1977 in comics
Notable events of 1977 in comics.
Events
Year overall
- Wendy and Richard Pini establish WaRP Graphics.
- Jan and Dean Mullaney establish Eclipse Comics.
- The United Kingdom's Eagle Awards are established.
- Ciao magazine is launched.
January
- January 3: Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.'s The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper comic strip makes its debut. The storyline of the first strip is that Doctor Doom is coming to address the United Nations.
- January 6: in Italy, the historic magazine Gli albi dell'Intrepido recìduces the space for comic and changes its headline in Albo TV..
- January 9: In the Goofy story The Weregoof's Curse!, by Romano Scarpa, Plottigat makes his debut.Our Army at War #300: "300th Hill," by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert.
- With issue #6, DC cancels Four Star Spectacular.Toward the Terra by Keiko Takemiya debuts in Asahi Sonorama's Gekkan Manga Shōnen magazine.
- In the first issue of the French magazine for children J’aime lire, Tom-Tom and Nana, by Jacqueline Cohen and Bernadette Després, make their debut.The mad scientist by Tardi, second album of The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec.Seul... and Le secret by Derib Le spectre de Carthage by Jacques Martin.
- The Italian magazine Alter Linus changes its headline in Alter alter.
February
February 10: HUMO publishes Zappa in Zoeloeland, a comic strip by Kamagurka, with text written by rock musician Frank Zappa.February 12: in Italy, first issue of the magazine Bliz February 15: Merho's De Kiekeboes makes its debut.February 20: in Il giornalino, ''Dolci nebbie di Fiandra by Attilio Micheluzzi; Petra Cherie makes her debut.- February 26: The first issue of the British comics magazine
Spring
Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, with issue #8, is cancelled by Curtis Magazines.March
March 3: first issue of Skorpio’s Italian edition, by Eura publishing house.March 5: Judge Dredd debuts in the second issue of 2000 AD with the story "Judge Whitey", written by Peter Harris and drawn by Mike McMahon.March 13: The final episode of James Childress' Conchy is published.March 15: The sorceress betrayed, the first episode of Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosinski's Thorgal is published in Tintin.March 17: The Belgian comics magazine Spirou publishes a supplement with more mature content: Le Trombone Illustré. It will run for seven months, until 20 October 1977, before the conventional editors feel it doesn't really fit within their family friendly public image. In its first issue André Franquin's Idées Noires and Frédéric Jannin and Thierry Culliford's Germain et nous... make their debut.March 19: The final episode of Phil Collins' Leonardo is published.- House of Mystery #251 and The Superman Family #182 became the first DC Comics series in the 80-page Dollar Comics format, consisting of 64 pages of new stories.
- With issue #302, DC changes the title of Our Army at War to Sgt. Rock.G.I. Combat #200: "The Tank That Died Twice," by Robert Kanigher and Sam Glanzman.Kobra, with issue #7, is cancelled by DC.Werewolf by Night, with issue #43, is cancelled by Marvel.Valentina assassina by Guido Crepax. The book includes six Valentina’s stories: four reprints and two unpublished ones. National Periodical Publications changed its name to '''DC Comics, Inc.'''
April
April 10: in Il giornalino. Il giardino nel cortile by Toni Pagot ; the angelic outcast Micromino makes his debutApril 12: Marvel publish the first issue of Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin's adaptation of Star Wars.April 18: The first episode of Mort Walker and Jerry Dumas' Sam and Silo is published.April 30: The Judge Dredd storyline "The Robot Wars" begins in 2000 AD.- The first issue of Heavy Metal is published, the English-language version of Métal Hurlant.G.I. Combat #201 and World's Finest Comics #244 change to the Dollar Comics format. Backup features in World's Finest Comics include Green Arrow, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and Vigilante.Two-Gun Kid, with issue #136, is cancelled by Marvel.Marvel Spotlight, with issue #33, is cancelled by Marvel.
- The first issue of the underground comix magazine Rip Off Comix is published.Le prince blanc by Jean Graton, 30th album of the Michel Vaillant series.
