1988 in comics
Notable events of 1988 in comics.
Events and publications
January
January 16: The first episode of David Sutherland's gag comic Totally Gross Germs is published in The Beano.February
February 1:- * The first episode of Bud Grace's Piranha Club appears in print. The series will run until 2018.
- * The first episode of Rick Detorie's newspaper comic One Big Happy is published. February 12: Belgian comic artist François Craenhals is knighted in the Order of the Belgian Crown. February 19:
- * The Dutch comics magazine Eppo Wordt Vervolgd changed its name to Sjors en Sjimmie Weekblad, based on the popularity of their signature series Sjors en Sjimmie. It continued until 1994, after which it was renamed as Sjosji.
- * In the first issue, Hanco Kolk and Peter de Wit's photo comic Mannetje en Mannetje makes its debut.
March
March 14:- *Time features cover and interior art for Superman's 50th anniversary by John Byrne and Jerry Ordway.
- * Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, is published by DC Comics.
April
April 7: Morris receives a medal from the World Health Organization for making Lucky Luke a non-smoker after so many decades.April 10: FoxTrot by Bill Amend is launched by Universal Press Syndicate.April 17: The final episode of Kevin McCormick's Arnold is published.April 23:- * The Journal of Luke Kirby series begins in 2000 AD #571.
- * Action Comics #599 features the first Bonus Book, a free insert showcasing the work of new comics creators.
- * Teen Titans Spotlight is canceled by DC Comics with issue #21.
May
May 12: Two criminals try to kidnap Peanuts cartoonist Charles M. Schulz's wife, but are scared away in their attempt.May 24:- * Action Comics, with issue #601, became a weekly anthology title.
- * Action Comics #600: Golden anniversary issue featuring Superman and Wonder Woman in "Different Worlds," by John Byrne and George Pérez.
- * The Amazing Spider-Man #300: "Venom," by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane.
- * Green Lantern Corps is canceled by DC with issue #224. May 28: Belgian comic artist Marc Sleen is declared a honorary citizen of Sint-Niklaas.
June
- The Evolutionary War crossover event takes place in Marvel Comics.
July
July 1–3: The first annual Harvey Awards are organized and presented at the Chicago Comicon.Tales of the Teen Titans is canceled by DC with issue #91.August
August 14: In the Italian Disney comics magazine Topolino Little Gum makes his debut in the story Paperinik e l’incredibile Little Gum by Giulio Chierchini.- August 26: Belgian comics character Jommeke receives his first statue. It is revealed in front of the library of Beveren, but is destroyed by vandals a few years later.
October
October 3:- * The first episode of Ray Billingsley's Curtis is published.
- * The first episode of Bill Holbrook's newspaper comic Safe Havens is published.October 5: The first episode of Raoul Cauvin and Malik's gag comic Cupidon are published in Spirou.October 16:
- * The final episode of Lee Holley's comic strip Ponytail is published.
- * "Inferno", company-wide Marvel Comics crossover debuted, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The [New Mutants (comic book)|The New Mutants], and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles.
November
November 4-5-6: During the Stripdagen in The Hague Toon van Driel wins the Stripschapprijs. Wilbert Plijnaar, Jan van Die and Robert van der Kroft win the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten.- Creator's Bill of Rights signed in Northampton, Massachusetts, by Steve 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 of Mirage Studios.Black Orchid #1, the first American comic written by Neil Gaiman, published by DC Comics.Star Trek is canceled by DC Comics with issue #56. The Draft, a New Universe one-shot, is published by Marvel Comics. Concrete vol. 1 is canceled by Dark Horse with issue #10.
December
December 11: In the Italian Disney comics magazine Topolino, Arizona Goof and his rival Kranz made their debut in The Lost Temple, by Bruno Sarda and Maria Luisa Uggetti.- December 27:
- *The gag comic Schanulleke, a spin-off of Suske en Wiske, is launched in Okki by Willy Vandersteen, written by Patty Klein and drawn by Eric De Rop.Aristocratic Xtraterrestrial Time-Traveling Thieves is cancelled by Comics Interview with issue #12.Mazinger by Go Nagai is published by First Comics.New Teen Titans vol. 2 changes its name to The New Titans with issue #50.Silver Surfer #1, an out-of-continuity mini-series by Stan Lee and Moebius, are published by Marvel.The Warlord is canceled by DC Comics with issue #133."Semper Fi" #1 is published by Marvel Comics.
Specific date unknown
- The final episode of Peter Pontiac's punk comic Gaga is printed.
