1972 in comics
Notable events of 1972 in comics.
Events
Year overall
- Marvel Comics forms their British publishing arm, Marvel UK.
- Phil Seuling founds Sea Gate Distributors, developing the concept of the direct market distribution system for getting comics directly into comic book specialty shops, bypassing the established newspaper/magazine distributor method.
- DC acquires licensing rights to the Marvel Family, originally published by Fawcett Comics.
- Fleming H. Revell establishes Spire Christian Comics.
- Jacques Glénat, at only twenty years old, establishes Glénat.
- Newspaper strip Captain Kate ceases syndication.
- Kinney National Company spun off its non-entertainment assets and changed its name to Warner Communications.
- In Italy, Renzo Barbieri founds Edifumetto, a publishing house specialized in cheap erotic comics, in concurrence with the EdiGi of his former associate Renzo Cavedon. The firm launches, in this year, new characters, such as the monster Wallenstein, Zora, Biancaneve and the super-hero Playcolt.
January
- January 2: Il corriere dei piccoli, splits in two magazines: Il corriere dei piccoli, aimed to children, and Il corriere dei ragazzi aimed to teenagers.
- January 6: In Pif Gadget, the Corto Maltese story Concert en O mineur pour harpe et nitroglycérine by Hugo Pratt is published. The first of four tales set in the Celtic countries.January 7: In the magazine De Nieuwe Gommaar Timmermans creates De Nieuwe Ark, a philosophical comic will run until 8 September 1972.
- January 19: In Spirou, the first chapter of Tora Torapa by Jean-Claude Fournier is published.
- Korak, Son of Tarzan, with issue #45, cancelled by Gold Key Comics.
- Primaggio Mantovi's Sacarrolha debuts.
- The stories Hound of the Moaning Hills
' and Storm dancers by Carl Barks and Kay Wright are published in Huey, Dewey and Louie Junior Woodchucks.Iorix le grand by Jacques Martin.
February
February 12: After a long trial Al Capp is fined for attempted adultery in a plea bargain, his public image and the popularity of Li'l Abner are damaged beyond repair.February 24: In Spirou, the first chapter of L’orgue du diable by Roger Leloup is published.February 24: in L’Intrepido, debut the SF series Iber, by Antonio Mancuso and Antonio Toldo.February 26: The final episode of Big Sister appears in print. It had run since 1928.The Brave and the Bold #100 : Batman teams up with Robin, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Green Lantern.- With issue #206, Gold Key Comics cancels Tarzan, a title it acquired from Dell Comics in 1962.
March
March 30: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Blueberry story Ballade pour un cercueil by Jean-Michel Charlier and Jean Giraud is published, the last episode of the Blueberry trilogy about the search for Confederate gold.- The first issue of the French Disney comics magazine Picsou Magazine is published.
- Marvel Comics launches its second ongoing Spider-Man title, Marvel Team-Up.House of Mystery #200, edited by Joe Orlando.
- The story The Day the Mountain Shook, by Carl Barks and Kay Wright is published in Huey, Dewey and Louie Junior Woodchucks.Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary, by Justin Green.
April
April 18: In Le journal de Tintin, the first chapter of the Ric Hochet story Requiem pour une idole by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet is published.- Marvel Comics launches Marvel Premiere, an anthology series.
- With issue #207, DC Comics begins publishing Tarzan, acquired from Gold Key Comics.
- With issue #89, DC suspends publishing Green Lantern.
- The first issue of the Italian magazine Il mago is published by Mondadori.
May
May 1: The first issue of the adult comic magazine L'Écho des Savanes is published. Up until 1974 it only features comics by the three founders Marcel Gotlib, Nikita Mandryka and Claire Bretécher.May 4: In Pilote the first chapter of Asterix and the Soothsayer by Goscinny and Uderzo, is published.- May 21: The final episode of Jerry and Hally Skelly's newspaper comic strip Captain Kate is published.May 23: In Charles M. Schulz' Peanuts Rerun van Pelt makes his debut.Wonder Woman #200 : 52-page giant, "The Beauty Hater," by Denny O'Neil and Dick Giordano. Tomahawk, with issue #140, canceled by DC.
- The Donald Duck stories Huey, Dewey and Louie Junior Woodchucks, Duckmade disaster are published by Carl Barks and Kay Wright.
- The Italian magazine Lo scolaro, after sixty years of history and more than a thousand issues, ceases publications.
