411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1979 in comics
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
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Notable events of 1979 in comics.
Events
January
January 6: The first episode of Pat Mills and Joe Colquhoun's Charley's War is prepublished in Battle Picture Weekly and the series will run until October 1986.
January 17: In Il Male, the demented space adventurer Joe Galaxy makes his debut in a two-strip story (Joe Galassia e le perfide Lucertole di Callisto IV) by Massimo Mattioli.Joe Galaxy – Comics, Space Wonders & Horrors https://www.nocturno.it/fumetti/joe-galaxy-comics-space-wonders-horrors/ 2020-08-24 Nocturno en-US
January 24: In issue #330 The Mighty World of Marvel, changes its name to Marvel Comic. (Marvel UK)
January 28: In Il giornalino, Una tequila señor by Giuliano Longhi and Renato Polese marks the debut of the West Angels, a trio of easy-going bounty-hunters.16 September 2015 Una tequila señor https://corrierino-giornalino.blogspot.com/2015/09/una-tequila-senor.html 2020-08-24 Corrierino e Giornalino
The final Asterix story written by René Goscinny, Asterix in Belgium, drawn by Albert Uderzo is published.https://www.hachettechildrens.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9780752866499 René Goscinny – Asterix in Belgium – Hachette Children's Group 14 May 2019 9780752866499 en-GB Goscinny René Uderzo Albert Hachette Children's It also ran in Le Monde as a serial.
February
February 20: Kees Kousemaker and his wife Evelien publish Wordt Vervolgd. Stripleksikon der Lage Landen, the follow-up to their earlier comics encyclopaedia Strip voor Strip (1979).https://www.lambiek.net/comics/lambiek_kerkstraat104_2.htm The History of Lambiek (1975-1980)
February 22: In Spirou, the first chapter of the Yoko Tsuno story La lumiere d’Ixo, by Roger Leloup, is published.
February 26: In Pif Gadget, Les Robinsons de la Terre (The Planet Earth’s Robinson) by Roger Lécureux and Alfonso Font makes its debut.
First issue of Cliff (Editoriale Corno), by Luciano Secchi; the series, a sort of Italian version of Hulk, lasts just 16 numbers.2017-06-20 SCOPERTO IL DISEGNATORE MISTERIOSO DI CLIFF https://www.giornalepop.it/scoperto-disegnatore-misterioso-di-cliff/ 2023-03-01 - GIORNALE POP - it-IT
March
March 6: In Tintin, the first chapter of the Alix story L' Enfant Grec (The Greek children) by Jacques Martin, is published.
March 7: In the TV show SuperGulp, Bonvi's Marzolino Tarantola makes his debut.
March 23 : In Tintin the first chapter of the Ric Hochet story Le Fantome de l’alchimiste (The alchimist’s ghost) by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet is published.
March 28: Corrier Boy (the former Corriere dei ragazzi) changes its headline in Corrier Boy serie music and furtherly reduces the comics’ space.Guida Fumetto Italiano http://www.guidafumettoitaliano.com/guida/testate/testata/2009 2020-08-24 www.guidafumettoitaliano.com
IPC Magazines launches Tornado, a short-lived weekly British comic published for 22 issues.
The Human Fly, with issue #19, is cancelled by Marvel.
In Metal hurlant, Exterminator 17, by Jean-Pierre Dionnet and Enki Bilal is first published.
April
April 9: The first episode of Vahan Shirvanian's No Comment is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/shirvanian_vahan.htm Vahan Shirvanian lambiek.net May 20, 2020
April 15: The final episode of The Captain and the Kids is published. Originally drawn by Rudolph Dirks, it was continued by his son John Dirks since 1962.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dirks_john.htm John Dirks lambiek.net November 11, 2024
Kid Colt Outlaw (1949 series), with issue #225, canceled by Marvel.
The reprint title Marvel Triple Action, with issue #47, is cancelled by Marvel.
La nuit des rapaces (The raptors’ night), first Jeremiah’s album by Herman Huppen (published by Fleurus).
