411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1978 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 1978 in comics.
Events
January
Green Lantern #100: Double-size special featuring Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Air Wave. (DC Comics).
The first episode of L’uomo di Tsushima (The man of Tsushima) by Bonvi is published, a retelling of the famous battle as seen by Jack London, for the series Un uomo un’avventura (Bonelli).http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=3091 L'uomo di Tsushima - Slumberland.it www.slumberland.it 2020-01-23
February
February 2: Belgian comics artist Maurice Tillieux is killed in a car crash.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/tilleux.htm Maurice Tillieux lambiek.net May 20, 2020
The first issue of the Belgian comics magazine À Suivre is published. It will run until December 1997.
In the first issue of A Suivre the first chapter of Jean-Claude Forest and Jacques Tardi's Ici Même (Just Here) makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/tardi.htm Jacques Tardi lambiek.net June 1, 2021
Detective Comics #475, "The Laughing Fish" by Steve Englehart, Marshall Rogers, and Terry Austin. Greenberger Robert Robert Greenberger Manning Matthew K. The Batman Vault: A Museum-in-a-Book with Rare Collectibles from the Batcave Running Press 2009 978-0-7624-3663-7 163 In this fondly remembered tale that was later adapted into an episode of the 1990s cartoon Batman: The Animated Series, the Joker poisoned the harbors of Gotham so that the fish would all bear his signature grin, a look the Joker then tried to trademark in order to collect royalties. (DC Comics)
February 8: Marvel UK publish Star Wars Weekly in a black-and-white anthology format.
February 28:The first appearance of ElfQuest by Wendy and Richard Pini in issue #1 (and only) of Fantasy Quarterly.
March
March 2: In Spirou, the first chapter of the Yoko Tsuno episode La fille du vent, by Roger Leloup, is published.
March 21: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Valérian story Heroes of the Equinox by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières is published.
In the second issue of À Suivre Benoît Sokal's Inspector Canardo makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/sokal_b.htm Benoît Sokal lambiek.net June 1, 2021
Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams' comic book Superman vs. Muhammad Ali is published in which Superman meets boxing champion Muhammad Ali.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/a/adams_n.htm Neal Adams Lambiek.net July 11, 2022
April
April 13: The first episode of Bernard Hislaire's Bidouille et Violette debuts in Spirou. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/y/yslaire.htm Yslaire lambiek.net February 15, 2026
April 18: In the Le journal de Tintin, the first chapter of the second Thorgal story The island of frozen seas by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński is published.
April 20: In Spirou, the first chapter of Kodo le tyran, by Jean-Claude Fournier is published.
Claw the Unconquered, with issue #10 (April /May), is revived by DC after an 18-month hiatus.
Power Man, with issue #50, changes its name to Power Man and Iron Fist.
May
May 14-21: In Topolino, The planetary wars, by Guido Martina and Giovan Battista Carpi, a spoof of Star Wars, is published.
May 19: Scripps Company merges its two syndication arms, Newspaper Enterprise Association and United Feature Syndicate (established by Scripps in 1919), to form United Media Enterprises. May 19, 1978 News Features Services Merge As United Media https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19780519&id=XV1YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-jQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5442,4579037 United Press International 2015-02-23 "United Features consolidates," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979), p. 17.
Showcase #100: "Awesome Anniversary Edition! 60 Sensational Super-Stars" — featuring almost every character who ever appeared in Showcase — by Paul Kupperberg, Paul Levitz, and Joe Staton.
IPC Magazines publishes the first issue of the short-lived comics magazine Starlord
June
Continuing the "DC Explosion", the company increases its titles' page counts to 25 story pages and increases the price of a typical comic from 35 cents to 50 cents.
Batman #300: "The Last Batman Story—?", by David V. Reed, Walt Simonson, and Dick Giordano.
Garfield, by Jim Davis is launched on June 19 in 41 newspapers.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/davis_jim.htm Jim Davis (II) lambiek.net May 20, 2020
In the magazine Cannibale RanXerox by Tanino Liberatore makes its debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/liberatore.htm Tanino Liberatore lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Summer
DC Special Series #15 — "I Now Pronounce You Batman and Wife!", marriage of Batman and Talia al Ghul, by Dennis O'Neil, Michael Golden, and Dick Giordano.DC Special Series #15 at the Grand Comics Database See also Batman: Son of the Demon
July
July 4 : In Tintin magazine, the first chapter of the Jonathan story L'Espace bleu entre les nuages (The blue space amongst the clouds) by Cosey, the fifth episode of the series, is published.
