1994 in comics

Events

Year overall

• Huge changes in the marketplace force many retailers and small publishers out of business. Aircel Comics, Apple Comics, Attic Books, Axis Comics, Blackball Comics, Comic Zone Productions, Continuity Comics, Continüm Comics, Dagger Enterprises, Eternity Comics, Fantagor Press, NOW Comics, Revolutionary Comics, Imperial Comics, Innovation Corporation, Majestic Entertainment, Ominous Press, Silver Moon Comics, and Triumphant Comics all cease publishing. All the same, a number of publishers debut, including Axis Comics, Big Bang Comics, Chaos! Comics, Crusade Comics, Event Comics, Les 400 coups, Mojo Press, Ominous Press, Re-Visionary Press, and Sirius Entertainment.

  January

• January 2: Peter de Wit's gag-a-day comic Sigmund, which debuted a year earlier in the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws under the different title Mijnheerke Psi, is now published in the Dutch newspaper Het Parool, where it will remain a mainstay for decades to come.
• January 14: Eagle, with issue #574, canceled by Fleetway.
• Iron Man #300: The Iron Legion vs. Ultimo, written by Len Kaminski.
• Kyle Rayner is introduced as new Green Lantern
• Avengers West Coast is canceled by Marvel with issue #102.

  February

• February 7: Dick Tracy characters Dick Tracy and Tess Trueheart go through a divorce, which becomes a big media story. The couple is eventually reunited.
• Captain America #425 is the debut of the 12-part storyline "The Fighting Chance."
• She-Hulk vol. 2 is canceled with issue #60. The caption on the cover reads: "O.K., kids, we had a deal.... now hand over those X-Men comics!"

  March

• vol. 2, #30: Scott Summers marries Jean Grey.
• Marc Spector: Moon Knight is canceled by Marvel with issue #60.
• X-Men crossover "Child's Play" begins.

  April

• X-Men crossover Child's Play concludes.
• Starblast concludes, both as a limited series and as a crossover.

  May

• The Incredible Hulk issue #417 features Rick Jones’ infamous stag party in which the Marvel heroes discover that Jones’ fiancée was an adult film star.
• early webcomic NetBoy is first uploaded to the World Wide Web.

  June

• Action Comics #700: 68-page anniversary issue. "The Fall of Metropolis". One of Curt Swan's final Superman jobs.
• Conan the Barbarian returns to comics with two titles: Conan the Adventurer and Conan Classic
• The Incredible Hulk issue #418 is Rick and Marlo's wedding issue with an appearance by DC Comics’ character Death. Written by Peter David, with art by Gary Frank and Cam Smith.
• Thor reaches issue #475 and re-introduces Dr. Don Blake, Thor's first secret identity, and romantic interest Jane Foster. Thor also gets a new armor and costume.
• A second attempt to launch a Lucky Luke monthly magazine is made, which will run until January 1995.

  July

• The Spider-Man Clone Saga begins.
• Quasar is canceled by Marvel with issue #60.

  August

• August 29: The Dutch comics magazine Sjors and Sjimmie Weekblad changes its name again into Sjosji. It will continue until 1998, after which it becomes Striparazzi.
• DC Comics launches the promotion.
• The Incredible Hulk #420: "Lest Darkness Come," by Peter David, Gary Frank, and Cam Smith. Jim Wilson dies of AIDS.

  September

• L.E.G.I.O.N. is canceled by DC with issue #70.
• Justice League International vol. 2 is canceled by DC with issue #67.
• "Phalanx Covenant," an X-Men crossover storyline, begins.

  October

• October 15–16: During the Stripdagen in Breda, the Netherlands, Don Lawrence, receives the Stripschapprijs. Peter Kuipers and Mat Schifferstein of publishing company Sherpa receive the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten.
• Daniel Clowes' The Sensual Santa is prepublished in Eightball.

