2008 in comics
Notable events of 2008 in comics.
Events
January
- January 9: Teen Titans: The Lost Annual, delayed since 2003, is published.January 17: Trik wins the Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon.
- January 22: Webcomic Yehuda Moon and the Kickstand Cyclery by Rick Smith begins publication.
- January 23: Hellblazer #240, marking the 20th anniversary of the series, is released.
February
February 11: Belgian comic artist Marc Sleen is declared a honorary citizen of Turnhout.- Ji Kangmin begins the Korean webcomic ''Welcome to Convenience Store''
March
- March 5: Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham softcover edition released under the Vertigo imprint.
April
April 1: Acclaimed historian, political scientist and social critic Howard Zinn releases A People's History of American Empire. The book was co-authored by historian Paul Buhle and cartoonist Mike Konopacki.- April 3: Graphic novel Britten and Brülightly by Hannah Berry is published by Random House under their Jonathan Cape imprint
- April 7: Jessica Hagy's webcomic Indexed is voted best blog of the year by Time.com.April 20: At the New York Comic Con, Marvel announces Marvel Apes, which will start in October.
- April 23: Countdown to Final Crisis concludes.April 28: Universal Studios announce that they have optioned Oni Press' Resurrection by Marc Guggenheim, to be produced by Scott Stuber.
- April 30: Barry Allen returns to the DC Universe proper 23 years after his death in Crisis on Infinite Earths. The return came in DC Universe #0.
May
- May 2: The Iron Man film, based on the character of the same name, is released in theaters.
- May 28: Final Crisis #1 is released.
June
Me and My Ainia by Lai Ann wins the Outstanding Comics Award from the Institute for Compilation and Translation of TaiwanTiny Titans released by DC ComicsJuly
July 9: A comics mural, depicting a scene from Willem Elsschot's graphic novel adaptation of Gerard Reve's novel Cheese is inaugurated in Antwerp, as part of the city's Comic Book Route.The Dark Knight takes in a record $155.34 million in its opening weekend, topping the previous best of $151.1 million for Spider-Man 3 in May 2007.- Wildstorm's World's End event begins in the aftermath of Number of the Beast.Comic Book Tattoo, the comic book anthology based on the lyrics of Tori Amos makes its debut at San Diego Comic-Con.
August
August 2: To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the British comics magazine The Beano, Nick Park is guest editor.September
September 10: In the Netherlands René Schoenmakers and Marc Jansen, co-found Catawiki, a compendium of collector's catalogues.September 27: During the Stripdagen in Houten, The Netherlands, Erik Kriek receives the Stripschapprijs. Pim Oosterheert, author of various books about Marten Toonder, receives the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs. Bob van den Born and Jaap Kramer receive the Bulletje en Boonestaak Schaal.October
Hellboy: In The Chapel Of Moloch, the first Hellboy series written and drawn by Mike Mignola since 2005, is scheduled to ship.October 8: Archaia Studios Press confirm they have been bought by Kunoichi, the company established by Joshua Blaylock, former President at Devil's Due Publishing.November
November 14: French cartoonist Piem is named Knight in the Ordre National du Mérite.November 18: Jonas Geirnaert's comic strip Kabouter Wesley makes its debut in HUMO.- The non-fiction book Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero is published by E. Paul Zehr.
Specific date unknown
- Seung-Jin Park and Kim Jung Gi launch the webcomic series TLT - Tiger the Long Tail, which will run until 2010.
- Ryan K. Hudson launches his webcomic series Channelate.
Deaths
January
January 3: Johan van Dijk, Dutch comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 90.January 6: Marty Links, American comics artist, dies at age 90.January 18: Joaquin Cervante Bassoco, Mexican comics artist, dies at age 89.January 19: Rik Clément, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 87.February
February 2: Gus Arriola, Mexican-American comics artist, dies at age 90.- February 10: Steve Gerber, American comic book writer, dies from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at age 60.February 11: Stéphane Peru, French comics artist and colorist, dies at age 26.