- In Alter alter, the first chapter of Le straordinarie avventure di Penthotal by the underground cartoonist Andrea Pazienza is published. A surreal diary of a young cartoonist departed between his artistic vocation and the political consciousness, a transparent alter ego of the author. The series will run until 1981.
- The same issue contains Rembrandt e le streghe, by Guido Crepax, 25th episode of the Valentina series.
- First album of The company of the gallows, by Magnus.
May
May: The first issue of the Dutch adult comics magazine Gummi/De Balloen is published. It will last until December 1979.May 7: The final episode of Vic Neill's Wee Ben Nevis is published in The Beano.May 21: The spin-off series Gnasher's Tale, starring Gnasher, debuts in The Beano, drawn by David Sutherland. It will run up until 1986.May 28–30: The final Detroit Triple Fan Fair is organized in Detroit, Michigan, once the oldest regular comic book convention in the world.- The final episode of Sandro Angiolini's Vartan is published.
- With issue #205, DC changes the title of Star Spangled War Stories to The Unknown Soldier.
June
June 3:- * The death of Australian comics author Syd Nicholls also means the end of the comic strip Fatty Finn, which has run since 1923.
- * In L’europeo the first chapter of Favola di Venezia, by Hugo Pratt is prepublished.June 12: Hergé and Andy Warhol meet after Warhol made three silkscreen portraits of Hergé.
- DC Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.Challengers of the Unknown is revived by DC Comics with issue #81 ; storyline picks up from Super-Team Family issues #8–10.Secrets of Haunted House revived with issue #6 after a 17-month hiatus.
- With issue #5, DC cancels Ragman.Lungo fucile by Giancarlo Berardi and Ivo Milazzo, first album of the Ken Parker series.
- The first issue of Cannibale is published, a satirical and Dadaist magazine, edited by Stefano Tamburini.
- First issue of the erotic-horror series ''Cimiteria''
July
July 9:- * The final issue of the British comics magazine Sparky is published, as it merges with The Topper.
- * Dutch comic artist Peter Pontiac publishes his acclaimed autobiographical comic The Amsterdam Connection in issue # of the Dutch magazine Gummi. The story deals with his personal drug use.July 15 : in Paris Match, Le fil qui chante by Morris and Renè Goscinny; last Lucky Luke’
s adventure written by Goscinny. - With issue #231, Marvel UK changes the title of the weekly magazine Super Spider-Man and the Titans to Super Spider-Man & Captain Britain, now featuring new Captain Britain stories.Iron Man #100: "Ten Rings To Rule the World!" by Bill Mantlo, George Tuska, and Mike Esposito.
- With issue #12, DC revives The New Gods, continuing the numbering from the 1971 series.
- With issue #126, DC cancels Young Love, picked up from Prize Comics in 1963.
- With issue #7, Marvel publishes the final issue of Logan's Run.
August
August 23: The Flemish comics magazine Patskrant, a weekly children's supplement of the newspapers Het Nieuwsblad, De Standaard, Het Handelsblad, De Gentenaar and De Landwacht, changes its name to the Stipkrant. It will run until September 2000.- With issue #94, DC revives Showcase, continuing the numbering from the 1956 series, which ceased publishing in 1970.
- With issue #57, DC revives Aquaman, continuing the numbering from the 1962 series, which ceased publishing in 1971.
- With issue #230, DC cancels Superboy.
- With issue #29, DC cancels DC Special.
- With issue #12, DC cancels Hercules Unbound.
- With issue #12, Marvel cancels The Inhumans.
- With issue #12, Marvel cancels the anthology title Marvel Presents.
September
September 13: The first episode of Jeff MacNelly's Shoe is published.September 15: in Spirou, first episode of L’Ankou by Jean-Claude Fournier.September 24: The first issue of the short-lived British comics magazine Plug is published. It will run until 1979.- The first episode of David A. Trampier's Wormy is published. It will run until 1988.
- With issue #19, DC revives Mister Miracle, which had gone on hiatus in 1974.