First issue of the magazine Maxmagnus (Corno).
May
May 5: David Sutherland introduces Dennis' pet pig Rasher in Dennis the Menace and Gnasher.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/sutherland_david.htm David Sutherland lambiek.net 15 February 2023
May 15: In Tintin, the first chapter of the Jonathan story Douniacha, il y a longtemps... (Douniacha, long time ago) by Cosey is published.
May 19: A statue of Suske en Wiske, designed by René Rosseel, is revealed at the Antwerp Zoo.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/vandersteen.htm Willy Vandersteen lambiek.net June 24, 2021http://suskeenwiske.ophetwww.net/albums/4kl/174.php Het statige standbeeld - Suske en Wiske no. 169 suskeenwiske.ophetwww.net May 20, 2020
Frank Miller takes over from Gene Colan as regular penciler on Daredevil with issue #158.
Vince Colletta resigns as art director of DC Comics.
Rawhide Kid, with issue #135, canceled by Marvel.
Captain Marvel, with issue #62, cancelled by Marvel.
Howard the Duck (vol. 1), with issue #31, canceled by Marvel.
Black Panther, with issue #15, cancelled by Marvel.
In Il Mago, Piombo di mancia (Tip lead) by Vittorio Giardino; debut of the Bolognese private eye Sam Pezzo.Piombo di mancia, prima storia di Sam Pezzo http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=3167 2020-08-24 www.slumberland.it
June
June 6: In Tintin, the first chapter of the Thorgal story Les Trois Vieillards du pays d'Aran (The three old men from Aran country), by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński is published.I tre anziani del paese d'Aran, terzo episodio del fumetto Thorgal firmato Rosinski e Van Hamme http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=14628 2020-08-24 www.slumberland.it
June 17: The final episode of the weekly political-satirical gag comic spin-off of Jean Tabary's Iznogoud is printed in the Sunday newspaper Journal du Dimanche.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/tabary_jean.htm Jean Tabary lambiek.net August 1, 2022
June 21: In Spirou, the first chapter of the Spirou & Fantasio story Des haricots partout by Jean Claude Fournier is published.
First issue of Il Paperino d’oro (The golden Donald Duck), published by Mondadori; reprints of the classic stories by Carl Barks.
In Alterlinus, La lunga notte (The long night), by Sergio Toppi, first episode of the series Sharaz-de, inspired by One Thousand and One Nights.Sharaz-de, le mille e una notte nella splendida versione di Sergio Toppi http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=32 2020-08-24 www.slumberland.it
In Super Goofy, The Day a Knight Was Born, by Del Connel and Pete Alvarado; debut of the Mighty Knight, Middle-age version of Super Goofy.
Cico story, by Guido Nolitta and Gallieno Ferri; first album fully dedicated to the Zagor’s Mexican partner.uBC https://www.ubcfumetti.com/zg/ci1.htm 2020-08-24 www.ubcfumetti.com
In Italy, first issue of Storie blu (Blue stories, Ediperiodici), anthological magazine of sci-fi and erotic comics.
Summer
DC Special Series #17 — DC Special Series returns after it had gone on hiatus in Fall 1978.
July
World of Krypton – #1 of 3, by DC Comics. The first official limited series, this three-issue "mini-series" was originally slated for Showcase #104-106 to coincide with the premiere of Superman: The Movie. The storyline was rescheduled for Showcase #110-112 when the film's release date was delayed; but ultimately, Showcase was cancelled after issue #104. Finally, the material is revised and released as a limited series by Paul Kupperberg and Howard Chaykin.McAvennie Michael Dolan Hannah 1970s DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Dorling Kindersley 2010 978-0-7566-6742-9 181 The worldwide success of Superman: The Movie motivated [DC] to publish more Superman-related titles. With that, editor E. Nelson Bridwell oversaw a project that evolved into comics' first official limited series - World of Krypton...Featuring out-of-this-world artwork from Howard Chaykin, [Paul] Kupperberg's three-issue limited series explored Superman's homeworld.
With issue #24, Marvel cancels Godzilla, King of the Monsters.