June
- June 15: The first chapter of the Lucky Luke story Chasseur de primes, by Goscinny and Morris is published in Pilote.
- Marvel Comics launches Luke Cage, Hero for Hire, which is the debut of the title character.Thor #200: "The End of the World," by Gerry Conway, Stan Lee, John Buscema, and John Verpoorten.Action Comics #413: Metamorpho becomes the backup feature.The Avengers #100: "Whatever Gods There Be," by Roy Thomas and Barry Smith.
- The Darkhold, also known as The Book of Sins, is introduced in Marvel Spotlight #4.
- Stan Lee starts his long-running monthly column, Stan's Soapbox, in Marvel's readers pages Bullpen Bulletins. It will appear until 1982.Korak, Son of Tarzan, with issue #46, taken over by DC from Gold Key Comics.
- With issue #12, All-Star Western changes its name to Weird Western Tales — DC Comics
- With issue #5, The Sinister House of Secret Love changes its name to Secrets of Sinister House — DC Comics
July
July 12: The final episode of Marten Toonder's Kappie is published.July 22: The first edition of Wizard World Chicago, aka the Chicago Comic-Con, is organized by Nancy Warner.- After a year-long experimentation with 25-cent, 52-page comics, DC Comics reduces the price of a typical comic to 20 cents, and returns the page count to 36 pages.
- Art Spiegelman publishes "Maus", a three-page strip which will eventually turn into Maus, for the one-shot underground magazine Funny Animals
, an underground comic published by Apex Novelties.Detective Comics #425: Jason Bard replaces Batgirl as the backup feature.Sgt. Fury #100: "One Hundredth Anniversary," by Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers, and Mike Esposito. - Pippo e I parastinchi di Olimpia, by Romano Scarpa, in Olympic Goofy, a story written for the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Il grande intrigo by Gian Luigi Bonelli and Erio Nicolò; Tex Willer is sentenced to death with a false charge. The story, exceptionally long, is considered a masterwork among the classic adventures of the hero.
August
- August 6: In Il giornalino, Notturno a Macao, by Claudio Nizzi and Ruggero Giovannini; debut of the sea adventures series Capitan Erik.
- August 31: In Pif Gadget, the Corto Maltese story Au nom d'Allah le très miséricordieux, le compatissant by Hugo Pratt, is published, the first chapter of The Ethiopian, an arc of four stories set in Africa, where the captain has, as a partner, the Afar warrior Dash.
- The Flash #217: Four months after the cancellation of his own title, Green Lantern begins appearing as a backup feature in The Flash #217.Justice League of America #100: "The Unknown Soldier of Victory!", by Len Wein, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella.Forever People, with issue #11, is cancelled by DC.
- In the story The kingdom under the sea, by Rodolfo Cimino and Giorgio Cavazzano, Queen Reginella makes her debut.
September
September 13: The first episode of Gommaar Timmermans' comic Iamboree is published in Knack. It will run until 1982.- September 14: RAI broadcasts the first episode of Gulp, spectacle of "TV comics" very popular among the Italian young viewers. For the show, original comics are realized, as The flying fat women, by Vittorio Metz, La secchia rapita, by Pino Zac and moreover Nick Carter, by Bonvi and De Maria.
- September 19: In Le journal de Tintin, the first chapter of the Michel Vaillant story Cauchemar is published by Jean Graton.
- House of Secrets #100, edited by Joe Orlando.
- Stan Lee becomes Marvel Comics' publisher; Roy Thomas takes over as Marvel editor-in-chief.
- In The People's Comics, Robert Crumb draws the story Fritz the Cat Superstar, in which his most famous character Fritz the Cat is murdered, thus terminating the comic strip. Crumb drew the story in reaction to Ralph Bakshi's animated feature film adaptation which premiered a few months earlier.
October
October 28: The final episode of Mort Walker and Frank Roberge's Mrs. Fitz's Flats is published.Date with Debbi, with issue #18, is cancelled by DC.Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1: new series by writer/artist Jack Kirby is launched by DC Comics with an October/November cover date.New Gods, with issue #11, is temporarily cancelled by DC.- Silver Age inker Sid Greene dies at age 66.
November
November 9: The first episode of Willy Vandersteen's comics series Robert en Bertrand is published and will run until 1992.- Girls' Love Stories, with issue #180, cancelled by DC Comics.
