1972 in comics

Year overall

Marvel Comics forms their British publishing arm, Marvel UK (under the corporate name Magazine Management London Ltd.).

Phil Seuling founds Sea Gate Distributors, developing the concept of the direct market distribution system for getting comics directly into comic book specialty shops, bypassing the established newspaper/magazine distributor method.

DC acquires licensing rights to the Marvel Family, originally published by Fawcett Comics.

Fleming H. Revell establishes Spire Christian Comics.

Jacques Glénat, at only twenty years old, establishes Glénat.

Newspaper strip Captain Kate ceases syndication.

Kinney National Company spun off its non-entertainment assets and changed its name to Warner Communications.

January

Korak, Son of Tarzan (1964 series), with issue #45, cancelled by Gold Key Comics. (The title is acquired and continued by DC in June.)

February

The Brave and the Bold #100 (February /March cover date): Batman teams up with Robin, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Green Lantern. (DC Comics)

With issue #206, Gold Key Comics cancels Tarzan, a title it acquired from Dell Comics in 1962.

March

Marvel Comics launches its second ongoing Spider-Man title, Marvel Team-Up.

House of Mystery #200, edited by Joe Orlando. (DC Comics)

April

Marvel Comics launches Marvel Premiere, an anthology series.

With issue #207, DC Comics begins publishing Tarzan, acquired from Gold Key Comics.

With issue #89 (April /May cover-date), DC suspends publishing Green Lantern.

May

Wonder Woman #200 (May/June cover date): 52-page giant, "The Beauty Hater," by Denny O'Neil and Dick Giordano. (DC Comics)

Tomahwak, with issue #140 (May/June cover date), canceled by DC.

June

Marvel Comics launches Luke Cage, Hero for Hire, which is the debut of the title character.

Thor #200: "The End of the World," by Gerry Conway (pages 1, 21), Stan Lee (pages 2–20), John Buscema, and John Verpoorten.

Action Comics #413: Metamorpho becomes the backup feature.

The Avengers #100: "Whatever Gods There Be," by Roy Thomas and Barry Smith.

The Darkhold, also known as The Book of Sins, is introduced in Marvel Spotlight #4.

Korak, Son of Tarzan, with issue #46, taken over by DC from Gold Key Comics.

With issue #12 (June/July cover date), All-Star Western (vol. 2) changes it name to Weird Western Tales — DC Comics

With issue #5 (June/July cover date), The Sinister House of Secret Love changes its name to Secrets of Sinister House — DC Comics

July

After a year-long experimentation with 25-cent, 52-page comics, DC Comics reduces the price of a typical comic to 20 cents, and returns the page count to 36 pages.

Art Spiegelman publishes "Maus", a three-page strip which will eventually turn into Maus, for Funny Aminals [cq], an underground comic published by Apex Novelties.

Detective Comics #425: Jason Bard replaces Batgirl as the backup feature.

Sgt. Fury #100: "One Hundredth Anniversary," by Gary Friedrich, Dick Ayers, and Mike Esposito. (Marvel Comics)

August

The Flash #217: Four months after the cancellation of his own title, Green Lantern begins appearing as a backup feature in The Flash #217 (Aug.-Sept. 1972).

Justice League of America #100: "The Unknown Soldier of Victory!", by Len Wein, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella.

Forever People, with issue #11, is cancelled by DC.

September

House of Secrets #100, edited by Joe Orlando. (DC Comics)

Stan Lee becomes Marvel Comics' publisher; Roy Thomas takes over as Marvel editor-in-chief.

October

Date with Debbi, with issue #18 (October /November cover date), is cancelled by DC.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1: new series by writer/artist Jack Kirby is launched by DC Comics with an October/November cover date).

New Gods, with issue #11 (October /November cover date), is temporarily cancelled by DC (it is revived with issue #12 in 1977).

Silver Age inker Sid Greene dies at age 66.

November

Girls' Love Stories, with issue #180 (November /December cover-date), cancelled by DC Comics.