La resa dei conti (The showndown), by Magnus, last episode of La compagnia della forca.
In Marvel Two-in-one 53, the story arc Project Pegasus begins.
July 25: Marvel UK publishes the final weekly issue (#352) of Marvel Comic.
July 26: In the German magazine Zack, the parody Western series Silas Finn by the Italian authors Tiziano Sclavi and Giorgio Cavazzano is published.Silas Finn, fumetto western umoristico di Sclavi e Cavazzano http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=259 2020-08-24 www.slumberland.it
August
With issue #70, Marvel publishes the final issue of The Tomb of Dracula, ending writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan's uninterrupted six-year run on the title.
In the story Mister No va alla guerra (Mr. No goes to war), by Guido Nolitta and Gallieno Ferri, the true name of the character (Jerry Drake) is revealed.uBC http://www.ubcfumetti.com/mn/51.htm 2020-08-24 www.ubcfumetti.com
In Pif Gadget, debut of two adventure series: Ayak, by Jean Ollivier and Eduardo Teixeira Coelho, set in the Klondike Gold rush, with an arctic wolf as protagonist, and Marine fille de pirate (The pirate’s daughter) by Francois Corteggiani and Pierre Tranchand.
August 19: in Topolino, Topolino e l’enigma di Mu, by Massimo De Vita; debut of Prof. Zachary Zapotec.
August 25: IPC Magazines merged two comic books 2000 AD and Starlord and Tornado into "2000 AD and Tornado".
September
September: The Indian comics magazine Target is launched. Inside the first issue, Ajit Ninan's detective comic Detective Moochhwala makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/ninan_ajit.htm Ajit Ninan Lambiek.net 13 September 2023
September 9: For Better or For Worse, by Lynn Johnston, debuts, distributed by Universal Press Syndicate.
September 17: Jaap Vegter receives the Stripschapprijs.https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1979-09-17/edition/0/page/23 Leidsch Dagblad 17 september 1979 pagina 23 Historische Kranten, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken May 20, 2020
All-Out War #1: a new war title in the Dollar Comics format is launched by DC Comics with a September/October cover date.
The Best of DC #1: a reprint anthology title in the digest format is launched by DC Comics with a September/October cover date.
"The Proteus Saga", by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, begins in Uncanny X-Men #125 (running through issue #128).
Marvel Comic, with issue #353, becomes a monthly title and is renamed Marvel Superheroes. (Marvel UK)
The Invaders, with issue #41, is cancelled by Marvel.
The first edition of the Helsinki Comics Festival is organized in Helsinki, Finland.http://www.sarjakuvaseura.fi/fi/in-english Suomen sarjakuvaseura ry - In english www.sarjakuvaseura.fi 23 February 2019
Calibro 45, by Ennio and Vladimiro Missaglia (Daim Press); first album of the short-lived western series Judas,uBC: Descrizione Judas http://www.ubcfumetti.com/mag/juddesc.htm 2020-08-24 www.ubcfumetti.com
In the fall issue of Co-Evolution Quarterly, Robert Crumb's one-shot comic A Short History of America is printed.https://archive.org/details/coevolutionquart00unse_20/page/21/mode/1up CoEvolution Quarterly Fall 1979 1979 The Point Foundation Fred Collopy
October
October 1: Hergé's Tintin and Snowy receive a statue in Uccle.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/herge.htm Hergé lambiek.net May 20, 2020
January 6: The final episode of Kees Stip and Nico Visscher's newspaper gag-a-day comic In de Wolken is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/visscher_nico.htm Nico Visscher lambiek.net 3 October 2021
October 6: In The Louisville Times, the first episode of Don Rosa’s Captain Kentucky is published.
October 21: In Il Giornalino, the first chapter of Gargantua e Pantagruel, Dino Battaglia’s comics adaptation of Gargantua and Pantagruel, is published.Gargantua e Pantagruel di Rebelais a fumetti, riletti dall'arte di Dino Battaglia http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=180 2020-09-18 www.slumberland.it
Action Comics #500: 68-pages, "The Life Story of Superman," by Martin Pasko, Curt Swan, and Frank Chiaramonte.
