Notable events of 1997 in comics.

Events

* Publisher Blatant Comics founded by Chris Crosby and Bobby Crosby. *

WildStorm Wildstorm Productions (stylized as WildStorm) is an American comic book imprint. Originally founded as an independent company established by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi to publish through Image Comics, Wildstorm became a publishing imprint of DC C ...

established the

Cliffhanger A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious situation, facing a difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction or bef ...

imprint.

January

* January 8: In Italy, the first issue of ''Fantacomix Day'' (Eura editoriale) is published, a magazine specialized in Argentine sci-fi comics; it lasts for four issues. * January 22: In

Disney comics Disney comics are comic books and comic strips featuring characters created by the Walt Disney Company, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck. The first Disney comics were newspaper strips appearing from 1930 on, starting with t ...

magazine ''

Topolino ''Topolino'' (from the Italian language, Italian name for Mickey Mouse) is an Italian digest-sized comic series featuring Disney comics. The series has had a long running history, first appearing in 1932 as a comics magazine. Since 2013, it has ...

'' the ''

Mickey Mouse Mickey Mouse is an American cartoon character co-created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks. The longtime icon and mascot of the Walt Disney Company, Mickey is an anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large shoes, and white ...

'' 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''. * Aloys Oosterwijk's gag comic ''Willems Wereld'' debuts. It will run until 2017. * In '' Shadis magazine'', the first episode of '' Dork Tower'', by John Kovalic is printed. * In '' The Incredible Hulk'' #449 (

Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is a New York City–based comic book publishing, publisher, a property of the Walt Disney Company since December 31, 2009, and a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide since March 2023. Marvel was founded in 1939 by Martin G ...

), the Thunderbolts make their debut. * The first episode of ''Due'' by Alessandro Sisti, Corrado Mastrantuono and Paolo Mottura (Walt Disney Italia) is published, in which two central figures of

PKNA ''PK – Paperinik New Adventures'' (''PKNA'') is an Italian comic, published by Disney Italy from 14 March 1996 to 20 December 2000, about the new adventures of Paperinik (known as ''Duck Avenger'' in the United States), the superhero created in ...

, the evil computer Due and the mysterious scientist and businessman Everett Ducklair, make their debut. Later 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

* March 19: ''

Sonic the Hedgehog is a video game series and media franchise created by the Japanese developers Yuji Naka, Naoto Ohshima, and Hirokazu Yasuhara for Sega. The franchise follows Sonic the Hedgehog (character), Sonic, an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who battle ...

'' #47 "End Game" is released. Similar to the long-time controversy of Gwen Stacy's death, this issue received backlash for the attempt of " killing off" the comic's heroine Princess Sally Acorn from the comics before

Archie Comics Archie Comic Publications, Inc. (often referred to simply as Archie Comics) is an American comic book publisher headquartered in the village of Pelham, New York. The company's many titles feature the fictional teenagers Archie Andrews, Jug ...

was urged to revive Sally by changing the result that she was put in a

coma A coma is a deep state of prolonged unconsciousness in which a person cannot be awakened, fails to Nociception, respond normally to Pain, painful stimuli, light, or sound, lacks a normal Circadian rhythm, sleep-wake cycle and does not initiate ...

and survived three issues later. * March 20: '' Liberty meadows'' by Frank Cho makes its debut. * March 22: The final episode of Steve Dowling's long-running newspaper comic '' Garth'' is published. * The final episode of

Daniel Clowes Daniel Gillespie Clowes (; born April 14, 1961) is an American cartoonist, graphic novelist, illustrator, and screenwriter. Most of Clowes's work first appeared in ''Eightball (comic book), Eightball'', a solo anthology comic book series. An ''E ...

' '' Ghost World'' is prepublished in '' Eightball''. In the same issue Clowes publishes his essay '' Modern Cartoonist''. * In Italy, ''La Lunga Notte dell’Investigatore Merlo'' (Detective Merlo's long night), by Leo Ortolani (Edizioni Bande Dessinée) is first published, a parody of

Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart ( ; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American actor. His performances in classic Hollywood cinema made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Bogart ...

’s movies.

April

* April 1: ** Tony Barbieri and Bill Wray's satirical teenage comic '' Monroe'' makes its debut in the 356th issue of '' Mad''. It will run until 2010, albeit with a different artist from 2006 on: Tom Fowler. ** In U.S. newspapers, a comic strip switcheroo takes place, in commemoration of

April Fools' Day April Fools' Day or April Fool's Day (rarely called All Fools' Day) is an annual custom on the 1st of April consisting of practical jokes, hoaxes, and pranks. Jokesters often expose their actions by shouting "April Fool " at the recipient. ...