December
December 5 : In Le journal de Tintin, the first chapter of Épitaphe pour Ric Hochet by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet is published.- December 7: In Le journal de Tintin, the first chapter of the Bruno Brazil story Sarabanda a Sacramento is published by Greg and William Vance.December 28: The final episode of Marcel Gotlib's Rubrique-à-Brac is printed in Pilote.
- Justice League of America #103, Writer Len Wein and artists Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano craft the DC portion of a metafictional unofficial crossover spanning titles from both major comics companies. The Marvel chapters appear with 1973 cover dates. Each comic featured writers Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Len Wein, as well as Wein's first wife Glynis, interacting with Marvel or DC characters at the Rutland Halloween Parade in Rutland, Vermont. Beginning in Amazing Adventures #16, the story continued in Justice League of America #103, and concluded in Thor #207.
Specific date unknown
- Carlos Enrique Figueroa creates the comics character Tricolín.
- The first episode of the Polish humorous historical comic series Kajko i Kokosz by Janusz Christa is published.
- David Sutherland introduces the character Cuthbert in The Bash Street Kids.
- James McQuade's erotic series Misty makes its debut.
Births
April
April 26: John Paul Leon, American comic book artist,.November
November 22: Cyril Pedrosa, French comic book artist, colorist and writer.Deaths
January
January 5: Bud Counihan, American comics artist, dies at age 84.- January 28: Dino Buzzati, Italian novelist, author also, as writer and illustrator, dies at age 65.
February
February 2: István Pesthy, AKA Falus, Hungarian dentist, cartoonist and comic artist, dies at age 65.March
- March 4: Charles Biro, American comics artist, dies at age 60.March 5: Frans Meijer, also published under the name Jaap van Loon, Ko Koster, F.M., Piet Pion and Henk, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 71.March 17: Antonio Rubio, Cuban cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 51.March 31: Aleksandar Denkov, Bulgarian illustrator, animator and comics artist, dies at age 47.
May
May 5: Frank Tashlin, aka Tish Tash, aka Frank Tash, American animator, cartoonist, illustrator, screenwriter, film director and comics artist, dies at age 59.May 23: Louis Salvérius, Belgian comics artist, unexpectedly dies from a heart attack at the age of 38.May 23: Nino Pagot, Italian comics artist and animator, dies at the age of 64.May 26: Robert Dansler, aka Bob Dan, Bobby, Erdé or Hoberdon, French comics artist, dies at age 71.May 28: Rea Irvin, American illustrator, graphic artist and comics artist, dies at age 90 from a stroke.June
June 17: Frank Ellis, American comics artist, dies at age 74.June 20: Johanna Berhardina Midderigh-Bokhorst, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 92.June 22: Johan Jacob Voskuil, aka Jo Voskuil, Dutch illustrator, painter and comics artist, dies at age 75.July
July 8: John Henry Gordon Freeman, aka Don Freeman, British comics writer and novelist, dies at age 69.July 28: Fanny Cory, American illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 94.August
August 9: Noël Bissot, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 55.Specific date unknown: Lovrien Gregory, American comics artist, dies at age 84.September
September 12:- * Harry S. Anderson, American comics artist, dies at age 61.
- * Max Fleischer, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 89.
- * Ivar Mauritz-Hansen, Norwegian illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 75.September 20: William Ritt, American comics writer and journalist, dies at the age of 69 or 70.Specific date unknown: September: Regino Bernad, Spanish-French comics artist, dies at age 70.
October
October 31: John L. Jukes, British comics artist, dies at age 71.Specific date unknown: Sid Greene, American comic artist, dies at age 64.December
December 11: Don Gunn, American comics artist, dies at age 66.Specific date unknown
- Gaspar Bolaños, Mexican comics artist, dies at age 63 or 64.
- Paul Braig, French painter and comics artist, dies at age 65 or 66.
- C.H. Chapman, British comics artist dies at the age of 92 or 93.
- Allen Dean, American comics artist, painter and illustrator, dies at age 82 or 83.
- Francis Kirn, American comics artist, dies at age 67 or 68.
- Hans Nije, Dutch musician and comics artist, dies at age 54.
- Bert Vandeput, British comics artist, dies at age 56 or 57.