August
The DC Implosion takes hold, as the company cancels 4 ongoing titles, Aquaman, Claw the Unconquered, Mister Miracle, and Shade, the Changing Man.
Fledgling publisher Eclipse Comics releases Sabre: Slow Fade of an Endangered Species, by Don McGregor and Paul Gulacy, considered one of the industry's first "graphic novels".
With issue #10 The Rampaging Hulk changes its title to The Hulk!, and goes from black-and-white to color (Curtis Magazines).
Fall
DC Special Series #16 — "The Last Bounty Hunter!", death of Jonah Hex, by Michael Fleisher and Russ Heath.DC Special Series #16 at the Grand Comics Database DC Special Series goes on hiatus after this issue and is revived in Summer 1979.
September
September 7: The first episode of Frank Pé's Broussaille is published in Spirou.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/frank.htm Frank Pé Lambiek.net 10 December 2020
September 30: Martin Lodewijk receives the Stripschapprijs.https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/NLC/1978-10-02/edition/0/page/3 Nieuwe Leidsche Courant | 2 oktober 1978 | pagina 3 Historische Kranten, Erfgoed Leiden en Omstreken 2 October 1978 May 20, 2020
Matt Groening's gag comic Life in Hell, launched in 1977, appears in print for the first time in the art magazine Wet.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm Matt Groening lambiek.net March 17, 2025
Suffering from the DC Implosion, the company cancels 8 ongoing titles, All Star Comics, Battle Classics, Black Lightning, Doorway to Nightmare, Dynamic Classics, Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth, Showcase, and Our Fighting Forces. In addition, DC cuts back comic story pages to 17, and the typical cover price to 40 cents.
Gold Key Comics, with issue #19, picks up Flash Gordon (1966 series) from Charlton Comics, which had stopped publishing the title in 1970.
After many delays, DC releases All-New Collectors' Edition #C-56, featuring the story Superman vs. Muhammad Ali.
In Pilote, the first chapter of The black order brigade by Pierre Christin and Enki Bilal is published.
October
The DC Implosion forces the company to cancel 6 more ongoing titles: Firestorm, House of Secrets, Secrets of Haunted House, Star Hunters, Steel: The Indestructible Man, and The Witching Hour.
Will Eisner's graphic novel A Contract with God is published by Baronet Books. An early landmark of the graphic novel form.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/e/eisner.htm Will Eisner lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Will Eisner's "Signal From Space" storyline begins in Spirit Magazine #19 (continuing through issue #26, October 1980).
In À Suivre, Milo Manara's HP and Giuseppe Bergman, is first published.
October 14: IPC Magazines merged two comic books: 2000 AD and Starlord into "2000 AD and Starlord".
October 15: The Dutch comics organisation Het Stripschap holds a dinner to celebrate their 10th anniversary. During the event one of their guests, Dick Matena, starts making a scene while drunk. The incident will become legendary afterwards.https://www.lambiek.net/comics/lambiek_kerkstraat104_2.htm The History of Lambiek (1975-1980)
Diane Noomin releases the collective comic book Lemme Outa Here! Growing Up Inside the American Dream, published by Print Mint.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/noomin_diane.htm Diane Noomin lambiek.net September 18, 2022
November
November 22: In Belgium the Vlaamse Onafhankelijke Stripgilde (Flemish Independent Comics Guild) is founded, with cartoonist Eddy Ryssack as their first president.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/ryssack_e.htm Eddy Ryssack Lambiek.net 28 January 2021
Fantastic Four #200: Double-sized anniversary issue, "When Titans Clash!" by Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, and Joe Sinnott. (Marvel Comics)
L’uomo delle nevi (The snowman), by Alfredo Castelli and Milo Manara, for the series Un uomo un’avventura (Bonelli).
In Il Mago Soviet secret agent Ivan Timbrovic by Massimo Cavezzali makes his debut.http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=52 Ivan Timbrovic, divertente fumetto di Cavezzali parodia di 007 e della Russia comunista www.slumberland.it 2020-01-23
First volume of the Storia d’Italia a fumetti di Enzo Biagi (Enzo Biagi’s History of Italy in comics), drawn by some of the best Italian cartoonists (Milo Manara, Sergio Toppi, Dino Battaglia).
