1985 in comics
Notable events of 1985 in comics.
Events and publications
Year overall
- More independent publishers enter the marketplace: Aircel Comics, Arrow Comics, Blackthorne Publishing, Dragon Lady Press, NOW Comics, Sirius Comics, Strawberry Jam Comics, and Wonder Comics all publish their first titles. In addition, David Anthony Kraft's Comics Interview publishes its first comic book titles.
- After 41 years as a publisher, Charlton Comics folds.
- Marvel Comics publishes Heroes for Hope: Starring the X-Men, an all-star benefit book for African famine relief and recovery.
January
Warrior, with issue #26, publishes its final issueFebruary
February 18: The first episode of Jim Meddick's Monty is published.February 28:- * Bill Tidy's The Fosdyke Saga comes to an end after having been in syndication for 14 years.
- * Jack Dunkley's The Larks is also discontinued.Tales of the Teen Titans #50: Donna Troy marries Terry Long.
- With issue #150, Marvel Comics cancels the Spider-Man title Marvel Team-Up.
March
March 7: Albert Uderzo is honoured as Knight in the Légion d'Honneur.March 17: First publication of Greg Evans' Luann.Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #100: "Breakin'!" written and drawn by Al Milgrom.- "The Surtur Saga" comes to a conclusion in Thor #353 by Walt Simonson.
- In London an exhibition of Tomi Ungerer's artwork and cartoons is wrecked with spray-paint by feminist activists led by Valerie Wise who protest against his S&M erotic cartoons.
April
- To promote and fund an upcoming museum devoted to Belgian comics, various Belgian comic artists have an official meeting with king Baudouin of Belgium and queen Fabiola at the royal palace. In 1989, this museum will open as the Belgian Comic Strip Center.Crisis on Infinite Earths 12-issue "maxi-series" debuts, produced by DC Comics to simplify their then-50-year-old continuity. Written by Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by George Pérez, with Mike DeCarlo, Dick Giordano, and Jerry Ordway. The series eliminates the concept of the Multiverse in the fictional DC Universe and kills off many characters, including long-standing superheroes Supergirl and Barry Allen.
May
- The Norwegian band A-ha releases a re-recorded version of their song "Take On Me", with a partially animated music video, in which a girl is brought into a comic book world. The video is directed by Steve Barron and Candace Reckinger, with the animation done by Michael Patterson. The comic featured in the music video is drawn by Michael Patterson and later printed in the sleeve of the single release.Sgt. Rock #400: "Easy's 400th," by Robert Kanigher and Adrian Gonzales.
June
- In the Italian magazine Corto Maltese, Y todo a media luz by Hugo Pratt; in Buenos Aires, Corto Maltese meets Butch Cassidy.
Summer
- Marvel Comics publishes New Mutants Special Edition #1. Written by Chris Claremont, it is the first X-Men related art by fan-favorite Art Adams with inks by Terry Austin. It continues in Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 again by Claremont and Adams with inks by Al Gordon, Mike Mignola, and Adams.
July
July 29: Jimmy Johnson's Arlo and Janis makes its debut.Secret Wars II debuts continuing the adventures of the Beyonder from the original Secret Wars series.- In Middelkerke, Belgium, the first edition of the comics festival Stripfestival Middelkerke is organized, though it's still named Milky Way Stripfestival at this point.
August
August 23: The Dutch comics magazine Eppo changes its name into Eppo Wordt Vervolgd, to tie in with the popularity of the TV show Wordt Vervolgd, which deals with comics and cartoons. Under this new name it continues until 1988. In the first issue Ruud Straatman and Peter de Wit's De Familie Fortuin makes its debut.- DC publishes Superman Annual #11: "For the Man Who Has Everything," by the future Watchmen team of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
September
September 15: The first episode of Gleever's comic strip Oktoknopie is published in the Dutch children's magazine Taptoe.- September 15: In the Italian Disney magazineTopolino, Topolino e il segreto della Gioconda, by Bruno Concina and Massimo De Vita; the first episode of the serial Mickey and the time machine is published, which marks the debut of Dr. Spike Marlin.September 20: Peter de Smet wins the Stripschapprijs. Joost Swarte and the PTT Post receive the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten.
- The "Who Is Sensor Girl?" storyline, written by Paul Levitz, begins in Legion of Super-Heroes #14.Mighty Crusaders vol. 2, with issue #13, is cancelled by Archie Adventure Series.