- February 22: Steve Whitaker, British comics colourist, dies at age 53.
March
March 2: Francesco Pescador, Italian comics artist, dies at age 93.- March 8: Franco Paludetti, Italian animator and comic artist, dies at age 83.
- March 10: Dave Stevens, American comic book artist, dies of hairy cell leukemia at age 52.
- March 17: Daniel Traver Griñó, Spanish comics artist, dies at age 76.
- March 18: Wes Alexander, American comics artist, dies at age 41.
- March 19: Hugo Claus, Belgian novelist, playwright, poet and film director, dies from euthanasia at age 78.March 21: Raymond Leblanc, Belgian comics publisher and animated film producer. Founder of the Belgian comics magazine Tintin, dies at age 92.March 21: Maurice Maréchal, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 85.
- March 30: Jim Mooney, American comic book artist and writer, dies at age 88.
April
April 2: Roger Blachon, French teacher, journalist, book illustrator, editorial cartoonist and comic artist, dies at age 66.April 14: Ollie Johnston, American animator, dies at age 95.April 15: Robert Vandersteen, Belgian comics artist and son of Willy Vandersteen, dies at age 68.May
- May 3: Ted Key, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 95.May 5: Edith Hegenbarth, German comics artist, dies at age 83.May 12: Virgilio Martínez Gaínza, Cuban comic artist, dies at age 77.
- May 13: Mike Western, British comics artist, dies at age 83 following a heart attack and a stroke.
- May 15: Will Elder, American comics artist, dies at age 86.May 19: Rory Root, American comics store owner, dies at age 50.May 21: Mel Casson, American comics artist, dies at age 87.May 27: Ed Arno, American comics artist, cartoonist, caricaturist and illustrator, dies at age 91.
June
June 5: Pete Tumlinson, American comics artist, dies at age 87.June 8: Vladimiro Missaglia, aka Miro, Italian comics artist and animator, dies at age 75.- June 27: Michael Turner, American comics artist, dies at age 37 from bone cancer.
July
July 17: Creig Flessel, American comics artist, dies at age 96.August
August 2: Fujio Akatsuka, Japanese manga artist, dies at age 72.August 5: Jack Kamen, American comics artist, dies at age 88.August 6: Arnold H. Clerkx, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 88.August 7:- * Eugênio Colonnese, Italian-Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 78.
- * Stefan Nagy, Swedish comics artist, dies at age 56 or 57.August 13: Martin Berthommier, French comic artist, dies at age.August 15: Carlos Meglia, Argentine animator and comics artist, dies at age 50.
September
September 2: Bill Melendez, American animator, dies at age 91.September 15: Gedeone Malagola, Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 84.September 26: Raymond Macherot, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 91.October
October 15: Guus Boissevain, aka Gub, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 79.October 16: Mark Buck, American comics artist, dies at age 41 in a motorcycle accident.October 20:- * Les Barton, British comics artist, dies at age 84.
- * Ken Hunter, British comics artist, dies at age 91 or 92.October 31: Mongo Sisé, Congolese comics artist, dies from a stroke at age 60.
November
November 11: Lasse Sandberg, Swedish comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 84.November 15:- * Janusz Christa, Polish comic artist, dies at age 74
- * Cláudio Seto, aka Chuji Seto Takeguma, Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 64.November 17: Guy Peellaert, Belgian painter, album cover designer, illustrator and comics artist, dies from cancer at age 74.November 25: Sergio Rosi, Italian comics artist, dies at an unknown age.November 28: Enrico De Seta, Italian comics artist, cartoonist and caricaturist, dies at age 100.November 28: Leon Lazarus, American comics writer and editor, dies at age 89.
December
December 4: Fritz Behrendt, German-Dutch political cartoonist, dies at age 83.December 6: Gérard Lauzier, French comics artist, dies at age 76.December 11: Maddie Blaustein, American comic writer, dies at age 48.December 16: Vic Donahue, American comics artist, dies at age 90.December 23: Pietro Gamba, Italian comics artist, dies at age 83.Specific date unknown
- Rik Jottier, Belgian comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 81 or 82.