December
Kamillo Kromo, book for children by Francesco Tullio Altan.
Art Spiegelman creates Ed Head, published in Playboy on an irregular basis until November 1981.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spiegelman.htm Art Spiegelman
Specific date unknown
Edwina Dumm becomes the first female comic artist to receive the Gold Key Award from the National Cartoonists Society.https://nationalcartoonists.com/awards/ National Cartoonists Society
DC suffers the DC Implosion, the abrupt cancellation of more than two dozen ongoing and planned titles including All Star Comics, Aquaman, House of Secrets, Our Fighting Forces, Showcase, and The Witching Hour. The vast majority of the books leave uncompleted story lines, most of which are later wrapped up in other titles.
Archie Goodwin resigns as Marvel Comics editor-in-chief, replaced by Jim Shooter (who will hold the post until mid-1987).
Underground publisher the Print Mint stops publishing comics.
"The Korvac Saga" story arc, written by Jim Shooter and David Michelinie, with art by George Pérez and David Wenzel, runs through The Avengers, beginning in issue #167 (February) and running through issue #177 (November)
"The Cursed Earth" Judge Dredd storyline runs in 2000 AD (May – October)
Belgian comic artist Hergé is knighted as Officer in the Order of Leopold II.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/herge.htm Hergé
Roger Brunel starts drawing porn parodies of famous comics, serialized in the magazine Circus and released in album format by Glénat under the title Pastiches.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/brunel_roger.htm Roger Brunel lambiek.net 18 December 2023
The final episode of Crawford is published, a newspaper comic launched by animation director Chuck Jones.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/j/jones_chuck.htm Chuck Jones lambiek.net 24 December 2023
In the Argentina magazine D’artagnan, debut of Savarese by Robin Wood and Domingo Mandrafina; the protagonist of the series is an Italian-American cop and then FBI agent, fighting crime in the roaring Twenties.2019-06-01 Robin Wood e Domingo Mandrafina – Savarese https://www.lospaziobianco.it/robin-wood-e-domingo-mandrafina-savarese/ 2026-01-20 Lo Spazio Bianco it-IT
Births
June
June 24: Carlo Pagulayan, Filipino comic book artist (Deathstroke, The Incredible Hulk, Elektra).
July
July 15: Tom King, American comic book writer (Batman, Omega Men, Mister Miracle, The Vision).
Deaths
January
January 9: Tijs Dorenbosch, Dutch comics artist (Sjefke Schrober, Henkie van 't Grijze Nest, Pieternel, Heintje Hups en Honkie), dies at age 66.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dorenbosch_tijs.htm Tijs Dorenbosch lambiek.net 19 January 2021
January 18: Clark Haas, American comics artist, animator and animation producer (Sunnyside, assisted on Buz Sawyer and Tim Tyler's Luck), dies at age 58.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/haas_clark.htm Clark Haas lambiek.net May 20, 2020
February
February 1: Roland Kohlsaat, German illustrator and comics artist (Jimmy das Gummipferd, Julios Abenteuerliche Reisen), dies at age 64.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kohlsaat_roland.htm Roland Kohlsaat lambiek.net April 4, 2021
February 2: Maurice Tillieux, Belgian comics artist (Félix, Gil Jourdan), dies in a car accident at age 56.
