411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1977 in comics
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
none
December 2009
Notable events of 1977 in comics.
Events
Year overall
Wendy and Richard Pini establish WaRP Graphics.
Jan and Dean Mullaney establish Eclipse Comics.
The United Kingdom's Eagle Awards are established.
Ciao magazine is launched.
January
January 3: Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.'s The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper comic strip makes its debut.Saffel Steve Spider-Man the Icon: The Life and Times of a Pop Culture Phenomenon Titan Books 2007 978-1-84576-324-4 An Adventure Each Day 116 On Monday January 3, 1977, The Amazing Spider-Man comic strip made its debut in newspapers nationwide, reuniting writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita. The storyline of the first strip is that Doctor Doom is coming to address the United Nations.Spider-Man: Newspaper Strips, Volume 1, Stan Lee and John Romita, Collection Editor Mark D. Beazley, First printing 2009, 978-0-7851-3793-1, published by Marvel Publishing Inc.
January 6: in Italy, the historic magazine Gli albi dell'Intrepido (Edizioni Universo) recìduces the space for comic and changes its headline in Albo TV. .Bono Gianni 27 November 2020 ALBI DELL’INTREPIDO (4) ALBO TV > ALBO MOTORI > ALBO VARIETÁ MOTORI > ALBO BLIZ > ALBO BLITZ Cinema > ALBO BLITZ > ALBO BLITZ Cronaca https://www.guidafumettoitaliano.com/guida/testate/testata/196 Guida al fumetto italiano
January 9: In the Goofy story The Weregoof's Curse!, by Romano Scarpa, Plottigat (Portis) makes his debut.
Our Army at War #300: "300th Hill," by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert. (DC Comics)
With issue #6 (January//February issue), DC cancels Four Star Spectacular.
Toward the Terra by Keiko Takemiya debuts in Asahi Sonorama's Gekkan Manga Shōnen magazine.
In the first issue of the French magazine for children J’aime lire, Tom-Tom and Nana, by Jacqueline Cohen and Bernadette Després, make their debut.
The mad scientist by Tardi, second album of The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (Casterman).
Seul... and Le secret by Derib (Buddy Longway series; Le Lombard)MAGNERON Philippe Buddy Longway - BD, informations, cotes https://www.bedetheque.com/serie-765-BD-Buddy-Longway.html 2026-01-12 www.bedetheque.com fr
Le spectre de Carthage by Jacques Martin (Alix series ; Casterman).
The Italian magazine Alter Linus changes its headline in Alter alter.
February
February 10: HUMO publishes Zappa in Zoeloeland, a comic strip by Kamagurka, with text written by rock musician Frank Zappa.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kamagurka.htm Kamagurka lambiek.net 5 August 2021
February 11: The new Agent 327 adventure Dossier Zondagskind by Martin Lodewijk starts serialisation in the magazine Eppo. In this story, Swiss spy Olga Lawina makes her debut.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/lodewijk.htm Martin Lodewijk lambiek.net February 15, 2026
February 12: in Italy, first issue of the magazine Bliz (Edizioni Universo)
February 15: Merho's De Kiekeboes makes its debut in Het Laatste Nieuws, along with the main characters Marcel, Charlotte, Fanny and Konstantinopel Kiekeboe and villain Balthazar.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/merho.htm Merho lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February 20: In Il giornalino, the story Dolci nebbie di Fiandra (Sweet Flemish fogs) by Attilio Micheluzzi starts serialisation, marking the debut of Petra Chérie.30 March 2014 Dolci nebbie di Fiandra https://corrierino-giornalino.blogspot.com/2014/03/dolci-nebbie-di-fiandra.html 2026-01-07 Corrierino e Giornalino
February 26: The first issue of the British comics magazine 2000 AD is published. It also introduces Pat Mills' Tharg the Mighty.
February 27: In Topolino, the story Mummy Fearest by Romano Scarpa starts serialisation.
With issue #258, DC cancels Tarzan, a title it acquired from Gold Key Comics in 1972 (and continued the Gold Key numbering).
With issue #250, DC suspends publishing Blackhawk, which ran from 1944 to 1968, and was revived in 1976.
Star Spangled War Stories, with issue #204 (February/March), canceled by DC.
With issue #33, Marvel cancels the black-and-white magazine Deadly Hands of Kung Fu.
Planet of the Apes, with issue #29, is cancelled by Marvel.
Ka-Zar vol. 2, with issue #20, is cancelled by Marvel.
The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor, with issue #24, canceled by Gold Key.
Spring
Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, with issue #8, is cancelled by Curtis Magazines (Marvel Comics).
March
March 3: first issue of Skorpio’s Italian edition, by Eura publishing house.
March 5: Judge Dredd debuts in the second issue of 2000 AD with the story "Judge Whitey", written by Peter Harris and drawn by Mike McMahon.
March 13: The final episode of James Childress' Conchy is published.