Star*Reach, with issue #18, publishes its final issue.
Time Warp #1: a new science-fiction anthology in the Dollar Comics format is launched by DC Comics with an October/November cover date.
With issue #28, Marvel cancels John Carter, Warlord of Mars.
In the Argentine magazine El pendulo the first episode of the series Las puertitas del senor Lopez, by Carlos Trillo and Horacio Altuna is published.Uscita di sicurezza - Fumetto di Horacio Altuna e Carlos Trillo http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=324 2020-08-24 www.slumberland.it
December
December 21: In VSD, the first chapter of Le magot des Dalton (The Daltons’ swag) by Morris and Vicq is published. Vicq succeeds the late Goscinny as Lucky Luke’s writer.
The final issue of the Dutch adult comics magazine Gummi/De Ballooen is published.https://www.lambiek.net/aanvang/1970walgfun.htm Gummi/De Balloen www.lambiek.net 23 February 2019
In Linus, the first strip of Sergio Staino’s Bobo appears.Generazione Bobo - CorriereFiorentino https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/fotogallery/2009/10/staino/generazione-bobo-1601876593248.shtml 2020-08-24 corrierefiorentino.corriere.it
Specific date unknown
Due to weak sales numbers from 1978,"Marvel Trims Line Again," The Comics Journal #45 (March 1979), p. 11. during the course of the year Marvel Comics cancels a number of ongoing titles: Black Panther; Captain Marvel; Godzilla, King of the Monsters; Howard the Duck; The Human Fly; The Invaders; John Carter, Warlord of Mars; Kid Colt Outlaw; Marvel Triple Action; and Rawhide Kid.
The "Demon in a Bottle" storyline, by David Michelinie, Bob Layton, and John Romita, Jr., runs through Iron Man (issues #120–128, March–November).
Alien: The Illustrated Story, a comics adaptation of Alien, by Archie Goodwin and Walt Simonson, published by Heavy Metal.
In Turnhout, Belgium the first edition of the Stripgids Festival is organized by Jan Smet. Meesters Gert 2010 De internationalisering van de Vlaamse strip Praagse Perspectieven Jaargang 6 118–119 85724716 http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_pra004201001_01/_pra004201001_01_0012.php?q=bronzen%20adhemar#hl1 nl June 15, 2016 nlTurnhout, Belgium.benlStrip Turnhout 2005: Een nieuwe start, Gva.be
Belgian comic artist Morris is knighted in the Order of Leopold II.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/morris.htm Morris lambiek.net April 27, 2023
Comic artist Gary Panter publishes the Rozz Tox Manifesto, in which he encourages counterculture artists to infiltrate the mainstream media.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/panter.htm Gary Panter lambiek.net March 9, 2024
Births
March
March 27: Mia Ikumi, Japanese manga artist (Tokyo Mew Mew, Super Doll Licca-chan), (d. 2022).Tokyo Mew Mew Artist Mia Ikumi Passes Away Due to Hemorrhage
November
November 22: Jeremy Dale, American comics artist (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero), (d. 2014).Pitts, Lan (November 5, 2014). "Skyward Creator Jeremy Dale Dead at 34". Newsarama.
Deaths
January
January 8: Victor Hubinon, Belgian comics writer (Buck Danny, Redbeard), dies from a heart attack at age 59.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/hubinon.htm Victor Hubinon lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February
February 9: Daniël Jansens, Belgian comics writer (Bessy, Lombok, Bakelandt, Kramikske), dies from a heart attack at age 47.
February 15: Roy d'Ami, Italian comics writer, artist and founder of the Studio Creazioni d'Ami, dies at age 55.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/d-ami_roy.htm Roy D'Ami lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February 22: John Coleman Burroughs, American illustrator and comics artist (John Carter of Mars, David Innes of Pellucidar), dies at age 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/burroughs_j-coleman.htm John Coleman Burroughs lambiek.net May 20, 2020
March
March 24: Ole Lund Kirkegaard, Danish novelist and illustrator (Gummi Tarzan), freezes to death at age 38.