February 5: Frans Van Immerseel, Belgian painter, caricaturist, cartoonist, illustrator and comics artist (De Lotgevallen van Janssens), dies at age 68.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/van-immerseel_frans.htm Frans Van Immerseel lambiek.net May 20, 2020
February 7: Enrique Rapela, Argentine comics artist (Cirilo El Audaz), dies at age 67.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rapela_enrique.htm Enrique Rapela lambiek.net May 20, 2020
February 9:
Woody Gelman, American animator, comics artist, novelist and publisher (The Dodo and the Frog, co-creator of Bazooka Joe), dies of a stroke at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gelman_woody.htm Woody Gelman lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Warren King, American comics artist (The Firefly), dies at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/king_warren.htm Warren King lambiek.net May 20, 2020
February 19: Gisela Zimmermann, German comics artist (continued Digedags and Abrafaxe), dies at age 65 of heart failure.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/z/zimmermann_gisela.htm Gisela Zimmermann lambiek.net May 20, 2020
February 21: Pol Dom, Belgian-Dutch illustrator, sculptor, caricaturist and comic artist (made comics for the jam factory De Betuwe), dies at age 92.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dom_pol.htm Pol Dom lambiek.net
February 28: Glenn Chaffin, American comics writer (Tailspin Tommy), dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/forrest_hal.htm Hal Forrest Lambiek
March
March 3: Frank Fogarty, American comics artist (Mr. & Mrs., continued Clarence), dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/fogarty_frank.htm Frank Fogarty lambiek.net May 20, 2020
March 8: Tjeerd Bottema, Dutch illustrator and comics artist (Er Was Eens Een Oud Vrouwtje), dies at age 94.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bottema_tjeerd.htm Tjeerd Bottema lambiek.net May 20, 2020
March 30: István Köpeczi Bócz, Hungarian poster designer, costume designer, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 58.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/koepeczi_bocz_istvan.htm István Köpeczi Bócz lambiek.net June 29, 2021
April
April 9: Elmer Woggon, American comics artist (Big Chief Wahoo (Steve Roper and Mike Nomad)), dies at age 79.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/woggon_elmer.htm Elmer Woggon lambiek.net May 20, 2020
April 14: André Beautemps, Belgian comics writer and artist (Michael Logan), dies at age 29.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/beautemps.htm André Beautemps lambiek.net November 2, 2021
April 29: Louis Zansky, American comics artist (worked for Classics Illustrated), dies at age 57.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/z/zansky_louis.htm Louis Zansky lambiek.net November 1, 2020
May
May 7: Mort Weisinger, American comic book writer (DC Comics), dies at age 63.Binder Otto Oscar Siegel Jerry Hamilton Edmond Plastino Al Shooter Jim Bates Cary Bridwell E. Nelson Levitz Paul Legion of Super-heroes Archives 1991 1-56389-430-0 242
May 11: Clinge Doorenbos, Dutch comedian, singer, songwriter, children's novelist, poet, journalist and comics writer (Flippie Flink https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/raemaekers_robert_louis.htm Robert Louis Raemaekers Jr. lambiek.net May 20, 2020), dies at age 93.
May 27: Jo Spier, Dutch illustrator and cartoonist, dies at age 77.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spier_j.htm Jo Spier lambiek.net May 20, 2020
June
June 22: William Reusswig, American illustrator and comics artist (made comic adaptations of novels), dies at age 75.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/reusswig_william.htm William Reusswig lambiek.net May 20, 2020
July
July 23: Tom Hill, American comics artist (continued Mark Trail), dies at age 56.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/hill_tom.htm Tom Hill lambiek.net April 20, 2024
August
August 1: Geoffrey William Backhouse, British illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 74.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/backhouse_gw.htm Geoffrey William Backhouse lambiek.net 12 August 2020
August 5: Paul Cuvelier, Belgian comics artist and painter (Corentin, Epoxy), dies at age 54.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cuvelier.htm Paul Cuvelier lambiek.net May 20, 2020
September
September 9: Barbara Shermund, American cartoonist (Shermund's Sallies), dies at age 79.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/shermund_barbara.htm Barbara Shermund lambiek.net May 20, 2020
October
October 4: Sezgin Burak, Turkish comics artist (Tarkan), dies at age 43.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/burak_sezgin.htm Sezgin Burak lambiek.net May 20, 2020
October 10: John Randolph Bray, American animator and comics artist (Singing Sammy, Mr. O.U. Absentmind, Colonel Heeza Liar), dies at the age of 99.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bray_jr.htm J.R. Bray lambiek.net May 20, 2020
November
November 8: Norman Rockwell, American painter and illustrator (made a few sequential illustrations in his career), dies at the age of 84.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rockwell_norman.htm Norman Rockwell lambiek.net May 20, 2020
