1997 in comics explained
See also: List of years in comics. Notable events of 1997 in comics.
Events
January
- January 8: In Italy, the first issue of Fantacomix day (Eura editoriale), a magazine specialized in Argentine sci-fi comics; it lasts for four issues.
- January 22: In Topolino the Mickey Mouse story Chief Casey's Longest Night, by Tito Faraci and Giorgio Cavazzano is published, which marks the debut of Brick Boulder.
- Specific date in January unknown: Peter van Straaten wins his second Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon.[1]
- Aloys Oosterwijk's gag comic Willems Wereld debuts. It will run until 2017. [2]
- In Shadis magazine, the first strip of Dork Tower, by John Kovalic.[3]
- In The incredible Hulk 449 (Marvel Comics), the Thunderbolts make their debut.
- Due, by Alessandro Sisti, Corrado Mastrantuono and Paolo Mottura (Walt Disney Italia). Two central figures of PKNA, the evil computer Due and the mysterious scientist and businessman Everett Ducklair, make their debut. In the year, the series’ supporting cast is enriched by several other recurring characters, such as the android Odin Eidolon and the secret agent Mary Ann Flagstar.
March
April
May
June
July
- July 7: Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman's Zits makes its debut.
- July 15: In Topolino the story Paperino e la macchina della conoscenza, by Corrado Mastantuono is published, which marks the debut of Bum-Bum Ghigno.
- July 31: The Belgian city Middelkerke starts an annual project where statues of famous Belgian comics characters are placed at the dijk during the summer. The first one to be honoured this way is Jommeke.[9]
- Marvel Comics' Flashback month: all issues were released with the number −1.
- On 200 newspapers, the first strip of Zits, by Jerry Scott and Jim Brogman, appear.
August
September
October
November
December
Specific date unknown
- The final album of the Belgian comics series Bessy, originally created by Willy Vandersteen, is published.
- The final episode of the Belgian comics series Tif et Tondu is published, ending it just a year before its 60th birthday.[20]
- The final episode of Howard Rands' newspaper gag comic Twitch appears in print. [21]
- The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish by Neil Gaiman and David McKean (White Wolf)
- In Norway, first strip of Den swarte siden (later, Nemi) by Lise Myhre.
- In Italy, number 0 of the series No Name by Davide Barzi and Oskar (Edipierre), parody of the super-heroes comics.
Deaths
January
- January 5:
- January 6: Pétur Bjarnason, Icelandic-Swedish comic artist (Drottning Drusila later retitled Regina), dies at age 50.[24]
- January 8: Normand Hudon, Canadian animator and comics artist (Julien Gagnon), dies at age 67.[25]
- January 25: Dan Barry, American cartoonist and comics artist (Marvel Comics, continued Tarzan, Flash Gordon), dies at age 73.[26]
February
- February 3: Geoffrey Foladori, Uruguayan comics artist (El Professor Pistacho, Pelopincho y Cachirula, Don Gumersindo, Don Tranquilo y Flia), dies at age 88.[27]
- February 7: Nina Albright, American comics artist (Comandette, continued Miss Victory), dies at age 89.[28]
- February 13: Hans Schlensker (Biff Baker, assisted on Buz Sawyer), dies at age 82.[29]
- February 15: Jack Sparling, Canadian-American comics artist (Claire Voyant, Hap Hopper, Washington Correspondent), dies at age 81.[30]
- February 23: Larry Antonette, aka Dean Carr, American comics artist (Dash Dixon, Bozo and the Baron, Calling the Duke), dies at age 87.[31]
- Specific date unknown: Arthur Horner, Australian-British cartoonist (Colonel Pewter, The Thoughts of Citizen Doe), dies at age 80.[32]
March
April
- April 4: Billy Graham, American comics artist (worked on Luke Cage, Black Panther), dies at age 61.[34]
- April 11: Helge Kühn-Nielsen, Danish comics artist, teacher, painter and illustrator, dies at age 76.[35]
- April 16: Roland Topor, French novelist, illustrator, cartoonist, comics artist, film script writer, TV script writer, animator and playwright (Hara-Kiri), dies at age 59.[36]
- April 20: Stamatis L. Polenakis, Greek comic artist and animator (Pipis Papias, Spagorammenos), dies at age 88 or 89.[37]
- April 27: Víctor Arriazu, Spanish comics artist (assisted on El Jabato), dies at age 61 or 62.[38]
May
June