- Missouri Demons, by Jean Michel Charlier and Colin Wilson, fourth chapter of La jeunesse de Blueberry; first chapter of the Quantrill saga.
- In Orient express, first episode of Un principe per Norma by Giancarlo Berardi and Ivo Milazzo, retelling of Hamlet with Ken Parker as the prince and a Marylin Montoe's double as Ophelia.
October
- With issue #350, DC Comics publishes the final issue of The Flash.
- "The Death of Jean DeWolff" story arc, written by Peter David, begins in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #107.Music for Mechanics, the first Love and Rockets collection, is published by Fantagraphics.The Vision and the Scarlet Witch vol. 2 #1, the first issue of a 12–issue limited series.
November
November 18: Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes makes its debut.- With issue #50, Arak, Son of Thunder is canceled by DC Comics.Tales of the Teen Titans, with issue #59, becomes a reprint book. Iron Man #200: "Resolutions!" by Denny O'Neil, Mark D. Bright, and Akin & Garvey. Tony Stark resumes the identity of Iron Man and defeats Iron Monger.
- In Australia the annual comics awards, the Stanley Awards, are established.Eloise de Montigri by Herman, second episode of The Towers of Bois-Maury The Rige by Serge Le Tendre and Régis Loisel, third chapter of the saga La Quête de l'oiseau du temps.
December
The Warlord #100: double-sized issue, "Skartaris Unchained," by Michael Fleisher and Adam Kubert. Uncanny X-Men #200: "The Trial of Magneto!," by Chris Claremont, John Romita Jr., and Dan Green. Thundercats #1: "Survival Run". December 31: The Dreamer, by Will Eisner, is published by Kitchen Sink.Specific date unknown
- The final issue of the Flemish comics magazine/fanzine Stripgids is published. It will be relaunched in October 2006.
- Alfred Bestall receives a Member of the British Empire medal.
- Will Eisner publishes the book Comics and Sequential Art.
Deaths
January
January 4: Otto Milo, Dutch film critic, comics artist and cartoonist, dies at age 62.January 10: José Luis Salinas, Argentine comics artist, dies at age 76.January 29: George Needham, aka George Robb, British-Australian comics artist, dies at age 81.February
February 5: Cees Bantzinger, Dutch comics artist, drowns himself in a river out of shame over his war past. He is 70 years old.March
March 24: Dick Kinney, American animator, screenwriter and comics writer, dies at age 68.March 27:- * Don Rico, American novelist and comics writer, dies at age 72.
- * Hans Kossatz, German illustrator, comics artist and cartoonist, dies at age 84.March 28: Ferry Zipper, Austrian-Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 74.
April
April 11: Bill Zaboly, American comics artist, dies at age 74.April 15: Andries Brandt, Dutch comics artist and writer, dies at age 86.May
May 5: Erkki Tanttu, Finnish comics artist, dies at age 77.May 11: Chester Gould, American comics artist, dies at age 84.May 20: Nettie van Wijland, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 73.June
June 20: Ralph A. Wolfe, American animator and comic artist, dies at age 90.June 21: Charles Wojtkoski, American comics artist, dies at age 63.June 28: Lynd Ward, American illustrator and comic artist, dies at age 80.July
July: Ernie Hart, American comics writer and artist, dies at age 64.July 8: Frank Hampson, British comics artist, dies at age 66.July 13: Einar Norelius, Swedish illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 85.August
August 6: Ken Ernst, American comics artist, dies at age 67.August 25: Pino Zac, Italian illustrator, cartoonist, comics artist and animator, co-publisher of the magazine Il Male, dies at age 55.September
September 7: José Zabala-Santos, aka Mang Pepe, Filipino comics artist, dies at age 74.October
October 12: George Lemont, American comics artist, dies from a stroke at age 58.October 15: Sandro Angiolini, Italian comics artist, dies at age 65.October 18: Jack Kent, American comics artist, dies from leukemia at age 65.October 22: Jean Pouzet, French comic artist, dies at age 60. October 23: Adolphe Barreaux, American comics artist, dies at age 86.October 25:- * Alberto Bróccoli, Argentinian caricaturist and comic artist, dies at age 42.
- * Charles Kemper, Dutch painter and comics artist, dies at age 72.October 26: Cecil Langley Doughty, British illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 71.October 30: Manon Iessel, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 76.