- Marits Rietdijk, Dutch illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 87 or 88.
- Lui Yu-tin, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 80 or 81.
Exhibitions
September 9–December 5 — Kim Deitch retrospectiveNovember 8, 2008–January 10, 2009 — "The Art of Politics" by Randy Jones November 8, 2008–January 10, 2009 — "A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge" by Josh Neufeld, including a section detailing the process from script to final art.November 8, 2008–January 10, 2009 — "Clip-Art Comics" by David ReesNovember 17–21 — ''"Graphic Novels from Europe"''Conventions
January 12–13: Dallas Comic Con X, Richardson Civic Center, Richardson, Texas, USA — guests include Tony DeZuniga, Harold LeDoux, Scott Kurtz, Kristian Donaldson, Nick Derington, Kristofer Straub, Cal Slayton, Brad W. Foster, James O'Barr, Bob Layton, Terry Moore, Steve Niles, Cully Hamner, Tim Bradstreet, Matt Sturges, Brian Denham, Sarah Wilkinson, David Hopkins, Jaime Mendoza, Cat Staggs, and Scott HarbenJanuary 24–27: Angoulême International Comics Festival, Angoulême, FranceJanuary 26–27: Phoenix Comicon — 5,200 attendees; official guests: Maral Agnerian, Greg Ayres, David Beaty, Jeremy Bulloch, Svetlana Chmakova, Luci Christian, Shannon Denton, Walter Koenig, Jeph Loeb, Peter Mayhew, Ed McGuinness, Dawn "Kaijugal" McKechnie, Angel Medina, Michelle Ruff, Armand Villavert Jr., Mark Waid, Wil Wheaton, and Andrew WheelanFebruary 2–3: Hi-Ex,, Inverness, ScotlandFebruary 22–24: WonderCon, San Francisco, USAMarch 1–2: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo — special guest: Dave SimMarch 1: STAPLE!, Austin, USAMarch 7–9: MegaCon — guests include Jennie Breeden, Brian Clevinger, Amanda Conner, Caitlin Glass, Mark Goddard, Erin Gray, Neil Kaplan, June Lockhart, George Lowe, Cynthia Martinez, Peter Mayhew, Vic Mignogna, Paul Pelletier, Joe Quesada, Stan Sakai, William Tucci, and Mark WaidMarch 16: New York City Comic Book Spectacular — guest of honor Michael Avon OemingMarch 16–18: Wizard World Los Angeles March 22: UK Web & Mini Comix Thing,, London, UKApril 5–6: Dallas Comic Con & Sci-Fi Expo, Richardson Civic Center, Richardson, Texas, USAApril 12: FLUKE Mini-Comics & Zine Festival April 12–13: Toronto ComiCON Fan Appreciation Event April 18–20: New York Comic Con, New York, USAApril 25–27: Pittsburgh Comicon — guests include Timothy Truman, Mike Grell, Robert Tinnell, Tom DeFalco, Ron Frenz, Billy Tucci, David W. Mack, Tommy Castillo, David Prowse, Aaron Douglas, Brian Harnois, and Kane HodderApril 26–27: Stumptown Comics Fest May 9–11: Bristol Comic Expo — guests include Jim Shooter, Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin, and Dave Gibbons. Presentation of the Eagle Awards, hosted by comedian Fraser Ayres.May 10–11: Emerald City ComiCon — 10,000 attendees; guests: Ethan Van Sciver, Arthur Suydam, Jeffrey Brown, Whilce Portacio, Mike Choi, J. Michael Straczynski, Phil Jimenez, Derek Kirk Kim, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Andy Runton, Tim Sale, Tony Bedard, Jim Cheung, Bill Willingham, Gail Simone, Kaare Andrews, Skottie Young, Dan DiDio, David Finch, Aaron Williams, Phil