1990 in comics


Notable events of 1990 in comics.

Events

Year overall

January

January 7: In the Disney comics magazine Topolino, the first chapter of The Search for the Zodiac Stone!: An Epic Yarn of Mice and Ducks!, written by Bruno Sarda and drawn by Massimo De Vita and Franco Valussi, appears in print for the first time. The story, in 12 chapters, is considered the longest Disney comic ever published and its issue lasts the whole year. It involves all the principal characters of the Donald and Mckey universes and sees the debut of Paperinik’s nemesis Spectrus.January 19: in Spriou, first episode of Spirou à Moscou, by Tome and Janry.

February

  • The last issue of Damage Control vol. 2 is published.
  • With issue #6, Police Academy is cancelled.

March

March 16: Jan Bucquoy launches the Belgian weekly magazine Dol/Belge, which is so outrageous in slandering media celebrities, the Belgian royal family, the Pope, politicians and other high officials that within a few weeks issues are confiscated and stores refuse to sell copies. Bucquoy then transforms it into a genuine comics magazine featuring reprints of his older porn parodies. The magazine will last merely a year.Elektra Lives Again is published by Epic Comics, written and drawn by Frank Miller.

April

April 6: The unfinished Blake and Mortimer story, The 3 Formulas of Professor Sato: Mortimer vs. Mortimer, made before Edgar P. Jacobs' death, is published posthumously, completed by Bob de Moor.

June

July

Fright Night is canceled by Now Comics with issue #22.

August

August 31: Scott McCloud draws the first comic strip drawn in 24 hours. In 2004 this will become an annual event.

September

Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja is canceled by Marvel with issue #16.Terminator is canceled by NOW Comics with issue #17.

October

October 13: During the Stripdagen in Breda, the Netherlands, Henk Kuijpers receives the Stripschapprijs. Joost Swarte receives the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdienste.Swamp Thing #100: Double-sized issue, "Tales of Eden," by Doug Wheeler, Kelley Jones, and Pat Broderick.The Huntress v1 is canceled by DC with issue #19.Ultima fermata l’incubo by Alfredo Castelli, Tiziano Sclavi and Giovanni Freghieri ; first team-up between two Bonelli heroes.

November

December

Fantastic Four #347 – A temporary lineup introduced, consisting of the Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider.Wendy the Good Little Witch, with issue #97, canceled by Harvey Comics.The Real Ghostbusters is canceled by Now Comics with issue #28.

Specific date unknown

  • The first issue of the Belgian satirical comics and cartoons magazine Ubu-Pan is published.

Deaths

January

January 1: Charles Boost, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 82.January 7: Tom, A.K.A. Thomaz de Mello, Portuguese painter and comics artist, dies at age 83. January 8: Bernard Krigstein, American comics artist, dies at age 71.January 14: Bohumil Konecny, aka Bimba, Czech comics artist, painter and illustrator, dies at age 71.January 20: Claude Auclair, French comics artist, dies at age 46.

February

February 22: Thomas Ochse Honiball, South African cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 84.

March

March 4: Salvatore Deidda, Italian comics artist, dies at age 37.March 12: Woody Kimbrell, American comics artist, dies at age 83.March 24: Ray Goulding, American comedian and comics writer, dies at age 68.March 30: João Mottini, Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 66.

April

April 24:
  • * Claude Henri, French comics writer and artist, dies at age 74.
  • * André Fernez, Belgian comics writer, novelist and chief editor of Tintin between 1947 and 1959, dies at age 72.April 28: Edwina Dumm, American comics artist dies at age 96.

May

May 7: Pier Lorenzo De Vita, Italian comics artist, dies at age 80.May 15: Porfiri Nikitich Krylov, Russian painter, illustrator and poster designer, dies at age 87.May 25: William Overgard, American comics artist, dies at age 64.May 31: William Timym, also known as Tim, Austrian-British animator and comics artist, dies at age 87.

June

June 23: Howard Boughner, American comics artist, dies at age 81.June 30: Jacques Lob, French comics artist, dies at age 67.

July

July 15: Ben Abas, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 63 or 64. July 17: George Waiss, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 83.July 18: Yves Chaland, French comics artist, dies in a car accident at age 33.July 18: Georges Dargaud, French comics publisher, dies at age 79.July 25: Sam Grainger, American comics artist, dies at age 60.

August

August 7: Phiny Dick, Dutch comics writer and artist, also wife of Marten Toonder, dies at age 77.August 12: B. Kliban, American cartoonist, dies of a pulmonary embolism at age 55.August 28: Willy Vandersteen, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 77.

September

September 5: Jerry Iger, American comics publisher writer and artist, dies at age 87.September 20:
  • * Byron Aptosoglou, Greek illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 67 or 68.
  • * Attilio Micheluzzi, Italian comics artist, dies at age 60.

October

October 14: Art Huhta, American comics artist, dies at age 88.October 29: François Gianolla, Belgian poet, playwright, cartoonist, illustrator, musician, caricaturist and comics artist, dies at age 83.October 31: Roger Price, American humorist, writer, publisher and cartoonist, dies at age 72.Specific date in October unknown: Dan DeCarlo Jr., American comic artist, dies at age 52 from stomach cancer.