; several cartoonists trade their signature comic series for the day. * April 3: The first issue of ''Knuckles the Lark legion'' (later '' Knuckles the Echidna'') by Ken Penders is published. * In ''Smoke Magazine'', '' Cigarman'', by Sam Gross and Randy Jones, begins publication. It will run until 1998. * Marvel cancels '' The Punisher'' (1995 series) with issue #18 * ''

A history of violence ''A History of Violence'' is a 2005 action thriller film directed by David Cronenberg and written by Josh Olson. It is an adaptation of the 1997 DC Comics, DC A History of Violence (comics), graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke. The fi ...

'' by John Wagner and Vince Locke (

Paradox press Paradox Press was a division of DC Comics formed in 1993 after editor Mark Nevelow departed from Piranha Press. Under the initial editorship of Andy Helfer, Andrew Helfer and Bronwyn Carlton, the imprint was renamed. Paradox was best known for pu ...

). * First issue of the annual magazine ''Il Grande

Diabolik ''Diabolik'' () is an Italian comic series created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani. One of the most popular series in the history of Italian comics, ''Diabolik'' was created in 1962 and consists of more than 900 volumes, and has led to ...

'' (Astorina). * First issue of '' Rat-Man collection'' (

Panini comics Panini Comics is an Italian comic book publisher. A division of Panini Group, which also produces collectible stickers, it is headquartered in Modena, Italy. The company publishes comic books in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary ...

) by Leonardo Ortolani.

May

* May 24: The British girls' magazine '' Mandy'' and '' Judy'', who merged in 1991, now merge with '' Bunty''. It will run in this form until 2001. * First issue of '' 2020 Visions'' by

Jamie Delano Jamie Delano ( ; born 1954) is an English comic book writer. He was part of the first post-Alan Moore "British Invasion" of writers which started to feature in American comics in the 1980s. He is best known as the first writer of the comic book ...

(

Vertigo Vertigo is a condition in which a person has the sensation that they are moving, or that objects around them are moving, when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, perspira ...

). * In ''Cable'' 45, the crossover '' Operation: Zero tolerance'' begins. *

Sergio Bonelli editore Sergio Bonelli Editore (formerly CEPIM and other names) is a publishing house of Italian comics founded in 1940 by Giulio Chio (2015–present). It takes its name from its former president, comic book writer Sergio Bonelli (1932–2011), son of G ...

launches two new magazines: the semi-annual ''Agenzia alfa'' (spin-off of

Nathan Never ''Nathan Never'' is a black-and-white, science fiction Italian comics, Italian comic book, published monthly in Italy since 1991 by Sergio Bonelli Editore. It is written by Michele Medda, Antonio Serra (comics), Antonio Serra and Bepi Vigna. Art ...

) and the annual ''I Grandi Comici del Fumetto'' (''The Great Authors of Humor Comics''), inaugurated by '' Cocco Bill Diquaedilà'', one of Benito Jacovitti’s last works.

June

* June 15: ''Un Copieur Sachant Copier !,'' by Zidrou and Godi, the first album of the series '' L'Élève Ducobu'' is published. * First issue of Hellboy: wake the devil, by Mike Mignola (

Dark Horse A dark horse is a previously lesser-known person, team or thing that emerges to prominence in a situation, especially in a competition involving multiple rivals, that is unlikely to succeed but has a fighting chance, unlike the underdog who is exp ...

). * Fiftieth anniversary of

Scrooge McDuck Scrooge McDuck (occasionally stylized as $crooge McDuck) is a cartoon character created in 1947 for The Walt Disney Company by Carl Barks. Appearing in Disney comics, Scrooge is a Scottish-born American anthropomorphic duck. Like his nephew, Do ...

first appearance In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first issue to feature a fictional character. These issues are often highly valued by collectors due to their rarity and iconic status. Reader interest in fir ...

. The event is celebrated by two stories: ''Secret of the Incas'', by Byron Erickson and Giorgio Cavazzano (June 24, ''

'') and '' A little something special'', by

Don Rosa Keno Don Hugo Rosa (), known as Don Rosa (born June 29, 1951), is an American comic book writer and illustrator known for his comics about Scrooge McDuck and other Disney comics, Disney characters. Many of his stories are built on characters an ...

(June 26, ''Anders and Co.''). * ''Fort Ghost'', the first album of the western-fantasy series '' Magico Vento'', by Gianfranco Manfredi (

). * The ''

Largo Winch ''Largo Winch'' is a Belgian comic book series by Philippe Francq and Jean Van Hamme, published by Dupuis. It started as a series of novels by Van Hamme in the late 1970s, but stopped due to a lack of success and the huge amount of work Van Hamme ...

'' album ''L’heure du tigre'' is published, by Jean Van Hamme and Philippe Francq (

Dupuis Éditions Dupuis S.A. () is a Belgium, Belgian publisher of comic albums and magazines. Based in Marcinelle near Charleroi, Dupuis is mostly famous for its comic comics album, albums and magazines. Initially a French language publisher, it now ...