  November

• Marvel Comics abolishes the position of editor-in-chief, replacing Tom DeFalco with five group editors-in-chief. Rather than name a successor, the company appoints five "Editors-in-Chief," each of whom oversees a certain number of titles, collected into broad groups: the X-Men titles, the Spider-Man titles, so-called "Marvel Universe" titles, the newly created Marvel Edge, and licensed-property titles.
• Marvel Tales, the long-running reprint title, is canceled with issue #291.
• November 3: Marvel Comics purchases Malibu Comics

  December

• X-Men #41 is the prologue to the Age of Apocalypse with Legion murdering Professor X.
• ', published by Marvel Comics, is canceled with issue #155.
• December 28''': Marvel Comics purchases distributor Heroes World Distribution.

  Deaths

January

• January 5: Joop Du Buy, Dutch animator, textile salesman and comics artist, dies at age 59.
• January 17: Reamer Keller, American cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 89.
• January 25: Filip Fermin, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 46.

  February

• February 6: Jack "King" Kirby, American comics artist, dies at age 76.
• February 10: Mel Calman, British illustrator and comics artist, dies from a heart attack at age 62.

  March

• March 10: Aurelio Galleppini, Italian comics artist, dies at the age of 76.
• March 10: Reuben Timmins, American animator and comics artist, dies at the age of 84.
• March 19: René Deynis, French illustrator, comics artist and writer, dies at age 63.
• March 22: Walter Lantz, American comics artist and animator, dies at age 94.
• March 31: José Escobar Saliente, Spanish animator, comics writer and artist, dies at age 85.
• Specific date unknown: Jack Dunkley, British comics artist, dies at age 87.

  April

• April 5: Kurt Cobain, American rock singer and guitarist, commits suicide at age 27.
• April 9: Keith Watson, British comics artist, dies at age 59.

  May

• May 1: John Milton Morris, American political cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 87.
• May 6: Murray Boltinoff, American comics writer and editor, dies at age 83.
• May 9: Reinhold Escher, German comics artist, dies at age 89.
• May 16: Dorul van der Heide, Dutch painter and comics artists, passes away at age 90.
• May 22: Mitacq, Belgian comics artist, dies at age 66.
• May 23: Don Thompson, American comics writer, critic, collector and co-editor of the comics magazine Comics Buyer's Guide, dies at age 58.
• May 24: Julien Hébert, Canadian architect, industrial designer and comics artist, passes away at age 76.
• May 26: Nico Oeloff, Dutch painter and comics artist, dies at age 75.

  June

• June 1: Bob Leguay, French illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 67.
• June 10: Jack Hannah, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 81.
• June 21: Neal Pozner, American comics writer and editor, dies at age 38 or 39 from AIDS.
• June 23: Piet van Elk, Dutch comics artist and animator, dies at age 74.
• June 28: Richard Bickenbach, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 86.

  July

• July 4: Alfred Harvey, American comics artist and publisher, passes away at age 80.
• July 21: Marijac, French comics artist and writer, dies at age 85.
• July 23: Owen Fitzgerald, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 77.

  August

• August 1: Augstí Ascensio Saurí, aka Asen, Spanish animator and comics artist, dies at age 45 in a car accident.
• August 13: Richard Klokkers, Dutch comics artist, dies at age 70.
• August 23: Jean-Claude Gal, French comics artist, passes away at age 52.
• August 26: Werner Klemke, German illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 77.

  September

• September 5: Yvette Lapointe, Canadian comics artist , passes away at age 82.
• September 11: Ben Jansen, Dutch comics artist, dies at the age of 39.
• September 12: Dick De Wilde, aka W. Gerritsen or W. Gerr, Dutch comics artist, illustrator and graphic designer, dies at age 89.
• September 21: Jef De Wulf, French comics artist, dies at age 78.
• September 22: Bud Sagendorf, American comics artist, dies from brain cancer at age 79.