December

December 21: Susi Weigel, Austrian illustrator, comics artist and animator, dies at age 76.December 30: Tony Abruzzo, American comics artist, dies at age 74.

Specific date unknown

  • Dennis Collins, British comics artist, dies.
  • Cram, Belgian cartoonist, dies at age 51 or 52.
  • Marcel Dehaye, Belgian journalist, novelist, comics writer and chief editor of Tintin, dies at age 82 or 83.
  • Nicholas, aka Nick Firfires, American illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 72 or 73.
  • Ye Hung-chia, Taiwanese comics artist, dies at age 76 or 77.
  • Walter Kellermann, German comics artist, dies at age 66 or 67.
  • Leo Rawlings, British comic artist, dies at age 71 or 72.
  • Maurice Roggeman, Belgian painter, illustrator, comic writer and artist, dies at age 77 or 78.
  • Yu Takita, Japanese manga artist, dies at age 57 or 58.

Conventions

January 6–7: Great Eastern Conventions January 24–28: Angoulême International Comics Festival February 17–18: Motor City Comic Con — guests include Erik Larsen, Gary Kwapisz, Jeff Albrecht, John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Marshall Rogers, Matt Feazell, Mike Grell, Norm Breyfogle, Rob Liefeld, and Tim DzonApril: Glasgow Comic Art Convention — presentation of the Speakeasy AwardsApril 1: Great Eastern Conventions April 8: Great Eastern Conventions April 29: Great Eastern Conventions May 6: Great Eastern Conventions May 12: Great Eastern Conventions Summer: FantaCon June: Heroes Convention June 1–3: Great Eastern Conventions June 29–July 1: Dragon Con/Atlanta Comics Expo/Origins Game Fair — 6,900 attendees; guest of honor: Tom Clancy; other guests include Todd McFarlane, Jim Salicrup, and Bob BudianskyJuly 6–8: Chicago Comicon — 5,000+ attendees; featured guests: Van Williams, Gerard Christopher, Harvey Kurtzman, and Erik Larsen; other guests: Mark Gruenwald, Jim Starlin, Tom DeFalco, Len Strazewski, John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Chuck Fiala, P. Craig Russell, Charlie Athanas, Dick Locher, Max Allan Collins, Rick Obadiah, and Tony Caputo.July 13–15: Dallas Fantasy Fair — official guests include Harvey Kurtzman, Neil Gaiman, Todd Klein, Tom Orzechowski, Sergio Aragonés, Chester Brown, Bob Burden, Kurt Busiek, Will Eisner, Kerry Gammill, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Adam Hughes, Jim Lee, P. Craig Russell, Mark Schultz, Julius Schwartz, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jim Starlin, John Totleben, Bill Willingham, and Roger ZelaznyJuly 13–15: Las Vegas International All Collectibles Show — guests include Stan Lee, Todd McFarlane, and Fabian NiciezaAugust 2–5: San Diego Comic-Con — 13,000 attendees; official guests: Peter David, Will Eisner, Kelly Freas, Michael Kaluta, Mel Lazarus, Carl Macek, Grant Morrison, John Romita Jr., and Van WilliamsAugust 4–5: Comix Fair '90 — eighth annual show; guests include Bill Hinds, Jeff Millar, and Doug HazlewoodAugust 17–19: Atlanta Fantasy Fair XVI — official guests include Jack Kirby, John de Lancie, Sandahl Bergman, Catherine Hicks, Julius Schwartz, Sharon Green, Linda Thorson, Martin Caidin, Greg Theakston, Boris Vallejo, and Carl MacekSeptember 22–24: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention — presentation of the Eagle AwardsOctober–November: FIBDA — inaugural edition; guests include MorrisOctober 20–21: Toronto Comic and Sequential Art Exposition October 27–28: Killer Con — guests include Bill Reinhold, Mark Bagley, Sam Kieth, Keith Pollard, William Messner-Loebs, Doug Rice, Flint Henry, Chuck Dixon, Beau Smith, Gary Kwapisz, Matt Feazell, and Tim DzonOctober 28–November 4: Salone Internazionale dei Comics — 18th edition of the festival

Awards

Eisner Awards

Presented in 1991 for comics published in 1990.Best Story or Single Issue: Concrete Celebrates Earth Day, by Paul Chadwick, Charles Vess, and Jean "Moebius" Giraud Best Continuing Series: Sandman, by Neil Gaiman and various artists Best Black and White Series: Xenozoic Tales, by Mark Schultz Best Finite Series: Give Me Liberty, by Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons Best Graphic Album—New: Elektra Lives Again, by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley Best Graphic Album—Reprint: Sandman: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman and various artists Best Writer: Neil Gaiman, Sandman Best Writer/Artist or Writer/Artist Team: Frank Miller and Geof Darrow, Hard BoiledBest Artist: Steve Rude, NexusBest Inker: Al WilliamsonHall of Fame: R. Crumb, Alex Toth