Conventions
March 3–5: Cosmicon — first iteration of this early Canadian comic book/science fiction/horror convention; official guests include Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Gray Morrow, Alain Resnais, and Dan AdkinsApril 25–28: First American International Congress of Comics May 26–29: EC Fan Addict Convention — official guests include William Gaines, Al Williamson, Wally Wood, George Evans, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando, and Al FeldsteinJune: Multicon — 2nd occurrence of this show; guests include Will EisnerJune 16–18: Phoenix Con — 2nd occurrence of this show, organized by Bruce Hamilton and the Phoenix Fans of Art & Nostalgia ; guest of honor is C. C. BeckJuly 1–5: Comic Art Convention — Jack Kirby and Alex Toth guests of honor; other guests include Jim Steranko; announcement of the 1971 Goethe AwardsJuly 22–23: Nostalgia '72 — first Chicago-area comics and collectibles convention, produced by Nancy Warner; c. 2,000 attendeesJuly 29–30: FanCon — produced by Angel Gabriele/Dixieland Fandom; guests include Guest of Honor Wally Wood, Kelly Freas, Murray Leinster, Jeff Jones, Michael Kaluta, and Frank BrunnerAugust 3–6: Detroit Tri-Con — organized by Tom Orzechowski and Michael Kucharski ; official guests include Edmond Hamilton, Leigh Brackett, Gray Morrow, Lin Carter, Al Williamson, Russ Myers, John Jakes, T. Casey Brennan, Robert Taylor, Ken Muse, and Fan Guest of Honor Rick Yager; program cover by Gray MorrowAugust 5–6: Comicon '72 (British Comic Art Convention) — 5th annual show, produced by Nick LandauAugust 18–21: San Diego's West Coast Comic Convention — 900+ attendees; official guests: Bob Clampett, Harry Harrison, Jack Kirby, Katherine Kurtz, Mel Lazarus, Roy Thomas, and Milt GraySeptember 2–4: Newcon '72 — organized by Martin Greim; guests included Roy Thomas, Jim Steranko, Otto Binder, and Vincent FagoOctober 19–22: Detroit Triple Fan Fair — 7th edition of the convention, program includes "a history of the Detroit Triple Fan Fair"; official guests include Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Vaughn Bodé, Jeff Jones, Russ Heath, Bud Plant, Dale Manesis, Jerry Bails, Phil Seuling, Gene Roddenberry, and Majel BarrettOctober 29–November 4: Salone Internazionale dei Comics a.k.a. "Lucca 8" — festival expands to seven daysNovember 24–26: Creation Con II — guests of honor: Philip José Farmer and Frank Kelly Freas; other guests: Vaughn Bodé, Jim Steranko, Gray Morrow, Michael Kaluta, Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, John Severin, Frank Brunner, Isaac Asimov, Ron Goulart, Carlos Garzon, Roy Krenkel, and Hans Stefan SantessonDecember 2: Comic Mart — first "official" Comic Mart, produced by Rob Barrow and Nick Landau, with over 250 attendeesAwards
Goethe Awards
Published in The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom #38 . Ballots were printed in TBG, Comic Crusader, The Comic Reader, the Gazette Advertiser, The Menomonee Falls Gazette, and Rocket's Blast Comicollector. 1,011 fans cast their votes. Winners in each category are listed in boldface, along with other fan-selected nominees in order of finish.Favorite Pro Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith- * Neal Adams
- * Bernie Wrightson
- * Jack KirbyFavorite Pro Writer: Roy Thomas
- * Len Wein
- * Jack Kirby
- * Dennis O'Neil
- * Steve EnglehartFavorite Pro Editor: Roy Thomas
- * Julius SchwartzFavorite Pro Comic Book: Conan
- * Swamp Thing
- * Tarzan
- * The Avengers Favorite Non-Newsstand Comic Book: The Menomonee Falls Gazette
- * Bedtime Stories
- * Further Adventures of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
- * Fantagor
- * Skull Comics
- * Phase Favorite Comic-Book Story: "The Black Hound of Vengeance!"
