Notable events of 1971 in comics.
Events
January
- January 6: The first episode of Kees Stip and Nico Visscher's newspaper gag-a-day comic In de Wolken is published. It will run until 1979.
- January 10: The castle of Nederhorst den Berg in the Netherlands burns down, also destroying Marten Toonder's comic studio.
- January 12: In Pif Gadget, the Corto Maltese story La Conga des Bananes by Hugo Pratt kicks off. The story belongs to a cycle of Corto Maltese's adventures set in Central America and South America (Beyond the windy isles). This story marks the debut of the dark lady Venexiana Stevenson, a recurring antagonist of the captain.
- January 28: The Comics Code becomes less strict and will soften its rules a few more times during the year. Initially "liberalized" on January 28, 1971, to allow for (among other things) the sometimes "sympathetic depiction of criminal behavior . . . [and] corruption among public officials" ("as long as it is portrayed as exceptional and the culprit is punished") as well as permitting some criminal activities to kill law-enforcement officers and the "suggestion but not portrayal of seduction." Also newly allowed were "vampires, ghouls and werewolves . . . when handled in the classic tradition such as Frankenstein, Dracula, and other high calibre literary works written by Edgar Allan Poe, Saki, Conan Doyle and other respected authors whose works are read in schools around the world." Zombies, lacking the requisite "literary" background, remain taboo.
- January 30: Al Capp and Raeburn Van Buren's Abbie an' Slats comes to a close after nearly 34 years of syndication.
- Blackmark published by Bantam Books. Conceived and drawn by Gil Kane, and scripted by Archie Goodwin from an outline by Kane, it is one of the first American graphic novels.
- "The Sandman Saga" Superman story-arc, written by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Curt Swan, begins in Superman #233 (running almost continuously through the September issue, #242). Among other things, the story arc eliminates all Kryptonite on Earth, makes Clark Kent less wimpy, and essentially reinvents Superman for the Bronze Age.
- Bad Day for Troop A by Carl Barks.
- Empire of a Thousand Planets (album) by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières.
February
First appearances of Highfather, Kalibak, Lightray, and Orion
Spring
March
- March 2: The first episode of Bill Tidy's The Fosdyke Saga appears in print. The series will continue until 1985.
- March 4: The first episode of the Astérix story The Mansions of the Gods, by Goscinny and Uderzo, is prepublished in Pilote.
- March 11: The final episode of Andries Brandt's Horre, Harm en Hella is published.
- March 14: In the story La resa dei conti (The showdown), by Claudio Nizzi and Carlo Boscarato, Larry Yuma gets his definitive name (in the two previous episodes, the character was called Dave).
- March 20: Andries Brandt and Jan Van Haasteren's Aafje Anders makes its debut. After a few stories Robert Hamilton and Richard Klokkers take over the artwork. The series will run until 17 April 1973.
- The Avengers #85 (Marvel Comics)
First appearance of the Squadron Supreme, as well as members Blue Eagle, Doctor Spectrum, Golden Archer, Hyperion, Lady Lark, Nighthawk, Tom Thumb, and Whizzer.
- Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., with issue #18, canceled by Marvel.
- Tower of Shadows, with issue #10, changes its name to Creatures on the Loose. (Marvel Comics)
- Ka-Zar, with issue #3, is canceled by Marvel.
- Bill Griffith's Zippy the Pinhead makes it debut.
- Il figlio di Mefisto by Gianluigi Bonelli and Galep. The evil wizard Mefisto, dies, torn apart by rats, but in the same story his son Yama takes his place as Tex WillerâÂÂs nemesis.
April
First appearance of Mister Miracle
May
- May 8: Al Capp is charged with sexual harassment, sodomy, attempted adultery and indecent exposure. The trial on 12 February 1972 will eventually only fine him for attempted adultery in a plea bargain, but damages his public image and the popularity of Li'l Abner beyond repair.
- May 10: The final episode of John M. Burns' The Seekers is published.
- May 11: in Le journal de Tintin, first chapter of Rush by Jean Graton.
- Action Comics #400: "My Son... Is He Man or Beast?", by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson.