November 20: Tom Okamoto, aka Tom Oka, aka Tom Mako, Japanese-American animator and comics artist (Deems, Little Brave, continued Li'l Neebo), dies at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/o/okamoto_tom.htm Tom Okamoto lambiek.net March 27, 2021
November 21: Orhan Ural, Turkish comics artist (Pazar Ola Hasan Bey), dies at age 64 or 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/u/ural_orhan.htm Orhan Ural lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December
December 4: Brian Lewis, British illustrator, comics artist and animator (The Suicide Six, continued Jet Ace Logan), dies at age 49.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/lewis_brian.htm Brian Lewis lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December 6: Dick Dreux, A.K.A. Rod Draga, Dutch novelist, radio writer and comics artist (Raket-Ridders), dies at age 65.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dreux_dick.htm Dick Dreux lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December 28: Hi Mankin, American comics artist (the Roy Rogers newspaper comic, Hanna-Barbera comics, assisted on The Adventures of Smilin' Jack, Bringing Up Father, Buz Sawyer, Dotty Dripple), dies at age 51 or 52 from a heart attack.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mankin_hi.htm Hi Mankin lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December 31: Arsène Brivot, French comics artist and illustrator (Jojo Richissime), dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/brivot_arsene.htm Arsène Brivot lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December 31: Basil Wolverton, American comics artist (Mad Magazine, Powerhouse Pepper), dies at age 69.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/wolverton.htm Basil Wolverton lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Specific date unknown: Jacques Gagnier, Canadian caricaturist, comics artist, children's book illustrator and cartoonist (La Vie en Images), dies at age 61.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gagnier_jacques.htm Jacques Gagnier lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Specific date unknown
Aldo De Amicis, Italian comics artist (worked for Il Vittorioso), dies at age 74 or 75.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/de-amicis_aldo.htm Aldo De Amicis lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Al Fago, American comics artist (Atomic Mouse, Atomic Rabbit, Timmy the Timid Ghost), dies at age 73 or 74.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/fago_al.htm Al Fago lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Frank Fogarty, American comics artist (Mr. & Mrs., continued Clarence), dies at age 90 or 91.
Henry Le Monnier, French illustrator and comics artist (made various realistic adventure comics), dies at age 84 or 85.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/le-monnier_h.htm Henry Le Monnier lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Oscar Novelle, Argentinean-American comic artist (worked for Gold Key Comics, Eerie, Creepy), dies at age 57 or 58.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/novelle_oscar.htm Oscar Novelle lambiek.net
Conventions
Lancaster Comic Art Convention (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) — produced by Chuck Miller and Charlie Roberts
Summer: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Dunfey's Royal Coach, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests included Stan Lee, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Jim Steranko
June 23–25: Houstoncon (Houston, Texas) — guests include Frankie Thomas, Kirk Alyn, Ron Goulart, Gil Kane, Jenette Kahn, Frank Brunner, Ray Harryhausen, Greg Jein, Kerry Gammill, Jim Newsome, and Paula Crist
July 2–5: Comic Art Convention I (Americana Hotel, New York City)
July 8–9: Comic Art Convention II (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
July 14–16: Chicago Comicon (Pick-Congress Hotel, 520 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois) — 3rd annual convention under that name
July 26–30: San Diego Comic-Con (El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California) — show reaches attendance mark of 5,000 for the first time. Official guests: John Buscema, Howard Chaykin, Shary Flenniken, Alan Dean Foster, Gardner Fox, Steve Gerber, Burne Hogarth, Greg Jein, Bob Kane, Gray Morrow, Clarence "Ducky" Nash, Grim Natwick, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne, Boris Vallejo
July 29–30: Comicon '78 (British Comic Art Convention) (Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, England) — "10th anniversary special;" guests include Don McGregor (guest of honor), George Pérez, Jim Salicrup, Duffy Vohland, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Brian Lewis, Trevor Goring, Dez Skinn, and Dave Gibbons; 2nd annual presentation of the Eagle Awards
September: OrlandoCon (Orlando, Florida) — guests include Will Eisner, Bob Clampett, Les Turner, Ralph Dunagin, C. C. Beck, Edmond Good, Bill Black, Morris Weiss, Ralph Kent, Bill Crooks, and Zack Mosley
September 2–3: Albany Comic Con (Turf Inn, Colonie, New York) — tentative guest list included Joe Sinnott, Joe Staton, and Al Milgrom
September 2–3: Comicon II (British Comic Art Convention II) (Imperial Hotel, Birmingham, UK) — Guest of honor: Dave Cockrum (did not show), other guests: Paul Neary, Hunt Emerson, Chris WelchSallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," BEM #21 (Nov. 1978), p. 10.
