Notable events of 1966 in comics.
Events and publications
Year overall
January
February
March
April
May
June
Summer
July
- July 25: Il misterioso mister P. by Gian Luigi Bonelli and Guglielmo Letteri; debut of Proteus, thief and master of disguises, antagonist of Tex Willer.
- The Cosmic Cube makes its first Marvel Universe appearance, in Tales of Suspense #79
- Adventure Comics #346 â Jim Shooter makes his debut as a comics writer with the Legion of Super-Heroes story One of Us Is a Traitor.
- Marvel Tales #3 (renamed from Marvel Tales Annual), becomes an ongoing title (Marvel Comics)
- Fantastic Four #52 introduces Black Panther (Marvel Comics)
- The Brave and the Bold #54 introduces Teen Titans, by Bob Haney and Bruno Premiani.
- Treasure of Marco Polo, by Carl Barks, on Uncle Scrooge 66.
- First issue of Teddy Bob (Astoria) by Pier Carpi; the series is inspired to the youth culture of the Sixties and has a teen-ager beatnik as protagonist.
- In France, debut of Comandante Mark by EsseGEsse, for Aventures & Voyages editions, with the name of Captain Swing.
August
September
October
- October 22: The first gag of Stefan Verwey's comic Broeder Gosewiijn is published in Katholieke Illustratie.
- After the first edition was held in Bordighera, Italy, the year before the Lucca Comics festival is now held in Lucca, Italy, where it is still held to this day as one of the oldest comics festivals in the world.
- At the University of Strasbourg André Bertrand creates the four-page comic strip La Retour de la Colonne Durutti (The Return of the Durutti Column, 1966), which is distributed as a pamphlet during student protests.
November
- November 10: In Pilote, the first chapter of the Astérix story Asterix the legionary, by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo is published.
- November 24: in Pilote, first chapter of Le cheval de fer, by Jean-Michel Charier and Jean Giraud, inaugurating the BlueberryâÂÂs saga of the âÂÂiron horseâÂÂ.
- The Flash #165: Barry Allen marries Iris West (DC Comics).
- The Amazing Spider-Man In issue #42, drawn by John Romita Sr., Mary Jane Watson is first revealed to the readers, after being an invisible character for two years. She hereby utters the now immortal line: Face it, tiger... you just hit the jackpot.
- Le mystère des abîmes, by Philippe Druillet, first Lone Sloane album.
December
Births
February
- February 16: Martin Perscheid, German comics artist (Perscheids Abgründe), (d. 2021).
July
November
Deaths
January
February
- February 13:
- George Scarbo, American comics artist (Be Sure You're Right, Closeup and Comedy, The Comic Zoo, Zoo's Whoo, Tinymites, The Great American Home, Radiomania, Ticklers), dies at age 67.
- Tony Royle, British comics artist (Poll, Jock and Valentine, continued Belinda), dies at age 66.
March
April
- April 5: Charles Raab, American comics artist (Foreign Correspondent, assisted on Terry and the Pirates, Charlie Chan, continued The Adventures of Patsy), dies at age 57.
- April 28:
- Jesse Marsh, American comics artist and animator (Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, comics based on Gene Autry), dies at age 58.
- Gladys Parker, American comics artist (Mopsy, continued Flapper Fanny Says), dies at age 58.
May
June
- June 8: Clyde Lamb, American comics artist (Herman), dies at age 53.
July
- July 16: Leslie Elton, American animator and comics artist (Jack Daw's Adventures), dies at age 72.
August
- August 7: Charles Thorson, Canadian editorial cartoonist, animator, illustrator and comic artist (Little Hiawatha), dies at age 75.
- August 24: Boris Angelushev, Bulgarian caricaturist, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 63.
September
October
- October 13: Henry Louis Diamond, British comics artist (Mikey Midge the Merry Midget), dies at age 62.
November
- November 7: Bob Wood, American comics artist (Crime Does Not Pay), dies at age 49 in a traffic accident.
- November 17: Lóránd Andor, Hungarian painter, graphic artist and cartoonist (13th District Secondary School), dies at age 60.
December
Specific date unknown
- Jack Betts, American comics artist (drew advertising comics), dies at age 61 or 62.
- Jeff Hayes, American comics artist (continued Adamson's Adventures as Silent Sam), dies at age 62 or 63.
- S.K. Perkins, British comics artist (Spadger's XI, The Adventures of Elsie, Winnie and Johnny, Smiler the Sweeper), dies at age 76 or 77.
- Jon Small, British comics artist (Bulletman), dies at an unknown age.
- Giorgio Scudellari, Chilean-Italian comics artist (illegal Mickey Mouse newspaper comics, continued Fulmine), dies at age 57 or 58.
- Ed Wheelan, American cartoonist (Minute Movies), dies at age 80.