- The "Green Goblin Reborn!" story-arc begins in The Amazing Spider-Man #96 (continuing through issue #98). Written by Stan Lee, and drawn by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr., it is recognized as the first mainstream comic publication which portrayed and condemned drug abuse, and was published without the seal of approval of the Comics Code Authority.
- Detective Comics #411 (DC Comics)
First appearance of Talia al Ghul
First appearance of DeSaad
First appearance of Granny Goodness
- With the publication of Savage Tales #1, Marvel creates its black-and-white magazine line, which published material that doesn't carry the seal of the Comics Code Authority.
First appearance of Man-Thing
June
First appearance of Ra's al Ghul
- The "Kree-Skrull War" story arc, written by Roy Thomas, begins in The Avengers #89 (running through issue #97, March 1972).
- Captain America and the Falcon #138: "It Happens in Harlem," drawn by John Romita, Sr.
- Tarzan #200: "The Secret Vaults of Opar," by Gaylord DuBois, Paul Norris, and Mike Royer. (Gold Key)
- Hollywood Romances, with issue #59, cancelled by Charlton.
- The first issue of the Italian humor series Abelarda, le avventure di una nonna terribile (The adventures of a terrible grandma), is published by Bianconi.
July
First appearance of Swamp Thing
The woman appearing on the cover of this issue was modeled after future comics writer Louise Simonson.
First appearance of Doc Samson
August
September
- September 9: In Spirou, the first chapter of the Spirou et Fantasio story L'abbaye truquée by Jean-Claude Fournier appears in print.
- September 18: Vic Neill first publishes The McTickles in The Beano.
- September 23:
- In Spirou, Jean-Marie Brouyère and Malik's series Archie Cash makes its debut.
- In Pif Gadget, the Corto Maltese story L'ange ÃÂ la fenetre d'orient, by Hugo Pratt is first published. Set in Venice, it begins a new arc of Corto Maltese's adventures, with the First World War as background (Celtic Tales).
- September 25: The final issue of the British comics magazine TV Century 21 is published.
- September 30: The first episode of Asterix and the Laurel Wreath, by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, is prepublished in Pilote.
- The first episode of Henk Groeneveld's gag comic Opa is published.
- The Amazing Spider-Man #100: "The Spider or the Man?", by Stan Lee, Gil Kane, and Frank Giacoia. "The Six Arms Saga" story-arc begins (running through issue #102).
- With issue #20, Ghost Manor vol. 1 changes its title to Ghostly Haunts.
October
First appearance of Big Barda
First appearance of Morbius, the Living Vampire
November
- Marvel Comics, following rival DC's lead, raises the price of its typical comic book from 15 cents to 25 cents, and the page-count from 36 to 52.
- The Avengers #93: Neal Adams begins his celebrated stint as Avengers artist, continuing the "Kree-Skrull War" story arc begun in issue #89 of the title.
- DC Special (1968 series), with issue #15 (November /December cover date), is cancelled by DC.
December
First appearance of The Defenders
First appearance of John Stewart
Specific date unknown
- A Soviet detector, Petr Sadecký, reveals the existence of a supposed underground comix heroine, Octobriana, whose stories are distributed in secret behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe and Russia. His story is later revealed to be a hoax, as the comics are actually a completely normal and legal Czech comic series named Amazona, created by ZdenÃÂk Burian and Bohumil KoneÃÂný, who are completely unaware of his scam.
- The first issue of the Flemish comics magazine/fanzine CISO-Magazine is published by Danny De Laet. It will change its name into Stripgids in 1974 and receive a new chief editor, Jan Smet.
- The Finnish Comics Society is established.
- The final episode of Fuku-Chan by Ryuichi Yokoyama is published.
- Ever Meulen becomes cartoonist for the magazine HUMO and develops his gag comics Piet Peuk and Balthazar de Groene Steenvreter.
- Jack Kirby introduces his Fourth World series in a number of new DC titles â The Forever People, New Gods, and Mister Miracle â while continuing his run on Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen. Kirby writes and draws all four titles during the year.
- Early in the year, DC Comics editorial director Carmine Infantino is promoted to publisher.
