1978 in comics explained
See also: List of years in comics. Notable events of 1978 in comics.
Events
January
February
March
April
May
June
Summer
July
- July 4 : In Tintin magazine, the first chapter of the Jonathan story L'Espace bleu entre les nuages (The blue space amongst the clouds) by Cosey, the fifth episode of the series, is published.
August
Fall
September
- September 7: The first episode of Frank Pé's Broussaille is published in Spirou. [13]
- September 30: Martin Lodewijk receives the Stripschapprijs.[14]
- Suffering from the DC Implosion, the company cancels 8 ongoing titles, All Star Comics, Battle Classics, Black Lightning, Doorway to Nightmare, Dynamic Classics, , Showcase, and Our Fighting Forces. In addition, DC cuts back comic story pages to 17, and the typical cover price to 40 cents.
- Gold Key Comics, with issue #19, picks up Flash Gordon (1966 series) from Charlton Comics, which had stopped publishing the title in 1970.
- After many delays, DC releases All-New Collectors' Edition #C-56, featuring the story Superman vs. Muhammad Ali.
- In Pilote, the first chapter of The black order brigade by Pierre Christin and Enki Bilal is published.
October
- The DC Implosion forces the company to cancel 6 more ongoing titles, Firestorm, the Nuclear Man, House of Secrets, Secrets of Haunted House, Star Hunters, Steel: The Indestructible Man, and The Witching Hour.
- Will Eisner's graphic novel A Contract with God is published by Baronet Books. An early landmark of the graphic novel form.[15]
- Will Eisner's "Signal From Space" storyline begins in Spirit Magazine #19 (continuing through issue #26, October 1980).
- In À Suivre, Milo Manara's HP and Giuseppe Bergman, is first published.
- October 14: IPC Magazines merged two comic books: 2000 AD and Starlord into "2000 AD and Starlord".
- October 15: The Dutch comics organisation Het Stripschap holds a dinner to celebrate their 10th anniversary. During the event one of their guests, Dick Matena, starts making a scene while drunk. The incident will become legendary afterwards.[16]
- Diane Noomin releases the collective comic book Lemme Outa Here! Growing Up Inside the American Dream, published by Print Mint. [17]
November
December
Specific date unknown
- Edwina Dumm becomes the first female comic artist to receive the Gold Key Award from the National Cartoonists Society. [21]
- DC suffers the DC Implosion, the abrupt cancellation of more than two dozen ongoing and planned titles, including All Star Comics, Aquaman, House of Secrets, Our Fighting Forces, Showcase, and The Witching Hour. The vast majority of the books leave uncompleted story lines, most of which are later wrapped up in other titles.
- Archie Goodwin resigns as Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, replaced by Jim Shooter (who will hold the post until mid-1987).
- Underground publisher the Print Mint stops publishing comics.
- "The Korvac Saga" story arc, written by Jim Shooter and David Michelinie, with art by George Pérez and David Wenzel, runs through The Avengers, beginning in issue #167 (February) and running through issue #177 (November)
- "The Cursed Earth" Judge Dredd storyline runs in 2000 AD (May – October)
- Belgian comic artist Hergé is knighted as Officer in the Order of Leopold II.[22]
- Roger Brunel starts drawing porn parodies of famous comics, serialized in the magazine Circus and released in album format by Glénat under the title Pastiches. [23]
- The final episode of Crawford is published, a newspaper comic launched by animation director Chuck Jones. [24]
Births
June
July
Deaths
January
- January 1: Don Freeman, American comics artist, painter, illustrator and children's novelist (Corduroy), dies at age 61.