November
November 6: Viktor Kálmán, aka Victor Vashi, Hungarian painter, animator and comics artist, dies at age 74.November 23: Roger Brand, American comics artist, dies of liver failure at age 42.November 24: C. Buddingh', Dutch poet and comics writer, dies at age 67.December
December 3: Sam Gilman, American actor and comics artist, dies at age 70.December 6: Walter B. Gibson, American magician, novelist and comics writer, dies at age 88.December 15: Lars Wangensten-Berge, Norwegian illustrator and comic artist, dies at age 80.December 19: Jean Ache/Jean Huet, French animator and comics artist, dies at age 62.December 20: Al Peclers, AKA Pec, AKA J.B. Stone, Belgian comics artist and caricaturist, dies at age 64 or 65.December 25:- * Joseph Oriolo, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 72.
- * Jackie Ormes, American comics artist, dies at age 74.
Specific date unknown
- Mies Deinum, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 77 or 78.
- Sam Fair, British comics artist, dies at age 76.
- Henri Habsch, Belgian painter and comic artist, dies at age 72 or 73.
- Roberto Sgrilli, Italian painter, illustrator, comics artist and animator, dies at age 87 or 88.
- John Whitfield Taylor, British teacher and gag cartoonist, dies at age 76 or 77.
- Shuhui Wang, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 72 or 73.
- Xiaoying Yue, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 63 or 64.
- Cliff Young, American comics artist, dies at age 79 or 80.
Conventions
Jan. 25-27: Angoulême International Comics Festival — 12th annual festivalApril: 1st Annual Victoria International Cartoon Festival May 29–June 2: Salon International de la Bande Dessinee de Montreal June: Heroes Convention June 13–16: BD '85 June 22–23: Colorado Comic Art Convention — fifth and final iteration of the show; guests include Michael Kaluta, Elaine Lee, Stan Phillips, and Drew LittonJuly 5–7: Chicago Comicon — guest of honor: Sergio AragonésJuly 5–7: Dallas Fantasy Fair — guests include Gil Kane, Wendy Pini, Kenneth Smith, and Gary GrothAugust 1–4: San Diego Comic-Con — 6,000 attendees; official guests: Ben Bova, Jack Cummings, Jack Davis, Gil Kane, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore, Dan O'Bannon, Jerry Ordway, Alex Schomburg, Julius Schwartz, Jerry Siegel, Louise Simonson, Walt SimonsonAugust 2–4: Atlanta Fantasy Fair — official guests include Newt Gingrich, Frederik Pohl, Theodore Sturgeon, Gerald W. Page, Ted White, Forrest J AckermanSeptember 21–22: King Kon Comic & Fantasy Convention :September 21–22: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention — first annual edition; £7.50 admission charge for both days; guests include Steve Bissette, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim, Marv Wolfman, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Eddie Campbell, Alan Davis, Hunt Emerson, Brett Ewins, Dave Gibbons, Ian Gibson, Denis Gifford, Alan Grant, Garry Leach, David Lloyd, Mike McMahon, Alan Moore, Steve Moore, Paul Neary, Kevin O'Neill, Ron Smith, Dez Skinn, Bryan Talbot, and John WagnerNovember: Mid-Ohio Con — guests include John ByrneNovember 30–December 1: Creation Comic Book Convention — 15th annual show; guests include Jim Shooter, Chris Claremont, Robin Curtis, Frank Ashmore, and Terrance DicksAwards
[Eagle Awards]
Presented in 1986 for comics published in 1985:Roll of Honour: Alan MooreAmerican Section
Favourite Comic Book: Swamp Thing, written by Alan Moore Favourite Graphic Novel: American Flagg! Hard Times, by Howard Chaykin Favourite Single or Continued Story: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-9Favourite New Comic Title: Miracleman, written by Alan Moore Favourite Comic Cover: Swamp Thing #34, by John Totleben Favourite Character: BatmanFavourite Supporting Character: John Constantine, from Swamp ThingCharacter Most Worthy of Own Title: WolverineFavourite Group or Team: The X-Men Favourite Group Book: The New Teen Titans, by Marv Wolfman Favourite Writer: Alan Moore, Swamp Thing Favourite Artist: George PérezFavourite Inker: Terry AustinFavourite Specialist Comics Publication: ''Amazing Heroes''UK Section