March 15: The sorceress betrayed, the first episode of Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosinski's Thorgal is published in Tintin.http://www.thorgal.com/article/le-lombard-un-peu-dhistoire/ Un peu d'histoire… – Thorgal 23 February 2019
March 17: The Belgian comics magazine Spirou publishes a supplement with more mature content: Le Trombone Illustré. It will run for seven months, until 20 October 1977, before the conventional editors feel it doesn't really fit within their family friendly public image. In its first issue André Franquin's Idées Noires (Franquin's Last Laugh) and Frédéric Jannin and Thierry Culliford's Germain et nous... make their debut.https://www.lambiek.net/magazines/spirou2.htm Spirou, the modern period (1970–present) www.lambiek.net 23 February 2019
March 19: The final episode of Phil Collins' Leonardo is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/collins_phil.htm Phil Collins lambiek.net May 20, 2020
House of Mystery #251 and The Superman Family #182 became the first DC Comics series in the 80-page Dollar Comics format, consisting of 64 pages of new stories. Romero Max I'll Buy That For a Dollar! DC Comics' Dollar Comics Back Issue! 57 39–41 TwoMorrows Publishing July 2012
With issue #302, DC changes the title of Our Army at War to Sgt. Rock.
G.I. Combat #200: "The Tank That Died Twice," by Robert Kanigher and Sam Glanzman.
Kobra, with issue #7, is cancelled by DC.
Werewolf by Night, with issue #43, is cancelled by Marvel.
Valentina assassina (Valentina the murderer) by Guido Crepax. The book includes six Valentina's stories: four reprints and two unpublished ones (Valnetina assassina and Subconscious Valentina).
National Periodical Publications changes its name to DC Comics, Inc.
April
April 10: in Il giornalino, Il giardino nel cortile by Toni Pagot, the angelic outcast Micromino makes his debut.Micromino, poetico fumetto realizzato da Toni Pagot per Il Giornalino http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=292 2019-06-05 www.slumberland.it
April 12: Marvel publish the first issue of Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin's adaptation of Star Wars.
April 18: The first episode of Mort Walker and Jerry Dumas' Sam and Silo is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/walker.htm Mort Walker lambiek.net 23 February 2019https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dumas_j.htm Jerry Dumas lambiek.net 23 February 2019
April 30: The Judge Dredd storyline "The Robot Wars" begins in 2000 AD (running through June 18).
The first issue of Heavy Metal is published, the English-language version of Métal Hurlant.
G.I. Combat #201 and World's Finest Comics #244 change to the Dollar Comics format. Backup features in World's Finest Comics include Green Arrow, Black Canary, Kingman Jim The Ballad of Ollie and Dinah Back Issue! 64 10–21 TwoMorrows Publishing May 2013 Wonder Woman, and Vigilante.
Two-Gun Kid, with issue #136, is cancelled by Marvel.
Marvel Spotlight, with issue #33, is cancelled by Marvel.
The first issue of the underground comix magazine Rip Off Comix is published.
Le prince blanc (The white prince) by Jean Graton, 30th album of the Michel Vaillant series.
In Alter alter, the first chapter of Le straordinarie avventure di Penthotal (Penthotal's extraordinary adventure) by the underground cartoonist Andrea Pazienza is published. A surreal diary of a young cartoonist departed between his artistic vocation and the political consciousness, a transparent alter ego of the author. The series will run until 1981.http://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=3881 Le straordinarie avventure di Pentothal di Andrea Pazienza www.slumberland.it 2019-06-05
The same issue contains Rembrandt e le streghe (Rembrandt and the witches), by Guido Crepax, 25th episode of the Valentina series.
First album of The company of the gallows, by Magnus (Edifumetto).La Compagnia Della Forca, capolavoro cavalleresco e fantastico di Magnus e Romanini https://www.slumberland.it/contenuto.php?id=1 2026-01-07 www.slumberland.it
May
May: The first issue of the Dutch adult comics magazine Gummi/De Balloen is published. It will last until December 1979.https://www.lambiek.net/aanvang/1970walgfun.htm Gummi/De Balloen www.lambiek.net 23 February 2019
May 7: The final episode of Vic Neill's Wee Ben Nevis is published in The Beano.
May 21: The spin-off series Gnasher's Tale, starring Gnasher, debuts in The Beano, drawn by David Sutherland. It will run up until 1986.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/sutherland_david.htm David Sutherland lambiek.net 16 February 2023
May 28–30: The final Detroit Triple Fan Fair is organized in Detroit, Michigan, once the oldest regular comic book convention in the world.1/2-page ad for the fair, The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom #182 (May 13, 1977).
The final episode of Sandro Angiolini's Vartan is published.
With issue #205, DC changes the title of Star Spangled War Stories to The Unknown Soldier.
June
June 3:
The death of Australian comics author Syd Nicholls also means the end of the comic strip Fatty Finn, which has run since 1923.
In L’europeo the first chapter of Favola di Venezia (Venetian fable), by Hugo Pratt is prepublished.
June 12: Hergé and Andy Warhol meet after Warhol made three silkscreen portraits of Hergé.http://sonuma03.infomaniak.ch/archive/herg%C3%A9-rencontre-andy-warhol Hergé rencontre Andy Warhol SONUMA May 20, 2020February 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes
DC Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.
Challengers of the Unknown is revived by DC Comics with issue #81 (June/July cover date; continued from 1958 series); storyline picks up from Super-Team Family issues #8–10.
Secrets of Haunted House revived with issue #6 (June/July issue) after a 17-month hiatus (DC Comics).
With issue #5, DC cancels Ragman.
Lungo fucile by Giancarlo Berardi and Ivo Milazzo, first album of the Ken Parker series (CEPIM).Lungo fucile https://ubcfumetti.magazineubcfumetti.com/kp/1.htm 2025-07-22 ubcfumetti.magazineubcfumetti.com
The first issue of Cannibale (Cannibal) is published, a satirical and Dadaist magazine, edited by Stefano Tamburini.