- January 9: Tijs Dorenbosch, Dutch comics artist (Sjefke Schrober, Henkie van 't Grijze Nest, Pieternel, Heintje Hups en Honkie), dies at age 66.[25]
- January 18: Clark Haas, American comics artist, animator and animation producer (Sunnyside, assisted on Buz Sawyer and Tim Tyler's Luck), dies at age 58.[26]
February
- February 1: Roland Kohlsaat, German illustrator and comics artist (Jimmy das Gummipferd, Julios Abenteuerliche Reisen), dies at age 64. [27]
- February 2: Maurice Tillieux, Belgian comics artist (Félix, Gil Jourdan), dies in a car accident at age 56.[2]
- February 5: Frans Van Immerseel, Belgian painter, caricaturist, cartoonist, illustrator and comics artist (De Lotgevallen van Janssens), dies at age 68.[28]
- February 7: Enrique Rapela, Argentine comics artist (Cirilo El Audaz), dies at age 67.[29]
- February 9:
- February 19: Gisela Zimmermann, German comics artist (continued Digedags and Abrafaxe), dies at age 65 of heart failure.[32]
- February 21: Pol Dom, Belgian-Dutch illustrator, sculptor, caricaturist and comic artist (made comics for the jam factory De Betuwe), dies at age 92. [33]
- February 28: Glenn Chaffin, American comics writer (Tailspin Tommy), dies at age 80. [34]
March
- March 3: Frank Fogarty, American comics artist (Mr. & Mrs., continued Clarence), dies at age 80.[35]
- March 8: Tjeerd Bottema, Dutch illustrator and comics artist (Er Was Eens Een Oud Vrouwtje), dies at age 94.[36]
- March 30: István Köpeczi Bócz, Hungarian poster designer, costume designer, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 58. [37]
April
May
- May 7: Mort Weisinger, American comic book writer (DC Comics), dies at age 63.[41]
- May 11: Clinge Doorenbos, Dutch comedian, singer, songwriter, children's novelist, poet, journalist and comics writer (Flippie Flink [42]), dies at age 93.
- May 27: Jo Spier, Dutch illustrator and cartoonist, dies at age 77.[43]
June
- June 22: William Reusswig, American illustrator and comics artist (made comic adaptations of novels), dies at age 75.[44]
July
August
- August 1: Geoffrey William Backhouse, British illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 74.[47]
September
October
- October 4: Sezgin Burak, Turkish comics artist (Tarkan), dies at age 43.[49]
- October 10: J.R. Bray, American animator and comics artist (Singing Sammy, Mr. O.U. Absentmind, Colonel Heeza Liar), dies at the age of 99.[50]
November
- November 8: Norman Rockwell, American painter and illustrator (made a few sequential illustrations in his career), dies at the age of 84.[51]
- November 20: Tom Okamoto, aka Tom Oka, aka Tom Mako, Japanese-American animator and comics artist (Deems, Little Brave, continued Li'l Neebo), dies at age 62. [52]
- November 21: Orhan Ural, Turkish comics artist (Pazar Ola Hasan Bey), dies at age 64 or 65.[53]
December
- December 4: Brian Lewis, British illustrator, comics artist and animator (The Suicide Six, continued Jet Ace Logan), dies at age 49.[54]
- December 6: Dick Dreux, A.K.A. Rod Draga, Dutch novelist, radio writer and comics artist (Raket-Ridders), dies at age 65.[55]
- December 28: Hi Mankin, American comics artist (the Roy Rogers newspaper comic, Hanna-Barbera comics, assisted on The Adventures of Smilin' Jack, Bringing Up Father, Buz Sawyer, Dotty Dripple), dies at age 51 or 52 from a heart attack.[56]
- December 31: Arsène Brivot, French comics artist and illustrator (Jojo Richissime), dies at age 80.[57]
- December 31: Basil Wolverton, American comics artist (Mad Magazine, Powerhouse Pepper), dies at age 69.[58]
- Specific date unknown: Jacques Gagnier, Canadian caricaturist, comics artist, children's book illustrator and cartoonist (La Vie en Images), dies at age 61.[59]
Specific date unknown
- Aldo De Amicis, Italian comics artist (worked for Il Vittorioso), dies at age 74 or 75.[60]
- Al Fago, American comics artist (Atomic Mouse, Atomic Rabbit, Timmy the Timid Ghost), dies at age 73 or 74.[61]
- Frank Fogarty, American comics artist (Mr. & Mrs., continued Clarence), dies at age 90 or 91.[35]
- Henry Le Monnier, French illustrator and comics artist (made various realistic adventure comics), dies at age 84 or 85.[62]
- Oscar Novelle, Argentinean-American comic artist (worked for Gold Key Comics, Eerie, Creepy), dies at age 57 or 58. [63]
Conventions
- Lancaster Comic Art Convention (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) — produced by Chuck Miller and Charlie Roberts
- Summer: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Dunfey's Royal Coach, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests included Stan Lee, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Jim Steranko