- With issue #10, Marvel publishes the final issue of 2001: [A Space Odyssey (comics)|2001: A Space Odyssey].
- In this month's issue of Pif Gadget, André Chéret kills off his character Rahan. The issue sells 1.5 million copies, but two issues later Rahan is already back from the dead.
October
Octobe 6r: in Il corriere dei piccoli, Fantòm, by Tiziano Scalvi and Giovanni Pegoraro, makes his debut; he’s a masked avenger, inspired to Fantomas, but on the side of justice.October 7: The first edition of the Flemish comics prize Bronzen Adhemar is held in Turnhout. The winner is Hector Leemans, creator of the newspaper comic Bakelandt.October 22: The first issue of the British comics magazine Cheeky Weekly is published, in which Reg Parlett's Mustapha Million makes its debut.October 24: Bill Hoest's Agatha Crumm makes its debut and will run until 1996.- With issue #10, Marvel cancels Omega the Unknown.
- With issue #8, DC cancels Starfire.
November
November 3: The first episode of Kamagurka's Bert is published in Humo.November 13: The final episode of Al Capp's Li'l Abner is published, drawing the series to a close after being in syndication since 1934.November 22: After a long interval, Bob De Moor's Cori, de Scheepsjongen makes its comeback in Tintin.- Following rival DC's lead, Marvel Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.
- With issue #18, DC cancels Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.
December
December 31: The final issue of the Flemish children's magazine Ohee is published, supplement of the newspaper Het Volk.- Dave Sim's Cerebus the Aardvark makes its debut and is published independently under the name Aardvark-Vanaheim.
- John Byrne and Terry Austin begin their acclaimed run as X-Men penciller/inker team with issue #108 of the title.
- With issue #8, DC cancels Isis.
- In the story The Blackbeard's thaler, by Guido Martina and Massimo De Vita, List of [Donald Duck universe characters#Jeeves|Jeeves] makes his debut.
Specific date unknown
- The first episode of Matt Groening's Life in Hell is published.
- Gary Panter's comic series Jimbo is launched in the punk magazine Slash.
- The Dutch comics magazine Tante Leny Presenteert receives the Stripschapprijs.
- Alfredo Chiappori starts his historical-educational comic series Storie d'Italia.
- Animation director Chuck Jones launches a newspaper comic Crawford. The series will last only six months, halfway 1978.
Deaths
January
January 1:- * Dean Miller, American comics artist, dies at age 52.
- * Alexander Saroukhan, Armenian-Egyptian cartoonist and caricaturist, dies at age 78.January: Bob Brown, American comics artist, dies at age 62.January 22: James Childress, American comics artist and cartoonist, commits suicide at age 35.January 24: John Rosenberger, American comics artist and painter, dies at age 58.
February
February 1: Edmond Hamilton, American science fiction and comic writer, dies at age 72.February 8: Craig Pineo, American comics artist, dies at age 55.February 11: Ben Batsford, American comics artist, dies at age 83.February 16: Frank Engli, American animator and comics artist, letterer and colorist, dies at age 70.February 21: John Hubley, American animator, film director and comics artist dies at age 62.- Specific date unknown: Irving Spector, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 62.
March
March 6: Pop Hollinger, American comic book collector and retailer, dies at age 90.March 20: Han Krug, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 86.March 23: Ed Dobrotka, American comics artist, dies at age 69.March 31: Alexey Komarov, Russian painter, sculptor, cartoonist, illustrator, poster artist and comics artist, dies at age 97.April
April: Paul Gustavson, American comics writer and artist, dies at age 60.April 8: Jean Cézard, French comics artist, dies at age 53.May
May 25:- * Christian Kittilsen, Norwegian illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 70.
- * Frans Mandos, Dutch painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 67.