Zine Zone Awards

For independent and small-press comics; presented in June 1990 by Zine Zone chairperson Terry Hooper. Best Science Fiction Writer: Tom ElmesBest Science Fiction Artist: Petri HiltinenBest Science Fiction Zine: Tahti Vaeltaja Best Horror Writer: Rob GottBest Horror Artist: David StephensonBest Horror Zine: Lippe 10 Best Adventure Writer: Ludwig KreutznerBest Adventure Artist: Rudolph PerezBest Adventure Zine: Zebra Best Funny Animal Comic: Blues Bar by Bernd Gronenberg Best Action Comic: Stormwatcher by Ian Abbinnett and Alan Cowsill Best Erotic Comic: Johnny Condom by Steve Harrison Best Slice of Life Comic: Love and RocketsBest Text Feature: Small Press World by Hal Hargit Journal Most Helpful to Small Press: Amazing HeroesBest Indie/Small Press Journal: Comics F/XBest Column: Trade Secrets by Kyle MillerBest Original Strip: The Desert Peach by Donna BarrBest Humor Writer: Donna BarrBest Packaged Title: Kannus Best Mini-Comic: Testosterone City by Peter BaggeBest Indie Artist: Matt "D'Israeli" BrookerBest Small Press Album: Heroes from the Black Lagoon Best European Artist: Martin Frei Most Promising Newcomer: Terry Ford Person Doing the Most for UK Comics History: Denis GiffordGreatest Influence in Comics: Jack Kirby

First issues by title

DC Comics

Justice League Quarterly
'Superboy v2'''''

Limited series

The Atlantis Chronicles
The Books of Magic v1
Breathtaker
Hawkworld
Twilight
'World Without End'''''

One-shots

'Batman: Digital Justice'''''

Marvel Comics

Camp Candy
Ghost Rider v2
Guardians of the Galaxy v1
Knights of Pendragon
Spider-Man
RoboCop
Marvel Super-Heroes v2
Mighty Mouse
Namor the Sub-Mariner
New Warriors
Nomad
Tomorrow Knights
'Zorro'''''

Limited Series

Alien Legion: On The Edge
Atomic Age
Black Knight
Brute Force
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
Darkman v1
Deathlok v1
Critical Mass
Elsewhere Prince
Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser
Foolkiller v1
Hero: Warrior of the Mystic Realms
Hollywood Superstars
Impossible Man Summer Vacation Spectacular
The Last American
New Adventures of Cholly & Flytrap
Punisher Armory
RoboCop 2
Saga of the Original Human Torch
X-Men Spotlight On... Starjammers
Stalkers
Steeltown Rockers
'The Thanos Quest'''''

One-shots

'The Return of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu: Bleeding Black'''''

Shogakukan

'Basara'''''

Independent titles

Classics Illustrated v2
Criminal Macabre: A Cal McDonald Mystery
Hate
Judge Dredd Megazine
'Logan's Run'''''

Limited series

Big Numbers
Bratpack
Cages
Give Me Liberty
Hard Boiled
The Men In Black
Terminator: The Burning Earth
'The Terminator: Tempest'''''

Initial appearance by character name

DC Comics

Atlan in The Atlantis Chronicles #5 Atom (Adam Cray) in Suicide Squad #44 Auberon in The Sandman #19 Beefeater in Justice League Europe #20 Blaze in Action Comics #655 Danny the Street in Doom Patrol #35 Delirium in The Sandman #21 Jack Drake in Batman #455 Tim Drake as Robin in Batman #442 Dreamslayer in Justice League Europe #15 Echo in Justice League Quarterly #1 Laurel Gand in Legion of Super-Heroes #5 Gorgon in Justice League Europe #15 Hank Henshaw in Adventures of Superman #465 Timothy Hunter in The Books of Magic #1Willoughby Kipling in Doom Patrol #31 Legion in Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn #2 Orishas in Firestorm #95 Titania in The Sandman #19 Tracer in Justice League Europe #16 Trinity in New Titans Annual #6Yuga Khan in New Gods #17

Marvel Comics

Abominatrix in Sensational She-Hulk #21 Agamemnon in The Incredible Hulk Blackout in Ghost Rider v2 #2 Bliss in Uncanny X-Men #261 Bloodlust in Marvel Comics Presents #48 Bloodwraith in Black Knight #2 Cable in New Mutants #87 Captain Atlas in Quasar #9 Cardiac in The Amazing Spider-Man #342 Deathlok (Michael Collins) in Deathlok #1 Deathwatch in Ghost Rider #1 Jack D'Uria in Ghost Rider #4 Kearson DeWitt in Iron Man Annual #13 Foolkiller (Kurt Gerhardt) in Foolkiller #1 Gambit in Uncanny X-Men Annual #14Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) in Ghost Rider #1 Midnight's Fire in New Warriors #2 Mindblast in The Amazing Spider-Man #340 Julius Rassitano in The Mighty Thor #426 Mutant Liberation Front in The New Mutants #86

Independent titles

Newspapers