- Gary Panter releases the graphic novel Jimbo: Adventures in Paradise. Brought to Light, a political anthology of two nonfiction stories, is published by Eclipse Comics. Both are based on material from lawsuits filed by the Christic Institute against the U.S. Government. The two stories are "Shadowplay: The Secret Team," by Alan Moore and Bill Sienkiewicz; and "Flashpoint: The LA Penca Bombing," documented by Martha Honey and Tony Avirgan and adapted by Joyce Brabner and Tom Yeates. Someplace Strange a graphic novel written by Ann Nocenti, with artwork by John Bolton, is published by the Marvel Comics imprint Epic Comics. Marvel Graphic Novel #34: Cloak and Dagger: Predator and Prey, by Bill Mantlo and Larry Stroman is published by Marvel.
Deaths
January
January 4: Henfil, Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 43 from AIDS.January 30: Homer Brightman, American animation screenwriter and comics writer, dies at age 86.February
February 11: Lino Landolfi, Italian comics artist, dies at age 62.February 25: Dori Seda, American underground comics artist, dies of respiratory failure at age 37.February 4: Frank Giacoia, American comics artist, dies at age 63.February 13: Ron Embleton, British comics artist 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, dies at age 88.March 6: Jack Binder, American comics artist, 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, dies at age 82.March 31: Georges Lévis, French comics artist, dies at age 63.
April
April 3: Milton Caniff, American comics artist, dies at age 81 from lung cancer.April 8: Clem Gretter, American comics artist, dies at age 83.April 9: Benoît Jaminon, Belgian comic artist, dies at age 29 in a house fire. April 10: Gene Fawcette, American comics artist, dies at age 68.April 16: Siauw Tik Kwie, Indonesian comics artist, dies at age 74.May
May 17: Al Wiseman, American comics artist, dies at age 69.June
June 6: Willi Kohlhoff, German illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 82.June 7: Octave Joly, Belgian comics writer, dies at age 78.June 16: Andrea Pazienza, Italian comics artist, dies at age 32 from a heroin overdose.June 25: Evert Werkman, Dutch journalist, poet, columnist and comics writer, dies at age 73.July
Specific date unknown: Julius Stafford Baker II, British comics artist, dies at age 84.August
August 7: Wilfred Jackson, American animator, dies at age 82.September
September 6: Roger Bussemey, French comics artist, dies at age 67.September 11: Roger Hargreaves, British illustrator and comics writer/artist, dies at age 53 from a stroke.September 12: Mars Ravelo, Filipino comics artist, dies at age 71.September 14: Frits Kloezeman, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 64. September 25: Barrie Phillip Nichol, American novelist, poet and comics artist, dies at age 43.September 27: Paul Reinman, American comics artist and inker for Jack Kirby, dies at age 78.September 28: Charles Addams, American cartoonist and comics artist, dies from a heart attack at age 76.October
October 25: Eric Larson, American animator, dies at age 83.November
November 7: Bill Hoest, American comics artist, dies at age 62 from cancer.December
December 3: Jean David, French illustrator, cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 82 or 83.December 11: Frank S. Pepper, British comics writer, dies at age 78. December 12: Tarpé Mills, American comics artist, dies at age 73.December 17: Alberto Solsona, dies at age 41.December 19: Robert Bernstein aka R. Berns, American comics writer, playwright and concert impresario, 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, dies at 84 or 85.
- Dan Gormley, American comics artist, dies at age 69 or 70.