June
June 3: Syd Nicholls, Australian comics artist, falls from his apartment balcony and dies at age 80.June 6: Joseph Musial, American comics writer, artist and author, dies at age 72.June 10: Wood Cowan, American comics artist, dies at age 90.June 16: Stan Cross, American-Australian comics artist, dies at age 88.July
July 5: Theo Funke Küpper, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 72.July 8: Roy Crane, American comics artist, dies at age 75.July 9: Alfred Georges Pavis, French painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 91.Specific date unknown: Milt Stein, American animator and comics artist, commits suicide at age 56.August
August 1: Bernard van Vlijmen, Dutch painter, graphic artist, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 81.Specific date unknown: August: Louis Cazeneuve, Argentine comics artist, dies at age 68 or 69.September
September 5: Tatsuo Yoshida, Japanese manga artist and animator, dies at age 45 from liver cancer.September 7: Alexis, French comics artist, dies at age 30 of a ruptured aneurysm.September 16: Rie Cramer, Dutch illustrator, novelist and comics artist, dies at age 89.September 17: Pierre Soymier, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 73.September 29: Bob McKimson, American animator, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 66 from a heart attack.October
October 5: Jotie T'Hooft, Belgian poet and comics artist, commits suicide by a drug overdose at age 21.October 12: Antoon Heckenrath, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 70.October 28:- * Ratip Tahir Burak, Turkish comics artist and editorial cartoonist, dies at age 72 or 73.
- * Miguel Mihura, Spanish playwright and comics artist, dies at age 72.
November
November 4: Mingo, Spanish comics artist, dies at age 34 or 35.November 5: René Goscinny, French comics writer, artist, magazine publisher, chief editor, dies at age 68.December
December 11:- * Giovanni Bissietta, A.K.A. Giuseppe Fontanelli, Italian painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 67.
- * Victor Weixler, Austrian illustrator and comic artist, dies at age 94.December 15: John Verpoorten, American comics inker and Marvel Comics production manager, dies at age 37.
Specific date unknown
- Robert Baldwin, also known as Rupe, American comics artist and cartoonist, dies at age 72 or 73.
- Alberto Cognigni, Argentine comics artist, dies at age 44 or 45.
- Fokion Dimitriadis, Greek editorial cartoonist and comic artist, dies at age 82 or 83.
- John Gee, American illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 81 or 82.
- Walter Hofmann, aka Von Waldl, German caricaturist and comics artist, dies at age 71 or 72.
- Moma Markovic, Serbian-Canadian comics artist, dies at age 74 or 75.
- Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Argentine journalist and comics writer mysteriously disappears, presumed arrested and murdered by soldiers of President Jorge Rafael Videla's regime.
- Jack Pamby, British comics artist, dies at age 68 or 69.
- Gottfried Spachholz, German comics artist, dies at age 70 or 71.
- Peter Sutherland, British comics artist, dies at age 55 or 56.
- Wu Yun, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 54 or 55.
Exhibitions and shows
There were many TV shows based on comics in 1977, featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and Wonder Woman.Conventions
- Columbus Comic Book Convention — guests include Jim Steranko, Bob Layton, and Mike Nasser
