1992 in comics

Template:Year in

Events and publications

Year overall

New publishers Black Eye Productions, African Prince Productions, Defiant Comics, Approbation Comics, Full Bleed Studios, and Image Comics (including WildStorm and Top Cow Productions) enter the marketplace; Image explodes onto the scene, releasing eight ongoing and limited series, starting with Youngblood in April; followed by Spawn in May; Savage Dragon in July; and Brigade, Shadowhawk, and WildC.A.T.S. in August.
Time Warner companies decided to drop the word "Inc.", including DC Comics.

January

Adventures of Captain America #4, the final issue of the limited series (Marvel)

February

Captain Confederacy vol. 2, #4, the final issue of the limited series (Epic Comics)

March

Batman #475: Introduction of Renee Montoya.
Hook #4, the final issue of the bi-weekly mini-series (Marvel)

April

The Amazing Spider-Man #361: First full appearance of Carnage.

May

Captain America #400: 80-page giant; double gatefold cover; flip-book with a reprint of Avengers #4 (Silver Age re-introduction of Captain America) on the opposite side.
Uncanny X-Men #300: 68-page giant featuring "Legacies," by Scott Lobdell, John Romita Jr., and Dan Green.
Namor the Sub-Mariner #26 (May cover date) – Jae Lee makes his Marvel Comics' debut.

July

Amazing Heroes, the long-running industry magazine published by Fantagraphics, folds after 203 issues.
Introduction of James Rhodes as War Machine in Iron Man #282.
Adventures of the Thing #4, the final issue of the mini-series featuring reprints from Marvel Two-In-One (Marvel)
Defenders of Dynatron City #6, the final issue of the video game adaptation (Marvel)

August

Savage Sword of Conan #200: "Barbarians of the Border," by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, and Ernie Chan.
The Amazing Spider-Man #365: Special 30th Anniversary issue with a hologram on the cover. A backup story, "I Remember Gwen" drawn by John Romita
The Pirates of Dark Water #9, the final issue of the Hanna-Barbera fantasy animated series adaptation (Marvel)

September

With #37, Legends of the Dark Knight changes its title to Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.
Cops: The Job #4, the final issue of the mini-series (Marvel)

October

October 9: The Words & Pictures Museum of Fine Sequential Art, founded by Kevin Eastman, opens its doors in Northampton, Massachusetts
Batman: Sword of Azrael #1: Introduction of Azrael, who would later become Batman during the Knightfall storyline.
Dinosaurs, a Celebration #4, the final issue of the mini-series (Marvel)
Warlock vol. 2, #6, the final issue of the limited series (Marvel)

November

Cable — Blood and Metal #2, the final issue of the limited series (Marvel)
Infinity War #6, the final issue of the limited series (Marvel)

December

The Incredible Hulk reaches issue #400 (December cover date). The Hulk battles the Leader.
The Punisher/Captain America: Blood and Glory #3, the final issue of the limited series (Marvel)

Deaths

March

March 12: Hans G. Kresse, creator of Eric de Noorman, dies at age 70.

June

June 3: William Gaines, publisher of EC Comics and Mad magazine, dies at age 70.
June 6: Martin Goodman, long-time Marvel Comics publisher, dies at age 84.
June 11: Todd Loren, writer, editor, and publisher of Revolutionary Comics, is murdered at aged 32.

July

July 12: Al Gabriele dies at age 75.
July 30: Superman co-creator Joe Shuster dies at age 78.

August

August 26: Bob de Moor, long time collaborator of Hergé and creator of Barelli and Cori, de Scheepsjongen, passes away at age 66.

December

December 24: The Smurfs creator Peyo dies at age 64.

Unknown date

Silver Age letterer Sam Rosen dies.

Exhibitions and shows

September 13–November 7: (The Ohio State University Martin Luther King Jr. Complex for Performing and Cultural Arts, Columbus, Ohio) — Political Satire by Oliver Harrington (part of the Festival of Cartoon Art) — examples of Harrington's comic strip character Bootsie, as well as his magazine cartoons
October 9, 1992 – January 5, 1993: Words & Pictures Museum (Northampton, Massachusetts) grand opening exhibition, featuring Mike Ploog, Jack Kirby, Bill Sienkiewicz, Paul Mavrides, Gilbert Shelton, John Severin, Mark Martin, and Wally Wood
October 26–December 11: (The Ohio State University Main Library, Philip Sills Exhibition Hall, Columbus, Ohio) — Illusions: Ethnicity in American Cartoon Art (part of the Festival of Cartoon Art) — examination of racial and ethnic stereotypes in cartoons from the past 150 years