Exhibitions and shows
June 27–August 10: Galería Esquina de la Libertad — "Spain: a View from the Bottom: Posters, Comic Strips, Caricatures and More." November 25, 1988–March 4, 1989: Cartoon Art Museum — ''"The Face Behind the Laugh: Cartoonists' Self-Caricatures from the Collections of Mark J. Cohen"''Conventions
January 29–31: Angoulême International Comics Festival — 15th annual festivalApril 23–24: Wonderful World of Comics Convention — 2nd iteration of what eventually becomes known as WonderConSummer: Dragon Con — 1,700 attendeesSummer: FantaCon — horror/comics show returns after a four-year hiatus June: Heroes Convention June 16–19: International Superman Expo — commemorating Superman's 50th anniversary; official guests include Curt Swan, Jerry Ordway, George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, and Julius SchwartzJune 24–26: Atlanta Fantasy Fair XIII — guest of honor: Stan Lee; official guests include Mark Gruenwald, Archie Goodwin, Steven Grant, Bob Burden, Kevin Maguire, Julius Schwartz, and Chris ClaremontJune 24–26: Comix Fair '88 — guests include Sergio Aragonés, Kim DeMulder, Mike Leeke, and William Messner-LoebsJune 25–26: Creation Con I July 1–3: Chicago Comicon — c. 5,000 attendees; special guests: Max Allan Collins and Dick Locher; other guests: Bernie Wrightson, Michael Kaluta, Dave Stevens, and Chris ClaremontJuly 1–3: Dallas Fantasy Fair I — guests include Harvey Kurtzman, Burne Hogarth, and Gil KaneJuly 22–24: Memphis Fantasy Convention V — guests include Michael Kaluta, Joe Staton, and John OstranderAugust 4–7: San Diego Comic-Con — 8,000 attendees; official guests: Art Adams, Robert Asprin, Jules Feiffer, Ray Feist, David Gerrold, Matt Groening, George R.R. Martin, Matt WagnerOctober 7–9: Dragon*Con — guests include Alan Dean Foster, Fred Saberhagen, Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, Gary Gygax, and Larry Elmore September 24: UKCAK88 — presentation of the Eagle Awards November 25–27: Creation Con II November 25–27: Dallas Fantasy Fair IIAwards
Eisner Awards
Presented in 1989 for comics published in 1988:Best Single Issue/Single Story: Kings in Disguise #1, by James Vance and Dan Burr Best Black-and-White Series: Concrete, by Paul Chadwick Best Continuing Series: Concrete, by Paul Chadwick Best Finite Series/Limited Series: The Silver Surfer: Parable, by Stan Lee and Jean "Moebius" Giraud Best New Series: Kings in Disguise, by James Vance and Dan Burr Best Graphic Album: Batman: The Killing Joke, by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland Best Writer: Alan Moore, Batman: The Killing Joke Best Writer/Artist: Paul Chadwick, Concrete Best Artist/Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team: Brian Bolland, Batman: The Killing Joke Best Art Team: Alan Davis and Paul Neary, Excalibur Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Phil YehWill Eisner Award Hall of Fame: Harvey KurtzmanFirst issues by title
DC Comics
Animal ManCheckmate
C.O.P.S.
Hellblazer
Starman
'Wanderers'''''
Limited series
Batman: The CultBlack Orchid
Cosmic Odyssey
Crimson Avenger
Millennium
Power Girl
The Prisoner: Shattered Visage
Unknown Soldier
'The Weird'''''
Kodansha
'Natsuko's Sake'''''Marvel
Count DuckulaDeath's Head
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme
Dragon's Claws
Excalibur
Marvel Comics Presents
The Punisher War Journal
'Wolverine'''''
Limited series
Nick Fury vs. S.H.I.E.L.D.Stray Toasters
'X-Terminators'''''
Independent titles
Ongoing series
AARGH- The Adventures of Tintin: Breaking Free Aquablue Brought to Light Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future Crisis Deadline Dinosaurs for Hire Faust: Love of the Damned. Writer: David Quinn. Artist: Tim Vigil.The Forever War Fright Night Maze Agency The Real Ghostbusters Shaloman Taboo Terminator Tick (comic book)|The Tick] 'The True North'''''
Limited series
- Aliens
- Black Kiss Crossroads Godzilla — American adaptation of the manga adaptation of the Japanese film Gojira 1984'Kings in Disguise'''''
Initial appearance by character name
DC Comics
- Black Orchid in Black Orchid #01
- Deacon Blackfire in Batman: The Cult #01
- Phantasm in New Teen Titans Annual #03
- G'nort in Justice League International #10
- Gloss in Millennium #02
- Godiva in The New Teen Titans Annual #03
- Grandmaster in Millennium #01
- KGBeast in Batman #417
- L-Ron in Justice League International #14
- Legs in Detective Comics #587
- Major Force in Captain Atom #12
- Ratcatcher in Detective Comics #585
- Shrapnel in Doom Patrol #07
- Cornelius Stirk in Detective Comics #592
- Supergirl (Matrix) in Superman #16
- Ventriloquist in Detective Comics #583
- The Weird in The Weird #01
- Jewelee in Secret Origins #28
- Ice in Justice League International #12
- V in V for Vendetta #01
- Dawn Granger in Hawk and Dove #01
- William Payton in Starman #01
- Papa Midnite in Hellblazer #01
- Eddie Lawton in Deadshot #02
- Reactron in Doom Patrol #10
- Queen Bee in Justice League International #16
- Zed in Hellblazer #04
- Dorothy Spinner in Doom Patrol #14
- Punch in Secret Origins #28
- Jet in Millennium #02