July

* July 7: Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman's '' Zits'' makes its debut. *July 15: In ''

'', 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. * Marvel Comics' Flashback month: all issues were released with the number −1.

August

* First issue of Major Bummer, by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke (

DC comics DC Comics (originally DC Comics, Inc., and also known simply as DC) is an American comic book publisher owned by DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC is an initialism for "Detective Comics", an American comic book seri ...

). * The ''

Lucky Luke ''Lucky Luke'' is a Western (genre), Western bande dessinée, comic album series created by Belgian cartoonist Morris (cartoonist), Morris in 1946. Morris wrote and drew the series single-handedly until 1955, after which he started collaborati ...

'' story ''OK Corral'' by Morris, Éric Adam and Xavier Fauche is published.

September

* September 12 : ''L’Occhio di Vetro'' (''The Glass Eye'') by

Carlo Ambrosini Carlo Ambrosini (15 April 1954 – 1 November 2023) was an Italian comic book artist and writer. Life and career Born in Azzano Mella, near Brescia (Lombardy), he began to draw comics in 1976 for Dardo publisher with some war stories. Later, he c ...

, the first album of the mystery-fantasy series ''Napoleone'' ( Sergio Bonelli) is published. * The first issue of the second Marvel Team-up series is published. * The first issue of

Transmetropolitan ''Transmetropolitan'' is a cyberpunk transhumanist comic book series written by Warren Ellis and drawn by Darick Robertson; it was published by the American company DC Comics in 1997–2002. The series was originally part of the short-lived DC C ...

by Waren Ellis and Frank Robertson (

) is published. * The '' XIII'' album ''Le Jugement'', by William Vance and Jean Van Hamme is first published (

Dargaud Société Dargaud (), doing business as Les Éditions Dargaud, is a publisher of Franco-Belgian comics series, headquartered in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. It was founded in 1936 by Georges Dargaud, publishing its first comics in 1943. ...

)

October

* October 10: In the Danish version of ''

Donald Duck Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created by the Walt Disney Company. Donald is an Anthropomorphism, anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit, sailor shirt and cap with ...

'' (''Anders and & co.'') the story '' W.H.A.D.A.L.O.T.T.A.J.A.R.G.O.N.'' by

is published, revealing how Huey, Dewey and Louie joined the Junior Woodchunks. * October 11–12: During the Stripdagen in

Haarlem Haarlem (; predecessor of ''Harlem'' in English language, English) is a List of cities in the Netherlands by province, city and Municipalities of the Netherlands, municipality in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the Provinces of the Nether ...

, the Netherlands, Peter Pontiac receives the Stripschapprijs. Sunnya van der Vegt en René van Royen receive the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs for their book ''Asterix en de waarheid'', about the historicity in '' Astérix''. * ''

Family Values Family values, sometimes referred to as familial values, are traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals. Additionally, the concept of family values may be understood ...

'' by Frank Miller (

). * First issue of '' Ascension'', by David Finch and Matt Banning (

Top Cow Top Cow Productions is an American comics publisher, an imprint (trade name), imprint of Image Comics. It was founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992. The company is known for publishing titles such as ''Cyber Force (comics), Cyberforce'', ''The Darknes ...

) * The last complete story of Zanardi (untitled, but known as “Zanardi in the Middle Ages”) by Andrea Pazienza, appears in the Italian magazine ''Comic Art.'.'' * The giant album ''Gli uomini in nero'' (''The Man in Black'') by Alfredo Castelli and Esposito Bros is published by Sergio Bonelli. It tells the whole story of the Martin Mystere universe, from the fall of

Atlantis Atlantis () is a fictional island mentioned in Plato's works '' Timaeus'' and ''Critias'' as part of an allegory on the hubris of nations. In the story, Atlantis is described as a naval empire that ruled all Western parts of the known world ...

to the present.

November

* November 29:

Willy Vandersteen Willebrord Jan Frans Maria "Willy" Vandersteen (15 February 1913 – 28 August 1990) was a Belgian creator of comic books. In a career spanning 50 years, he created a large studio and published more than 1,000 comic albums in over 25 series, sel ...

's old villa in

Kalmthout Kalmthout () is a Municipalities of Belgium, municipality in the Belgium, Belgian province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp. The municipality comprises the villages of Kalmthout, Achterbroek, Heide, Kalmthout, Heide, and Nieuwmoer. In 2021, Kalmthou ...

, Belgium, becomes an interactive children's museum. * Mayo Kaan takes out newspaper ads claiming to be the original model for Superman, although his allegations were later proven false. * The '' Thorgal'' story ''La Cage'' by Jean Van Hamme and

Grzegorz Rosiński Grzegorz Rosiński (Polish: ; born 3 August 1941) is a Polish comic book artist, illustrator and painter. He is best known for providing the artwork for the series '' Thorgal''. His other notable work includes art drawn in the '' Hans'' and '' C ...