April
April 29: Hardie Gramatky, American novelist, comics artist and animator (inked Mickey Mouse, ghosted Captain Kidd Jr. and Ella Cinders), dies at age 72.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gramatky_hardie.htm Hardie Gramatky lambiek.net May 20, 2020
May
May 10: Louis Paul Boon, Belgian novelist, poet and comic writer (scripted Proleetje & Fantast, drawn by Maurice Roggeman https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/roggeman_maurice.htm Maurice Roggeman lambiek.net), dies at age 67.
June
June 25: Dave Fleischer, American animator, film producer and director (Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye), dies of a stroke at age 84.
July
July 4: Pagsilang Rey Isip, Filipino-American comics artist, painter, photographer and musician, dies at age 68 from a heart attack.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/i/isip_pagsilang.htm Pagsilang Rey Isip lambiek.net May 20, 2020
July 19: Paul Bransom, American comics artist, illustrator and painter (The Latest News from Bugville), dies at age 94.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bransom_paul.htm Paul Bransom lambiek.net 23 February 2019
August
August 10: Emmerich Huber, German comics artist (Das Neueste von Onkel Jup, Hans und Lottchen, Meine Lustige Fibel, Die Himmelswerkstatt, Bei Tüddelwitt im Zwergenwald, Bilderbogen von Emmerich Huber, Familie Kindermann), illustrator and advertising artist, dies at age 75.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/huber_emmerich.htm Emmerich Huber lambiek.net 23 February 2019
August 15: Walter Berndt, American comics artist (Smitty), dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bernt.htm Walter Berndt lambiek.net 23 February 2019
August 26: Mika Waltari, Finnish novelist and comics writer (wrote for Asmo Alho https://www.lambiek.net/artists/a/alho_asmo.htm Asmo Alho lambiek.net May 20, 2020), dies at age 70. http://www.mikawaltariseura.fi/ Mika Waltari -seura Mika Waltari Society (in Finnish)
September
September 12: Les Clark, American animator (Disney Studios), dies at age 71.http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0164203/ Les Clark IMDb 23 February 2019
September 20: Erich Gold, AKA Goltz, AKA Eric Peters, Austrian-American caricaturist, political cartoonist, comic writer and artist (Abbott & Costello comics, Elsie the Cow comics), dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gold_erich.htm Erich Gold lambiek.net 2 September 2022
September 26: Carl Grubert, American comics artist (The Berrys), dies at age 68.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/grubert_carl.htm Carl Grubert lambiek.net 23 February 2019
October
October 16: René Brantonne, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 76.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/brantonne_rene.htm René Brantonne lambiek.net 23 February 2019
October 30: Oscar Conti, aka Oski, Argentine cartoonist, caricaturist, animator and comics artist (Cascabel, The True History of the Indies), dies at age 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/o/oski.htm Oski lambiek.net May 20, 2020
November
November 2: Walter Bell, British comics artist (continued Weary Willy and Tired Tim and Casey's Court, made celebrity comics for Film Fun), dies at age 86.
November 5: Al Capp, American comics artist (Li'l Abner, Abbie an' Slats, Long Sam), dies at age 70.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/capp_a.htm Al Capp lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 22: Hugh McNeill, British comics artist (Ping the Elastic Man, Pansy Potter, Winnie the Witch, Jack and Jill), dies at age 68.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mcneill_h.htm Hugh McNeill lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 23: Eugène Gire, French comics artist (Cap'tain Vir de Bor), dies at age 73.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gire_eu.htm Eugène Gire lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 30: Dick Huemer, American animator (Disney Studios) and comics writer (The Adventures of Buck O'Rue,https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/murry_paul.htm Paul Murry lambiek.net 23 February 2019 True Life Adventures https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/wheeler_george.htm George Wheeler lambiek.net 23 February 2019), dies at age 81.