- June 6: Manny Stallman, American comics artist (various horror comics), dies at age 70.[42]
- June 12: Rémy Bourles, French comics artist (Bob Mallard), dies at age 91.[43]
- June 15: Kim Casali, New Zealand cartoonist and comics artist (Love Is...), dies of bone and liver cancer at age 55.[44]
July
- July 6: Michele Pepe, Italian comic artist (Fury, Gli Eroi del Mare, worked on Zagor, Martin Mystère), dies at age 50.[45]
- July 8: Clay Geerdes, American writer and photojournalist who extensively covered the underground comix movement (founded Comix World newsletter), dies of liver cancer at age 63.[46]
August
- August 19: James Ringrose, Dutch comics artist (Tekko Taks, Blix Kater, Willie en Wop), dies at age 83.[47]
September
- September 4: Nasjah Djamin, Indonesian illustrator and comics artist (drew a comic book about Hang Tuah), dies at age 72.[48]
- September 15: Lode Pemmelaar, Dutch painter and comics artist (Romila the Velvet Girl), dies at age 54.[49]
- September 25: Josep Toutain, Spanish comics artist and publisher (founder of Selecciones Ilustradas and Toutain-Editor), dies from lung cancer at age 64–65.[50]
October
- October 8: Zhang Chongren, Chinese artist and sculptor (inspiration for the Tintin character Chang Chong-Chen), dies at age 91.[51]
- October 16: Dick Cavalli, American comics artist and cartoonist (Winthrop, continued Norbert), dies at age 74.[52]
- October 18: Milt Neil, American animator and comics artist (the Howdy Doody comic strip), dies at age 83.[53]
- October 22: Per Lygum, Danish animator and comics artist (Planckton), dies at age 64.[54]
- October 30: Nikola Mitrovic, AKA Kokan, Serbian comic artist, dies at age 73.[55]
November
December
- December 3: Benito Jacovitti, Italian comics artist (Cocco Bill, Zorry Kid), dies at age 74.[59]
- December 8: Walter Molino, Italian illustrator and comics artist (Virus, Il Mago della Foresta Morta, Captain l'Audace, continued Kit Carson), dies at age 82.[60]
- December 11: Heinz Schubel, German illustrator and comics artist (Lurchi), dies at age 91.[61]
- December 13: Samm Schwartz, American comics artist (continued Archie Comics), dies at age 77.[62]
Specific date unknown
- Carol Carlson, American comics artist (The Adventures of Waddles), dies at age 84 or 85.[63]
- Dennis Ellefson, American comics artist, dies at age 59 or 60.[64]
- Kerstin Frykstrand, Swedish illustrator and comics artist (Muff och Tuff), dies at age 95 or 96.[65]
- Frank Little, American animator and comics artist (worked for Jerry Iger's studio), dies at age 90.[66]
- Armand Panis, A.K.A. Sinap, Belgian comics artist, caricaturist and cartoonist (Klopstok), dies at age 89 or 90.[67]
- Jorge Pérez Del Castillo, Chilean-Argentine comics artist, dies at age 73 or 74.[68]
- Alan Philpott, British comic artist (Robot Archie, The Deathless Men), dies at age 82 or 83.[69]
- Roex, A.K.A. Roger Exelmans, Belgian comics artist (continued Rikske en Fikske), dies at age 60.[70]
- Bernard Segal, A.K.A. "Seeg", American painter and comics artist (Honey and Hank, also known as Elsworth), dies at age 78 or 79.[71]
- George Smits, A.K.A. 'Toet', Belgian painter, experimental musician and comics artist (De avonturen van Jan, member of Ercola), dies at age 52 or 53.[72]
- Tony Velasquez, Filipino comics artist (Kenkoy), dies at age 86.[73]
- Roland Venet, aka Rol, French comics artist (Wa-Pi-Ti), dies at age 77 or 78.[74]
Conventions
- January 23–26: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)[75]
- February 1: Alternative Press Expo (San Jose, California) — also featured the first LuluCon, organized by Friends of Lulu[76]
- March: Big Apple Comic Con (Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City)[77]
- March 15–16: UKCAC (Institute of Education, London, England) — guests include Joe Kubert and Dan Clowes;[78] presentation of the inaugural National Comics Awards by Paul Gambaccini and Jonathan Ross
- March 15–16: MegaCon (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida): guests include J. Michael Straczynski and Peter David[79]
- March 21–23: Motor City Comic Con I (Novi Expo Center, Novi, Michigan)[80]
- April: Northampton Comic Convention (Northampton, Massachusetts)
- April 18–20: Pittsburgh Comicon (Monroeville ExpoMart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania)[81] — guests include David Prowse and Carmen Electra[82]