- June 23–25: Houstoncon (Houston, Texas) — guests include Frankie Thomas, Kirk Alyn, Ron Goulart, Gil Kane, Jenette Kahn, Frank Brunner, Ray Harryhausen, Greg Jein, Kerry Gammill, Jim Newsome, and Paula Crist
- July 2–5: Comic Art Convention I (Americana Hotel, New York City)
- July 8–9: Comic Art Convention II (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- July 14–16: Chicago Comicon (Pick-Congress Hotel, 520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) — 3rd annual convention under that name
- July 26–30: San Diego Comic-Con (El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California) — show reaches attendance mark of 5,000 for the first time. Official guests: John Buscema, Howard Chaykin, Shary Flenniken, Alan Dean Foster, Gardner Fox, Steve Gerber, Burne Hogarth, Greg Jein, Bob Kane, Gray Morrow, Clarence "Ducky" Nash, Grim Natwick, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne, Boris Vallejo
- July 29–30: Comicon '78 (British Comic Art Convention) (Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, England) — "10th anniversary special;" guests include Don McGregor (guest of honor), George Pérez, Jim Salicrup, Duffy Vohland, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Brian Lewis, Trevor Goring, Dez Skinn, and Dave Gibbons; 2nd annual presentation of the Eagle Awards
- September: OrlandoCon (Orlando, Florida) — guests include Will Eisner, Bob Clampett, Les Turner, Ralph Dunagin, C. C. Beck, Edmond Good, Bill Black, Morris Weiss, Ralph Kent, Bill Crooks, and Zack Mosley
- September 2–3: Albany Comic Con (Turf Inn, Colonie, New York) — tentative guest list included Joe Sinnott, Joe Staton, and Al Milgrom
- September 2–3: Comicon II (British Comic Art Convention II) (Imperial Hotel, Birmingham, UK) — Guest of honor: Dave Cockrum (did not show), other guests: Paul Neary, Hunt Emerson, Chris Welch[64]
- November 13–15: OAF SF & Nostalgia Show 1978 (Tradewinds Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) — science fiction/nostalgia convention staged by the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans, producers of Multicon
- November 17–19: Delaware Valley Comicart Consortium Third Annual Convention Honoring Women in Comics (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — guests included Paty, Mary Jo Duffy, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne, Boris Vallejo, and Bill Ward[65]
- November 24–26: Creation '78 (Statler Hilton, New York City)[66] — guests include John Byrne, Howard Chaykin, Jim Steranko, Herb Trimpe, Gray Morrow, Bob Larkin, John Romita, Sr., John Romita, Jr., Gene Colan, Rudy Nebres, and Tom Yeates
- December 1–3: Wintercon '78 (Tradewinds Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
- December 29: Albany Comic Con II (Albany, New York)
Awards
Presented in 1979 for comics published in 1978:
American section
U.K. section
First issues by title
DC Comics
Army at War
Release: November. Editor: Paul Levitz. (Immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
Battle Classics
Release: September/October. Writer: Robert Kanigher. Artist: Joe Kubert. (Immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
DC Comics Presents
Release: July. Writer: Martin Pasko. Artists: José Luis García-López and Dan Adkins.
Doorway to Nightmare
Release: January/February. Writer: David Michelinie. Artist: Val Mayerik.
Dynamic Classics
Release: September/October. Editor: Cary Burkett. (Reprint title immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
Firestorm, the Nuclear Man
Release: March. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artist: Al Milgrom.
Steel: The Indestructible Man
Release: March. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artists: Don Heck and Joe Giella.
Marvel Comics
Devil Dinosaur
Release: April. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Machine Man
Release: April. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Man From Atlantis
Release: February. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artists: Tom Sutton and Sonny Trinidad.
Spider-Woman
Release: April. Writer: Marv Wolfman. Artists: Carmine Infantino and Tony DeZuniga.
Other publishers
1984
Release: June by Warren Publishing. Editor: Bill DuBay.
Anarchy Comics
Release: by Last Gasp. Editor: Jay Kinney.
À Suivre magazine
Release: February by Casterman.
Elfquest
Release: August by WaRP Graphics. Writers: Wendy Pini and Richard Pini. Artist: Wendy Pini.
Il Male
Release: February 7, Director : Vincino.
Misty
Release: February 4 by Fleetway.