October 29–November 5: Salone Internazionale dei Comics (Lucca, Italy) — 13th edition of the festival (having skipped 1977)Tanto per Ricordare il Salone Just to Remember the Salon https://www.afnews.info/deposito/TrainiLucca/ AFNews.info Rinaldo Traini it July 30, 2007
November 13–15: OAF SF & Nostalgia Show 1978 (Tradewinds Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) — science fiction/nostalgia convention staged by the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans, producers of Multicon
November 17–19: Delaware Valley Comicart Consortium Third Annual Convention Honoring Women in Comics (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — guests included Paty, Mary Jo Duffy, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne, Boris Vallejo, and Bill WardBethke, Marilyn. "The Fanny Awards: Saluting the Best and Worst in Fandom," The Comics Journal #44 (Jan. 1979).
November 24–26: Creation '78 (Statler Hilton, New York City)Shenker, Israel. "Comic-Book Fans Gather for 'Creation '79': The Hand Is the Ticket," New York Times (25 November 1978), p. 26. — guests include John Byrne, Howard Chaykin, Jim Steranko, Herb Trimpe, Gray Morrow, Bob Larkin, John Romita, Sr., John Romita, Jr., Gene Colan, Rudy Nebres, and Tom Yeates
December 1–3: Wintercon '78 (Tradewinds Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
December 29: Albany Comic Con II (Albany, New York)February 2020
Awards
Eagle Awards
Presented in 1979 for comics published in 1978:
Roll of Honour: Steve Englehart
American section
Favourite Writer: Chris Claremont
Favourite Artist: John Byrne
Favourite Inker: Terry Austin
Favourite Comic Book (Drama): Uncanny X-MenLetters page, Uncanny X-Men #119 (March 1979). (Marvel Comics)
Favourite New Comics Title: Micronauts
Favourite Single Story: "Mindgames", Uncanny X-Men #111, by Chris Claremont and John Byrne
Best Continuing Story: "The Korvac Saga" in The Avengers #167, 168, 170–177, written by Jim Shooter and David Michelinie, with art by George Pérez and David Wenzel
Favourite Cover: Master of Kung Fu #67, by Paul Gulacy
Favourite Team: X-Men
Favorite Supporting Character: Wolverine
Favourite Villain: Magneto
Character Most Worthy of His Own Title: Silver Surfer
Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Comic Media News
U.K. section
Favourite Writer: T.B. Grover
Favourite Artist: John BoltonBolton profile, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999.
Favourite Comic: 2000 AD (Fleetway)
Favourite Character: Judge Dredd
First issues by title
DC Comics
Army at War
Release: November. Editor: Paul Levitz. (Immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
Battle Classics
Release: September/October. Writer: Robert Kanigher. Artist: Joe Kubert. (Immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
DC Comics Presents
Release: July. Writer: Martin Pasko. Artists: José Luis García-López and Dan Adkins.
Doorway to Nightmare
Release: January/February. Writer: David Michelinie. Artist: Val Mayerik.
Dynamic Classics
Release: September/October. Editor: Cary Burkett. (Reprint title immediately cancelled as a victim of the DC Implosion.)
Firestorm
Release: March. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artist: Al Milgrom.
Steel: The Indestructible Man
Release: March. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artists: Don Heck and Joe Giella.
Marvel Comics
Devil Dinosaur
Release: April. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Machine Man
Release: April. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Man From Atlantis
Release: February. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artists: Tom Sutton and Sonny Trinidad.
Spider-Woman
Release: April. Writer: Marv Wolfman. Artists: Carmine Infantino and Tony DeZuniga.
Other publishers
1984
Release: June by Warren Publishing. Editor: Bill DuBay.
Anarchy Comics
Release: by Last Gasp. Editor: Jay Kinney.
À Suivre magazine Release: February by Casterman.Elfquest
Release: August by WaRP Graphics. Writers: Wendy Pini and Richard Pini. Artist: Wendy Pini.
Il Male
Release: February 7, Director : Vincino.
Misty
Release: February 4 by Fleetway.
Starlord
Release: May 13 by IPC Media.