December

Justice League of America #103, Writer Len Wein and artists Dick Dillin and Dick Giordano craft the DC portion of a metafictional unofficial crossover spanning titles from both major comics companies. The Marvel chapters appear with 1973 cover dates. Each comic featured writers Steve Englehart, Gerry Conway, and Len Wein, as well as Wein's first wife Glynis, interacting with Marvel or DC characters at the Rutland Halloween Parade in Rutland, Vermont. Beginning in Amazing Adventures #16 (by Englehart with art by Bob Brown and Frank McLaughlin), the story continued in Justice League of America #103 (by Wein, Dillin and Giordano), and concluded in Thor #207 (by Conway and penciler John Buscema).

Deaths

March 4: Charles Biro, American comics artist (Airboy, Steel Sterling, Daredevil Comics), dies at age 60.

May 23: Louis Salvérius, Belgian comics artist (Les Tuniques Bleues), unexpectedly dies from a heart attack at the age of 38.

May 23: Nino Pagot, Italian comics artist and animator (Calimero), dies at the age of 64.

September 12: Max Fleischer, American animator and comics artist (Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor), dies at age 89.

September 20: William Ritt, American comics writer and journalist (Brick Bradford), dies at the age of 69 or 70.

Specific date unknown: C.H. Chapman, British comics artist (Billy Bunter) dies at the age of 92 or 93.

Conventions

Phoenixcon (Phoenix, Arizona)

April 25–28: First American International Congress of Comics (New York City)

May 26–29: EC Fan Addict Convention (Hotel McAlpin, New York City) — official guests include William Gaines, Al Williamson, Wally Wood, George Evans, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando, and Al Feldstein

June: Multicon (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) — 2nd occurrence of this show; guests include Will Eisner

July 1–5: Comic Art Convention (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — Jack Kirby and Alex Toth guests of honor; other guests include Jim Steranko; announcement of the 1971 Goethe Awards

July 22–23: Nostalgia '72 (Pick-Congress Hotel, Chicago, Illinois) — first Chicago-area comics and collectibles convention, produced by Nancy Warner; c. 2,000 attendees

July 29–30: Fancon (Hotel Commodore Maury, Norfolk, VA) — produced by Dixieland Fandom; guests include Guest of Honor Wally Wood, Kelly Freas, Murray Leinster, Jeff Jones, Michael Kaluta, and Frank Brunner

August 3–6: Detroit Tri-Con (Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel, Detroit, MI) — organized by Tom Orzechowski & Michael Kucharski (with other committee members including Terry Austin, Tony Isabella, Arvell Jones, Martin Pasko, and Jerry Bails); official guests include Edmond Hamilton, Leigh Brackett, Gray Morrow, Lin Carter, Al Williamson, Russ Myers, John Jakes, T. Casey Brennan, Robert Taylor, Ken Muse, and Fan Guest of Honor Rick Yager; program cover by Gray Morrow

August 5–6: Comicon '72 (British Comic Art Convention) (Waverley Hotel, London, England) — 5th annual show, produced by Nick Landau

August 18–21: San Diego's West Coast Comic Convention (El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California) — 900+ attendees; official guests: Bob Clampett, Harry Harrison, Jack Kirby, Katherine Kurtz, Mel Lazarus, Roy Thomas, and Milt Gray

October 19–22: Detroit Triple Fan Fair (Detroit Hilton, Detroit, Michigan) — 7th edition of the convention, program includes "a history of the Detroit Triple Fan Fair"; official guests include Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Vaughn Bodé, Jeff Jones, Russ Heath, Bud Plant, Dale Manesis, Jerry Bails, Phil Seuling, Gene Roddenberry, and Majel Barrett

November 24–26: Creation Con II (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — guests of honor: Philip José Farmer and Frank Kelly Freas; other guests: Vaughn Bodé, Jim Steranko, Gray Morrow, Michael Kaluta, Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, John Severin, Frank Brunner, Isaac Asimov, Ron Goulart, Carlos Garzon, Roy Krenkel, and Hans Stefan Santesson

Goethe Awards

Published in The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom (TBG) #38 (June 15, 1973) (for comics published in 1972). Ballots were printed in TBG, Comic Crusader, The Comic Reader, the Gazette Advertiser, The Menomonee Falls Gazette, and Rocket's Blast Comicollector. 1,011 fans cast their votes. Winners in each category are listed in boldface, along with other fan-selected nominees in order of finish.