First issue of the erotic-horror series Cimiteria (Edifumetto)
July
July 9:
The final issue of the British comics magazine Sparky is published, as it merges with The Topper.
Dutch comic artist Peter Pontiac publishes his acclaimed autobiographical comic The Amsterdam Connection in issue # of the Dutch magazine Gummi. The story deals with his personal drug use.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/pontiac1.htm Peter Pontiac lambiek.net January 26, 2023
July 15 : in Paris Match, Le fil qui chante (The singing wire) by Morris and Renè Goscinny; last Lucky Luke's adventure written by Goscinny.Lucky Luke https://www.institut-goscinny.org/bibliographie/lucky-luke-paris-match/ 2026-01-09 Institut René Goscinny fr-FR
With issue #231, Marvel UK changes the title of the weekly magazine Super Spider-Man and the Titans to Super Spider-Man & Captain Britain, now featuring new Captain Britain stories (as well as The Amazing Spider-Man reprints).
Iron Man #100: "Ten Rings To Rule the World!" by Bill Mantlo, George Tuska, and Mike Esposito.
With issue #12, DC revives The New Gods (now called Return of the New Gods), continuing the numbering from the 1971 series.
With issue #126, DC cancels Young Love (1960 series), picked up from Prize Comics in 1963.
With issue #7, Marvel publishes the final issue of Logan's Run.
August
August 23: The Flemish comics magazine Patskrant, a weekly children's supplement of the newspapers Het Nieuwsblad, De Standaard, Het Handelsblad, De Gentenaar and De Landwacht, changes its name to the Stipkrant. It will run until September 2000.
With issue #94 (August /September cover date), DC revives Showcase, continuing the numbering from the 1956 series, which ceased publishing in 1970.
With issue #57, DC revives Aquaman, continuing the numbering from the 1962 series, which ceased publishing in 1971.
With issue #230, DC cancels Superboy (at this point titled Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes).
With issue #29, DC cancels DC Special (1968 series).
With issue #12 (August /September cover date), DC cancels Hercules Unbound.
With issue #12, Marvel cancels The Inhumans.
With issue #12, Marvel cancels the anthology title Marvel Presents.
September
September 13: The first episode of Jeff MacNelly's Shoe is published.
September 15: in Spirou, first episode of L’Ankou by Jean-Claude Fournier.
September 24: The first issue of the short-lived British comics magazine Plug is published. It will run until 1979.
The first episode of David A. Trampier's Wormy is published. It will run until 1988.
With issue #19, DC revives Mister Miracle (1971 series), which had gone on hiatus in 1974.
With issue #10, Marvel publishes the final issue of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
In this month's issue of Pif Gadget, André Chéret kills off his character Rahan. The issue sells 1.5 million copies, but two issues later Rahan is already back from the dead.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cheret_andre.htm André Chéret lambiek.net May 20, 2020
October
October 6: in Il corriere dei piccoli, Fantòm, by Tiziano Scalvi and Giovanni Pegoraro, makes his debut; he’s a masked avenger, inspired to Fantomas, but on the side of justice.Lonehorse Quickdraw- 2018-10-25 Personaggi del Corriere dei Piccoli: Fantòm https://anni607080edintorni.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/personaggi-del-corriere-dei-piccoli-fantom/ 2026-01-09 Anni 60/70/80 e dintorni it-IT
October 7: The first edition of the Flemish comics prize Bronzen Adhemar is held in Turnhout. The winner is Hector Leemans, creator of the newspaper comic Bakelandt.
October 22: The first issue of the British comics magazine Cheeky Weekly is published, in which Reg Parlett's Mustapha Million makes its debut.http://cheekyweekly.blogspot.be/2010/08/features-mustapha-million_28.html The Features – Mustapha Million cheekyweekly.blogspot.be 28 August 2010 20 September 2017
October 24: Bill Hoest's Agatha Crumm makes its debut and will run until 1996.http://www.toonopedia.com/agathacr.htm Don Markstein's Toonopedia: Agatha Crumm www.toonopedia.com 23 February 2019
With issue #10, Marvel cancels Omega the Unknown.
With issue #8, DC cancels Starfire.
November
November 3: The first episode of Kamagurka's Bert is published in Humo.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kamagurka.htm Kamagurka lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 13: The final episode of Al Capp's Li'l Abner is published, drawing the series to a close after being in syndication since 1934.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/capp_a.htm Al Capp lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 22: After a long interval, Bob De Moor's Cori, de Scheepsjongen (Cori, Le Moussaillon) makes its comeback in Tintin.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/de-moor_bob.htm Bob de Moor lambiek.net February 3, 2024
Following rival DC's lead, Marvel Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.
With issue #18, DC cancels Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.
December
December 31: The final issue of the Flemish children's magazine Ohee is published, supplement of the newspaper Het Volk.KOUSEMAKER, Kees en Evelien, "Wordt Vervolgd- Stripleksikon der Lage Landen", Uitgeverij Het Spectrum, Utrecht, Antwerpen, 1979, page 183.
Dave Sim's Cerebus the Aardvark makes its debut and is published independently under the name Aardvark-Vanaheim.
John Byrne and Terry Austin begin their acclaimed run as X-Men penciller/inker team with issue #108 of the title.
With issue #8 (December 1977/January 1978 cover date), DC cancels Isis.