- Bill Schanes and Steve Schanes co-found Pacific Comics, starting out as a mail-order company selling to consumers via ads in the Comics Buyer's Guide.
- The Air Pirates collective is formed in San Francisco.
- Italian editor Renzo Barbieri launches two new horror-erotic series: Oltretomba (Underworld) and Lucifera.
- Denis Gifford publishes the books Discovering Comics and Stap Me: History of the British Newspaper Strip (1971).
- Ariel Dorfman and Armand Mattelart publish the book How to Read Donald Duck, a critical essay of Disney comics from a Marxist point of view.
- Dutch comic artist Nico van Welzenes publishes his pornographic comics Peter Pik and Superlul.
Births
August
- August 12: Michel Koeniguer, French comics artist (The Bridge, Bomb Road, Misty Mission, Berlin sera notre tombeau), (d. 2021).
Deaths
January
- January 17: Oscar Knudsen, Danish illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 72.
- January 27: E. Simms Campbell, American comics artist (Harlem Girls, Cuties), dies at age 65.
February
- February 18: Walter Booth, British comics artist (Professor Potash), dies at age 81.
- February 24: Jan Bouman, Dutch comics artist and illustrator (Lijntrekker), dies at age 56.
- February 21: Ercüment Kalmik, Turkish painter and comics artist (ÃÂetin Kaptan, a.k.a. ÃÂetinin), dies at age 61 or 62.
March
April
May
- May 10: Ted Mathijsen, aka Roberic, Dutch comics artist (Ted Start), dies at age 44.
June
- June 5: Otto Waffenschmied, German comics artist (Muck und Puck, Max und Miki), dies at age 69.
- June 9: Russell R. Winterbotham, American novelist and comics writer (scripted Red Ryder and Kevin the Bold ), dies at age 66.
- June 27: Catrinus Tas, Dutch cartoonist, dies at age 42.
- June: Henri Dimpre, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 64.
- June: Carl Rose, aka Earl Cros, American cartoonist (I say it's spinach), illustrator and comics artist (Our New Age), dies at age 68.
July
- July 2: Art Helfant, American comics artist (Timid Tim, Boitram the Boiglar and Heathcliff the Hobo), dies at age 72 or 73.
- July 7: Ub Iwerks, American animator and comics artist (Mickey Mouse), dies at age 70.
- July 19: Garry Cleveland Myers Sr., American psychologist and comics writer (Goofus and Gallant) and publisher (Highlights for Children), dies at age 87.
- July 24: Lou Fine, American comics artist (worked for Jumbo Comics, Quality Comics), dies at age 56.
August
- Specific date unknown: Julius Svendsen, Norwegian-American comics artist and animator (Disney comics), dies at age 51 or 52.
October
- October 22: Cois Cassiers, Belgian comedian, cameraman and comic artist (comics for 't Kapoentje), dies at age
- October 25: Paul Terry, American animator, film director, film producer and comics artist (Have You Seen Alonzo?, Farmer Alfalfa, Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle), dies at age 84.
November
- November: Hy Gage, American comics artist (Miss Information), dies at age 93.
- November 28: Vasil Zahariev, Bulgarian painter and comics artist, dies at age 76.
December
- December 20: Roy Disney, American film producer (Walt Disney Company) and brother of Walt Disney, dies at age 78 from an intracranial hemorrhage.
- December 22: Godfried Bomans, Dutch novelist, columnist and comics writer (De Avonturen van Pa Pinkelman, Dick Parker), dies at age 58 from a heart attack.
- December 23: Gray Croucher, aka Gray, British-Belgian comics artist and illustrator (Rikske en Fikske), dies at age 51.
- December 28: Burt Gillett, American animator and film director (Walt Disney Company, Walter Lantz Productions), dies at age 80 from a heart attack.
- Specific date unknown: Joe Easley, American comics artist and illustrator (Along the Iron Pike), dies at age 87.
Specific date unknown
- Georges Bourdin, French illustrator and comics artist (L'Histoire de Cochise), dies at age 83 or 84.
- Reg Bunn, British comics artist (The Spider), dies at age 65 or 66.