Favorite Pro Artist: Barry Windsor-Smith

Neal Adams

Bernie Wrightson

Jack Kirby

Favorite Pro Writer: Roy Thomas

Len Wein

Jack Kirby

Dennis O'Neil

Steve Englehart

Favorite Pro Editor: Roy Thomas

Julius Schwartz

Favorite Pro Comic Book: Conan (Marvel)

Swamp Thing (DC)

Tarzan (DC)

The Avengers (Marvel)

Favorite Non-Newsstand Comic Book: The Menomonee Falls Gazette

Bedtime Stories

Further Adventures of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers (Rip Off Press)

Fantagor (Fantagor Press)

Skull Comics (Last Gasp)

Phase (John Carbonero & Sal Quartuccio)

Favorite Comic-Book Story: “"The Black Hound of Vengeance!"” (Conan #20)

"And Through Him Save a World"…” (Green Lantern #89) (DC)

"The Pact”" (New Gods #20) (DC)

"Dark Genesis"” (Swamp Thing #1) (DC)

Favorite Comic-Book Character: Conan (Marvel)

Batman (DC)

Spider-Man (Marvel)

Tarzan (DC)

Green Arrow (DC)

Favorite Fan Magazine: The Comic Reader (edited by Paul Levitz)

The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom

Comixscene

Comic Crusader

Graphic Story World

Rocket's Blast Comicollector

Favorite Fan Writer: Don & Maggie Thompson

Tom Fagan

Tony Isabella

Jan Strnad

Paul Levitz

Favorite Fan Artist: Richard Corben

Don Newton

John Fantucchio

Martin Greim

Shazam Awards

Presented in 1973 for comics published in 1972:

Best Individual Story: "Dark Genesis", by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson, Swamp Thing #1 (DC Comics)

Best Individual Short Story (Dramatic): "The Demon Within", by John Albano and Jim Aparo, House of Mystery #201 (DC)

Best Writer (Dramatic Division): Len Wein

Best Penciller (Dramatic Division): Berni Wrightson

Best Humor Story: "The Poster Plague", by Steve Skeates and Sergio Aragones, House of Mystery #202 (DC)

Best Inker (Humor Division): Sergio Aragones

Special Award: DC letterer/proofreader Gerda Gattel "for bringing her special warmth to our history"

Superior Achievement by an Individual: Julius Schwartz "for bringing the Shazam Family back into print"

DC Comics

The Demon

Release: August /September Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby. Inker: Mike Royer.

Kamandi, The Last Boy On Earth

Release: October /November Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby. Inker: Mike Royer.

Supergirl

Release: November. Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk.

Swamp Thing

Release: October /November Writer: Len Wein. Artist: Bernie Wrightson.

Weird Mystery Tales

Release: July/August Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell.

Weird Worlds

Release: September. Editor: Dennis O'Neil.

Marvel Comics

The Cat

Release: November. Writers: Roy Thomas and Linda Fite. Artists: Marie Severin and Wally Wood.

Chamber of Chills

Release: November Writer: Steve Englehart. Editor: Roy Thomas.

The Defenders

Release: August. Writer: Steve Englehart. Artists: Sal Buscema and Frank Giacoia.

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze

Release: October. Writers: Roy Thomas (plot) and Steve Englehart (script). Artists: Ross Andru and Jim Mooney.

Hero for Hire

Release: June. Writers: Roy Thomas, John Romita, and Archie Goodwin. Artists: George Tuska and Billy Graham.

Journey into Mystery (vol. 2)

Release: October. Editor: Roy Thomas.

Jungle Action

Release: October. Editor: Roy Thomas.

Marvel Premiere

Release: April. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Gil Kane and Dan Adkins.

Marvel Team-Up

Release: March. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.

Marvel Triple Action

Release: February. Reprints early issues of The Avengers and Fantastic Four.

The Mighty World of Marvel

Release: October 7 (weekly) by Marvel UK.

Night Nurse

Release: November. Writer: Jean Thomas. Artist: Winslow Mortimer.

Shanna the She-Devil

Release: September. Writers: Carole Seuling and Steve Gerber. Artists: George Tuska and Vince Colletta.