  October

• October 5: Doug Wildey, American comics artist and animator , dies at age 72.
• October 5: Frank Ridgeway, American comics artist and writer, passes away at age 63 or 64.
• October 14: Jack Tippit, American comics artist, dies at age 70.
• October 17: Rik van Bentum, Dutch painter and comics artist, dies at age 57.
• October 18: Manoel Messias De Mello, Brazilian comics artist, passes away at age 88.
• October 26: Francis, Belgian comics artist, passes away at age 57.

  November

• November 2: Martin Taras, American animator and comics artist, dies at age 80.
• November 8: Michael O'Donoghue, American comics writer, TV writer, novelist and publisher, passes away at age 54.
• November 15: Janet Ahlberg, British illustrator and comics artist, passes away from breast cancer at age 50.
• November 28: Frank Robbins, American comics artist and writer, dies at age 77.

  December

• December 1: Romain Deconinck, Belgian actor, comedian and theatre director, dies at age 78.
• December 2: Tony Weare, British comics artist, dies at age 82.
• December 8: Sidney A. Quinn, American illustrator, painter and comics artist, dies at age 79 or 80.
• December 14: Lucien Nortier, French comics artist, dies at age 62.
• December 18: Albert-Georges Badert, French comics artist, dies at age 79.

  Specific date unknown

• Bob Forgione, American comics artist, dies at age 64 or 65.
• Rein van Looy, Dutch comics artist and illustrator, passes away.
• Jan van Reek, Dutch comics artist,, passes away.

