The Comics Code Authority revises the Code a number of 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.
Jack Kirby introduces his Fourth World series in a number of new DC titles — The Forever People, New Gods, and Mister Miracle — 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.
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.
January 27: E. Simms Campbell, creator of Cuties, dies at age 65.
Alan Light publishes the first issue of The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom.
World's Finest Comics #200: "Prisoners of the Immortal World!" by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella. (DC Comics)
New Gods #1 (February /March ) (DC Comics)
First appearances of Highfather, Kalibak, Lightray, and Orion
Chamber of Darkness, with issue #9, changes its name to Monsters on the Prowl. (Marvel Comics)
Classics Illustrated, published under that title since March 1947 (and before that as Classic Comics since 1941), canceled by Gilberton after 288 issues.
The Avengers #85 (Marvel Comics)
First appearance of the Squadron Supreme, as well as members Blue Eagle, Doctor Spectrum (Joseph Ledger), Golden Archer, Hyperion (Mark Milton), Lady Lark, Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond, Earth-712), Tom Thumb, and Whizzer (Stanley Stewart)
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.
Mister Miracle #1 (DC Comics)
First appearance of Mister Miracle
Aquaman (1962 series), with issue #56, is canceled by DC Comics.
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
Forever People #2 (DC Comics)
First appearance of Desaad
Mister Miracle #2 (DC Comics)
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
Batman #232 (DC Comics)
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.
House of Secrets #92 (DC Comics)
First appearance of Swamp Thing
The woman appearing on the cover of this issue was modeled after future comics writer Louise Simonson.
The Incredible Hulk #141 (Marvel Comics)
First appearance of Doc Samson
Timmy the Timid Ghost (vol. 2), with issue #23, canceled by Charlton.
July 24: Golden Age artist Lou Fine dies at age 56.
DC Comics raises the price of its typical comic book from 15 cents to 25 cents, and the page-count from 36 to 52 by adding reprints and new backup features.
The "Snowbirds Don't Fly" story-arc, written by Denny O'Neil and drawn by Neal Adams, begins in Green Lantern #85 (August/September cover date) (concluding in issue #86). (DC Comics)
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.
The Brave and the Bold #98 (written by Bob Haney) — Jim Aparo's first issue as artist. Haney and Aparo continue to contribute the majority of issues until the series' finale in July 1983.
In the Days of the Mob #1 and Spirit World #1, two one-shot black-and-white magazines by Jack Kirby.
Mister Miracle #4 (DC Comics)
First appearance of Big Barda
The Amazing Spider-Man #101 (Marvel Comics)
First appearance of Morbius, the Living Vampire
Girls' Romances (1950 series), with issue #160, is cancelled by DC.
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.
After a month-long experimentation with 25-cent comics, Marvel reduces the price of a typical comic to 20 cents, and returns the page-count from 52 to 36 pages.
Bill Spicer, Michael Moore and Fred Walker found the Los Angeles Comic Book Company in Los Angeles.
The Avengers #94: First appearance of the Mandroid power armor.