(

Le Lombard Le Lombard (), known as Les Éditions du Lombard () until 1989, is a Belgian comic book publisher established in 1946 when '' Tintin'' magazine was launched. Le Lombard became part of Média-Participations since 1986, alongside publishers Darg ...

) is first published. * The ''

Blueberry Blueberries are a widely distributed and widespread group of perennial flowering plants with blue or purple berries. They are classified in the section ''Cyanococcus'' with the genus ''Vaccinium''. Commercial blueberries—both wild (lowbush) ...

'' story ''Ombres sur Tombstone'' by

Jean Giraud Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (; 8 May 1938 – 10 March 2012) was a French artist, cartoonist, and writer who worked in the Franco-Belgian comics, Franco-Belgian ''bandes dessinées'' (BD) tradition. Giraud garnered worldwide acclaim predomin ...

(

) is first published. * ''La Pourpre et l'Or'' by Jean Dufaux and Philippe Delaby (

), the first album of the Murena series, is published.

December

* The final issue of the Belgian comics magazine '' À Suivre'' is published. * Marvel returns the Avengers and Fantastic Four to their main continuity in '' Heroes Reborn: The Return #1–4'' *'' Bad boy'' by Frank Miller and

Simon Bisley Simon Bisley is a British comic book artist best known for his 1990s in comics, 1990s work on ''ABC Warriors'', ''Lobo (DC Comics), Lobo'' and ''Sláine (comics), Sláine''. Early life Simon Bisley began drawing when he was six years old. He is ...

( ONI press)

Specific date unknown

* The final album of the Belgian comics series '' Bessy'', originally created by

, is published. * The final episode of the Belgian comics series ''

Tif et Tondu ''Tif et Tondu'' (''Tif and Tondu'') is a Belgian comic strip about a duo of private investigators, originally created, written and drawn by Fernand Dineur. Several artists and writers have worked on the series but the most popular version is ...

'' is published, ending it just a year before its 60th birthday. * The final episode of Howard Rands' newspaper gag comic ''Twitch'' appears in print. * '' The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish'' by

Neil Gaiman Neil Richard MacKinnon Gaiman (; born Neil Richard Gaiman; 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, audio theatre, and screenplays. His works include the comic series ''The Sandman (comic book), The Sandma ...

and David McKean ( White Wolf) * In Norway, the first strip of ''Den swarte siden'' (later, ''

Nemi Nemi is a town and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Rome (central Italy), in the Alban Hills overlooking Lake Nemi, a volcanic crater lake. It is northwest of Velletri and about southeast of Rome. The town's name derives from the Lati ...

'') by Lise Myhre is published. * In Italy, number 0 of the series ''No Name'' by Davide Barzi and Oskar (Edipierre) is published, a parody of the superhero comics.

Births

Deaths

January

* January 5: **

André Franquin André Franquin (; 3 January 1924 – 5 January 1997) was an influential Belgian comics artist, whose best-known creations are ''Gaston (comics), Gaston'' and ''Marsupilami''. He also produced the ''Spirou et Fantasio'' comic strip from 1946 to ...

, Belgian comics artist ('' Gaston Lagaffe'', ''

Marsupilami ''Marsupilami'' is a comic book character and fictional animal species created by André Franquin. Its first appearance was in the 31 January 1952 issue of the Franco-Belgian comics magazine '' Spirou''. Since then it appeared regularly in th ...

'', '' Modeste et Pompon'', '' Idées Noires'', continued '' Spirou and Fantasio''), dies at age 73. ** Frans Piët, Dutch comics artist ('' Sjors en Sjimmie''), dies at age 91. * January 6: Pétur Bjarnason, Icelandic-Swedish comic artist (''Drottning Drusila'' later retitled ''Regina''), dies at age 50. * January 8: Normand Hudon, Canadian animator and comics artist (''Julien Gagnon''), dies at age 67. * January 25: Dan Barry, American cartoonist and comics artist (''

'', continued ''

Tarzan Tarzan (John Clayton, Viscount Greystoke) is a fictional character, a feral child raised in the African jungle by the Mangani great apes; he later experiences civilization, only to reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer. Creat ...

'', ''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established ''Buck Rogers'' ...

''), dies at age 73.

February

* February 3: Geoffrey Foladori, Uruguayan comics artist (''El Professor Pistacho'', ''Pelopincho y Cachirula'', ''Don Gumersindo'', ''Don Tranquilo y Flia''), dies at age 88. * February 7: Nina Albright, American comics artist (''Comandette'', continued '' Miss Victory''), dies at age 89. * February 13: Hans Schlensker (''Biff Baker'', assisted on '' Buz Sawyer''), dies at age 82. * February 15: Jack Sparling, Canadian-American comics artist ('' Claire Voyant'', ''Hap Hopper, Washington Correspondent''), dies at age 81. * February 23: Larry Antonette, aka Dean Carr, American comics artist (''Dash Dixon'', ''Bozo and the Baron'', ''Calling the Duke''), dies at age 87. * Specific date unknown: Arthur Horner, Australian-British cartoonist (''Colonel Pewter'', ''The Thoughts of Citizen Doe''), dies at age 80.