Canceled titles
DC Comics
All Star Comics, with issue #74 (September/October)
Aquaman, with issue #63 (August/September)
Army at War, with issue #1 (November )
Batman Family, with issue #20 (November ) — folded into the newly reformatted DC Dollar Comic Detective Comics
Battle Classics, with issue #1 (September/October)
Black Lightning, with issue #11 (September/October)
Challengers of the Unknown, with issue #87 (June/July)
Claw the Unconquered, with issue #12 (August/September)
DC Super Stars, with issue #18 (January /February )
Doorway to Nightmare, with issue #5 (September/October) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic The Unexpected
Dynamic Classics, with issue #1 (September/October)
Firestorm, with issue #5 (October/November)
Freedom Fighters, with issue #15 (July/August)
House of Secrets, with issue #154 (October/November)
Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth, with issue #59 (September/October)
Karate Kid, with issue #15 (July/August)
Metal Men, with issue #56 (February /March )
Mister Miracle, with issue #25 (August )
Our Fighting Forces, with issue #181 (September/October)
Return of The New Gods, with issue #19 (July/August) — the numbering had continued from the New Gods 1971 series, which itself had been cancelled in 1972.
Secret Society of Super Villains, with issue #15 (June/July)
Secrets of Haunted House, with issue #14 (October/November) — revived a year later, however, with issue #15; the title continues until issue #46 in March 1982.
Shade, the Changing Man, with issue #9 (August/September)
Shazam!, with issue #35 (May/June) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic World's Finest
Showcase, with issue #104 (September ) — the numbering had continued from the first volume of Showcase, which itself had been cancelled in 1970.
Star Hunters, with issue #7 (October/November)
Steel: The Indestructible Man, with issue #5 (October/November)
Super-Team Family, with issue #15 (March/April) — the basic concept is reborn a few months later with the July debut of DC Comics Presents Johnson Dan We Are (Super-Team) Family Back Issue! 66 8–14 TwoMorrows Publishing August 2013
Teen Titans, with issue #53 (February )
Welcome Back, Kotter, with issue #10 (March/April)
The Witching Hour, with issue #85 (October ) — folded into the DC Dollar Comic The Unexpected
Marvel Comics
The Champions, with issue #17 (January)
Devil Dinosaur, with issue #9 (December)
The Eternals, with issue #19 (January)
Kull the Destroyer, with issue #29 (October)
Marvel Classics Comics, with issue #36 (December)
Other publishers
Bullet, with issue #147 (D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd, December ) — merged with Warlord
Ghostly Haunts, with issue #58 (April, Charlton)
Krazy, with issue #79 (IPC, April 15) — merged with Whizzer and Chips
The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves, with issue #65 (Charlton, May) — the title picks up again with issue #66 in May 1981
Starlord, with issue #22 (IPC Media, October 7)
Initial appearances by character name
DC Comics
Air Wave in Green Lantern #48 (January)
Cinnamon in Weird Western Tales #48 (September)
Clayface (Preston Payne) in Detective Comics #477 (June)
Commander Steel in Steel, the Indestructible Man #1 (March)
Count Vertigo in World's Finest Comics #251 (July)
Doctor Mist in Super Friends #12 (June)
Fadeaway Man in Detective Comics #479 (October)
Firestorm in Firestorm #1 (March)
Hyena in Firestorm #4 (September 1978)
Killer Frost in Firestorm #3 (June)
Madame Xanadu in Doorway to Nightmare #1 (February)
Madame Zodiac in Batman Family #17 (April)
Martin Stein in Firestorm #1 (March)
Odd Man in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2 (September)
Ronnie Raymond in Firestorm #1 (March)
Multiplex in Firestorm #2 (April)
Shvaughn Erin in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #241 (July)
Ultraa in Justice League of America #153 (April)
Marvel Comics
Arcade in Marvel Team-Up #65 (January)
Ben Urich in Daredevil #153 (July)
Big Wheel in The Amazing Spider-Man #182 (April)
Bethany Cabe in Iron Man #117 (December)
Carrion in Spectacular Spider-Man #25 (December)
Devil Dinosaur in Devil Dinosaur #1 (April)
Hoder in Thor #274 (August)
Hypno-Hustler in Spectacular Spider-Man #24 (November)
Kiber the Cruel in Black Panther #11 (September)
Moon-Boy in Devil Dinosaur #1 (April)
Moonstone in The Incredible Hulk #228 (October)
Mystique in Ms. Marvel #16 (May)
Vindicator in Uncanny X-Men #109 (February)
Virako in Thor Annual #7 (June)
Wendell Vaughn (Marvel Man) in Captain America #217 (January)
References