Marvel Feature #1 (Marvel Comics)
First appearance of The Defenders
Green Lantern #87 (DC Comics)
First appearance of John Stewart
April 18–May 2: New York City — first exhibition of comic books
February 27–28: Comicon '71 (British Comic Art Convention) (Waverley Hotel, London, England) — organized by Bram Stokes and Dez Skinn; guest of honor: Frank Bellamy; other guests include Frank Dickens, Mick Farren, and Edward Barker
Summer: Miamicon II (Miami, Florida)i
Summer: Name TK (Boston, Massachusetts)
June 17–20: Houstoncon '71 (Houston, Texas) — official guests include Kirk Alyn at his first fan convention
July 2–4: Comic Art Convention (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — presentation of the Goethe Awards, emceed by Tony Isabella and Carl Gafford. Convention credited by Will Eisner for his return to comics:
July 8–11: D-Con '71 (Sheraton-Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas) — 6th annual Southwesterncon
August 6–8: Golden State Comic Con (e.g., the second occurrence of what becomes the San Diego Comic-Con) (Muir College, University of California, San Diego Campus, La Jolla, California) — official guests: Kirk Alyn, Leigh Brackett, Ray Bradbury, Edmund Hamilton, Jack Kirby
August 15: Metro Con (Washington, D.C.) — second annual show organized by 16-year-old Gary Groth; attendees include guest of honor Frank Frazetta, Phil Seuling, Bud Plant, and Dave Cockrum
November 26–28: Creation Con (New Yorker Hotel, New York City) — first iteration of this trade show, produced by two 14-year-old Queens schoolboys, Adam Malin and Gary Berman; guest: Jim Steranko
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:
Best Continuing Feature: Conan the Barbarian (Marvel)
Best Individual Story: "Snowbirds Don't Fly", by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams, Green Lantern/Green Arrow #85 (DC)
Best Writer (Dramatic Division): Roy Thomas
Best Penciller (Dramatic Division): Neal Adams
Best Inker (Dramatic Division): Dick Giordano
Best Writer (Humor Division): John Albano
Best Penciller (Humor Division): Dan DeCarlo
Best Inker (Humor Division): Henry Scarpelli
Best Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Best Colorist: Tatjana Wood
Best Foreign Artist: Frank Bellamy
Outstanding New Talent: (tie)
Michael Kaluta
Richard Corben
Special Recognition: Gil Kane, "for Blackmark, his paperback comics novel"
Special Achievement by an Individual: Jack Kirby, "for his Fourth World series in Forever People, New Gods, Mister Miracle, Jimmy Olsen"
Hall of Fame: Will Eisner
Ghost Manor vol. 2
Release: October
Editor: Sal Gentile.
Ghostly Haunts
Release: September
Editor: Sal Gentile.
Haunted
Release: September
Editor: Sal Gentile.
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.
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.
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.
Ra's al Ghul, in Batman #232 (June)
Talia al Ghul, in Detective Comics #411 (May)
Big Barda, in Mister Miracle #4 (October)
Black Racer, in New Gods #3 (July)
Champions of Angor, in Justice League of America #87 (February)
Blue Jay
Silver Sorceress
Desaad, in Forever People #2 (May)
Doctor Bedlam, in Mister Miracle #2 (May/June)
Dubbilex, in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #136 (March)
Glorious Godfrey, in Forever People #3 (June)
Gnarrk, in Teen Titans #33 (June)
Granny Goodness, in Mister Miracle #2 (May/June)
Highfather, in New Gods #1 (February /March )
Kalibak, in New Gods #1 (February /March )
Lightray, in New Gods #1 (February /March )
Bruno Mannheim, in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #139 (July)
Mantis, in Forever People #2 (June)
Merlyn, in Justice League of America #94 (November)
Mister Miracle, in Mister Miracle #1 (April)
Orion, in New Gods #1 (February)
John Stewart, in Green Lantern #87 (December)
Sonny Sumo, in Forever People #4 (September)
Swamp Thing, in House of Secrets #92 (July)
Virman Vundabar, in Mister Miracle #5 (December)
The Defenders, in Marvel Feature #1 (December)
Jarella, in The Incredible Hulk #140 (June)
Man-Thing, in Savage Tales #1 (May)
Mockingbird, in Astonishing Tales #6 (June)
Morbius, the Living Vampire, in The Amazing Spider-Man #101 (October)
Overmind, in Fantastic Four #113 (August)
Doc Samson, in The Incredible Hulk #141 (July)
Serpent Men, in Kull the Conqueror #2 (September)
Spymaster, in Iron Man #33
Squadron Supreme, in The Avengers #85 (March)
Blue Eagle
Doctor Spectrum (Joseph Ledger)
Golden Archer
Hyperion (Mark Milton)
Lady Lark
Nighthawk (Kyle Richmond, Earth-712)
Tom Thumb
Whizzer (Stanley Stewart)
Valkyrie (Samantha Parrington), in The Incredible Hulk #142 (August)
Dirty Duck, in Air Pirates Funnies #1 (July, Last Gasp)
Zippy the Pinhead, in Real Pulp Comix #1 (March, Print Mint)