In the story The Blackbeard's thaler, by Guido Martina and Massimo De Vita, Jeeves makes his debut.
Specific date unknown
The first episode of Matt Groening's Life in Hell is published.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening.htm Matt Groening lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Gary Panter's comic series Jimbo is launched in the punk magazine Slash.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/panter.htm Gary Panter lambiek.net March 9, 2024
The Dutch comics magazine Tante Leny Presenteert receives the Stripschapprijs.Het Stripschap – De Stripschapprijs
Alfredo Chiappori starts his historical-educational comic series Storie d'Italia.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/chiappori_alfredo.htm Alfredo Chiappori lambiek.net 23 October 2022
Animation director Chuck Jones launches a newspaper comic Crawford. The series will last only six months, halfway 1978.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/j/jones_chuck.htm Chuck Jones lambiek.net 24 December 2023
Deaths
January
January 1:
Dean Miller, American comics artist (Mighty O'Malley, continued Vic Flint), dies at age 52.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/miller_dean.htm John Rosenberger lambiek.net 2 January 2025
Alexander Saroukhan, Armenian-Egyptian cartoonist and caricaturist, dies at age 78.Article about Saroukhan in Caripedia https://web.archive.org/web/20090202113904/http://www.caripedia.com/painters/arabic_world_painters/19-20_century/egypt/alexandar_sarukhn/caricature_encyclopedia_alexandar_sarukhn.html February 2, 2009 http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/6088847?articleid=6088847 Art and Culture Articles – Saroukhan – The Art of Cartoons and Caricatures – Amazines.com Article Search Engine www.amazines.com 2018-02-28
January: Bob Brown, American comics artist (co-creator of Space Ranger, long-time penciller of Challengers of the Unknown), dies at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/brown_bob.htm Bob Brown lambiek.net 23 February 2019
January 22: James Childress, American comics artist and cartoonist (Conchy), commits suicide at age 35.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/childress_james.htm James Childress lambiek.net 23 February 2019
January 24: John Rosenberger, American comics artist and painter (Girls' Romances, Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane, The Superman Family), dies at age 58.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rosenberger_john.htm John Rosenberger lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February
February 1: Edmond Hamilton, American science fiction and comic writer (Space Ranger, DC Comics), dies at age 72.
February 8: Craig Pineo, American comics artist (Finn Fathom, Ex-Frogman, various advertising comics), dies at age 55.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/pineo_craig.htm Craig Pineo lambiek.net 29 April 2024
February 11: Ben Batsford, American comics artist (Mortimer Snerd and Charlie McCarthy, Billy's Uncle, continued Doings of the Duffs, Little Annie Rooney and The Boomers (aka Frankie Doodle), dies at age 83.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/batsford_ben.htm Ben Batsford lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February 16: Frank Engli, American animator and comics artist, letterer and colorist (On the Wing, Rocky the Stone Age Kid, Looking Back, assisted Dumb Dora, coloured and lettered Terry and the Pirates, Male Call, Steve Canyon, Scorchy Smith), dies at age 70.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/e/engli_frank.htm Frank Engli lambiek.net 23 February 2019
February 21: John Hubley, American animator, film director and comics artist (Mr. Magoo, Zuckerkandl!) dies at age 62.
Specific date unknown: Irving Spector, American animator and comics artist (Coogy, Little Lionel, Punchy the Black Crow), dies at age 62.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spector_irving.htm Irving Spector lambiek.net 23 February 2019
March
March 6: Pop Hollinger, American comic book collector and retailer, dies at age 90.https://books.google.com/books?id=J1t8g_yX1wcC&q=%2B%22concordia%2C+kansas%22+%2B%22fiction%22&pg=PA260 Of comics and men: a cultural history of American comic books Jean-Paul Gabilliet April 26, 2011 260 978-1-60473-267-2 2010 University Press of Mississippihttp://members.cox.net/buster44/3/popstory.txt The Pop Hollinger Story April 26, 2011 Overstreet's Comic Book Price Guide (reprint) dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100720191229/http://members.cox.net/buster44/3/popstory.txt July 20, 2010
March 20: Han Krug, Dutch illustrator and comics artist (Juffrouw Snater, Het Avontuur van Knor-Knor), dies at age 86.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/krug_han.htm Han Krug lambiek.net 23 February 2019
March 23: Ed Dobrotka, American comics artist (continued Superboy, Lois Lane, co-creator of Toyman), dies at age 69.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dobrotka_ed.htm Ed Dobrotka lambiek.net 23 February 2019
March 31: Alexey Komarov, Russian painter, sculptor, cartoonist, illustrator, poster artist and comics artist (Every Woman Should Know How To Raise A Child Properly), dies at age 97.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/komarov_alexey.htm Alexey Komarov lambiek.net May 20, 2020
April
April: Paul Gustavson, American comics writer and artist (The Human Bomb, The Angel), dies at age 60.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gustafson_paul.htm Paul Gustafson lambiek.net 23 February 2019
April 8: Jean Cézard, French comics artist (Arthur le fantôme justicier), dies at age 53.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cezard_j.htm Jean Cézard lambiek.net 23 February 2019
May
May 25:
Christian Kittilsen, Norwegian illustrator and comics artist (Grane), dies at age 70.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kittilsen_christian.htm Christian Kittilsen
Frans Mandos, Dutch painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 67.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mandos_frans.htm Frans Mandos
June
June 3: Syd Nicholls, Australian comics artist (Fatty Finn), falls from his apartment balcony and dies at age 80.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/nicholls_sydney_w.htm Sydney Wentworth Nicholls lambiek.net 23 February 2019
June 6: Joseph Musial, American comics writer (Flash Gordon), artist (continued The Katzenjammer Kids, assisted on Barney Google, Blondie, Bringing Up Father,...) and author (The Career Guide for Cartoonists), dies at age 72.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/musial_joseph.htm Joseph Musial lambiek.net 1 February 2021
June 10: Wood Cowan, American comics artist (worked on Vivian the Vamp, Them Were the Days, Mom 'n' Pop, Oh, Diana, Our Boarding House, Sissy), dies at age 90.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cowan_wood.htm Wood Cowan lambiek.net May 20, 2020
June 16: Stan Cross, American-Australian comics artist (Wally and the Major, The Potts), dies at age 88.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cross_stan.htm Stan Cross lambiek.net 23 February 2019
July
July 5: Theo Funke Küpper, Dutch comics artist (De Verstrooide Professor), dies at age 72.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/f/funke_kupper_t.htm Theo Funke Küpper lambiek.net 23 February 2019
July 8: Roy Crane, American comics artist (Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy, Buz Sawyer), dies at age 75.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/crane_r.htm Roy Crane lambiek.net 23 February 2019
July 9: Alfred Georges Pavis, French painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 91.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/pavis_georges.htm Georges Pavis lambiek.net 17 July 2020
Specific date unknown: Milt Stein, American animator and comics artist (Supermouse), commits suicide at age 56.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/stein_milt.htm Milt Stein lambiek.net 23 February 2019
August
August 1: Bernard van Vlijmen, Dutch painter, graphic artist, illustrator and comics artist (created occasional comics for Ons Eigen Tijdschrift), dies at age 81.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/vlijmen_bernard-van.htm Bernard van Vlijmen lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Specific date unknown: August: Louis Cazeneuve, Argentine comics artist (co-creator of Red Raven), dies at age 68 or 69.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cazeneuve_l.htm Luis Cazeneuve lambiek.net 23 February 2019
September
September 5: Tatsuo Yoshida, Japanese manga artist and animator (Speed Racer), dies at age 45 from liver cancer.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/y/yoshida_tatsuo.htm Tatsuo Yoshida lambiek.net 23 February 2019
September 7: Alexis, French comics artist (Al Crane, Cinémastock, Superdupont, Le Transperceneige), dies at age 30 of a ruptured aneurysm.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/a/alexis.htm Alexis lambiek.net 23 February 2019
September 16: Rie Cramer, Dutch illustrator, novelist and comics artist (published text comics in Zonneschijn and Doe Mee), dies at age 89.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cramer_rie.htm Rie Cramer lambiek.net 23 February 2019
September 17: Pierre Soymier, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 73.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/soymier_pierre.htm Pierre Soymier lambiek.net March 14, 2025
September 29: Bob McKimson, American animator, illustrator and comics artist (Looney Tunes), dies at age 66 from a heart attack.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mckimson_bob.htm Bob McKimson lambiek.net May 20, 2020
October
October 5: Jotie T'Hooft, Belgian poet and comics artist (Jesus Superstar), commits suicide by a drug overdose at age 21.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/t/t_hooft_jotie.htm Jotie T'Hooft lambiek.net 23 February 2019
October 12: Antoon Heckenrath, Belgian comics artist (De Wonderlijke Reis van Jan Knap, In de Greep van de Octopus), dies at age 70.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/herckenrath_antoon.htm Antoon Herckenrath lambiek.net 23 February 2019
October 28:
Ratip Tahir Burak, Turkish comics artist and editorial cartoonist, dies at age 72 or 73.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/burak_ratip_tahir.htm Ratip Tahir Burak lambiek.net August 22, 2020
Miguel Mihura, Spanish playwright and comics artist, dies at age 72.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mihura_miguel.htm Miguel Mihura lambiek.net May 20, 2020
November
November 4: Mingo, Spanish comics artist (Don Tibucio, Don Lucas, Sandalio), dies at age 34 or 35.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/mingo.htm Mingo
November 5: René Goscinny, French comics writer (Astérix, Lucky Luke, Oumpah-pah, Le Petit Nicolas, Iznogoud), artist, magazine publisher, chief editor (Pilote and animation director, dies at age 51.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/goscinny.htm René Goscinny lambiek.net 23 February 2019
November 26: Nikol Dimitriadis, Greek-German comics artist (worked for Mosaik magazine, Rolf Kauka), dies at age 68.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dimitriadis_nikol.htm Nikol Dimitriadis lambiek.net May 20, 2020
December
December 11:
Giovanni Bissietta, A.K.A. Giuseppe Fontanelli, Italian painter, illustrator and comics artist (early unlicensed Italian comics based on Mickey Mouse), dies at age 67.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/b/bissietta_giovanni.htm Giovanni Bissietta lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Victor Weixler, Austrian illustrator and comic artist (Bobby, der Grosse Sportsmann), dies at age 94.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/weixler_viktor.htm John Verpoorten lambiek.net 21 September 2022
December 15: John Verpoorten, American comics inker and Marvel Comics production manager, dies at age 37.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/v/verpoorten_john.htm John Verpoorten lambiek.net 16 March 2021
Specific date unknown
Robert Baldwin, also known as Rupe, American comics artist and cartoonist (Freddy), dies at age 72 or 73.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/r/rupe.htm Rupe lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Alberto Cognigni, Argentine comics artist (Negrazón and Chaveta), dies at age 44 or 45.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/cognigni_alberto.htm Alberto Cognigni lambiek.net
Fokion Dimitriadis, Greek editorial cartoonist and comic artist (comics about historical subjects), dies at age 82 or 83.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/d/dimitriadis_fokion.htm Fokion Dimitriadis lambiek.net
John Gee, American illustrator and comics artist (The Timbertoes), dies at age 81 or 82.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/gee_john.htm John Gee lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Walter Hofmann, aka Von Waldl, German caricaturist and comics artist (worked for Nazi publications during World War II), dies at age 71 or 72.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/h/hofmann_walter.htm Walter Hofmann lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Moma Markovic, Serbian-Canadian comics artist (Stojadin, Rista Sportista), dies at age 74 or 75.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/m/markovic_moma.htm Moma Markovic lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Héctor Germán Oesterheld, Argentine journalist and comics writer (El Sargento Kirk, Ernie Pike, El Eternauta, Mort Cinder) mysteriously disappears, presumed arrested and murdered by soldiers of President Jorge Rafael Videla's regime.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/o/oesterheld_hg.htm Hector German Oesterheld lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Jack Pamby, British comics artist, dies at age 68 or 69.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/p/pamby_jack.htm Jack Pamby lambiek.net May 20, 2020
Gottfried Spachholz, German comics artist (propaganda comics for the DDR magazine Berliner Zeitung), dies at age 70 or 71.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/spachholz_gottfried.htm Gottfried Spachholz lambiek.net 23 February 2019
Peter Sutherland, British comics artist (continued Alf Tupper), dies at age 55 or 56.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/s/sutherland_peter.htm Peter Sutherland lambiek.net 16 March 2021
Wu Yun, Chinese comics artist, dies at age 54 or 55.https://www.lambiek.net/artists/w/wu-yun.htm Wu Yun lambiek.net 16 March 2021
Exhibitions and shows
There were many TV shows based on comics in 1977, featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Doctor Strange, and Wonder Woman.
Conventions
Columbus Comic Book Convention (Columbus, Ohio) — guests include Jim Steranko, Bob Layton, and Mike Nasser
Dayton Comic Book Convention (Convention Center, Dayton, Ohio) — produced by Dayton retailer The Dragon's Lair
January 30: Comicove 6 (Holiday Inn, Paramus, New Jersey) — official guest: Vince Colletta"Conventions," The Comics Journal #32 (Jan. 1977), p. 31.
March 11–13: Starcon '77 (Airport Holiday Inn, Buffalo, New York)
May 28–30: Detroit Triple Fan Fair (Troy Hilton, Troy, MI) — dubbed the "Detroit Triple Fan Fair (in Exile)"; guests include Chuck Jones, Ray HarryhausenDetroit Free Press (May 26, 1977).
June: Houstoncon (Houston, Texas) — guests include Frank Brunner, Spanky McFarland, Jock Mahoney, George Takei, Forrest J Ackerman, and Roy Rogers
July 1–5: Comic Art Convention (Hotel Sheraton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — 10th annual show, first time in Philadelphia. Guests of honor: John Stanley and Bernie Wrightson; other guests include Roy Thomas, Wendy Pini, Linda Behrle,"Swords and Scrolls," Savage Sword of Conan vol. 1, #27 (Mar. 1978). Barry Windsor-Smith, Frank Thorne, Frank Brunner, and Jeff Jones
July 20–24: San Diego Comic-Con (El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California) — 4,000+ attendees; official guests: Carl Barks, C. C. Beck, Walter Gibson, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Kaluta, Jack Kirby, B. Kliban, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lynde, Alex Niño, Trina Robbins, and Bill Scott
July 29–31: Konvention of Alternative Komix "KAK 77" (Air Galleries, London, England, UK) — 2nd annual underground comix event, produced by Arts Lab Press and Hunt EmersonSallis, Ed. "Fan-Things," Bemusing Magazine #13 (May 1977), p. 14.
July 29–30: Toronto Triple Fan Fair a.k.a. "Fan Fair 4" (Carleton Inn, Toronto, ON, Canada) — Guests of Honour: Philip José Farmer and Andrew I. Porter
August 1: Comic Mart Liverpool I (Bluecoat Chambers concert hall, Liverpool, UK) — 10th edition of the show, sponsored by Zephyr MagazinesComic Mart Liverpool advertisement, Bemusing Magazine #11 (Nov. 1976), p. 15.
August 5–7: Chicago Comicon (Pick-Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois) — produced by Joe Sarno, Mike Gold, and Bob Weinberg; guests include Stan Lee, Jenette Kahn,Sarno, Joe. "The Captain's Veranda by Joe Sarno," C.B. Weekly (Comic Book Collectors Bulletin), vol. 3, #91 (Sept. 26, 2001). Archived at InterFan.org. Chester Gould, and Howard Chaykin"Comic Art Event," Chicago Tribune (July 31, 1977).