- April 25–27: WonderCon (Oakland, California)
- Summer: Canadian National Comic Book Exposition (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) — c. 3,800 attendees; guests include Marc Silvestri, Dwayne Turner, Carlos Pacheco, Dale Keown, David Wohl, and Rich Buckler
- June 12–15: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina)
- June 26–29: Dragon Con (Inforum Convention Center/Westin Peachtree Plaza/Atlanta Civic Center, Atlanta, Georgia) — 18,000 attendees
- July 4–6: Chicago Comicon (Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois) — c. 5,000 attendees; convention sold to Wizard Entertainment
- July 17–20: Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California) — 40,000 attendees; special guests include Brent Anderson, Dick Ayers, Steve Bissette, Terry Brooks, Kurt Busiek, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Steven Hughes, Peter Kuper, David Lapham, Carol Lay, Joseph Michael Linsner, Ralph McQuarrie, Linda Medley, Michael Moorcock, George Pérez, Brian Pulido, Alex Ross, R.A. Salvatore, Kevin Smith, George Tuska, Jhonen Vasquez, Paul Verhoeven, Mark Waid, and Al Williamson
- July 19-20: "EuroCAPTION" (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England) — guests include France's David B, Spain's Max, and the Netherlands' Maaike Hartjes
- September 18–20: International Comics and Animation Festival (ICAF) (Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.) — guests include Florence Cestac, Farid Boudjellal, Lucien Czuga & Roger Leiner, Gerrit de Jager, Michèle Laframboise, Patrick McDonnell, Tome, Jean-Marc Rochette, Karoline Schreiber, and Frank Cho (special guest); mostly held in conjunction with SPX (see below)[83] [84]
- September 19–21: Small Press Expo (SPX) (Quality Hotel, Silver Spring, Maryland)[85] — mostly held in conjunction with ICAF (see above)
- October–November: FIBDA (Amadora, Portugal) — eighth annual edition; special guests include Jean-Claude Mézières Pierre Christin, François Schuiten, Benoît Peeters, Enki Bilal, André Juillard, Ted Benoît, Jean Van Hamme, Theo van den Boogaard, Kevin O'Neill, and Miguelanxo Prado
- October 11–12: Motor City Comic Con II (Dearborn Civic Center, Dearborn, Michigan)
- October 17: Alternative Comics Expo (A.C.E.) (Manchester Center, Vermont) — guests include Joe Chiappetta
- November 29–30: Mid-Ohio Con (Adam's Mark Hotel, Columbus, Ohio) — guests include John Byrne, Roger Stern, Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier, Mart Nodell, Tony Isabella, Joseph Michael Linsner, Sheldon Moldoff, Terry Moore, Steve Lieber, Jim Ottaviani, Paul Smith, Alvin Schwartz, Murphy Anderson, and Bernie Wrightson[86]
Exhibitions
First issues by title
- Clover
Release: by Kodansha (Amie). Authors: Clamp
- Desert Punk
Release: August 5 by Enterbrain (Comic Beam). Author: Usune Masatoshi
- Peach Girl
Release: by Kodansha (Bessatsu Friend). Author: Miwa UedaDC Comics
- Jack Kirby's Fourth World by John Byrne
- Young Heroes in Love
- The Flintstones and The Jetsons
- Transmetropolitan
- by Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. 12-issue maxi-series
Notes and References
- Web site: Peter van Straaten .
- Web site: Aloys Oosterwijk. Lambiek.net. 21 March 2024.
- Web site: 2007-10-15 . DORK TOWER . 2023-01-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071015080622/http://archive.gamespy.com/comics/dorktower/page.asp?id=7 . 2007-10-15 .
- Web site: Maurizio . 2011-07-14 . Speciali Serie Autoprodotta Official Rat-Man Home Page . 2023-01-11 . it-IT.
- Web site: Bill Wray. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- http://comicsuk.co.uk/forum/download/file.php?id=3908&mode=view Bunty with M&J
- Web site: Cocco Bill Diquaedilà (I grandi comici del fumetto n. 1 - maggio 1997 - Sergio Bonelli Editore) . 2023-01-12 . www.slumberland.it.
- Web site: Danze macabre . 2023-01-13 . www.ubcfumetti.com.
- Web site: Jommeke Digitaal. stripheld.hoembeka.be. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: MAGNERON . Philippe . Lucky Luke -67- O.K. Corral . 2023-01-13 . www.bedetheque.com . fr.
- Web site: Imperatore del noir . 2023-01-13 . www.ubcfumetti.com.
- News: Peter Pontiac van Kralingen naar Lowlands. NRC. 13 October 1997 . May 21, 2020 . Jong . Sjoerd de .