Favourite Artist: Alan DavisFavourite Writer: Alan MooreFavourite Comic: 2000 AD Favourite Comic Album: Nemesis Book III Favourite Comic Character: Halo JonesFavourite Villain: Torquemada, from Nemesis the WarlockFavourite Supporting Character: Meggan Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Halo JonesFavourite Single or Continued Story: Halo Jones Book Two Favourite New Comic: Captain Britain Favourite Comic Cover: Captain Britain #6, by Alan DavisFavourite Specialist Comics Publication: ''Speakeasy''[Kirby Awards]
Best Single Issue: Swamp Thing Annual #2, by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben Best Continuing Series: Swamp Thing, by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben Best Black & White Series: Cerebus by Dave Sim Best Finite Series: Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez Best New Series: Zot!, by Scott McCloud Best Graphic Album: Beowulf Best Artist: Dave Stevens, for The Rocketeer Best Writer: Alan Moore, for Swamp Thing Best Art Team: Steve Bissette and John Totleben, for Swamp Thing Best Cover: Swamp Thing #34, by Steve Bissette and John Totleben Best Comics Publication: ''Comics Buyer's Guide''First issues by title
DC Comics
DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel: Hell on EarthHex
'The Outsiders'''''
Limited Series
America vs. the Justice SocietyCrisis on Infinite Earths
The Shadow War of Hawkman
'Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe'''''
Marvel Comics
The Marvel Saga: The Official History of the Marvel UniverseSwords of the Swashbucklers
ThunderCats
Web of Spider-Man
'West Coast Avengers'''''
Limited series
The Bozz ChroniclesEternals
Longshot
Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu
Moonshadow
Nightcrawler
The One
Secret Wars II
'Squadron Supreme'''''
Independent titles
Alien EncountersFemforce
Fish Police
Miracleman
Neat Stuff
Scout
Tales from the Aniverse
Tales of the Beanworld
Those Annoying Post Bros.
'To Be Announced'''''
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
Fel Andar, in The Shadow War of Hawkman #1- Anti-Monitor, in Crisis on Infinite Earths 02
- Bekka, in DC Graphic Novel #4: The Hunger Dogs
- Black Mask, in Batman #386
- Bolphunga in Green Lantern #188
- Cadre, in Justice League of America #235
- Marcie Cooper in Infinity Inc. #14
- Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
- Doctor Mid-Nite (Beth Chapel), in Infinity, Inc. #19
- Fastball, in Justice League of America #234
- John Constantine, in Swamp Thing #37
- Jinx, in Tales of the Teen Titans #56 Kid Devil, in Blue Devil #14
- Kole, in The New Teen Titans #9
- Lady Quark, in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
- Looker in Batman and the Outsiders #25
- Alexander Luthor Jr., in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
- Mekanique in Infinity Inc. #19 Mister Bones, in Infinity, Inc. #16Mogo in Green Lantern #188
- Onyx, in Detective Comics #546 Pariah, in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1Shadow Thief, in Vigilante #14Shrike in Justice League of America #235
- Superboy-Prime, in DC Comics Presents #87
- Rick Tyler, in Infinity, Inc. #20
- Jonni Thunder in Jonni Thunder #1
- Wildcat (Yolanda Montez) in Infinity Inc. #12
- David Winston in Vigilante #23
- Weasel in Firestorm #38
Marvel Comics
Brian Banner, in The Incredible Hulk #312Bushmaster II, in Captain America #310 Diamondback (Rachel Leighton), in Captain America #310 Dennis Dunphy (Demolition Man), in The Thing #28 Erg, in Power Pack #12 Eternals- * Cybele, in The Eternals #1
- * Interloper, in The Defenders #147
- * Khoryphos, in The Eternals #1
- * Phastos, in Eternals #1 Fenris , in Uncanny X-Men #194 Firestar, in Uncanny X-Men #193 Flag-Smasher, in Captain America #312 Freedom Force, in Uncanny X-Men #199 Legion, in New Mutants #25Longshot, in Longshot #1 Mojo, in Longshot #3 Nimrod, in Uncanny X-Men #191 Normie Osborn, in The Amazing Spider-Man #263 Rattler, in Captain America #310 Scourge of the Underworld, in Iron Man #194 Silver Sable, in The Amazing Spider-Man #265 Sin-Eater, in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107 Skrullian Skymaster, in Squadron Supreme #1 Strong Guy, in New Mutants #29 Tabitha Smith, in Secret Wars II #5 Alistair Smythe, in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19Sharon Ventura, in The Thing #27