August 12–14: Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair (Dunfey's Royal Coach, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests include Jenette Kahn, Dick Giordano, Kenneth Smith, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko
September: OrlandoCon (Orlando, Florida) — guests include Ralph Dunagin and Scorchy Smith's Edmond Good
September 3–4: Comicon '77 (British Comic Art Convention) (Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, England) — organized by Rob Barrow; presentation of the first annual Eagle AwardsBurton, Richard "'The Eagles' are launched!" in Burton (ed.) Comic Media News #30 (Mar–Apr 1977), p. 11Skinn, Dez. "Early days of UK comics conventions and marts," https://web.archive.org/web/20120201083457/http://dezskinn.com/fanzines-3/ 2012-02-01 DezSkinn.com. Accessed Mar. 3, 2013.
September 10–11: Lancaster Comic Art Convention "Frazetta '77" (Penn Stroud Hilton Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) — produced by Chuck Miller and Charlie Roberts; guests include Harvey Kurtzman, Will Eisner, Jerry Robinson, Burne Hogarth, Bernie Wrightson, Steve Hickman, Michael Kaluta, Charles Vess, Ian Ballantine, Betty Ballantine, and Ken KelleyRobert, Charlie. "The Frazetta 1977 Exhibit," FritzFrazetta.com (September 17, 2011).
October 8: Comic Mart Liverpool II (Bluecoat Chambers concert hall, Liverpool, UK) — featured a The Adventures of Superman radio show airing, as well as viewings of the Batman and Adventures of Captain Marvel serialsComic Mart Liverpool advertisement, BEM #15 (Sept. 1977), p. 6.
October 15–16: Newcon '77 (New England Comic Art Convention) (Sheraton-Boston Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts)"Comic Convention," The Berkshire Eagle (October 13, 1977), p. 8
November 25–27: Creation Comic Book & Pop Culture Convention (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — guests include George Pérez; admission: $5/dayCummings, Judith. "Comic Book Collectors Take Funnies Seriously," New York Times (Nov. 26, 1977).
Awards
Eagle Awards
Presented in 1978 for comics published in 1977:
Favourite Writer: Steve Englehart
Favourite Artist: Neal Adams
Favourite Inker: Terry Austin
Favourite Comic Book (Dramatic): Uncanny X-Men
Favorite Comic Book (Humor): Howard the Duck, by Steve Gerber and Gene Colan
Favourite Black and White Magazine: Savage Sword of Conan
Favourite Single Story: "The Final Threat," Avengers Annual #7, by Jim Starlin
Favourite Continued Story: Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2, by Jim Starlin
Favourite Group or Team: Uncanny X-Men
Favourite Character: Batman
Favourite Supporting Character: Pip the Troll
Favourite Villain: Thanos
Favourite Comic (UK): 2000 AD (Fleetway)
Favourite Editor (UK): Dez Skinn, for MAD magazine
Roll of Honour: Steve Englehart
First issues by title
DC Comics Black Lightning Release: April. Writer: Jenny Blake Isabella. Artist: Trevor Von Eeden.DC Special Series: catch-all series primarily for one-shots of different formats, released on an irregular schedule
Release: September. Editor: Paul Levitz.Jonah Hex Release: March/April. Writer: Michael Fleisher. Artist: José Luis García-López.Men of War Release: August. Editor: Paul Levitz.Shade, the Changing Man Release: June/July. Writers: Steve Ditko and Michael Fleisher. Artist: Steve Ditko.Star Hunters Release: October /November Writer: David Michelinie. Artists: Don Newton and Bob Layton.
Marvel Comics Black Panther Release: January. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.Godzilla: King of the Monsters Release: August. Writer: Doug Moench. Artists: Herb Trimpe and Jim Mooney.John Carter, Warlord of Mars Release: June. Writer: Marv Wolfman. Artists: Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum.Human Fly Release: September. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artists: Lee Elias.Logan's Run Release: January. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artists: George Pérez and Klaus Janson.Marvel Super Action Release: May. Reprints classic Captain America stories.Marvel Super Special Premiere issues features the rock band Kiss in a 40-page fictional adventure written by Steve Gerber, penciled by Alan Weiss, John Buscema, Rich Buckler, and Sal Buscema.The Rampaging Hulk Release: January by Curtis Magazines. Editor: John Warner.Star Wars Release: July. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artist: Howard Chaykin.What If Release: February. Writer/Editor: Roy Thomas.
Independent publishers 2000 AD Release: February 26 by IPC Media. Editor: Tharg the Mighty.Cerebus the Aardvark Release: December by Aardvark-Vanaheim. Writer/Artist: Dave Sim.Heavy Metal Release: April by HM Communications, Inc. Editor: Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant.Rip Off Comix Release: April by Rip Off Press.
Hakusensha Bessatsu Hana to Yume Release: July
Initial appearance by character name
DC Comics
Baron Blitzkrieg, in World's Finest Comics #246 (August /September)
Black Lightning, in Black Lightning #1 (April)
Celsius, in Showcase #94 (August /September)
Joshua Clay, in Showcase #94 (August /September)
Dawnstar, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #226 (April)
Doctor Phosphorus, in Detective Comics #469 (May)
Cal Durham, in Adventure Comics #452 (July)
Faora, in Action Comics #471 (May)
Godiva, in Super Friends #7 (October)
Golden Glider, in Flash #250 (June)
Gravedigger, in Men of War #1 (August)
Huntress, in DC Super Stars # 17 (November /December 1977)McAvennie Michael Dolan Hannah 1970s DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle Dorling Kindersley 2010 978-0-7566-6742-9 175 DC Super Stars #17 (November–December 1977) While writer Paul Levitz and artist Joe Staton introduced the Huntress to the JSA in this month's All Star Comics #69, they concurrently shaped her origin in DC Super Stars.DC Super Stars #17 (November–December 1977) at the Grand Comics Database "Origin and first appearance of the Helena Wayne Huntress, who simultaneously first appears in this issue and All-Star Comics (DC, 1976 series) #69, both released August 24, 1977."