- Lev Gleason, American comics publisher (Lev Gleason Publications), dies at age 62 or 63.
- James Jewell, Scottish comics artist (Wee Peem), dies at age 73.
- Noé Solano Vargas, Costa Rican comics artist (Candelario), dies at age 71 or 72.
Exhibitions
- April 18âÂÂMay 2: New York City â first exhibition of comic books
- September 8âÂÂNovember 7: 75 Years of the Comics, New York Cultural Center, New York â curated by Maurice Horn
Conventions
- July 8âÂÂ11: D-Con '71 (Sheraton-Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas) â 6th annual Southwesterncon; guest of honor: Robert Bloch
- August 6âÂÂ8: Golden State Comic Con (e.g., the second occurrence of what becomes San Diego Comic-Con) (Muir College, University of California, San Diego Campus, La Jolla, California) â official guests: Kirk Alyn, Leigh Brackett, Ray Bradbury, Edmund Hamilton, Jack Kirby
- August 14âÂÂ15: Metro Con (Statler Hotel, Springfield, Virginia) â second annual show organized by 16-year-old Gary Groth; attendees include guest of honor Frank Frazetta, Phil Seuling, Bud Plant, Dave Cockrum, Dennis O'Neil, Ted White, Len Wein, Mark Hanerfeld, Marv Wolfman, and Gerry Conway
- August 20-21: Miamicon II (Miami, Florida)
- October 29âÂÂNovember 1: Salone Internazionale dei Comics a.k.a. "Lucca 7" (Lucca, Italy) â festival expands to four days
- November 26âÂÂ28: Creation Con (New Yorker Hotel, New York City) â first iteration of this trade show, produced by two 14-year-old Queens schoolboys, Adam Malin and Gary Berman; guest: Jim Steranko
Awards
Presented July 3, 1972, (for comics published in 1971) at the Comic Art Convention, New York City in a ceremony emceed by Tony Isabella and Carl Gafford. The Goethe Award ballot was initially published in The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom, The Monster Times, and Graphic Story World. Nominations were sent in from 335 readers. Ultimately, there were 7 categories with 4-7 nominees in each category. 700 fans voted for the final nominees. The award results were also published in Comic Art News & Reviews.
- Favorite Artist: TK
- Favorite Writer: TK
- Favorite Editor: TK
- Favorite Comic Book: TK
- Favorite Comic-Book Story: TK
- Favorite Comic-Book Character: TK
- Favorite Fanzine: The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom
- Favorite Fan Writer: Tony Isabella
Presented in 1972 for comics published in 1971:
First issues by title
Charlton Comics
Ghost Manor vol. 2
Release: October Editor: Sal Gentile.
Ghostly Haunts
Release: September Editor: Sal Gentile.
Haunted
Release: September Editor: Sal Gentile.
DC Comics
Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love
Release: February /March Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk. Artist: Tony DeZuniga.
DC 100 Page Super Spectacular: debuts with issue #4
Release: September /October Editor: Joe Orlando.
Forever People
Release: February /March Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Ghosts
Release: September /October Editor: Murray Boltinoff.
Mister Miracle
Release: April. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
New Gods
Release: February /March Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.
Weird War Tales
Release: September /October Editor: Joe Kubert.
Marvel Comics
Kull the Conqueror
Release: June. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Ross Andru and Wally Wood.
Marvel Feature
Release: December. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Ross Andru and Bill Everett.
Marvel Spotlight
Release: November. Writer: Gardner Fox. Artists: Syd Shores and Wally Wood.
Savage Tales
Release: May by Curtis Magazines. Editor: Stan Lee.
Independent titles
Air Pirates Funnies
Release: July by Last Gasp's imprint "Hell Comics".
Countdown
Release: February 20 by Polystyle Publications.
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
Release: February by Rip Off Press. Writer/Artist: Gilbert Shelton.
Mickey Rat
Release: December by Los Angeles Comic Book Company. Writer/Artist: Robert Armstrong.
Tammy
Release: February 6 by IPC Magazines.
Initial appearance by character name
DC Comics
Marvel Comics
Independent titles
References