- Dayton Comic Book Convention — produced by Dayton retailer The Dragon's LairJanuary 30: Comicove 6 — official guest: Vince CollettaMarch 11–13: Starcon '77 May 28–30: Detroit Triple Fan Fair — dubbed the "Detroit Triple Fan Fair "; guests include Chuck Jones, Ray HarryhausenJune: Houstoncon — guests include Frank Brunner, Spanky McFarland, Jock Mahoney, George Takei, Forrest J Ackerman, and Roy RogersJuly 1–5: Comic Art Convention — 10th annual show, first time in Philadelphia. Guests of honor: John Stanley and Bernie Wrightson; other guests include Roy Thomas, Wendy Pini, Linda Behrle, Barry Windsor-Smith, Frank Thorne, Frank Brunner, and Jeff JonesJuly 20–24: San Diego Comic-Con — 4,000+ attendees; official guests: Carl Barks, C. C. Beck, Walter Gibson, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Kaluta, Jack Kirby, B. Kliban, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lynde, Alex Niño, Trina Robbins, and Bill ScottJuly 29–31: Konvention of Alternative Komix "KAK 77" — 2nd annual underground comix event, produced by Arts Lab Press and Hunt EmersonJuly 29–30: Toronto Triple Fan Fair a.k.a. "Fan Fair 4" — Guests of Honour: Philip José Farmer and Andrew I. PorterAugust 1: Comic Mart Liverpool I — 10th edition of the show, sponsored by Zephyr MagazinesAugust 5–7: Chicago Comicon — produced by Joe Sarno, Mike Gold, and Bob Weinberg; guests include Stan Lee, Jenette Kahn, Chester Gould, and Howard ChaykinAugust 12–14: Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair — official guests include Jenette Kahn, Dick Giordano, Kenneth Smith, Neal Adams, and Jim SterankoSeptember: OrlandoCon — guests include Ralph Dunagin and Scorchy Smith
' s Edmond GoodSeptember 3–4: Comicon '77 (British Comic Art Convention) — organized by Rob Barrow; presentation of the first annual Eagle AwardsSeptember 10–11: Lancaster Comic Art Convention "Frazetta '77" — produced by Chuck Miller and Charlie Roberts; guests include Harvey Kurtzman, Will Eisner, Jerry Robinson, Burne Hogarth, Bernie Wrightson, Steve Hickman, Michael Kaluta, Charles Vess, Ian Ballantine, Betty Ballantine, and Ken KelleyOctober 8: Comic Mart Liverpool II — featured a The [Adventures of Superman (radio series)|The Adventures of Superman] radio show airing, as well as viewings of the Batman and Adventures of Captain Marvel serialsOctober 15–16: Newcon '77 November 25–27: Creation Comic Book & Pop Culture Convention — guests include George Pérez; admission: $5/day
Awards
[Eagle Awards]
Presented in 1978 for comics published in 1977:Favourite Writer: Steve EnglehartFavourite Artist: Neal AdamsFavourite Inker: Terry AustinFavourite Comic Book : Uncanny X-MenFavorite Comic Book : Howard the Duck, by Steve Gerber and Gene ColanFavourite Black and White Magazine: Savage Sword of ConanFavourite Single Story: "The Final Threat," Avengers Annual #7, by Jim StarlinFavourite Continued Story: Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2, by Jim StarlinFavourite Group or Team: Uncanny X-MenFavourite Character: BatmanFavourite Supporting Character: Pip the TrollFavourite Villain: ThanosFavourite Comic : 2000 AD Favourite Editor : Dez Skinn, for MAD magazineRoll of Honour: Steve EnglehartFirst issues by title
DC Comics
Black LightningDC Special Series: catch-all series primarily for one-shots of different formats, released on an irregular schedule
Jonah Hex
Men of War
Shade, the Changing Man
'Star Hunters'''''
Marvel Comics
Black PantherGodzilla, [King of the Monsters (comics)|Godzilla: King of the Monsters]
John Carter, Warlord of Mars
Human Fly
Logan's Run
Marvel Super Action
Marvel Super Special
The Rampaging Hulk
Star Wars
'What If'''''
Independent publishers
2000 ADCerebus the Aardvark
Heavy Metal
'Rip Off Comix'''''
Hakusensha
'Bessatsu Hana to Yume'''''Initial appearance by character name
DC Comics