Noto, Michael Avon Oeming, Eric Powell, Richard Starkings, Darick Robertson, Nat Jones, Stephane Roux, Alfonso Azpiri, Sanjulián, Esteban Maroto, Juan Gimenez, Steve Sadowski, Moose Baumann, Philip Tan, Dustin Weaver, Eric Basaldua, Jeph Jacques, Jason Howard, Craig Rousseau, Chris Moreno, Todd Dezago, Tone Rodriguez, Stephen "JB" Jones, Matt Kindt, Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, Clayburn Moore, Tom Raney, Eric Canete, Greg Rucka, Ed Brubaker, Aaron Lopresti, Dustin Nguyen, Dan Wickline, Clayton Crain, Scott Kurtz, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett, Rick Remender, Karl Kesel, and Brian HaberlinMay 16–18: Motor City Comic Con May 16–17: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention — celebrating black women in comics; guests include Jerry CraftMay 17–18: Montevideo Comics, Montevideo, UruguayMay 30 – June 1: Wizard World Philadelphia June 7–8: Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo I — guests include Bernie Wrightson, Gene Ha, Rich Buckler, Irwin Hasen, Joe Giella, Ivan Brandon, Alex Maleev, Billy Tucci, Tommy Castillo, Mark Texeira, Danny Fingeroth, and Michael Avon OemingJune 7–8: MoCCA Festival June 13–15: Adventure Con — guest of honor: Michael Golden; other guests include Arthur SuydamJune 20–22: Heroes Convention, Charlotte, USA — guests include Jason Aaron, Jim Amash, Marc Arsenault, Liz Baillie, Michael Bair, Christian Beranek, Dan Berger, Ivan Brandon, June Brigman, Mark Brooks, Jeffrey Brown, J. Scott Campbell, Nick Cardy, Johanna Draper Carlson, K. C. Carlson, Richard Case, Tommy Castillo, Kody Chamberlain, Bernard Chang, Matt Chapman, Mike Chapman, Sean Chen, Cliff Chiang, Frank Cho, Darwyn Cooke, Amanda Conner, Jeremy Dale, Guy Davis, Mike Dawson, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Vito Delsante, Todd Dezago, Dan Didio, Michael Dooney, Colleen Doran, Evan Dorkin, Dave Dorman, Chris Duffy, Sarah Dyer, Nathan Edmondson, Tommy Lee Edwards, Josh Elder, Steve Epting, Michael Eury, Tom Feister, Al Feldstein, David Finch, Ian Flynn, Matt Fraction, Francesco Francavilla, Gary Friedrich, Rob G., John Gallagher, Chris Giarrusso, Dick Giordano, Bryan J. L. Glass, Michael Golden, Jimmy Gownley, Keron Grant, Nicholas Gurewitch, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Sammy Harkham, Tony Harris, Irwin Hasen, Jeremy Haun, Jaime Hernandez, Jonathan Hickman, Greg Horn, Adam Hughes, Kevin Huizenga, Kathryn Immonen, Stuart Immonen, Georges Jeanty, Nat Jones, Rafael Kayanan, Karl Kesel, Matt Kindt, Robert Kirkman, Barry Kitson, Peter Laird, Roger Langridge, Erik Larsen, Hope Larson, Jason Latour, Steve Lavigne, Jim Lawson, John Paul Leon, Alec Longstreth, Heidi MacDonald, David W. Mack, Jim Mahfood, David Malki, Laura Martin, Nathan Massengill, Paul Maybury, Bob McLeod, Chris Moreno, Dan Nadel, Steve Niles, Phil Noto, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Michael Avon Oeming, Jim Ottaviani, Ryan Ottley, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Parker, Brandon Peterson, Ed Piskor, Chris Pitzer, Liz Prince, Brian Pulido, Brian Ralph, Rick Remender, Ross Richie, Paolo Rivera, Alex Robinson, Andrew