Conventions

January: CAPTION (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England, U.K.) – inaugural event
January 4–5: Great Eastern Comic Book Convention^[1] (Holiday Inn, St. Louis, Missouri)^[2]
January 23–26: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)^[3]
March 14–15: GlasCAC (Candleriggs Town Hall, Glasgow) — 3rd annual Glasgow edition of the UKCAC; official guests include creators from the "Deadline Mini-Tour": Nick Abadzis, Rachel Ball, Philip Bond, Glyn Dillon, D'Israeli, Evan Dorkin, Jamie Hewlett, Alan Martin, Shaky 2000, and Si Spencer
April 12: International Seattle Comic Convention (e.g., "Center Con") (Seattle, Washington) – guests include Martin Nodell^[4]
May 9: Ramapo Comic Con VI (Ramapo High School, Spring Valley, New York) — guests include Brian Augustyn, Rick Bryant, Mike Carlin, Dave Cockrum, Denys Cowan, Evan Dorkin, David Chelsea, Ken Gale, Ron Garney, Jack C. Harris, Fred Hembeck, Dennis Janke, Ray Lago, Elaine Lee, Mike Leeke, Luke McDonnell, Bob McLeod, Fabian Nicieza, Jerry Ordway, Bob Pinaha, Richard Pini, Wendy Pini, Jordan Raskin, Adrienne Roy, Jim Salicrup, Kurt Schaffenberger, Joe Staton, Anthony Tollin, Mercy Van Vlack, John Workman, Bernie Wrightson, and Jim Shooter
June: Heroes Convention (Charlotte, North Carolina) — guests include Joe Quesada
June 20-21: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Hyatt Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests include Peter David
July 4–6: Chicago Comicon (Ramada O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois) – special guests Rob Liefeld, Mark Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Jim Valentino, and Whilce Portacio
July 12: Great Eastern Conventions (Sheraton-Indianapolis Hotel, Indianopolis, Indiana) – special guest Dave Sim^[5]
July 17–19:^[6] Dragon Con (Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Atlanta, Georgia) – 6,100 attendees
August 7–9: Dallas Fantasy Fair (Dallas Market Hall Convention Center, Dallas, Texas) — 5,500 attendees; official guests include Archie Goodwin, John Byrne,^[7] Sergio Aragonés, Peter Bagge, Neal Barrett, Jr., Steve Bissette, Bob Burden, Steven Butler, Dan Clowes, Mike Collins, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Steve Erwin, Mark Finn, Brad W. Foster, Josh Alan Friedman, Kerry Gammill, Dick Giordano, Alan Grant, Gary Groth, Bo Hampton, Ray Harryhausen, Tex Henson, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Walt Holcombe, Jaxon, Shane Johnson, Kelley Jones, Gil Kane, Larry King, Denis Kitchen, Rick Klaw, Harvey Kurtzman, Michael Lark, John Lucas, Dean Mullaney, Martin Nodell, Nina Paley, Butch Patrick, Tom Peyer, Michael Price, Don Ivan Punchatz, Joe Riley, Nina Romberg, Jeff Rovin, Mark Schultz, Julius Schwartz, Gilbert Shelton, Lewis Shiner, Ivan Stang, Kenneth Smith, Chris Sprouse, David Tosh, James Vance, Martin Wagner, Reed Waller, Wayno, Shannon Wheeler, Mack White, Sidney Williams, Al Williamson, John Wooley, Kate Worley, and Catherine Yronwode
August 13–16: Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center and Double Tree Hotel, San Diego, California – 22,000 attendees; special guests: Francis Ford Coppola, Creig Flessel, Bill Griffith, Todd McFarlane, Diane Noomin, Rowena, William Shatner, Gilbert Shelton, Lewis Shiner, Mr. T, Gary Trousdale, Vernor Vinge, and Kirk Wise. Con hosts Jack Kirby's 75th birthday party. Phil Foglio begins long run as Masquerade emcee.
September: Mid-Ohio Con (Columbus, Ohio) – convention coincides with publication of DC's The Death of Superman. Guests of the show include Roger Stern, John Byrne, and Jim Shooter
September 19–20: UKCAC92 (Institute of Education, London, England, United Kingdom) — 8th annual edition; guests include John Romita, Jr., Chris Claremont, David Mazzucchelli, Steve Bissette, Mike Mignola, Tom Veitch, Evan Dorkin, Paul Kupperberg, Dave Gibbons, Alan Grant, Peter Milligan, Mike Collins, John McCrea, Lew Stringer, John Beeston, Stephen Sampson, Jamie Hewlett, Doug Braithwaite, Richmond Lewis, Arthur Ranson, Mark Buckingham, Andrew Wildman, and Paul Johnson
October 30–31: Festival of Cartoon Art (Ohio State University, Conference Theatre, Ohio Union, Columbus, Ohio) — guests include Mell Lazarus, David Hendin, Jim Borgman, Mort Drucker, Nicole Hollander, Mike Konopacki, Buck Brown, Lee Lorenz
November 1: Great Eastern Conventions (Marriott Hotel, Portland, Oregon) – special guest Dave Sim^[8]
December 13: Great Eastern Conventions (Sheraton Grand Hotel, Houston, Texas) – special guest Dave Sim^[9]

Awards

First issues by title

DC Comics

Dark Horse Comics

Image Comics

Brigade

Release: August. Writers: Rob Liefeld, Hank Kanalz, and Eric Stephenson. Artists: Marat Mychaels, Paul Scott, and Norm Rapmund.

