #10.

December

• December 11:In the Italian Disney comics magazineTopolino,Arizona Goofand his rival Kranz made their debut inThe Lost Temple,by Bruno Sarda and Maria Luisa Uggetti.
• December 27:
  • The gag comicSchanulleke,a spin-off ofSuske en Wiske,is launched in Okki byWilly Vandersteen,written by Patty Kleinand drawn by Eric De Rop.
• Aristocratic Xtraterrestrial Time-Traveling Thievesis cancelled byComics Interviewwith issue #12.
• MazingerbyGo Nagaiis published byFirst Comics.
• New Teen Titansvol. 2 changes its name toThe New Titanswith issue #50.
• Silver Surfer#1 (of 2), an out-of-continuity mini-series byStan LeeandMoebius,are published by Marvel.
• The Warlordis canceled by DC Comics with issue #133.
• "Semper Fi"#1 is published by Marvel Comics.

Specific date unknown

• The final episode ofPeter Pontiac's punk comicGagais printed.
• Gary Panterreleases the graphic novelJimbo: Adventures in Paradise.
• Brought to Light,a political anthology of two nonfiction stories, is published byEclipse Comics.Both are based on material from lawsuits filed by theChristic Instituteagainst the U.S. Government. The two stories are "Shadowplay: The Secret Team," byAlan MooreandBill Sienkiewicz;and "Flashpoint: The LA Penca Bombing," documented byMartha HoneyandTony Avirganand adapted byJoyce BrabnerandTom Yeates.
• Someplace Strangea graphic novel written byAnn Nocenti,with artwork byJohn Bolton,is published by the Marvel Comics imprintEpic Comics.
• Marvel Graphic Novel#34:Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey,byBill MantloandLarry Stromanis published by Marvel.

Deaths

January

• January 4:Henfil,Brazilian comics artist (Zeferino,Bode Orellana,Os Fradins,Orelhão,Urubu,Pó de Arroz,Bacalhau,Ubaldo,Paranóico,Graúna), dies at age 43 from AIDS.
• January 30:Homer Brightman,American animation screenwriter and comics writer (original scriptwriter ofAl Taliaferro'sDonald Duckcomic strip), dies at age 86.

February

• February 11:Lino Landolfi,Italian comics artist (Procopio), dies at age 62.
• February 25:Dori Seda,American underground comics artist (Lonely Nights Comics: Stories To Read When the Couple Next Door Is Fucking Too Loud), dies of respiratory failure at age 37.
• February 4:Frank Giacoia,American comics artist (worked onThe Amazing Spider-Man,Captain America), dies at age 63.
• February 13:Ron Embleton,British comics artist (Wulf the Briton,Oh, Wicked Wanda) dies of a heart attack at age 57.

March

• March 2:
  • Enrodi István, Hungarian designer and comics artist, dies at age 67.
  • Leslie Turner,American comics artist (continuedWash Tubbs,which eventually becameCaptain Easy), dies at age 88.
• March 6:Jack Binder,American comics artist (Daredevil), dies at age 86.
• March 8:Jan Kraan, Dutch illustrator, animator and comics artist, dies at age 87.
• March 26:Rit-Ola,Swedish comics artist (Biffen och Bananen), dies at age 82.
• March 31:Georges Lévis (Jean Sidobre), French comics artist, dies at age 63.

April

• April 3:Milton Caniff,American comics artist (Terry and the Pirates,Dickie Dare,Steve Canyon,Male Call), dies at age 81 from lung cancer.
• April 8:Clem Gretter, American comics artist (Sue to Lou,assistedHarry "A" CheslerandRipley's Believe It or Not), dies at age 83.
• April 10:Gene Fawcette, American comics artist (worked onOur New Age), dies at age 68.
• April 16:Siauw Tik Kwie, Indonesian comics artist (Sie Djin Koei,Kang Lam Hiap Soe), dies at age 74.

May

• May 17:Al Wiseman,American comics artist (assisted onDennis the Menacecomic books,Belvedere), dies at age 69.

June

• June 6:Willi Kohlhoff, German illustrator and comics artist (comics based onRobinson Crusoe), dies at age 82.
• June 7:Octave Joly, Belgian comics writer (Les Belles Histoires de l'Oncle Paul), dies at age 78.
• June 16:Andrea Pazienza,Italian comics artist (Massimo Zanardi), dies at age 32 from a heroin overdose.
• June 25:Evert Werkman, Dutch journalist, poet, columnist and comics writer (Kapitein Rob,Frank, de Vliegende Hollander), dies at age 73.

July

• Specific date unknown:Julius Stafford Baker II, British comics artist (continuedTiger Tim), dies at age 84.