Icemaiden, in Super Friends #9 (December)
Impala, in Super Friends #7 (October)Infinite Man, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #233 (November)
Jack O'Lantern, in Super Friends #8 (November)
Owlwoman, in Super Friends #7 (October)Patty Spivot, in DC Special Series #1 (September)Peter Gambi, in Black Lightning #1 (April)
Professor Ojo, in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #16 (July/August)Quakemaster, in DC Special #28 (July)
Rising Sun, in Super Friends #8 (November)
Scalphunter in Weird Western Tales #39 (March /April)
Seraph, in Super Friends #7 (October)
Shade, the Changing Man, in Shade, the Changing Man #1 (June/July)
Silver St. Cloud, in Detective Comics #470 (June)
Sklarian Raiders, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #233 (November)Pulsar Stargrave, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #223 (January)
Tasmanian Devil, in Super Friends #7 (October)
Rupert Thorne, in Detective Comics #469 (May)
Tuatara, in Super Friends #8 (November)
Valentina Vostok, in Showcase #94 (August)Tobias Whale, in Black Lightning #1 (April)
Marvel Comics
Aqueduct, in Ghost Rider #23 (April)
Aries, in The Defenders #49 (July)
Bereet, in The Rampaging Hulk #1 (January)
Bushmaster, in Iron Fist #15 (September)
Constrictor, in The Incredible Hulk #212 (June)
Deathbird, in Ms. Marvel #9 (September)
Devil-Slayer, in Marvel Spotlight #33 (April)
Doctor Bong, in Howard the Duck #15 (August)
Dreadknight, in Iron Man #102 (August)
Dyna-Mite / Destroyer, in Invaders #14 (March)
Celestials Dreaming Celestial, in The Eternals #18 (December)
Eson the Searcher, in The Eternals #9 (March)
Hargen the Measurer, in The Eternals #9 (March)
Jemiah the Analyzer, in The Eternals #7 (January)
Nezarr the Calculator, in The Eternals #9 (March)
One Above All, in The Eternals #7 (January)
Oneg the Prober, in The Eternals #9 (March)
Tefral the Surveyor, in The Eternals #7 (January)
Ziran the Tester, in The Eternals #18 (December)
Eternals Aginar, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Delphan Brothers, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Druig, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Forgotten One, in The Eternals #13 (July)
Sigmar, in The Eternals #17 (November)
Sprite, in The Eternals #9 (March)
Kingo Sunen, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Uni-Mind, in The Eternals #12 (June)
Valkin, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Zarin, in The Eternals #11 (May)
Henry Peter Gyrich, in Avengers #165 (November)
Human Fly (Rick Rojatt), in Human Fly #1 (September)
Imperial Guard, in X-Men #107 (October)
Astra Electron Fang Flashfire Guardian Magique Mentor Neutron Nightside Oracle Pulsar Scintilla Smasher Starbolt Titan Jocasta, in Avengers #162 (August)
Killer Shrike, in The Rampaging Hulk #1 (January, Curtis Magazines)
Lightmaster, in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #3 (February)
Machine Man, in 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 (July)
Malice, in Ghost Rider vol. 2, #25 (August)
Paragon / Kismet, in The Incredible Hulk Annual #6
Ringer, in Defenders #51 (September)
Rocket Racer, in The Amazing Spider-Man #172 (September)
Sabretooth, in Iron Fist #14 (August)
Nicholas Scratch, in Fantastic Four #185 (August)
Sphinx, in Nova #6 (February)
Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), in Marvel Spotlight #32 (February)
Spirit of '76, in The Invaders #14 (March)
Starjammers, in X-Men #107 (October)
Ch'od, in X-Men #104 (April)
Corsair, in X-Men #104 (April)
Hepzibah, in X-Men #107 (October)
Raza Longknife, in X-Men #107 (October)
Swarm, in Champions #14 (July)
Warrior Woman, in Invaders #16 (May)
Will O' Wisp, in The Amazing Spider-Man #167 (April)
Arnim Zola, in Captain America #208 (April)
Other titles Rico Dredd, in 2000 AD prog 30 (Fleetway)
Judge Dredd, in 2000 AD #2 (Fleetway)
Judge Giant, in 2000 AD prog 27 (Fleetway)
Judge Goodman, in 2000 AD #2 (Fleetway)Alvar Mayor, a Peruvian mestizo involved in the Spanish conquest, by Carlos Trillo and Enrique Breccia, in Skorpio.Petra Cherie, by Attilio Micheluzzi, in Il giornalino (February 20)
Bill Savage, in 2000 AD #1 (February 26, Fleetway)
Tharg the Mighty, in 2000 AD #1 (February 26, Fleetway)Thorgal, by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegor Rosinski, in Tintin (March 22)Ken Parker, by Giancarlo Berardi and Ivo Milazzo (June, CEPIM)Cerebus the Aardvark''', in Cerebus'' #1 (December, Aardvark-Vanaheim)
References