  Exhibitions and shows

Conventions

• February 11–13: Great Eastern Conventions New York I — guests include Arthur Adams, Murphy Anderson, Dick Ayers, Terry Austin, Mark Bagley, Jim Balent, Tony Bedard, Tom and Mary Bierbaum, Barry Blair, Ruben Bolling, John Byrne, Rich Buckler, Jim Califiore, Jim Callahan, George Caragonne, Richard Case, Paul Castiglia, Paul Chadwick, Bernard Chang, Howard Chaykin, David Chelsea, Sean Chen, Mark Chiarello, Jan Childress, Ernie Colón, Gene Colan, Amanda Conner, Howard Cruse, Paris Cullins, Geoff Darrow, Peter David, Dan Decarlo, Mike DeCarlo, Kim DeMulder, Steve Dillon, Chuck Dixon, Evan Dorkin, Chris Claremont, Dave Dorman, Steve Ellis, Garth Ennis, Mike Esposito, Lee Falk, Bob Fingerman, Robert Loren Fleming, Sandu Florea, Greg Fox, José Luis García-López, Ron Garney, Nat Gertler, Vince Giarrano, Dave Gibbons, Keith Giffen, Tom Gill, Dick Giordano, Stan Goldberg, Richard Goldwater, Gene Gonzales, Jorge Gonzalez, Archie Goodwin, Victor Gorelick, Dan Gottlieb, Ron Goulart, Steven Grant, Gary Guzzo, Lurene Haines, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Scott Hanna, Irwin Hasen, Fred Haynes, Don Heck, David Hillman, Dave Hoover, Jed Hotchkiss, Kevin Hopgood, Stephen Hughes, Dave Hunt, Greg Hyland, Mark Hyman, Janet Jackson, Dan Jurgens, Michael Kaluta, Len Kaminsky, Gil Kane, Jay Kennedy, Hannibal King, Scott Kolins, Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, David Lapham, Batton Lash, Carol Lay, Bob Layton, Jae Lee, Rick Leonardi, Joseph Michael Linsner, Aaron Lopresti, Frank Lovece, John Lowe, Tom Lyle, Mike Manley, Ron Marz, Bob McLeod, Mark McKenna, Frank McLaughlin, Shawn McManus, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Bernie Mireault, Steve Mitchell, Rags Morales, Tom Morgan, Will Murray, Josh Myers, Fabian Nicieza, Graham Nolan, Michael Avon Oeming, Kevin O'Neill, Jerry Ordway, Richard Pace, Tom Palmer, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Parker, Rick Parker, Ande Parks, Don Perlin, Joe Phillips, Adam Pollina, George Pratt, Brian Pulido, Joe Quesada, Alan Rabinowitz, Ted Rall, Tom Raney, Ralph Reese, James Robinson, Adrienne Roy, John Rozum, Paul Ryan, Julius Schwartz, David Scroggy, Steven T. Seagle, Val Semeiks, Eric Shanower, Jim Shooter, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Will Simpson, Ted Slampyak, Bob Smith, Frank Springer, Jim Starlin, Arne Starr, Alec Stevens, William Stout, Larry Stroman, Arthur Suydam, Art Thibert, Anthony Tollin, Kevin VanHook, Tom Veitch, Charles Vess, Matt Wagner, Lee Weeks, Alan Weiss, David Wenzel, Mark Wheatley, Bob Wiacek, Mike Wieringo, Kent Williams, Gahan Wilson, Barry Windsor-Smith, Marv Wolfman, John Workman, Berni Wrightson, and Mike Zeck
• March 13: Great Eastern Conventions — 400 attendees
• March 25–27: Motor City Comic Con
• April: Pittsburgh Comicon — first iteration of the show
• April 20–21: Pro/Con 2
• April 22–24: WonderCon
• Summer: CAPTION — Sex & Drugs & Rock'n'Roll theme; guests include Hunt Emerson, Pete Loveday, and Bryan Talbot
• June 3–5: Stripdagen Haarlem
• June 4–5: Great Eastern Conventions New York II
• June 4: Alternative Press Expo — first annual iteration of APE
• June 17–19: Atlanta Fantasy Fair — official guests include Sarah Douglas, Bruce Campbell, Jeff Rector, Geraint Wyn Davies, John A. Russo, Ted V. Mikels
• June 17–19: Heroes Convention — guests include Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Gil Kane, Joe Madureira, Jeff Smith, John Romita Sr. and John Romita Jr.
• June 17–19: New York Comic Fest
• July 3–5: Chicago Comicon — 20,000+ attendees; guest of honor: Harlan Ellison; special guest: James O'Barr
• July 15–17: Dragon Con/Atlanta Comics Expo — 11,000 attendees
• July 29–31: Dallas Fantasy Fair — guests include Dave Sim and Martin Wagner
• August 4–7, San Diego Comic-Con — 31,000 attendees; special guests include Mike Allred, David Brin, Dave Dorman, Al Feldstein, Rick Geary, Stan Goldberg, Roberta Gregory, Matt Groening, Chad Grothkopf, Lurene Haines, Dan Jurgens, Frank Miller, Leonard Nimoy, James O'Barr, Lucius Shepard, J. Michael Straczynski, Rumiko Takahashi, and Jean-Claude Van Damme
• August 20: Marvel Mega Tour
• September: Small Press Expo — first iteration of this show
• September 10–11: OrlandoCon — produced by retailer Mike Kott; guests include Jim Ivey and Martin Nodell
• October 21–23: Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular — 200 exhibitors; guests include Stan Lee. Charity auction to benefit St. Jude's Hospital and Goodwill Industries.
• October 22–23: Toronto Comic Book Extravaganza
• November 26–27: Mid-Ohio Con — guests include Jeff Smith and Bernie Wrightson

  First issues by title

DC Comics

• Anima
• Aquaman
• ' – Elseworlds
• Damage
• Gunfire
• R.E.B.E.L.S. '94
• Shadow Cabinet – Milestone Comics imprint
• Starman
• '
• Worlds Collide – Milestone Comics imprint
• Xombi – Milestone Comics imprint
• Zero Hour

  Vertigo Comics

• The Invisibles

  Image Comics

• Boof

  Marvel Comics

Small press titles

• The Biologic Show, by Al Columbia, Fantagraphics Books
• Underwater, by Chester Brown, Drawn and Quarterly. First issue: August
• César and Jessica, in France

  Shueisha