March

* March 10: Stan Drake, American comics artist ('' The Heart of Juliet Jones''), dies at age 75.

April

* April 4:

Billy Graham William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...

, American comics artist (worked on ''

Luke Cage Lucas "Luke" Cage, born Carl Lucas and also known as Power Man, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas, and John Romita Sr. in 1972, he was the first Af ...

'', ''

Black Panther A black panther is the Melanism, melanistic colour variant of the leopard (''Panthera pardus'') and the jaguar (''Panthera onca''). Black panthers of both species have excess black pigments, but their typical Rosette (zoology), rosettes are al ...

''), dies at age 61. * April 11: Helge Kühn-Nielsen, Danish comics artist, teacher, painter and illustrator, dies at age 76. * April 16:

Roland Topor Roland Topor (7 January 1938 – 16 April 1997) was a French illustrator, cartoonist, comics artist, painter, novelist, playwright, film and TV writer, filmmaker and actor, who was known for the surrealism, surreal nature of his work. He was of Po ...

, French novelist, illustrator, cartoonist, comics artist, film script writer, TV script writer, animator and playwright ('' Hara-Kiri''), dies at age 59. * April 20: Stamatis L. Polenakis, Greek comic artist and animator (''Pipis Papias'', ''Spagorammenos''), dies at age 88 or 89. * April 27: Víctor Arriazu, Spanish comics artist (assisted on ''

El Jabato ''El Jabato'' (lit. "The young wild boar") is the hero of a series of Spanish comic books, created in 1958 by the writer Víctor Mora and illustrated mainly by Francisco Darnís. ''El Jabatos themes and cast of characters were similar to those of ...

''), dies at age 61 or 62.

May

* May 1: Sirius, Belgian comics artist (''Timour''), dies at age 86. * May 4: Lou Stathis, American comics editor of DC's

line, dies of complications related to a brain tumor at age 44. * May 31: Ruth Atkinson, Canadian-American comics artist (''

Patsy Walker Patricia "Patsy" Walker is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stuart Little and Ruth Atkinson, Patsy Walker first appeared in ''Miss America Magazine'' #2 (November 1944), published by Marvel prec ...

'', ''

Millie the Model ''Millie the Model'' is Marvel Comics' longest-running humor title, first published by the company's 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and continuing through its 1950s forerunner, Atlas Comics, to 1970s Marvel. The comic book series deals with ...

''), dies at age 78.

June

* June 6: Manny Stallman, American comics artist (various horror comics), dies at age 70. * June 8: Peggy Zangerle, American painter and comic artist (made comics for ''Ghost Breakers'', ''Red Dragon Comics'' and ''Shadow Comics''), dies at age 71. * June 12: Rémy Bourles, French comics artist (''Bob Mallard''), dies at age 91. * June 15: Kim Casali, New Zealand cartoonist and comics artist ('' Love Is...''), dies of bone and liver cancer at age 55.

July

* July 6: Michele Pepe, Italian comic artist (''Fury'', ''Gli Eroi del Mare'', worked on '' Zagor'', ''

Martin Mystère ''Martin Mystère'' is an Italian comic book whose protagonist is Martin Mystère. Created by writer Alfredo Castelli and artist Giancarlo Alessandrini, it was first published in Italy by Sergio Bonelli Editore in 1982. Dark Horse Comics has ...

''), dies at age 50. * July 8: Clay Geerdes, American writer and photojournalist who extensively covered the

underground comix Underground comix are small press or self-published comic books that are often socially relevant or satirical in nature. They differ from mainstream comics in depicting content forbidden to mainstream publications by the Comics Code Authority, ...

movement (founded ''Comix World'' newsletter), dies of liver cancer at age 63.

August

* August 3: Ralph Graczak, American comic writer and artist ('' Our Own Oddities''), dies at age 87. * August 19: James Ringrose, Dutch comics artist (''Tekko Taks'', ''Blix Kater'', ''Willie en Wop''), dies at age 83.

September

* September 4: Nasjah Djamin, Indonesian illustrator and comics artist (drew a comic book about Hang Tuah), dies at age 72. * September 15: Lode Pemmelaar, Dutch painter and comics artist (''Romila the Velvet Girl''), dies at age 54. * September 25: Josep Toutain, Spanish comics artist and publisher (founder of

Selecciones Ilustradas Selecciones Ilustradas (sometimes known as ''S.I.'') is a Spanish art agency founded by Josep Toutain. Warren Publishing Selecciones Ilustradas is probably most well-known in America due to its connections with Warren Publishing, where S.I.'s arti ...

and Toutain-Editor), dies from lung cancer at age 64–65.