Starlord
Release: May 13 by IPC Media.
Canceled titles
DC Comics
- All Star Comics, with issue #74 (September/October)
- Aquaman, with issue #63 (August/September)
- Army at War, with issue #1 (November)
- Batman Family, with issue #20 (November) — folded into the newly reformatted DC Dollar Comic Detective Comics
- Battle Classics, with issue #1 (September/October)
- Black Lightning, with issue #11 (September/October)
- Challengers of the Unknown, with issue #87 (June/July)
- Claw the Unconquered, with issue #12 (August/September)
- DC Super Stars, with issue #18 (January /February)
- Doorway to Nightmare, with issue #5 (September/October) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic The Unexpected
- Dynamic Classics, with issue #1 (September/October)
- Firestorm, the Nuclear Man, with issue #5 (October/November)
- Freedom Fighters, with issue #15 (July/August)
- House of Secrets, with issue #154 (October/November)
- , with issue #59 (September/October)
- Karate Kid, with issue #15 (July/August)
- Metal Men, with issue #56 (February /March)
- Mister Miracle, with issue #25 (August)
- Our Fighting Forces, with issue #181 (September/October)
- Return of The New Gods, with issue #19 (July/August) — the numbering had continued from the New Gods 1971 series, which itself had been cancelled in 1972.
- Secret Society of Super Villains, with issue #15 (June/July)
- Secrets of Haunted House, with issue #14 (October/November) — revived a year later, however, with issue #15; the title continues until issue #46 in March 1982.
- Shade, the Changing Man, with issue #9 (August/September)
- Shazam!, with issue #35 (May/June) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic World's Finest
- Showcase, with issue #104 (September) — the numbering had continued from the first volume of Showcase, which itself had been cancelled in 1970.
- Star Hunters, with issue #7 (October/November)
- Steel: The Indestructible Man, with issue #5 (October/November)
- Super-Team Family, with issue #15 (March/April) — the basic concept is reborn a few months later with the July debut of DC Comics Presents[69]
- Teen Titans, with issue #53 (February)
- Welcome Back, Kotter, with issue #10 (March/April)
- The Witching Hour, with issue #85 (October) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic The Unexpected
Marvel Comics
Other publishers
- Bullet, with issue #147 (D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, December) — merged with Warlord
- Ghostly Haunts, with issue #58 (April, Charlton)
- Krazy, with issue #79 (IPC, April 15) — merged with Whizzer and Chips
- The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves, with issue #65 (Charlton, May) — the title picks up again with issue #66 in May 1981
- Starlord, with issue #22 (IPC Media, October 7)
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
- Harold Jordan, in Green Lantern #48 (January)
- Cinnamon, in Weird Western Tales #48 (September /October)
- Commander Steel, in Steel, the Indestructible Man #01
- Count Vertigo, World's Finest Comics #251
- Doctor Mist, in Super Friends #12
- Fadeaway Man, in Detective Comics #479
- Firestorm, in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #01
- Martin Stein, in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #01
- Ronald Raymond, in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #01
- Killer Frost, in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #03
- Madame Xanadu, in Doorway to Nightmare #01 (February)
- Madame Zodiac, in Batman Family #17
- Multiplex, in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #02
- Ultraa, in Justice League of America #153
- Jed Rikane, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #240 (June)
- Preston Payne, in Detective Comics #477 (June)
- Odd Man (comics), in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #02 (September)
Marvel Comics
- Arcade, in Marvel Team-Up #65 (January)
- Big Wheel, in The Amazing Spider-Man #182
- Bethany Cabe, in Iron Man #117
- Carrion, in Spectacular Spider-Man #25
- Devil Dinosaur, in Devil Dinosaur #1 (April)
- Vindicator (later Guardian), in Uncanny X-Men #109
- Hoder, in Thor #274
- Hypno-Hustler, in Spectacular Spider-Man #24
- Kiber the Cruel, in Black Panther #11 (September)
- Moon-Boy, in Devil Dinosaur #1 (April)
- Moonstone, in The Incredible Hulk #228
- Mystique, in Ms. Marvel #16
- Ben Urich, Daredevil #153
- Virako, in Thor Annual #7
- Wendell Vaughn (Marvel Man), in Captain America #217 (January)
Notes and References
- Web site: L'uomo di Tsushima - Slumberland.it. www.slumberland.it. 2020-01-23.
