1981 in comics
Notable events of 1981 in comics.
Events and publications
January
January 24: In Linus, first episode of Rebecca, by Anna Brandoli and Renato Queirolo. The series has for protagonist a gypsy girl, looking for the St. Ambrose treasure in the Fifteenth century Lombardy. January 25: In Il Giornalino, first episode of the series Father ''Brown’s tales, by Renata Gelardini and Tommaso Landolfi, from G. K. Chesterton.- Capital Comics makes its entrée into publishing with the release of
February
February 22: in Topolino, Paperobot contro i Paperoidi by Romano Scarpa, first episode of the sci-fi series Storie stellari.- Jenette Kahn becomes president of DC Comics, succeeding Sol Harrison. Kahn retained the title of publisher, which she had held since 1976.Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 #272 features an [DC Comics DC Comics insert previews|insert previews|insert] previewing the upcoming "Dial H for Hero" series in Adventure Comics by Marv Wolfman and Carmine Infantino.New York the big city by Will Eisner.
March
March 1.: in the Spanish Magazine Cimoc, debut of El mercenario by Vicente Segrelles.March 1: in Pilote, Brooklyn Station, Terminus Cosmos by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres, 10th episode of the Valerian series, is prepublished.March 8: The final episode of Stan Lynde's Rick O'Shay is published.March 8. In Topolino, Paperino di Bergerac, by Guido Martina and Giovan Battista Carpi, parody of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, is prepublished.March 17: In a widely mediatized event, Hergé finally meets his old Chinese friend Zhang Chongren again in Brussels, whom he hadn't seen again for almost half a century. Zhang was the inspiration for the Tintin character Chang Chong-Chen. Hergé's longing to see his old friend again inspired the story Tintin in Tibet.March 19: The first episode of Raoul Cauvin and Philippe Bercovici's Les Femmes en Blanc is published in Spirou.- Robert Crumb launches the American adult comics magazine Weirdo, which will run until 1993.
- Marvel takes notice of the growing direct market and produces a title specifically for comic shops — Dazzler #1 sells 400,000 copies.Marvel Preview, with issue #25, changes its name to Bizarre Adventures and becomes an official Marvel Comics publication.Detective Comics #500: 84 pages, 7 different anniversary stories by several well-known creators, including television writer Alan Brennert and Walter B. Gibson, best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow.
- "The Exaggerated Death of Ultra Boy" story arc begins in DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes #273. Written by Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, and Paul Levitz, with pencils by Jimmy Janes and Steve Ditko, the story arc concludes in Legion of Super-Heroes #282.Mystery in Space, with issue #117, is cancelled by DC Comics.Captain Canuck, with issue #14, is cancelled by Comely Comix.
- John Byrne and Terry Austin leave The Uncanny X-Men, with issue 143 being their last.
- In Frigidaire, Giallo scolastico by Andrea Pazienza, the anti-hero Zanardi, a young hooligan, nihilist and drug-addicted, makes his debut.
April
- Jan Bucquoy launches the Belgian adult comics magazine Spetters. It will last until 1982.Steve Warson contre Michel Vaillant by Jean Graton, 38th episode of the Michel Vaillant series.
May
May 3: in Topolino, Zio Paperone e il tuffo nel black hole by Giorgio Pezzin and Guido Scala; the story is published simultaneously with the release in Italy of the film The black hole.May 8: The first issue of Eclipse Magazine is published by Dean and Jan Mullaney. It will run until January 1983.May 10: in Il giornalino, the comic-adventure series Captain Rogers, by Giorgio Pezzin and Giorgio Cavazzano, makes his debut; the hero is an American trapper, fighting against the English in the War of independence.May 19: in Tele junior, Le bandit manchot by Morris and Bob de Groot, 81th episode of Lucky Luke series, is pre-published.Master of Kung Fu #100: "Red of Fang and Claw, All Love Lost," by Doug Moench, Mike Zeck, and Gene Day.Ghosts #100 : Edited by Jack C. Harris.- With issue #66, Charlton revives The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves, cancelled in May 1978.