October

* October 8: Zhang Chongren, Chinese artist and sculptor (inspiration for the ''

Tintin Tintin usually refers to: * ''The Adventures of Tintin'', the comics series by Belgian cartoonist Hergé ** Tintin (character), the protagonist and titular character of the series Tintin or Tin Tin may also refer to: Material related to ''The A ...

'' character Chang Chong-Chen), dies at age 91. * October 16: Dick Cavalli, American comics artist and cartoonist ('' Winthrop'', continued ''Norbert''), dies at age 74. * October 18: Milt Neil, American animator and comics artist (the ''

Howdy Doody ''Howdy Doody'' is an American Children's television series, children's television program (with circus and Western (genre), Western frontier themes) that was created and produced by Victor F. Campbell

'' comic strip), dies at age 83. * October 22: Per Lygum, Danish animator and comics artist (''Planckton''), dies at age 64. * October 30: Nikola Mitrovic, AKA Kokan, Serbian comic artist, dies at age 73.

November

* November 9: Leonard Matthews, British comics artist (''Dafffy the Cowboy Tec'') and publisher, dies at age 83. * November 13:

Samm Schwartz Samm Schwartz (October 15, 1920 – November 13, 1997)Social Security Death Index, for SS# 073-14-0718. was an American comic artist best known for his work in MLJ and Archie Comics, specifically on the character Jughead Jones. Biography Schw ...

, American comics artist ('' Jughead'') stories for

, dies at age 75. * November 26: Keats Petree, American illustrator and comics artist (worked on ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in a ...

'', ''Sally the Sleuth'', ''Nick Haliday''), dies at age 78. * November:

Evelyn Flinders Evelyn Betty Flinders (21 March 1910 – 31 October 1997) was a British comics artist who worked in girls' comics. She entered the Hornsey School of Art at the age of fifteen, and in 1928 got her first job with the Amalgamated Press, drawing fo ...

, British comics artist ('' The Silent Three''), dies at age 97.

December

* December 3: Benito Jacovitti, Italian comics artist ('' Cocco Bill'', '' Zorry Kid''), dies at age 74. * December 8:

Walter Molino Walter Molino (5 November 1915 – 8 December 1997) was an Italian comics artist and illustrator. Life and career Born in Reggio Emilia, Molino made his professional debut as illustrator and caricaturist in 1935, collaborating with the newspap ...

, Italian illustrator and comics artist (''Virus, Il Mago della Foresta Morta'', ''Captain l'Audace'', continued ''

Kit Carson Christopher Houston Carson (December 24, 1809 – May 23, 1868) was an American frontiersman, fur trapper, wilderness guide, Indian agent and United States Army, U.S. Army officer. He became an American frontier legend in his own lifetime ...

''), dies at age 82. * December 11: Heinz Schubel, German illustrator and comics artist (''Lurchi''), dies at age 91. * December 13:

, American comics artist (continued ''

''), dies at age 77.

Specific date unknown

* Carol Carlson, American comics artist (''The Adventures of Waddles''), dies at age 84 or 85. * Dennis Ellefson, American comics artist, dies at age 59 or 60. * Kerstin Frykstrand, Swedish illustrator and comics artist (''Muff och Tuff''), dies at age 95 or 96. * Frank Little, American animator and comics artist (worked for Jerry Iger's studio), dies at age 90. * Armand Panis, A.K.A. Sinap, Belgian comics artist, caricaturist and cartoonist (''Klopstok''), dies at age 89 or 90. * Jorge Pérez Del Castillo, Chilean-Argentine comics artist, dies at age 73 or 74. * Alan Philpott, British comic artist ('' Robot Archie'', ''The Deathless Men''), dies at age 82 or 83. * Roex, A.K.A. Roger Exelmans, Belgian comics artist (continued ''Rikske en Fikske''), dies at age 60. * Bernard Segal, A.K.A. "Seeg", American painter and comics artist (''Honey and Hank'', also known as ''Elsworth''), dies at age 78 or 79. * 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. * Tony Velasquez, Filipino comics artist ('' Kenkoy''), dies at age 86. * Roland Venet, aka Rol, French comics artist (''Wa-Pi-Ti''), dies at age 77 or 78.

Conventions

* January 23–26:

Angoulême International Comics Festival The Angoulême International Comics Festival (AICF; ) is the second largest comics festival in Europe after the Lucca Comics & Games in Italy, and the third biggest in the world after Lucca Comics & Games and the Comiket of Japan. It has occur ...

(Angoulême, France) * February 1: Alternative Press Expo (San Jose, California) — also featured the first LuluCon, organized by

Friends of Lulu Friends of Lulu (FoL) was a non-profit, national charitable organization located in the United States, designed to promote readership of comic books by women and the participation of women in the comic book industry. FoL operated from 1994 to 20 ...