- Web site: Maurice Tillieux. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Jacques Tardi. lambiek.net. June 1, 2021.
- Book: Greenberger. Robert. Robert Greenberger. Manning. Matthew K.. The Batman Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the Batcave. Running Press. 2009. 978-0-7624-3663-7. 163 . In this fondly remembered tale that was later adapted into an episode of the 1990s cartoon Batman: The Animated Series, the Joker poisoned the harbors of Gotham so that the fish would all bear his signature grin, a look the Joker then tried to trademark in order to collect royalties..
- Web site: Benoît Sokal. lambiek.net. June 1, 2021.
- Web site: Neal Adams. Lambiek.net. July 11, 2022.
- News: May 19, 1978 . News Features Services Merge As United Media . . 2015-02-23 .
- "United Features consolidates," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979), p. 17.
- Web site: Jim Davis (II). lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Tanino Liberatore. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- http://www.comics.org/issue/32461/?style=default DC Special Series #15
- http://www.comics.org/issue/32653/?style=default DC Special Series #16
- Web site: Frank Pé. Lambiek.net. 10 December 2020.
- Web site: Nieuwe Leidsche Courant | 2 oktober 1978 | pagina 3. Historische Kranten, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken. 2 October 1978 . May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Will Eisner. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: The History of Lambiek (1975-1980).
- Web site: Diane Noomin. lambiek.net. September 18, 2022.
- Web site: Eddy Ryssack. Lambiek.net. 28 January 2021.
- Web site: Ivan Timbrovic, divertente fumetto di Cavezzali parodia di 007 e della Russia comunista. www.slumberland.it. 2020-01-23.
- Web site: Art Spiegelman.
- Web site: National Cartoonists Society .
- Web site: Hergé.
- Web site: Roger Brunel. lambiek.net. 18 December 2023.
- Web site: Chuck Jones. lambiek.net. 24 December 2023.
- Web site: Tijs Dorenbosch. lambiek.net. 19 January 2021.
- Web site: Clark Haas. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Roland Kohlsaat. lambiek.net. April 4, 2021.
- Web site: Frans Van Immerseel. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Enrique Rapela. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Woody Gelman. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Warren King. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Gisela Zimmermann. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Pol Dom. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Hal Forrest. Lambiek.
- Web site: Frank Fogarty. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Tjeerd Bottema. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: István Köpeczi Bócz. lambiek.net. June 29, 2021.
- Web site: Elmer Woggon. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: André Beautemps. lambiek.net. November 2, 2021.
- Web site: Louis Zansky. lambiek.net. November 1, 2020.
- Book: Binder . Otto Oscar . Siegel . Jerry . Hamilton . Edmond . Plastino . Al . Shooter . Jim . Bates . Cary . Bridwell . E. Nelson . Levitz . Paul . Legion of Super-heroes Archives . 1991 . 1-56389-430-0 . 242.
- Web site: Robert Louis Raemaekers Jr.. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Jo Spier. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: William Reusswig. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Paul Cuvelier. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Tom Hill. lambiek.net. April 20, 2024.
- Web site: Geoffrey William Backhouse. lambiek.net. 12 August 2020.
- Web site: Barbara Shermund. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Sezgin Burak. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: J.R. Bray. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Norman Rockwell. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Tom Okamoto. lambiek.net. March 27, 2021.
- Web site: Orhan Ural. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Brian Lewis. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Dick Dreux. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Hi Mankin. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Arsène Brivot. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Basil Wolverton. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Jacques Gagnier. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Aldo De Amicis. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Al Fago. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Henry Le Monnier. lambiek.net. May 20, 2020.
- Web site: Oscar Novelle. lambiek.net.
- Sallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #21 (Nov. 1978), p. 10.
- Bethke, Marilyn. "The Fanny Awards: Saluting the Best and Worst in Fandom," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979).
- Shenker, Israel. "Comic-Book Fans Gather for 'Creation '79': The Hand Is the Ticket," New York Times (25 November 1978), p. 26.
- Letters page, Uncanny X-Men #119 (March 1979).
- Bolton profile, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999.
- Johnson. Dan. We Are (Super-Team) Family. Back Issue!. 66. 8–14. TwoMorrows Publishing. August 2013.