June
June 15: Doug Marlette's Kudzu makes its debut. It will run until 2007.June 26: In Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County Opus the Penguin makes his debut.Weird War Tales #100- Final issue of The Hulk! published by Curtis Magazines.
- First issue of Charlton Bullseye
- Debut of the comics industry magazine Amazing Heroes.Rallye sur un vulcan by Jean Graton, 39th episode of the Michel Vaillant series.
- In the Spanish magazine cimoc, the war reporter Frank Kappa, by Manfred Sommer, makes his debut.
- In the Argentinian magazine Superhumor, the inept New York cop Merdichesky, by Carlos Trillo and Horacio Altura, makes his debut.
July
Superman and Spider-Man, "The Heroes and the Holocaust," a DC/Marvel intercompany crossover.Man-Thing vol. 2, with issue #11, is cancelled by Marvel.- John Byrne begins his 62-issue run as writer/artist on Fantastic Four with issue #232.
- In Italy, first issue of the weekly magazine Paperino & c., publishing Danish and American Disney comics.
August
- August 5: in Le matin de Paris, first chapter of La jeunesse de Corto Maltese by Hugo Pratt and Patrizia Zanotti.:
- DC's The Flash reaches its 300th issue and celebrates its 25th anniversary.
- Justice League of America #193 features an insert previewing the upcoming All-Star Squadron series by Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler.
- Final issue of Marvel Premiere published by Marvel Comics
- With issue #47, DC cancels Super Friends.
- "Doomquest" storyline debuts in Iron Man #149 The Warlord #48 features an insert previewing the upcoming Arak, Son of Thunder series by Roy Thomas and Ernie Colón.
Fall
DC Special Series #27 — Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk, an intercompany crossover between DC and Marvel Comics. This marks the final issue of DC Special Series, a catch-all series primarily for one-shots of different formats, released on an irregular schedule.September
September 5: in 2000 AD, first strip of Rogue Trooper, by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons.September 20: Jean Dulieu wins the Stripschapprijs. Patty Klein, Annemieke and Har van Fulpen win The Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten.September 21: Guy Gilchrist and Brad Gilchrist's newspaper comic based on The Muppet Show is published for the first time and in more than 80 countries across the world on the same simultaneous date. An exceptional event.September 24:- * Kamagurka and Herr Seele's Cowboy Henk makes its debut in De Morgen.
- * Toon van Driel's gag comic Hullie debuts in Algemeen Dagblad, where it will run until 2001. Le scandale Ric Hochet by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet, 33th episode of the Ric Hochet series.
October
October 18: in Il giornalino, Nicoletta, by Clod and Claudio Nizzi, makes her debut.The Defenders #100: Double-sized issue written by J.M. DeMatteis.- "Block Mania" storyline begins in 2000 AD. The Hunting Party, by Pierre Christin and Enik Bilal Asterix and the black gold – by Uderzo.La tour de Babele by Jacques Martin, 16. album of the Alix series.
November
November 1: In the Italian Disney magazine Topolino, the Donald Duck story The Tourist at the End of the Universe, by Giorgio Cavazzano and Carlo Chendi marks the debut of O. K. Quack.- November 2: Steve Bell's political comic strip If debuts in The Guardian. It will run until 2021.
- November 22: in Il giornalino, Rosco and Sonny, by Claudio Nizzi and Giancarlo Alessandrini, make their debut.
- November 26: in Spirou, first chapter of La Ceinture du grand froid, by Nic Broca and Raoul Cauvin.Jinty merges with Tammy.
- Pacific Comics makes its entree into publishing with the release of Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #1
- The reprint title Marvel Super Action, with issue #37, is cancelled by Marvel.
- In Linus, the shabby private eye Joe Balordo by Benito Jacovitti, makes his debut; the series, very short lived, for its explicitly sexual contents, is one of the few comics by the author aimed to an adult audience.