August

• August 7:Wilfred Jackson,American animator (Walt Disney Company), dies at age 82.

September

• September 6:Roger Bussemey, French comics artist (Moky et Poupy), dies at age 67.
• September 11:Roger Hargreaves,British illustrator and comics writer/artist (Mr. Men,Little Miss), dies at age 53 from a stroke.
• September 12:Mars Ravelo,Filipino comics artist (Darna,Dyesebel,Captain Barbell,Lastikman,Bondying,Varga,Wanted: Perfect Mother,Hiwaga,Maruja,Mariposa,Roberta,Rita,Buhay Pilipino,Jack and Jill,Flash Bomba,Tiny Tony,andDragonna), dies at age 71.
• September 25:Barrie Phillip Nichol,American novelist, poet and comics artist (Scraptures,Grease Ball Comics), dies at age 43.
• September 27:Paul Reinman,American comics artist and inker forJack Kirby,dies at age 78.
• September 28:Charles Addams,American cartoonist and comics artist (The Addams Family), dies from a heart attack at age 76.

October

• October 25:Eric Larson,American animator (Walt Disney Company), dies at age 83.

November

• November 7:Bill Hoest,American comics artist (The Lockhorns), dies at age 62 from cancer.

December

• December 3:Jean David, French illustrator, cartoonist and comics artist (Les Amours de Barbara Smith), dies at age 82 or 83.
• December 11:Frank S. Pepper,British comics writer (Roy of the Rovers,Captain Condor,Jet-Ace Logan), dies at age 78.
• December 12:Tarpé Mills,American comics artist (Miss Fury), dies at age 73.
• December 17:Alberto Solsona (Agar-agar,Arturito King,Cartulino), dies at age 41.
• December 19:Robert BernsteinakaR. Berns,American comics writer, playwright and concert impresario (DC Comics,EC Comics), dies from heart failure at age 69.
• December 26:Herluf Bidstrup,Danish comics artist and cartoonist, dies at age 76.

Specific date unknown

• Leo Bothas, German illustrator (made Nazi propaganda comics during World War II), dies at 84 or 85.
• Dan Gormley, American comics artist (comics forDell Publishing,Disney comics,worked onNancy), dies at age 69 or 70.

Exhibitions and shows

• June 27–August 10:Galería Esquina de la Libertad (San Francisco) —"Spain:a View from the Bottom: Posters, Comic Strips, Caricatures and More. "
• November 25, 1988–March 4, 1989:Cartoon Art Museum(San Francisco) —"The Face Behind the Laugh: Cartoonists' Self-Caricatures from the Collections of Mark J. Cohen"

Conventions

• January 29–31:Angoulême International Comics Festival(Angoulême, France) — 15th annual festival
• April 23–24:Wonderful World of Comics Convention(Oakland Convention Center, Oakland, California) — 2nd iteration of what eventually becomes known asWonderCon
• Summer:Dragon Con(Piedmont Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia) — 1,700 attendees
• Summer:FantaCon(Albany, New York) — horror/comics show returns after a four-year hiatus
• June:Heroes Convention(Charlotte, North Carolina)
• June 16–19:International Superman Expo(Cleveland Convention Center,Cleveland, Ohio) — commemoratingSuperman's 50th anniversary; official guests includeCurt Swan,Jerry Ordway,George Pérez,Marv Wolfman,andJulius Schwartz
• June 24–26:Atlanta Fantasy FairXIII (Atlanta Hilton and Towers, Atlanta, Georgia) — guest of honor:Stan Lee;official guests includeMark Gruenwald,Archie Goodwin,Steven Grant,Bob Burden,Kevin Maguire,Julius Schwartz,andChris Claremont
• June 24–26:Comix Fair'88 (Ramada Hotel Southwest, Houston, Texas) — guests includeSergio Aragonés,Kim DeMulder, Mike Leeke, andWilliam Messner-Loebs
• June 25–26:Creation ConI (Penta Hotel, New York City)
• July 1–3:Chicago Comicon(Ramada O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois) — c. 5,000 attendees; special guests:Max Allan CollinsandDick Locher;other guests:Bernie Wrightson,Michael Kaluta,Dave Stevens,andChris Claremont
• July 1–3:Dallas Fantasy FairI (Sheraton Park Central, Dallas, Texas) — guests includeHarvey Kurtzman,Burne Hogarth,andGil Kane
• July 22–24:Memphis Fantasy Convention V (Garden Plaza Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee) — guests includeMichael Kaluta,Joe Staton,andJohn Ostrander
• August 4–7:San Diego Comic-Con(Convention and Performing Arts Center and Omni Hotel, San Diego, California) — 8,000 attendees; official guests:Art Adams,Robert Asprin,Jules Feiffer,Ray Feist,David Gerrold,Matt Groening,George R.R. Martin,Matt Wagner
• October 7–9:Dragon*Con(Piermont Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia) — guests includeAlan Dean Foster,Fred Saberhagen,Margaret Weis,Tracy Hickman,Gary Gygax,andLarry Elmore
• September 24:UKCAK88(The Institute of Education,London, England) — presentation of theEagle Awards
• November 25–27:Creation ConII (Penta Hotel, New York City)
• November 25–27:Dallas Fantasy FairII (Marriott Park Central, Dallas, Texas)