Conventions
- July 23âÂÂ24: New York Comicon (Park Sheraton Hotel, New York City) â produced by John Benson â guests include Jack Kirby, Jim Steranko, Otto Binder, Len Brown, Larry Ivie, Jack Binder, Roy Thomas, Gil Kane, Archie Goodwin, bhob Stewart, Klaus Nordling, Sal Trapani, Rocke Mastroserio and Ted White; keynote speech by Kirby, a discussion about censorship between Don Thompson and Comics Code Authority acting administrator Leonard Darvin, a panel about the Golden Age of Comics, and one on the "so-called 'Forgotten âÂÂ50s,' particularly EC Comics. Bhob Stewart, on a panel with Archie Goodwin and Ted White, predicts that there will soon be "underground comics" just as there are already "underground films."
- July 23âÂÂ24: Southwestern Con (Hotel Southland, Dallas, Texas) â c. 70 attendees; organized by Larry Herndon; official guest is Academy of Comic-Book Fans and Collectors executive secretary/"Academy Con" promoter Dave Kaler
- July 29âÂÂ31: Gateway Con (St. Louis, Missouri) â produced by the Gateway Comic Art Fan Club of St. Louis; guests include Reed Crandall, Ted White, Steve Gerber, and Al Capp. Films shown include the complete 12-chapter serial Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941).
- August 12âÂÂ14: Academy Con II (City Squire Inn, New York City) â produced by Dave Kaler; official guests include Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Bill Everett, Carmine Infantino, Julius Schwartz, and Bill Finger
- September 24âÂÂ25: Salone Internazionale dei Comics (Lucca, Italy) â 2nd annual show moves to a small piazza in the center of Lucca
Awards
Best Comic Magazine Section
Best Professional Work
- Editor â Stan Lee (<small>Marvel Comics)</small>
- Writer â Stan Lee (<small>Marvel Comics)</small>
- Pencil Work â Al Williamson
- Inking Work â Wally Wood
- Cover â Flash Gordon #1, by Al Williamson <small>(King Comics)</small>
- Coloring â Flash Gordon <small>(King Comics)</small>
- Best Full-Length Story â "How Green was My Goblin", by Stan Lee & John Romita, Sr., The Amazing Spider-Man #39 (<small>Marvel Comics)</small>
- Feature Story â "Return to Mongo", by Al Williamson, Flash Gordon #1 <small>(King Comics)</small>
- Regular Short Feature â "Tales of Asgard" by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, in The Mighty Thor (<small>Marvel Comics)</small>
- Hall of Fame â n.a.
- Popularity Poll â n.a.
Newspaper Strip Section
Fan Activity Section
- Best All-Article Fanzine â (tie) Batmania and TNT/Slam-Bang
- Best All-Comics Fanzine â Odd
- Best All-Fiction Fanzine â Batwing
- Best Article/Comic Fanzine â Fantasy Illustrated
- Best Fiction/Comic Fanzine â Comic Art, by Don & Maggie Thompson
- Best Article/Fiction Fanzine â n.a.
- Best Fannish One-Shot â The Spirit (reruns), Ed Aprill
- Best Article on Comic Book Material â "Quality Comics Group"
- Best Article on Newspaper Strips â "Pride of the Navy"
- Best Regular Fan Column â "What's News", by Dave Kaler
- Best Fan Fiction â "White Dragon Strikes"
- Best Fan Comic Strip â "Xal-Kor", by Richard "Grass" Green
- Best Fan Artist â Richard "Grass" Green
- Best Comic Strip Writer â Richard "Grass" Green
- Best Fan Project â Ed Aprill's reprints
- Best Newsletter â Dateline: Comicdom
First issues by title
Harvey Comics
Bunny
Release: December.
Double-Dare Adventures
Release: December. Writer: Otto Binder. Artist: Bill Draut
Spyman
Release: September. Artists: George Tuska, Jim Steranko, Dick Ayers
Other publishers
Comandante Mark â Sergio Bonelli editore
Release: September Artist: EsseGesse
Fantasy Masterpieces â Marvel Comics
Release: February. Editor: Stan Lee
Gesebel â Editoriale Corno
Release: February. Writer: Max Bunker. Artist: Magnus
Golden Legacy â Fitzgerald Publishing Co.
Writer: Leo Carty. Artist: Leo Carty
Henry Brewster â M. F. Enterprises
Release: February. Writer: Bob Powell. Artist: Bob Powell
Lady Penelope â City Magazines
Release: 22 January.
Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt â Charlton Comics
Release: January. Writer: Pete Morisi. Artist: Pete Morisi
Smash! â International Publishing Corporation
Release: February 1966. Editor: Albert Cosser ("Cos")
Teddy Bob â Astorina
Release: July â Artist: Pier Carpi
Teen Titans â DC Comics
Release: January. Writer: Bob Haney. Artist: Nick Cardy
Undersea Agent â Tower Comics
Release: January. Artist:
Weird (listed as vol. 1, #10) â Eerie Publications
Release: January. Editor: Roger Elwood
witzend â Wally Wood (self-published)
Release: Summer. Editor: Wally Wood
Zorro â Gold Key Comics
Release: January. Artist: Alex Toth
Initial appearances by character name
Charlton Comics
DC Comics
- The Ant, in Teen Titans #5 (Sept.)
- R. J. Brande, in Adventure Comics #350 (Nov.)
- Cluemaster, in Detective Comics #351 (May)
- Computo, in Adventure Comics #340 (Jan.)
- Dial H for Hero, in House of Mystery #156 (Jan.)
- Ding Dong Daddy, in Teen Titans #3 (Jan.)
- Luornu Durgo (as Duo Damsel), in Adventure Comics #341 (Feb.)
- Enchantress, in Strange Adventures #187 (Apr.)
- Ferro Lad, in Adventure Comics #346 (July)
- Karate Kid, in Adventure Comics #346 (July)
- Khund, in Adventure Comics #346 (July)
- Ocean Master, in Aquaman #29 (Sept.)
- Chief O'Hara, in World's Finest Comics #159 (August)
- Nemesis Kid, in Adventure Comics #346 (July)
- Outsider, in Detective Comics #356 (Oct.)
- Parasite, in Action Comics #340 (August)
- Poison Ivy, in Batman #181 (June)
- Prince Evillo, in Adventure Comics #350 (Nov.)
- Royal Flush Gang, in Justice League of America #43 (Mar.)
- Shaggy Man, in Justice League of America #45 (June)
- Shrike, in Hawkman #11 (Jan.)
- Spellbinder (Delbert Billings), in Detective Comics #358 (Dec.)
- Stanley and His Monster, in The Fox and the Crow #95 (Jan.)
- Universo, in Adventure Comics #349 (Oct.)
- Unknown Soldier, in Our Army at War #168 (June)
- Rond Vidar, in Adventure Comics #349 (Oct.)
- White Witch, in Adventure Comics #350 (Nov,)
Harvey Comics
Marvel Comics
- Ares, in Thor #129 (June)
- Batroc the Leaper, in Tales of Suspense #75 (Mar.)
- Black Panther, in Fantastic Four #52 (July)
- Boomerang, in Tales to Astonish #81 (July)
- Peggy Carter, in Tales of Suspense #77 (May)
- Sharon Carter, in Tales of Suspense #75 (Mar.)
- Collector, in Avengers #28 (May)
- Dionysus, in Thor #129 (June)
- Dredmund the Druid, in Strange Tales vol. 1 #144 (May)
- Ego the Living Planet, in Thor #132 (Sept.)
- Elders of the Universe, in Avengers #28 (May)
- Fafnir, in Thor #134 (Nov.)
- Fixer, in Strange Tales #141 (Feb.)
- Bill Foster, in Avengers #32 (Sept.)
- Freak, in Tales of Suspense #74 (Feb.)
- Galactus, in Fantastic Four #48 (Mar.)
- Hera, in Thor #129 (June)
- High Evolutionary, in Thor #134 (Nov.)
- Gladiator, in Daredevil #18 (July)
- Hippolyta, in Thor #127 (Apr.)
- Kaluu, in Strange Tales #147 (Aug.)
- Klaw, in Fantastic Four #53 (Aug.)
- Living Laser, in Avengers #34 (Nov.)
- Looter, in The Amazing Spider-Man #36 (May)
- Man-Beast, in Thor #135 (Dec.)
- Masked Marauder, in Daredevil #16 (May)
- Maximus, in Fantastic Four #47 (Feb.)
- Mentallo, in Strange Tales #141 (Feb.)
- Mimic, in Uncanny X-Men #19 (Apr.)
- New Men, in Thor #135 (Dec.)
- Plunderer, in Daredevil #13 (Feb.)
- Pluto, in Thor #127 (Apr.)
- Punisher, in Fantastic Four #49 (Apr.)
- Prester John, in Fantastic Four #54 (Sept.)
- Quasimodo, in Fantastic Four Annual #4 (Nov.)
- Rhino, in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 (Oct.)
- Silver Surfer, in Fantastic Four #48 (Mar.)
- Jasper Sitwell, in Strange Tales #144 (May)
- Mendel Stromm, in The Amazing Spider-Man #37 (June)
- Ultimo, in Tales of Suspense #76 (Apr.)
- Umar, in Strange Tales #150 (Nov.)
- Valkyrior, in Thor #133 (Oct.)
- Mary Jane Watson, in The Amazing Spider-Man #42 (Nov.)
- Wyatt Wingfoot, in Fantastic Four #50 (May)
Other publishers
References