December
December 17: Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg's Billy the Cat makes its debut in Spirou.December 23: The final issue of the French satirical comics magazine Charlie Hebdo is published. It will be relaunched in July 1992.- In Italy, first issue of the magazine Pilot, specialized in French comics; it contains L’uomo di carta by Milo Manara, a western adventure on the natives’ side, already published in France. Specific date unknown: Bill and Steve Schanes establish Pacific Comics.
Specific date unknown
- Norman Dog starts his long-running comics series Bad Habits.
- Walt Disney's Uncle $crooge McDuck: His Life and Times, by Carl Barks. The book includes, beyond an anthology of the best stories with Uncle Scrooge, the unpublished short tale Go slowly, sands of time, written and illustrated in watercolor by Barks himself.
- Claire Bretécher ends Les Frustrés in Le Nouvel Observateur, where it had run since 1973.
- David Sutherland introduces Olive Sprat, the cafetaria cook, in The Bash Street Kids.
- The first episode of Tete Cohete by Francisco Ibáñez Talavera is published.
- Loesje Raymakers and Carla Schrama release the photo comic Calla & Lucy Go West.
Deaths
February
February 16: William Edwin Pidgeon, Australian comics artist, dies at age 72, from complications of a traffic accident.February 20: Enzo Magni, aka Ingam, Italian comics artist, dies at age 76.February 22: Michael Maltese, American screenwriter and comics writer, dies at age 73 from cancer.February 25: Arne Ungerman, Danish painter and comics artist, dies at age 78.February 29: Carlo Bisi, Italian comics artist, dies at age 91.March
March 10: Jack Oleck, American novelist and comics writer dies at age 67.March 17: Emile Mercier, Australian comics artist, dies at age 79.March 31: Cees van de Weert, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 63.- American comics writer and artist Richard Loederer, also known as Dick Loederer, dies at age 86 or 87.
April
April 18: Tage Anderson, Danish illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 58.April 23: Vivie Risto, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 78.April 24: Howard Purcell, American comics artist, dies at age 62.May
May 7: Jaap Veenendaal, aka Javé, Dutch comics artist, painter and illustrator, dies at age 77.May 12: Henry Formhals, American comics artist, dies at age 72.May 25: George Clark, American comics artist, dies at age 78.June
June 7: Arnold Molenaar, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 76.June 11: Eppo Doeve, Indonesian-Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 73.June 19: Lotte Reiniger, German film director and animator, dies at age 82.July
July 17: Odd Harrong, Norwegian comedian, singer and comics artist, dies at age 68.August
August 5: Ton Smits, Dutch cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 60.August 13: Gustaaf De Bruyne, Belgian painter and comics artist, dies at age 67.August 25: Guillermo Cardoso, Mexican comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 59.August 27: Fred Fox, American screenwriter, gag writer, comics writer and artist, dies at age 79.August 31: Nikos Kastanakis, Greek painter and comics artist, dies at age 84 or 85.September
September 2: Andrija Maurović, Montenegrin-Croatian comics artist dies at age 80.September 29: Aage Grauballe, Danish journalist and comics writer, dies at age 56.October
October 12: Lawrence Lariar, American comics artist, writer, novelist, editor and cartoonist, dies at age 72.October 14: Jim Raymond, American comics artist, dies at age 64.October 29: Pierre Noël, French illustrator, dies at age 78.November
November 2: Wally Wood, American comics artist commits suicide at age 54.November 12: Ralph Heimdahl, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 72.November 18: Fredric Wertham, German psychologist and author of the anti-comics book Seduction of the Innocent which paved the way for the Comics Code censorship, dies at age 86.November 26: Lou Visser, Dutch comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 70.December
December 1: Russ Manning, American comics artist, dies at age 52, cancerDecember 4: Raoul Verdini, Italian comics artist, dies at age 81. December 9: Édouard Van Overstraeten, aka War Van Overstraeten, Belgian painter, politician, poster artist and editorial cartoonist, dies at age 90.- Harry "A" Chesler, American comics entrepreneur, dies at age 83.