December
December 20: Leslie Illingworth, British cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 77.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/i/illingworth_leslie.htm Leslie Illingworth lambiek.net September 29, 2020
Specific date unknown
Garrett Price, American comics artist, cartoonist and illustrator (White Boy, later renamed Skull Valley), dies at age 81 or 82.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/price_garrett.htm Garrett Price lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Carlos Laffond, Spanish comics artist (Thierry Le Chevalier, illustrated L'Oncle Paul), dies at age 49 or 50. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/laffond_carlos.htm Carlos Laffond - Lambiek Comiclopedia
Conventions
April 6–8: MiamiCon II (Holiday Inn, Miami, Florida) — first iteration of the show since 1975; guests include Stan LeeAshton, Bill. "POW! Comic Book Buffs Swoop Into Town for a 3-Day Bash," Miami Herald (1979).
June: Comicon (Australia) (RMIT, Melbourne, Australia) — first Australian comic book conventionSallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #26 (Dec. 1979), p. 31.
June: Houstoncon (Houston, Texas) — guests include George Pérez and Walter Koenig
June: World of Comics — guests include Jim SterankoEtcetera & The Comic Reader #86: Special Convention Edition (June 1969).
June 7–10: D-Con '79 (Dallas, Texas) — Larry Lankford's revival of D-Con after a hiatus; antecedent to Lankford's later Dallas Fantasy Fair
June 30–July 1: Comic Art Convention I (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City)
July 14–15: Comic Art Convention II (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
July 20–22: Chicago Comicon (Pick-Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois) — special guests: Mike W. Barr and John Byrne; first year that Joe Sarno is not one of the show's organizers, leaving the duties to Larry Charet and Bob Weinberg
August: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Downtown Atlanta Sheraton, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests include John Byrne, Dave Sim
August: FantaCon '80 (The Egg convention center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York) — first annual Albany-area horror and comic book convention, hosted by FantaCo Enterprises publisher Thomas SkulanGreen, Roger. "FantaCon 2013: the Tom Skulan interview," https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060120/http://blog.timesunion.com/rogergreen/fantacon-2013-the-tom-skulan-interview/3259/ 2016-03-04 "Information Without The Bun," TimeUnion.com (Feb. 7, 2013).
August 1–5: San Diego Comic-Con (Convention and Performing Arts Center and U.S. Grant Hotel, San Diego, California) — 6,000 attendees; official guests: Kelly Freas, Mike Jittlov, Harvey Kurtzman, Victor Moscoso, Nestor Redondo, Marshall Rogers, John Romita Sr., Mort Walker, Len Wein, and Marv Wolfman
August 11–12: Comicon '79 (London) British Comic Art Convention 11 (Rembrandt Hotel, Thurloe Place, London) — sponsored by Valhalla Books of Ilford, and organized by Ian Starling, Neville Ferris, and Ian Knox; guests include Jim Starlin (guest of honor), Paul Neary, Dez SkinnComicon '79 program (1979).
August 31–September 2: Comicon '79 (Birmingham) U.K. Comic Art & Fantasy Convention (Hotel Metropole, National Exhibition Centre; Birmingham, England) — produced by Colin Campbell/Biytoo Books; guests include Jim Steranko (guest of honor), Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin, Paul Levitz, Howard Chaykin, Len Wein, Joe Staton, Dez Skinn, and Dave Gibbons; presentation of the Eagle AwardsComicon advertisement, BEM #23 (Apr. 1979), p. 14.
September: OrlandoCon (Orlando, Florida) — guests include Will Eisner, C. C. Beck, Bob Cummings, Kirby Grant, and Jack Rosen
November 24–26: Creation '79 (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — guests include Tom Savini; admission: $6/dayShenker, Israel. "Comic-Book Fans Gather for 'Creation '79'; The Hand Is the Ticket," New York Times (Nov. 25, 1978).
December 15: "Christmas Con" (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — guests include Rick MarschallDavid, Howard Leroy. "The Toymaker Syndrome!" BEM #28 (May 1980), p. 19.