- * "And Through Him Save a World"
- * "The Pact"
- * "Dark Genesis" Favorite Comic-Book Character: Conan
- * Batman
- * Spider-Man
- * Tarzan
- * Green Arrow Favorite Fan Magazine: The Comic Reader
- * The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom
- * Comixscene
- * Comic Crusader
- * Graphic Story World
- * Rocket's Blast ComicollectorFavorite Fan Writer: Don and Maggie Thompson
- * Tom Fagan
- * Tony Isabella
- * Jan Strnad
- * Paul LevitzFavorite Fan Artist: Richard Corben
- * Don Newton
- * John Fantucchio
- * Martin Greim
Shazam Awards
Presented in 1973 for comics published in 1972:Best Individual Story: "Dark Genesis", by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson, Swamp Thing #1 Best Individual Short Story : "The Demon Within", by John Albano and Jim Aparo, House of Mystery #201 Best Writer : Len WeinBest Penciller : Berni WrightsonBest Humor Story: "The Poster Plague", by Steve Skeates and Sergio Aragones, House of Mystery #202 Best Inker : Sergio AragonesSpecial Award: DC letterer/proofreader Gerda Gattel "for bringing her special warmth to our history"Superior Achievement by an Individual: Julius Schwartz "for bringing the Shazam Family back into print"First issue by title
DC Comics
The DemonKamandi, The Last Boy On Earth
Supergirl
Swamp Thing
Weird Mystery Tales
'Weird Worlds'''''
Marvel Comics
The CatChamber of Chills
The Defenders
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Hero for Hire
Journey into Mystery
Jungle Action
Marvel Premiere
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Triple Action
The Mighty World of Marvel
Night Nurse
Shanna the She-Devil
Supernatural Thrillers
The Tomb of Dracula
'Werewolf by Night'''''
Other publishers
Archie at Riverdale HighBinky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary
Captain Paragon
Death Rattle
Midnight Tales
The People's Comics
Mystery Comics Digest
The Rip Off Review of Western Culture
The Rose of Versailles
Tits & Clits Comix
'Wimmen's Comix'''''
Initial appearance by character name
DC Comics
- Alec Holland, in Swamp Thing #1 Anton Arcane, in Swamp Thing #2 Bernadeth, in Mister Miracle #6
- Cassandra Craft, in Phantom Stranger #17 Jim Corrigan, in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #149 Destiny, in Weird Mystery Tales #1Devilance, in Forever People #11 Doctor Moon, in Batman #240 Effron the Sorcerer, in World's Finest Comics #210 Etrigan the Demon, in The Demon #1 Forager, in New Gods #9 Funky Flashman, in Mister Miracle #6 Gilotina, in Mister Miracle #8
- Heggra, in New Gods #7 Human Target, in Action Comics #419 Jason Blood, in The Demon #1 Jonah Hex, in All-Star Western #10 Kamandi, in Kamandi #1 Kanto, in Mister Miracle #7 Lashina, in Mister Miracle #6 Morgaine le Fey, in The Demon #1 Mad Harriet, in Mister Miracle #6
- Magnar, in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #147 Matthew Cable, in Swamp Thing #1 Nebula Man, in Justice League of America #100 Starbreaker, in Justice League of America #96 Steppenwolf, in New Gods #7 Stompa, in Mister Miracle #6 Terra-Man, in Superman #249 Un-Men, in Swamp Thing #1
- Tigra, in New Gods #7
Marvel Comics
Adam Warlock, in Marvel Premiere #1 Brute (Reed Richards), in Marvel Premiere #2 Luke Cage, in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 Diamondback (Willis Stryker), in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 Dracula, in Tomb of Dracula #1 Dragon Lord, in Sub-Mariner #52 Frank Drake, in Tomb of Dracula #1 Damon Dran, in Daredevil #92 Elric, in Conan the Barbarian #15 Kulan Gath, in Conan the Barbarian #14 Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze), in Marvel Spotlight #5 Gibbon, in The Amazing Spider-Man #110 Grand Director, in Captain America #153 Hammerhead, in The Amazing Spider-Man #113Jonas Harrow, in The Amazing Spider-Man #114 Mister Fear, in The Mighty Thor #200 Night Nurse, in Night Nurse #1 Thundra, in Fantastic Four #129 Tigra, in The Cat #1 Rachel van Helsing, in Tomb of Dracula #3 Werewolf by Night, in Marvel Spotlight #2 Zarathos, in Marvel Spotlight #5Independent publishers
Captain Paragon, in Captain Paragon #1 Doctor Spektor, in Mystery Comics Digest #5 Les Aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec, in Pilote magazine #680- L'omino bufo by Alfredo Castelli - in Il corriere dei ragazzi..
- Gianconiglio by Carlo Peroni – in Il corriere dei piccoli
- Agar, by Claude Moliterni and Robert Gigi - on Il corriere dei piccoli
- Johnny Logan, by Romano Garofalo and Leone Cimpellin – Editoriale Dardo
- Nick Carter, by Bonvi and Guido De Maria – on Gulp and Il corriere dei ragazzi
- Zora (vampire), by Renzo Barbieri – Edifumetto
- Biancaneve, by Renzo Barbieri and Rubino Ventura – Edifumetto