- George Swanson, American comics artist, dies at age 93 or 94.
Specific date unknown
- Ferdinand Bis, Croatian comics artist, dies at age 70 or 71.
- Freddie Chaplain, British comics writer, dies at age 67 or 68.
- Noel Cook, New Zealand-Australian comics artist, dies at age 84 or 85.
- Henry Gammidge, British comic writer, dies at age 87 or 88.
- Sam Leff, American comics artist, dies at age 64 or 65.
- Dumitru Negrea, Romanian caricaturist, comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 57 or 58.
Conventions
May 3: Colorado Comic Art Convention — official guests include Kirk Alyn and John SeverinJune 27–28: Creation Convention — guests include Stan Lee, Bob Wiacek, Terry Austin, and Savage Sword of Conan artist Kenneth MorrisJuly 3–5: Comic Art Convention — special guest of honor George Pérez; other official guests include Burne Hogarth, Harvey Kurtzman, Howard Chaykin, Gil Kane, and Art SpiegelmanJuly 3–5: Multicon 81 — guests include John Byrne, L. B. Cole, Jim Engel, Chuck Fialla, Mike McQuay, John Wooley, and Ron WolfeJuly 17–19: Chicago Comicon July 23–26: San Diego Comic Con — 5,000 attendees; official guests: Jerry Bails, Dave Berg, L. B. Cole, Jim Fitzpatrick, Dick Giordano, Bil Keane, Julius Schwartz, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Dave SimAugust: Atlanta Fantasy Fair — official guests include Al Williamson, Michael Whelan, Bob Burden, Mike JittlovSeptember: OrlandoCon — guests include C. C. BeckSeptember 19–20: FantaCon '81 October 31–November 1: Comicon '81 (British Comic Art Convention) — 14th annual edition; guests include Frank Miller, Alan Davis, Paul Neary, Bryan Talbot, Richard Burton, Bernie Jaye, Martin Asbury, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, John M. Burns, Ron Embleton, Dave Gibbons, Don Lawrence, and Mick Anglo; presentation of the Eagle AwardsNovember 14: Mid-Ohio Con — special guest of honor: John ByrneDecember 5–6: Greater Cincinnati Comic and Card Convention — special guest Bob LaytonAwards
Eagle Awards
Presented in 1982 for comics published in 1981:Best New Artist: Bill SienkiewiczRoll of Honour: Roy ThomasFavourite Artist : Mick AustinFirst issues by title
DC Comics
'Arak, Son of Thunder'''''Marvel Comics
Dazzler'Ka-Zar the Savage'''''
Other publishers
Alien EncountersCaptain Victory and the Galactic Rangers
Charlton Bullseye
Eclipse
Hatsukoi Scandal
Justice Machine
Love and Rockets
Nexus
'Weirdo'''''
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
All-Star Squadron in Justice League of America #193 Andrew Bennett, in House of Mystery #290 Arak in The Warlord #48 Arella, in New Teen Titans #3 Auron, in Green Lantern #141 Arisia Rrab, in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #1 Bushmaster, in Super Friends #45 Danette Reilly, in Justice League of America #193 Electrocutioner, in Batman #331 Fearsome Five in New Teen Titans #3- * Gizmo
- * Mammoth
- * Psimon
- * Shimmer
- Houngan, in New Teen Titans #14
- Mary, Queen of Blood, in House of Mystery #290
- Nekron, in Tales of the Green Lantern Corps #2
- Neutron, in Action Comics #525 Omega Men in Green Lantern #141 Phobia, in New Teen Titans #14
- Plasmus, in New Teen Titans #14
- Rod Reilly, in All-Star Squadron #1
- Trigon, in New Teen Titans #5
- Typhoon, in The Flash #294
- Vixen, in Action Comics #521
- Warp, in New Teen Titans #14