Baron Blitzkrieg, in World's Finest Comics #246 Black Lightning, in Black Lightning #1 Celsius, in Showcase #94 Joshua Clay, in Showcase #94 Dawnstar, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #226 Doctor Phosphorus, in Detective Comics #469 Cal Durham, in Adventure Comics #452 Faora, in Action Comics #471 Godiva, in Super Friends #7 Golden Glider, in Flash (comic book)|Flash] #250 Gravedigger, in Men of War #1 Huntress, in DC Super Stars # 17 Icemaiden, in Super Friends #9 Impala, in Super Friends #7- Infinite Man, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #233 Jack O'Lantern, in Super Friends #8 Owlwoman, in Super Friends #7
- Patty Spivot, in DC Special Series #1
- Peter Gambi, in Black Lightning #1 Professor Ojo, in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #16
- Quakemaster, in DC Special #28 Rising Sun, in Super Friends #8 Scalphunter in Weird Western Tales #39 Seraph, in Super Friends #7 Shade, the Changing Man, in Shade, the Changing Man #1 Silver St. Cloud, in Detective Comics #470 Sklarian Raiders, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #233
- Pulsar Stargrave, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #223 Tasmanian Devil, in Super Friends #7 Rupert Thorne, in Detective Comics #469 Tuatara, in Super Friends #8 Valentina Vostok, in Showcase #94
- Tobias Whale, in Black Lightning #1
Marvel Comics
Aqueduct, in Ghost Rider #23 Aries, in The Defenders #49 Bereet, in The Rampaging Hulk #1 Bushmaster, in Iron Fist #15 Constrictor, in The Incredible Hulk #212 Deathbird, in Ms. Marvel #9 Devil-Slayer, in Marvel Spotlight #33 Doctor Bong, in Howard the Duck #15 Dreadknight, in Iron Man #102 Dyna-Mite / Destroyer, in Invaders #14 Celestials- * Dreaming Celestial, in The Eternals #18
- * Eson the Searcher, in The Eternals #9
- * Hargen the Measurer, in The Eternals #9
- * Jemiah the Analyzer, in The Eternals #7
- * Nezarr the Calculator, in The Eternals #9
- * One Above All, in The Eternals #7
- * Oneg the Prober, in The Eternals #9
- * Tefral the Surveyor, in The Eternals #7
- * Ziran the Tester, in The Eternals #18 Eternals
- * Aginar, in The Eternals #11
- * Delphan Brothers, in The Eternals #11
- * Druig, in The Eternals #11
- * Forgotten One, in The Eternals #13
- * Sigmar, in The Eternals #17
- * Sprite, in The Eternals #9
- * Kingo Sunen, in The Eternals #11
- * Uni-Mind, in The Eternals #12
- * Valkin, in The Eternals #11
- * Zarin, in The Eternals #11 Henry Peter Gyrich, in Avengers #165 Human Fly (Rick Rojatt), in Human Fly #1 Imperial Guard, in X-Men #107
- * Astra
- * Electron
- * Fang
- * Flashfire
- * Guardian
- * Magique
- * Mentor
- * Neutron
- * Nightside
- * Oracle
- * Pulsar
- * Scintilla
- * Smasher
- * Starbolt
- * TitanJocasta, in Avengers #162 Killer Shrike, in The Rampaging Hulk #1 Lightmaster, in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #3 Machine Man, in 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 Malice, in Ghost Rider vol. 2, #25 Paragon / Kismet, in The Incredible Hulk Annual #6Ringer, in Defenders #51 Rocket Racer, in The Amazing Spider-Man #172 Sabretooth, in Iron Fist #14 Nicholas Scratch, in Fantastic Four #185 Sphinx, in Nova #6 Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), in Marvel Spotlight #32 Spirit of '76, in The Invaders #14 Starjammers, in X-Men #107
- * Ch'od, in X-Men #104
- * Corsair, in X-Men #104
- * Hepzibah, in X-Men #107
- * Raza Longknife, in X-Men #107 Swarm, in Champions #14 Warrior Woman, in Invaders #16 Will O' Wisp, in The Amazing Spider-Man #167 Arnim Zola, in Captain America #208
Other titles
- Rico Dredd, in 2000 AD prog 30 Judge Dredd, in 2000 AD #2 Judge Giant, in 2000 AD prog 27 Judge Goodman, in 2000 AD #2
- Alvar Mayor, a Peruvian mestizo involved in the Spanish conquest, by Carlos Trillo and Enrique Breccia, in Skorpio.
- Petra Cherie, by Attilio Micheluzzi, in Il giornalino Bill Savage, in 2000 AD #1 Tharg the Mighty, in 2000 AD #1
- Thorgal, by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegor Rosinski, in Tintin
- Ken Parker, by Giancarlo Berardi and Ivo Milazzo
- Cerebus the Aardvark, in Cerebus #1