Awards
Eagle Awards
Presented in 1980 for comics published in 1979:
Roll of Honor: Jack Kirby
Favourite Writer: Chris Claremont
Favourite Comicbook Artist: John Byrne
Favourite Inker: Terry Austin
Favourite Comic Book (Drama): Uncanny X-Men
Favourite Comic Book (Humor): Howard the Duck, by Steve Gerber and Gene Colan
Favourite New Comic Title: Howard the Duck
Favorite Single Comic Book Story: "Demon in a Bottle," Iron Man #s 120–128, by David Michelinie, John Romita, Jr., and Bob Layton
Favourite Continued Comic Story: X-Men #125-128, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Best Comicbook Cover: The Avengers #185, by George Pérez
Favourite Team: X-Men
Favourite Character: Wolverine
Favourite Supporting Character: Wolverine
Favourite Villain: Magneto
Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Warlock
Favourite Title (UK): Starburst, edited by Dez Skinn
First issues by title
DC Comics
The Best of DC — Digest size title
Release: September /October
All-Out War — Dollar Comics title
Release: September /October Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Time Warp — Dollar Comics title
Release: October /November Editor: Jack C. Harris
Marvel Comics
Amazing Adventures vol. 3
Release: December. Reprinting the original X-Men title.During this period, Marvel published a number of reprint titles.
Doctor Who Magazine
Release: October 11 by Marvel UK.
Hulk Comic
Release: March 7 by Marvel UK. Editor: Dez Skinn.
Man-Thing vol. 2
Release: November. Writer: Michael Fleisher. Artists: Jim Mooney and Bob Wiacek.
Marvel Spotlight vol. 2
Release: July. Editor: Roger Stern.
Micronauts
Release: January. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artist: Michael Golden.
Rom: Spaceknight
Release: December. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artist: Sal Buscema.
Shogun Warriors
Release: February. Writer: Doug Moench. Artist: Herb Trimpe.
Tales to Astonish vol. 2
Release: December. Reprinting edited versions of the 1968 Sub-Mariner title.
Independent titles
Battle of the Planets
Release: June by Gold Key Comics. Writer: Gary Poole. Artist: Win Mortimer.
Best Buy Comics
Release February by Apex Novelties. Writers and Artists: Robert Crumb and Aline Kominsky
Starblazer
Release: April by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
Blok, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #253
Carl Draper, in Superman #331
Green Fury, in Super Friends #25
Firebug, in Batman #318
Lucius Fox, in Batman #307McAvennie "1970s" in Dolan, p. 180 "Batman #307 (January 1979) Writer Len Wein and artist John Calnan introduced Bruce Wayne's new executive, Lucius Fox, in this issue of Batman."
Timothy Fox, in Batman #313
Maxie Zeus, in Detective Comics #483
Marvel Comics
El Águila, in Power Man and Iron Fist #58
Alpha Flight, in Uncanny X-Men #120
Aurora
Northstar
Sasquatch
Shaman
Snowbird
Black Cat, in The Amazing Spider-Man #194
Dire Wraith, in Rom #1
Followers of the Light, in Shogun Warriors #1
Justin Hammer, in Iron Man #120
H.E.R.B.I.E., in Fantastic Four #209
Kroton (Cyberman), in Doctor Who Weekly #5 (Marvel UK)
Cassie Lang, in Marvel Premiere #47
Scott Lang, in The Avengers #181; as Ant-Man in Marvel Premiere #47
Lady Lotus, in Invaders #37
Night Raven, in Hulk Comic #1 (Marvel UK)
Quasar, in The Incredible Hulk #234
Proteus, in Uncanny X-Men #125
Rom, in Rom: Spaceknight #1
Schizoid Man, in Spectacular Spider-Man #36
Shadow King, in Uncanny X-Men #117 (January)
Screaming Mimi, in Marvel Two-in-One #54
Vampiro, in The Mighty Thor #290 (December)
War Machine, in Iron Man #118
Debra Whitman, in The Amazing Spider-Man #196
Mariko Yashida, in Uncanny X-Men #118
Notes