Featuring Anina Bennett and Heidi MacDonald. * March: Big Apple Comic Con (Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City) * March 15–16: UKCAC (Institute of Education, London, England) — guests include

Joe Kubert Joseph Kubert (; September 18, 1926 – August 12, 2012) was a Poland, Polish-born Americans, American comic book artist, art teacher, and founder of The Kubert School. He is best known for his work on the DC Comics characters Sgt. Rock and Hawk ...

and Dan Clowes; 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 Joseph Michael Straczynski, known as J. Michael Straczynski (; born July 17, 1954) is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is known as the creator of the science fiction televi ...

and Peter David * March 21–23: Motor City Comic Con I (Novi Expo Center, Novi, Michigan) * April: Northampton Comic Convention (Northampton, Massachusetts) * April 18–20: Pittsburgh Comicon (Monroeville ExpoMart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania) — guests include David Prowse and

Carmen Electra Carmen Electra (born Tara Leigh Patrick, April 20, 1972) is an American actress, model, singer, and media personality. She began her career as a singer after moving to Minneapolis where she met Prince (musician), Prince who produced her Carm ...

* April 25–27:

WonderCon WonderCon is an annual comic book, science fiction, and film fan convention, convention held in the San Francisco Bay Area (1987–2011), then—under the name WonderCon Anaheim—in Anaheim, California (2012–2015, 2017–present), and Wond ...

(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 Carlos Pacheco Perujo (14 November 1961 – 9 November 2022) was a Spanish comics penciller. After breaking into the European market doing cover work for Planeta De Agostini, he gained recognition doing work for Marvel UK, the England-based bra ...

, Dale Keown, David Wohl, and

Rich Buckler Rich Buckler (February 6, 1949 – May 19, 2017) was an Americans, American comics artist and penciller, best known for his work on Marvel Comics' ''Fantastic Four (comic book), Fantastic Four'' in the mid-1970s and for creating the character Deat ...

* 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 Comic-Con is a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. Founded in 1970, originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fant ...

(San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California) — 40,000 attendees; special guests include Brent Anderson,

Dick Ayers Richard Bache Ayers (; April 28, 1924 – May 4, 2014) was an American comic book artist and cartoonist best known for his work as one of Jack Kirby's inkers during the late-1950s and 1960s period known as the Silver Age of Comics, including on s ...

, Steve Bissette,

Terry Brooks Terence Dean Brooks (born January 8, 1944) is an American writer of fantasy fiction. He writes mainly high fantasy, epic fantasy, and has also written two film novelizations. He has written 23 New York Times Best Seller List, ''New York Times'' ...

, Kurt Busiek, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Steven Hughes, Peter Kuper, David Lapham, Carol Lay, Joseph Michael Linsner, Ralph McQuarrie, Linda Medley,

Michael Moorcock Michael John Moorcock (born 18 December 1939) is an English writer, particularly of science fiction and fantasy, who has published a number of well-received literary novels as well as comic thrillers, graphic novels and non-fiction. He has wo ...

George Pérez George Pérez (; June 9, 1954 – May 6, 2022) was an American comic book artist and writer, who worked primarily as a penciller. He came to prominence in the 1970s penciling ''Fantastic Four (comic book), Fantastic Four'' and ''The Avengers (c ...

, Brian Pulido,

Alex Ross Nelson Alexander Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an American comic book creator, comic book writer and artist known primarily for his painted interiors, covers, and design work. He first became known with the 1994 miniseries ''Marvels'', on which ...

, R.A. Salvatore,

Kevin Smith Kevin Patrick Smith (born August 2, 1970) is an American film director, producer, writer, and actor. He came to prominence with the low-budget buddy comedy film ''Clerks (film), Clerks'' (1994), which he wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted i ...

, George Tuska, Jhonen Vasquez,

Paul Verhoeven Paul Verhoeven (; born 18 July 1938) is a Dutch filmmaker, who has worked variously in the Netherlands, the United States, and in France. He is known for directing genre films with strong satirical elements, often featuring graphic violence and ...

, Mark Waid, and

Al Williamson Alfonso Williamson (March 21, 1931 – June 12, 2010) was an American cartoonist, comic book artist and illustrator specializing in adventure, Western, science fiction and fantasy. Born in New York City, he spent much of his early childhood in ...

* July 19-20: "Euro CAPTION" (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England) — guests include France's

David B David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

, Spain's Max, and the Netherlands' Maaike Hartjes * September 18–20: International Comics and Animation Festival (ICAF) (

Georgetown University Georgetown University is a private university, private Jesuit research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Founded by Bishop John Carroll (archbishop of Baltimore), John Carroll in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic higher education, Ca ...

(

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

) — 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) * September 19–21:

Small Press Expo The Small Press Expo (SPX) is an American alternative comics convention. A registered 501(c)(3) that was created in 1994, every year since its inception, SPX has put on a festival, known as The Expo, that provides a forum for artists, writers a ...