Cyberforce (1 of 4)

Release: October. Writer: Eric Silvestri. Artist: Marc Silvestri

Savage Dragon (1 of 3)

Release: July. Writer/Artist: Erik Larsen

Shadowhawk

Release: August. Writer/Artist: Jim Valentino

Spawn

Release: May. Writer/Artist: Todd McFarlane

Supreme

Release: October. Writers: Rob Liefeld and Brian Murray. Artists: Brian Murray and Rob Liefeld.

WildC.A.T.S.

Release: August. Writers: Brandon Choi and Jim Lee. Artists: Jim Lee and Scott Williams.

Youngblood

Release: April. Writers: Rob Liefeld and Hank Kanalz. Artist: Rob Liefeld.

Kodansha

Sailor Moon

Release: July. Writer and artist: Naoko Takeuchi.

Marvel Comics

Cage

Release: April.

Darkhold: Pages From The Book of Sin

Release: October.

James Bond Jr.

Release: January.

Kid 'n Play

Release: February.

Morbius, the Living Vampire

Release: September

Nomad v2

Release: May.

The Punisher War Zone v1

Release: March.

Ravage 2099

Release: December.

Spider-Man 2099

Release: November.

Spirits of Vengeance

Release: August.

Warlock v2

Release: May.

Warlock and the Infinity Watch

Release: February.

WCW World Championship Wrestling

Release: April.

Limited series

The Adventures of The Thing

Release: April.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Release: January.

Cops: The Job

Release: June.

Defenders of Dynatron City

Release: February.

Hook

Release: February.

Quasar Special

Release: March.

The Infinity War

Release: June.

Independent titles

Kick Fighter Komiks: Release: by Infinity. Writer: Jojo Ende Jr. Artist: Gilbert Monsanto

Oombah, Jungle Moon Man: Release: August by Strawberry Jam Comics. Writer/Artist: Mike Bannon.

Canceled titles by publisher

DC Comics

Starman, with issue #45 (April )

Last Gasp

Wimmen's Comix, with issue #17

Marvel Comics

ALF, with issue #50 (February )
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, with issue #3 (February )
Captain Planet and the Planeteers, with issue #12 (September )
The Destroyer, with vol. 3, #4 (March )
Original Ghost Rider Rides Again, with issue #7 (January )
James Bond Jr., with issue #12 (December )
Kid 'n Play, with issue #9 (October )
Metropol (by Ted McKeever), with issue #12 (March ) (Epic Comics)
NFL SuperPro, with issue #12 (September )
RoboCop, with #23 (January )
Spider-Man Saga, with issue #4 (February )
The Toxic Avenger, with issue #11 (February )
The Transmutation of Ike Garuda, with issue #2 (January ) (Epic Comics)

References

^ Not affiliated with Great Eastern Conventions of New Jersey.
^ Smith, Bill. "Comic Collectors Congregate Baom! Pow! Whap! Paper Heros' Capture Big Prices", St. Louis Post-Dispatch (06 Jan 1992), p. 3A.
^ Dutrey, Jacques. "Angouleme '92 : A Dizzying Display of Comic Art," The Comics Journal #150 (May 1992), pp. 35-36.
^ Haberstroh, Joe. "Holy Books, Batman – It's a Comics Convention", Seattle Times (April 13, 1992).
^ Buckman, Rebecca. "Aardvark attracts loyal fans", Indianapolis Star (07 July 1992), p. C.1.
^ Thomas, Keith L. "Dragon Con Explores Worlds of Fantasy", The Atlanta Constitution (July 17, 1992), p. D8.
^ The Comics Journal #75 (Sept. 1982).
^ Turnquist, Kristi. "Comics to Take Seriously", The Oregonian (October 31, 1992).
^ Westbrook, Bruce. "Comic book aardvark keeps its maker creative, fulfilled", Houston Chronicle (10 Dec 1992), p. 1.

[1] Not affiliated with Great Eastern Conventions of New Jersey.

[2] Smith, Bill. "Comic Collectors Congregate Baom! Pow! Whap! Paper Heros' Capture Big Prices", St. Louis Post-Dispatch (06 Jan 1992), p. 3A.

[3] Dutrey, Jacques. "Angouleme '92 : A Dizzying Display of Comic Art," The Comics Journal #150 (May 1992), pp. 35-36.

[4] Haberstroh, Joe. "Holy Books, Batman – It's a Comics Convention", Seattle Times (April 13, 1992).

[5] Buckman, Rebecca. "Aardvark attracts loyal fans", Indianapolis Star (07 July 1992), p. C.1.

[6] Thomas, Keith L. "Dragon Con Explores Worlds of Fantasy", The Atlanta Constitution (July 17, 1992), p. D8.

[7] The Comics Journal #75 (Sept. 1982).

[8] Turnquist, Kristi. "Comics to Take Seriously", The Oregonian (October 31, 1992).

[9] Westbrook, Bruce. "Comic book aardvark keeps its maker creative, fulfilled", Houston Chronicle (10 Dec 1992), p. 1.

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