Awards

Eisner Awards

See also:Eisner Awards

Presented in1989for comics published in 1988:

• Best Single Issue/Single Story:Kings in Disguise#1, byJames VanceandDan Burr(Kitchen Sink Press)
• Best Black-and-White Series:Concrete,byPaul Chadwick(Dark Horse Comics)
• Best Continuing Series:Concrete,byPaul Chadwick(Dark Horse)
• Best Finite Series/Limited Series:The Silver Surfer: Parable,byStan LeeandJean "Moebius" Giraud(Marvel Comics)
• Best New Series:Kings in Disguise,byJames VanceandDan Burr(Kitchen Sink)
• Best Graphic Album:Batman: The Killing Joke,byAlan MooreandBrian Bolland(DC Comics)
• Best Writer:Alan Moore,Batman: The Killing Joke(DC)
• Best Writer/Artist:Paul Chadwick,Concrete(Dark Horse)
• Best Artist/Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team:Brian Bolland,Batman: The Killing Joke(DC)
• Best Art Team:Alan DavisandPaul Neary,Excalibur(Marvel)
• Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award:Phil Yeh
• Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame:Harvey Kurtzman

First issues by title

DC Comics

Animal Man

Release:SeptemberWriter:Grant Morrison.Artists:Chas TruogandDoug Hazlewood.

Checkmate

Release:AprilWriter:Paul Kupperberg.Artists:Steve Erwinand Al Vey.

C.O.P.S.

Release:AugustWriter:Doug Moench.Artists:Pat BroderickandPablo Marcos.

Hellblazer

Release:JanuaryWriter:Jamie Delano.Artist:John Ridgway.

Starman

Release:OctoberWriter:Roger Stern.Artists:Tom LyleandBob Smith.

Wanderers

Release:June.Writer:Doug Moench.Artists:Dave Hooverand Robert Campanella.

Limited series

Batman: The Cult(4 issues)

Release:AugustWriter:Jim Starlin.Artist:Bernie Wrightson.

Black Orchid(3 issues)

Release:NovemberWriter:Neil Gaiman.Artist:Dave McKean.

Cosmic Odyssey(4 issues)

Release:DecemberWriter:Jim Starlin.Artist:Mike Mignola.

Crimson Avenger(4 issues)

Release:JuneWriters:RoyandDann Thomas.Artist:Greg Brooks.

Millennium(8 weekly issues)

Release:JanuaryWriter:Steve Englehart.Artists:Joe StatonandIan Gibson.

Power Girl(4 issues)

Release:June.Writer:Paul Kupperberg.Artists:Rick Hobergand Arne Starr.

The Prisoner: Shattered Visage(4 issues)

Release.Writer/Artist:Dean Motter.

Unknown Soldier(12 issues)

Release:Winter.Writer:James Owsley.Artist:Phil Gascoine.

The Weird(4 issues)

Release:July.Writer:Jim Starlin.Artist:Bernie Wrightson.

Kodansha

Natsuko's Sake

Release:onWeekly Morning.Author:Akira Oze.

Marvel

Count Duckula

Release:November fromStar Comics.Writer:Michael Gallager.Artist:Warren Kremer.

Death's Head

Release:December fromMarvel UK.Writer:Simon Furman.Artists:Bryan HitchandMark Farmer.

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme

Release:NovemberWriter:Peter Gillis.Artists:Richard CaseandRandy Emberlin.

Dragon's Claws

Release:June fromMarvel UK.Writer:Simon Furman.Artist:Geoff Senior.

Excalibur

Release:OctoberWriter:Chris Claremont.Artist:Alan Davis.

Marvel Comics Presents

Release:SeptemberEditors:Terry Kavanaghand Michael Higgins.

The Punisher War Journal

Release:NovemberWriter/Penciller:Carl Potts.Inker:Jim Lee.

Wolverine

Release:NovemberWriter:Chris Claremont.Artists:John BuscemaandAl Williamson.

Limited series

Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.(6 issues)

Release:June.Writer:Bob Harras.Artists:Paul Nearyand Kim DeMulder.

Stray Toasters(4 issues)

Release:byEpic Comics.Writer/Artist:Bill Sienkiewicz.