- Web site: Het Stripschap - Complete lijst.
- Web site: Zanardi medievale, un'avventura di Zanna al tempo delle crociate . 2023-01-13 . www.slumberland.it.
- Web site: C'e' Martin? No. E la Cremeria? . 2023-01-13 . www.ubcfumetti.com.
- Web site: Willy Vandersteen. lambiek.net. June 24, 2021.
- Bisbee, Dana. "Obituary; Mayo J. Kaan, said to be inspiration for Superman", Boston Herald, Jul 11, 2002 p.057
- http://www.supermansupersite.com/kaan.html "Mayo Kaan 1915 – 2002,"
- Web site: MAGNERON . Philippe . Blueberry -25- Ombres sur Tombstone . 2023-01-13 . www.bedetheque.com . fr.
- Web site: Fernand Dineur. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Howard Rands .
- Web site: André Franquin. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Frans Piët. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Petur Bjarnason. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Normand Hudon. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Daniel Barry. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Geoffrey Foladori. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Nina Albright. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Hank Schlensker. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Jack Sparling. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Larry Antonette. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Arthur Horner. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Stan Drake. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Billy Graham. lambiek.net. December 9, 2020.
- Web site: Helge Kühn-Nielsen.
- Web site: Roland Topor. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Stamatis L. Polenakis. lambiek.net. 17 August 2023.
- Web site: Víctor Arriazu. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Sirius. lambiek.net.
- Anderson, Paul M. (August 1997). "Vertigo Editor Stathis Succumbs to Cancer". Wizard (72). p. 22.
- Web site: Ruth Atkinson. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Manny Stallman.
- Web site: Rémy Bourlès. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Kim Casali. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Michele Pepe. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Biography. Clay Geerdes. Info. Clay Geerdes Info.
- Web site: James Ringrose. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Nasjah Djamin. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Lode Pemmelaar.
- Web site: Josep Toutain. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Obituary: Chang Chong-Ren. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-chang-chong-ren-1178701.html . 2022-05-01 . subscription. Oct 17, 1998. The Independent. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Dick Cavalli. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Milt Neil. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Per Lygum. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Nikola Mitrovic. lambiek.net. 22 July 2022.
- Web site: Leonard Matthews. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Samm Schwartz. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Evelyn Flinders. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Benito Jacovitti. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Walter Molino. lambiek.net. 10 July 2019.
- Web site: Heinz Schubel. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Samm Schwartz. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Ray & Carol Carlson. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Dennis Ellefson. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Kerstin Frykstrand. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Frank Little.
- Web site: Sinap. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Jorge Pérez Del Castillo. lambiek.net. 30 March 2021.
- Web site: Alan Philpott. lambiek.net. 18 December 2023.
- Web site: Roex. lambiek.net. 7 April 2018.
- Web site: Bernard Segal. lambiek.net.
- Web site: George Smits. lambiek.net. May 21, 2020.
- Web site: Tony Velasquez. lambiek.net.
- Web site: Rol.
- News: Dutrey. Jacques. News Watch. Angoulême 1997. The Comics Journal. 194 . Mar 1997. 20–21.
- Women who made a huge impact in comics - Friends of Lulu. Helioscope PDX. March 27, 2021. YouTube. Featuring Anina Bennett and Heidi MacDonald.
- "Chaos! And the Crow Go to Church, 1997 Big Apple Comic Con Report," Comics Buyer's Guide (Mar. 21, 1997), p. 10.
- News: Newswatch. The Comics Journal. 193. Feb 1997. 27.
- News: Spotlight. Orlando Sentinel. 14 Mar 1997. 43.
- News: Ottaviani . Jim. Jim Ottaviani. News Watch. Motor City Convention, March 21–23. The Comics Journal. 195 . Apr 1997. 25.
- News: Comic Book Fans to Convene. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 18 Apr 1997. A.23.
- News: Weekend Hot List. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 18 Apr 1997. 3.
- News: The Third Annual International Comics and Animation Festival . Larry . Rodman . 25–31 . The Comics Journal . 199 . Oct 1997 . News Watch.
- Web site: 1997 ICAF Conference Schedule. The International Comics Forum. Mar 22, 2024.
- NEWS . Small Press Expo Signing Tour in September. July 26, 1997. Google Groups.
- News: Sangiacomo. Mike . Superman Vet Had Write Stuff: Alviin Schwartz will make Rare Public Appearance and Discuss Years at DC. Cleveland Plain Dealer. Nov 27, 1997.
- Paglia, Michael. "Not the Funnies," Westword (Sept. 18, 1997).