Robinson, Budd Root, Craig Rousseau, Stéphane Roux, Jim Rugg, Andy Runton, Chris Samnee, Jim Scancarelli, Tom Scioli, Rick Spears, Tom Spurgeon, Chris Staros, Joe Staton, Brian Stelfreeze, Karl Story, Kazimir Strzepek, Matthew Sturges, Eric Talbot, Mark Texeira, Roy Thomas, Andie Tong, Tim Townsend, Herb Trimpe, Dean Trippe, Rob Ullman, Ethan Van Sciver, Dexter Vines, Neil Vokes, Matt Wagner, Mark Waid, Loston Wallace, Daniel Way, Julia Wertz, Ron Wilson, Renée Witterstaetter, and John WorkmanJune 26–29: Wizard World Chicago — c. 68,000 attendees; guest of honor: Warren Ellis; special guests: Todd McFarlane, Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Ross, Steve SansweetJuly 12–13: Paradise Comicon Toronto, Holiday Inn on King, Toronto, Ontario, Canada — guests of honor: Herb Trimpe, Joseph Michael Linsner, and Greg LandJuly 13: X-Trava-Con Comic Book, Toy and Non-Sports Card Show July 19–20: London Film & Comic Con,, London, UKJuly 24–27: San Diego Comic-Con, San Diego, USA — 125,000 attendees; guests include Sergio Aragonés, Alison Bechdel, Allen Bellman, Ray Bradbury, Dan Brereton, Daryl Cagle, Cecil Castellucci, Darwyn Cooke, Guy Delisle, Paul Dini, Roman Dirge, Cory Doctorow, Ann Eisner, Warren Ellis, Mark Evanier, Renee French, Gary Friedrich, Christos N. Gage, Neil Gaiman, Rick Geary, George Gladir, Laurell K. Hamilton, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Adam Hughes, Joe Jusko, Miriam Katin, Mel Keefer, Scott Kurtz, Joseph Michael Linsner, Joe Matt, David Morrell, Karen Palinko, Lily Renee Phillips, Mike Ploog, Paul Pope, George A. Romero, Rowena, Dave Stevens, J. Michael Straczynski, Ben Templesmith, Roy Thomas, Morrie Turner, Mark Verheiden, Matt Wagner, J. H. Williams III, Kent Williams, F. Paul Wilson, Brian Wood, and moreAugust 9–10: "Timewarp CAPTION" August 22–24: Fan Expo Canada — 44,500 attendees; guests include Buzz Aldrin, Kate Mulgrew, Edward James Olmos, Brent Spiner, Michael Rosenbaum, Sean Astin, Laura Vandervoort, Renee O'Connor, Kristy Swanson, Jeremy Bulloch, Henry Winkler, Michael Easton, Aaron Douglas, Tobe Hooper, John Saxon, Wes Craven, Sid Haig, Brad Dourif, Ruggero Deodato, Tura Satana, Shawnee Smith, Bruce McDonald, Hugh Dillon, Alex Ross. Brian Bolland. Tim Sale, Mark Bagley, Peter David, Matt Fraction, Gabriele Dell'Otto, Marko Djurdjevic, Cliff Chiang, Georges Jeanty, Alex Maleev, Keith Giffen, J. Scott Campbell, Adam Hughes, Steve McNiven, Ethan Van Sciver, Kevin Eastman, Bob Layton, Angel Medina (artist), Dexter Vines, Vic Mignogna, Derek Stephen Prince, Johnny Yong Bosch, Michelle Ruff, Richard Ian Cox, Victor Lucas, Jon Jacobs, and Donna Mei-Ling ParkAugust 29 – September 1: Dragon Con — 30,000 attendees; guests include Laurell K. Hamilton, Sean Astin, Micky Dolenz, Robert Llewellyn, James Randi, and Hayden PanettiereSeptember 13–14: Montreal Comiccon — 1,100 attendeesSeptember 27–28: Baltimore Comic-Con, Baltimore, USAOctober–November: FIBDA — dedicated to fantasy and science fictionOctober 4–5: Mid-Ohio Con — show acquired by GCX Holdings, merges with Ohio Comic ConOctober 4–5: Small Press Expo October 9–10: International Comic Arts Forum — guests