X-Terminators(4 issues)

Release:OctoberWriter:Louise Simonson.Artist:Jon Bogdanove.

Independent titles

Ongoing series

• AARGH(Mad Love)
• The Adventures of Tintin: Breaking Free(Attack International, April)
• Aquablue(Delcourt,April )
• Brought to Light(Eclipse Comics)
• Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future(Continuity Comics,August)
• Crisis(Fleetway,September )
• Deadline(Deadline Publications Ltd.,October)
• Dinosaurs for Hire(Eternity Comics,March)
• Faust: Love of the Damned(Northstar Publishing,December).Writer:David Quinn.Artist:Tim Vigil.
• The Forever War(Dupuis)
• Fright Night(Now Comics,October)
• Maze Agency(Comico Comics,December)
• The Real Ghostbusters(Now Comics,August)
• Shaloman(Mark 1 Comics)
• Taboo(Spiderbaby Grafix, Fall)
• Terminator(Now Comics,September)
• The Tick(New England Comics,June)
• The True North(Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund,August)

Limited series

• Aliens(6 issues)

Release:May byDark Horse Comics.Writer:Mark Verheiden.Artist:Mark A. Nelson.

• Black Kiss(12 issues)

Release:June byVortex Comics.Writer/Artist:Howard Chaykin.

• Crossroads(First Comics,July, 5 issues)
• Godzilla(Dark Horse Comics,May, 6 issues) — American adaptation of themangaadaptation of the Japanese filmGojira 1984
• Kings in Disguise(Kitchen Sink Press,March, 6 issues)

Initial appearance by character name

DC Comics

• Black OrchidinBlack Orchid#01 (November)
• Deacon BlackfireinBatman: The Cult#01 (August)
• PhantasminNew Teen TitansAnnual #03
• G'nortinJustice League International#10 (February)
• GlossinMillennium#02 (January)
• GodivainThe New Teen TitansAnnual #03
• GrandmasterinMillennium#01 (January)
• KGBeastinBatman#417 (March)
• L-RoninJustice League International#14 (June)
• LegsinDetective Comics#587 (June)
• Major ForceinCaptain Atom#12 (February)
• RatcatcherinDetective Comics#585 (April)
• ShrapnelinDoom Patrol#07 (April)
• Cornelius StirkinDetective Comics#592 (November)
• Supergirl (Matrix)inSuperman#16 (April)
• Arnold WeskerinDetective Comics#583 (February)
• The WeirdinThe Weird#01 (July)
• JeweleeinSecret Origins#28 (July)
• Tora OlafsdotterinJustice League International#12 (April)
• VinV for Vendetta#01 (September)
• Dawn GrangerinHawk and Dove#01 (October)
• William PaytoninStarman#01 (October)
• Papa MidniteinHellblazer#01 (January)
• Eddie LawtoninDeadshot#02 (December)
• ReactroninDoom Patrol#10 (July)
• Queen BeeinJustice League International#16 (August)
• Zed (comics)inHellblazer#04 (April)
• Dorothy SpinnerinDoom Patrol#14 (November)
• PunchinSecret Origins#28 (July)
• Jet (comics)inMillennium#02 (January)

Marvel Comics

• Robbie BaldwininThe Amazing Spider-ManAnnual#22
• BulletinDaredevil#250 (January )
• Marlo ChandlerinThe Incredible Hulk#347 (September )
• FirepowerinIron Man#230 (May)
• GosamyrinNew Mutants#66 (August )
• Jessan HoaninUncanny X-Men#229 (May)
• Lobo BrothersinSpectacular Spider-Man#143 (October )
• Al MacKenzieinNick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.#3 (August )
• Taki MatsuyainX-Terminators#1 (October )
• N'astirhinX-Factor#32 (October )
• Kate NevilleinNick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.#3 (August )
• Alexander Goodwin PierceinNick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.#3 (August )
• Puff AdderinCaptain America#337 (January )
• TarantulainWeb of Spider-Man#35 (February )
• TombstoneinWeb of Spider-Man#36 (March )
• Typhoid MaryinDaredevil#254 (May)
• Viper IIinNick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.#3 (August )
• X-TerminatorsinX-Terminators#1 (October )

Independent titles

• Luke Kirbyin2000 AD#571 (IPC Media, April 23)
• PiccoloinWeekly Shōnen Jump#167 (Shueisha, April 4)
• Rat KinginTales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles#4 (Mirage Studios, February )
• ShalomaninShaloman#1 (Mark 1 Comics)
• Son GohaninDragon Ballchapter #196 (Shueisha)
• TickinThe Tick#1 (New England Comics, June)
• VegetainWeekly Shōnen Jump#204 (Shueisha, December 19)