(SPX) (Quality Hotel,

Silver Spring, Maryland Silver Spring is a census-designated place (CDP) in southeastern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, near Washington, D.C. Although officially Unincorporated area, unincorporated, it is an edge city with a population of 81,015 at the 2020 ...

) — 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 Enki Bilal (born Enes Bilal; born 7 October 1951) is a French comic book creator and film director. Biography Early life Bilal was born in Belgrade, PR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia, to a Czech mother, Ana, who came to Belgrade as child from Karlovy ...

, 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 Roger Stern (born September 17, 1950) is an American comic book author and novelist. Biography Early career In the early 1970s, Stern and Bob Layton published the fanzine ''CPL'' (''Contemporary Pictorial Literature''), one of the first platfo ...

, Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson,

Sergio Aragonés Sergio Aragonés Domenech ( , ; born 6 September 1937 in Sant Mateu, Castellón, Spain) is a Spanish-Mexican-American cartoonist and writer best known for his contributions to ''Mad (magazine), Mad'' magazine and creating the comic book ''Groo t ...

Mark Evanier Mark Stephen Evanier (; born March 2, 1952) is an American comic book and television writer, known for his work on the animated TV series '' Garfield and Friends'' and on the comic book '' Groo the Wanderer''. He is also known for his columns and ...

, Mart Nodell,

Tony Isabella Jenny Blake Isabella (born December 22, 1951), who writes under the names Tony Isabella and Jenny Blake, is an Americans, American comic book writer, editor, actor, artist and critic. She is the creator of Marvel Comics superhero Bill Foster (com ...

, Joseph Michael Linsner, Sheldon Moldoff, Terry Moore,

Steve Lieber Steve Lieber (born May 19, 1967) is an American comic book illustrator known for his work on books such as ''Detective Comics'' and ''Hawkman'', and the critically acclaimed miniseries ''Whiteout (Oni Press), Whiteout'', which was adapted into a W ...

, Jim Ottaviani, Paul Smith, Alvin Schwartz, Murphy Anderson, and

Bernie Wrightson Bernard Albert Wrightson (October 27, 1948 – March 18, 2017) was an American artist, known for co-creating the Swamp Thing, his Bernie Wrightson's Frankenstein, adaptation of the novel ''Frankenstein'' illustration work, and for his other ho ...

Exhibitions

* September 18–December 24: ''"Art and Provocation: Images from Rebels"'' (Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, Colorado) — group exhibition focusing on

Robert Crumb Robert Dennis Crumb (; born August 30, 1943) is an American artist who often signs his work R. Crumb. His work displays a nostalgia for American folk culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and satire of contemporary American c ...

and Philip Guston, along with other artists, including Sue Coe, Georganne Deen, Debbie Drechsler, Glenn Head, and

Amy Sillman Amy Sillman (born 1955) is a New York-based visual artist, known for process-based paintings that move between abstraction and figuration, and engage nontraditional media including animation, zines and installation.Farago, Jason''The New York T ...

Paglia, Michael
"Not the Funnies,"
'' Westword'' (Sept. 18, 1997).

First issues by title

;''

Clover Clovers, also called trefoils, are plants of the genus ''Trifolium'' (), consisting of about 300 species of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae originating in Europe. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution with the highest diversit ...

'' :''Release:'' by

Kodansha is a Japanese privately held publishing company headquartered in Bunkyō, Tokyo. Kodansha publishes manga magazines which include ''Nakayoshi'', ''Morning (magazine), Morning'', ''Afternoon (magazine), Afternoon'', ''Evening (magazine), Eveni ...

(''

Amie Amie may refer to: *Amie, an alternate spelling of the female personal name Amy *AMIE, the Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers, a professional certification given by India's Institution of Engineers *Amie (song), "Amie" (song), song f ...

''). ''Authors:'' Clamp ;'' Desert Punk'' :''Release:'' August 5 by

Enterbrain , formerly , is a Japanese publisher and division of Kadokawa Future Publishing founded on January 30, 1987, as . Magazines published by Enterbrain are generally focused on video games and computer entertainment as well as video game and strate ...

('' Comic Beam''). ''Author:'' Usune Masatoshi ;'' Peach Girl'' :''Release:'' by

('' Bessatsu Friend''). ''Author:'' Miwa Ueda

DC Comics

;''

Jack Kirby's Fourth World "Fourth World" is a metaseries of connected comic book titles written and drawn by Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics from 1970 to 1973. Although they were not marketed under this title until the August–September 1971 issues of ''New Gods'' a ...

'' by John Byrne ;'' Young Heroes in Love'' ;''

The Flintstones ''The Flintstones'' is an American animated sitcom produced by Hanna-Barbera, Hanna-Barbera Productions, which takes place in a romanticized Stone Age setting and follows the titular family, the Flintstones, and their next-door neighbors, the R ...

and The Jetsons'' ;''

'' ;'' JLA: Year One'' by Mark Waid and Barry Kitson. 12-issue maxi-series

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1997 In Comics