include Jorge Opazo Ellicker AKA Jorge Quien, Nicolas Mahler, and Damian DuffyOctober 11–12: Manitoba Comic Con — 16,000+ attendees; guests include Lou Ferrigno, Jeremy Bulloch, LeVar Burton, Erica Durance, Justin Hartley, Charlie Adler, Gerrit Graham, and John de LancieOctober 11–12: Komikazen — guests include Zeina AbirachedNovember 1–2: Alternative Press Expo, San Francisco, USANovember 1–2: Lille Comics Festival, Lille, FranceNovember 7–9: Wizard World Texas November 14–30: Comica — London International Comics Festival — organized by Paul Gravett; guests include Art Spiegelman, Spain Rodriguez, Gilbert Shelton, Steve Holland, Alan Moore, Melinda Gebbie, Pat Mills, Posy Simmonds, Daniel Merlin Goodbrey, Lise Myhre, Asia Alfasi, Emma Rendel, Dave McKean, Ian Rankin, Alex Maleev, Paul Gambaccini, Ian Rakoff, Ted Benoit, Jean Van Hamme, Emmanuel Guibert, Joann Sfar, Kevin Jackson, Doug Braithwaite, Richard Reynolds, Eric Fernie, Hannah Berry, Paul Duffield, Oliver East, Marcia Williams, Richard Appignanesi, Ian Edginton, Ian Culbard, John M. Burns, Mike Collins, David Leach, David Roach, Gary Northfield, Sarah McIntyre, Erich von Götha, Garry Leach, Frederic Mullally, Mike Lake, Greg Theakston, James Romberger.November 14–16: National Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo — guests include Jim Steranko, John Romita, Jr., Michael Golden, Neal Adams, Bernie Wrightson, Gene Ha, Rich Buckler, Irwin Hasen, Joe Giella, Ivan Brandon, Alex Maleev, William Tucci, Tommy Castillo, Mark Texeira, Danny Fingeroth, Carmine Infantino, Mark Evanier, Bryan Talbot, Brian Michael Bendis, Evan Dorkin, Walt Simonson, Michael Avon Oeming, Peter Mayhew, Robin Riggs, Basil Gogos, Kate Mulgrew, and George LazenbyNovember 22–23: Dublin City Comic Con — guests include: Dan Slott, Adi Granov, Olivier Copiel, Jonathan Hickman, Tommy Lee Edwards, Michael Lark, Paul Cornell, C. B. Cebulski, Liam Sharp, Esad Ribić, Matt Hollingsworth, Nick Roche, Stephen Mooney, Steve ThompsonNovember 22: Comica Comiket — co-sponsored by London Underground ComicsFirst issues by title
;Aetheric Mechanics;Anna Mercury
;American Dream
;The Evil Dead
;Bayan Knights
;Blade of the Warrior: Kshatriya
;Blood Bowl: Killer Contract
;The Bond of Saint Marcel
;Cable
;Captain Britain and MI: 13
;Countdown Special: The New Gods
;Countdown Special: OMAC
;Deepak Chopra's Buddha
;Exiles
;Final Crisis
;Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
;Final Crisis: Revelations
;GeNext
;Gigantic
;Goblin Chronicles
;Guardians of the Galaxy
;Haunt of Horror: Lovecraft
;High Rollers
;House of Mystery
;Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Gods
;Avengers/Invaders
;Kick-Ass
;King Golf
;Locke & Key
;The Man with No Name
;Marvel 1985
;Marvel Zombies 3
;Minister Jade
;New Exiles
;Number of the Beast
;Project Superpowers
;Hulk
Reign in Hell
;Runaways
;Secret Invasion
;Skaar: Son of Hulk
;Sky Doll
;Station
;Teen Titans: The Lost Annual
;Teen Titans: Year One
;Tiny Titans
;Titanium Rain
;Trinity
;True Believers
;The Twelve
;Ultimate Human
;Ultimate Origins
;The War that Time Forgot
;Wildcats: Worlds End
;Wildstorm: Revelations
;''X-Men: Manifest Destiny''