Supernatural Thrillers

Release: December. Writers: Theodore Sturgeon (original story) and Roy Thomas (adaptation). Artists: Marie Severin and Frank Giacoia.

The Tomb of Dracula

Release: April. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artist: Gene Colan.

Werewolf by Night

Release: September. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artists: Mike Ploog and Frank Chiaramonte.

Other publishers

Archie at Riverdale High

Release: August by Archie Comics.

Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary

Release: March by Last Gasp. Writer/Artist: Justin Green.

Captain Paragon

Release: by Paragon Publications. Writer/Artist: Bill Black.

Death Rattle

Release: June by Kitchen Sink Press.

Midnight Tales

Release: December by Charlton. Artist: Wayne Howard.

Mystery Comics Digest

Release: March by Gold Key Comics.

The Rip Off Review of Western Culture

Release: June by Rip Off Press. Editor: J. David Moriaty.

The Rose of Versailles (Berusaiyu no Bara)

Release: May 21 by Margaret magazine (Shueisha). Writer/artist: Riyoko Ikeda.

Tits & Clits Comix

Release: July by Nanny Goat Productions. Writers/Artists/Editors: Joyce Farmer & Lyn Chevli

Wimmen's Comix

Release: November by Last Gasp.

DC Comics

Anton Arcane, in Swamp Thing #2 (December 1972/January 1973)

Bernadeth, in Mister Miracle #6 (February)

Jim Corrigan, in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #149 (May)

Destiny, in Weird Mystery Tales #1

Devilance, in Forever People #11 (August)

Doctor Moon, in Batman #240 (March)

Effron the Sorcerer, in World's Finest Comics #210 (March)

Etrigan the Demon, in The Demon #1 (August)

Forager, in New Gods #9 (August)

Funky Flashman, in Mister Miracle #6 (January /February )

Gilotina, in Mister Miracle #8 (May)

Human Target, in Action Comics #419 (December)

Jonah Hex, in All-Star Western #10 (February /March )

Kamandi, in Kamandi: The Last Boy on Earth #1 (October)

Kanto, in Mister Miracle #7 (March /April )

Lashina, in Mister Miracle #6 (January)

Morgaine le Fey, in The Demon #1 (September)

Mad Harriet, in Mister Miracle #6 (January)

Matthew Cable, in Swamp Thing #1 (October /November )

Nebula Man, in Justice League of America #100 (August)

Starbreaker, in Justice League of America #96 (February)

Steppenwolf, in New Gods #7 (February)

Stompa, in Mister Miracle #6 (January)

Terra-Man, in Superman #249 (March)

The Un-Men, in Swamp Thing #1 (October /November )

Marvel Comics

Adam Warlock, in Marvel Premiere #1 (April)

Brute (Reed Richards), in Marvel Premiere #2 (May)

Luke Cage, in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June)

Diamondback (Willis Stryker), in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June)

Dracula, in Tomb of Dracula #1 (April)

Dragon Lord I, in Sub-Mariner #52 (Aug)

Frank Drake, in Tomb of Dracula #1 (April)

Damon Dran, in Daredevil #92 (October)

Elric, in Conan the Barbarian #15 (March)

Kulan Gath, in Conan the Barbarian #14 (February 1972)

Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze), in Marvel Spotlight #5 (August)

Gibbon, in The Amazing Spider-Man #110 (July)

Grand Director, in Captain America #153 (September)

Hammerhead, in The Amazing Spider-Man #113

Jonas Harrow, in The Amazing Spider-Man #114 (October)

Mister Fear, in The Mighty Thor #200 (June)

Night Nurse, in Night Nurse #1 (November)

Thundra, in Fantastic Four #129 (December)

Tigra, in The Cat #1 (November)

Rachel van Helsing, in Tomb of Dracula #3 (July)

Werewolf by Night, in Marvel Spotlight #2 (February)

Zarathos, in Marvel Spotlight #5 (August)

Independent publishers

Captain Paragon, in Captain Paragon #1 (Paragon Publications)

Doctor Spektor, in Mystery Comics Digest #5 (Gold Key Comics, July)

Les Aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec, in Pilote magazine #680