1985 in comics

Year overall

More independent publishers enter the marketplace: Aircel Comics, Arrow Comics, Blackthorne Publishing, Dragon Lady Press, NOW Comics, Sirius Comics, Strawberry Jam Comics, and Wonder Comics all publish their first titles. In addition, David Anthony Kraft's Comics Interview publishes its first comic book titles (it had been publishing the Comics Interview magazine since 1983).

After 41 years as a publisher, Charlton Comics folds.

Marvel Comics publishes Heroes for Hope: Starring the X-Men, an all-star benefit book for African famine relief and recovery.

January

Warrior, with issue #26, publishes its final issue (Quality Communications)

February

Tales of the Teen Titans #50: Donna Troy marries Terry Long. (DC Comics)

With issue #150, Marvel Comics cancels the Spider-Man title Marvel Team-Up (Web of Spider-Man will debut two months later).

March

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #100: "Breakin'!" written and drawn by Al Milgrom.

"The Surtur Saga" comes to a conclusion in Thor #353 by Walt Simonson.

April

Crisis on Infinite Earths 12-issue "maxi-series" debuts, produced by DC Comics to simplify their then-50-year-old continuity. Written by Marv Wolfman, and illustrated by George Pérez (pencils/layouts), with Mike DeCarlo, Dick Giordano, and Jerry Ordway (who shared inking/embellishing chores). The series eliminates the concept of the Multiverse in the fictional DC Universe, and depicts the deaths of such long-standing superheroes as Supergirl and the Barry Allen incarnation of the Flash.

May

Sgt. Rock #400: "Easy's 400th," by Robert Kanigher and Adrian Gonzales. (DC Comics)

Summer

Marvel Comics publishes New Mutants Special Edition #1. Written by Chris Claremont, it is the first X-Men related art by fan-favorite Art Adams with inks by Terry Austin. It continues in Uncanny X-Men Annual #9 again by Claremont and Adams with inks by Al Gordon, Mike Mignola, and Adams, himself.

July

Secret Wars II debuts continuing the adventures of the Beyonder from the original Secret Wars series.

August

DC publishes Superman Annual #11: "For the Man Who Has Everything," by the future Watchmen team of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

September

The "Who Is Sensor Girl?" storyline, written by Paul Levitz, begins in Legion of Super-Heroes #14 (and continues through issue #27).

Mighty Crusaders vol. 2, with issue #13, is cancelled by Archie Adventure Series.

October

Crisis on Infinite Earths #7: The death of Supergirl.

With issue #350, DC Comics publishes the final issue of The Flash (volume 1).

"The Death of Jean DeWolff" story arc, written by Peter David, begins in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #107 (eventually running through issue #110).

Music for Mechanics, the first Love and Rockets collection, is published by Fantagraphics.

November

Crisis on Infinite Earths #8: The death of Barry Allen / The Flash. (DC Comics)

With issue #50, Arak, Son of Thunder (1981 series) is canceled by DC Comics.

Tales of the Teen Titans, with issue #59, becomes a reprint book. (DC Comics)

Iron Man #200: "Resolutions!" by Denny O'Neil, Mark D. Bright, and Akin & Garvey. Tony Stark resumes the identity of Iron Man and defeats Iron Monger. (Marvel Comics)

December

The Warlord #100: double-sized issue, "Skartaris Unchained," by Michael Fleisher and Adam Kubert. (DC Comics)

Uncanny X-Men #200: "The Trial of Magneto," by Chris Claremont, John Romita, Jr., and Dan Green. (Marvel Comics)

Thundercats #1: "Survival Run". (Star Comics)

December 31: The Dreamer, by Will Eisner, is published by Kitchen Sink.

March

Writer Don Rico, known for his jungle girl characters, dies at age 72.

May

May 11: Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy, dies at age 84.

June

June 21: Charles Wojtkoski (usually credited as "Charles Nicholas"), creator of Blue Beetle, dies at age 63.

July

Ernie Hart, creator of Super Rabbit, dies at age 64.

July 8: British cartoonist Frank Hampson dies at age 66.

November

November 23: Roger Brand, underground cartoonist, dies of liver failure at age 42.

December

December 26: Jackie Ormes, pioneering female African-American strip cartoonist, dies at age 74.

Conventions

Jan. 25-27: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France) — 12th annual festival

April: 1st Annual Victoria International Cartoon Festival (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada)

May 29–June 2: Salon International de la Bande Dessinee de Montreal (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

June: Heroes Convention (Charlotte, North Carolina)

June 13–16: BD '85 (Sierre, Switzerland)

June 22–23: Colorado Comic Art Convention (Auraria Campus Student Center, Denver, Colorado) — fifth and final iteration of the show; guests include Michael Kaluta, Elaine Lee, Stan Phillips, and Drew Litton

July 5–7: Chicago Comicon (Ramade O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois) — guest of honor: Sergio Aragonés

July 5–7: Dallas Fantasy Fair (Dallas, Texas) — guests include Gil Kane, Wendy Pini, Kenneth Smith, and Gary Groth

August 1–4: San Diego Comic Con (Convention and Performing Arts Center and Hotel, San Diego, California) — 6,000 attendees; official guests: Ben Bova, Jack Cummings, Jack Davis, Gil Kane, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore (in his only U.S. convention appearance), Dan O'Bannon, Jerry Ordway, Alex Schomburg, Julius Schwartz, Jerry Siegel, Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson

August 2–4: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests include Newt Gingrich, Frederick Pohl, Theodore Sturgeon, Gerald W. Page, Ted White, Forrest J Ackerman

September 21–22: King Kon Comic & Fantasy Convention (Eastern Michigan University Student Union, Ypsilanti, MI):

September 21–22: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (University of London Union, London, England) — first annual edition; £7.50 admission charge for both days; guests include Steve Bissette, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim, Marv Wolfman, Brian Bolland, John Bolton, Eddie Campbell, Alan Davis, Hunt Emerson, Brett Ewins, Dave Gibbons, Ian Gibson, Denis Gifford, Alan Grant, Garry Leach, David Lloyd, Mike McMahon, Alan Moore, Steve Moore, Paul Neary, Kevin O'Neill, Ron Smith, Dez Skinn, Bryan Talbot, and John Wagner

November: Mid-Ohio Con (Richland County Fairgrounds, Mansfield, Ohio) — guests include John Byrne

November 30–December 1: Creation Comic Book Convention (Roosevelt Hotel, New York City) — 15th annual show; guests include Jim Shooter, Chris Claremont, Robin Curtis, Frank Ashmore, and Terrance Dicks

Eagle Awards

Presented in 1986 for comics published in 1985:

Roll of Honour: Alan Moore

American Section

Favourite Comic Book: Swamp Thing, written by Alan Moore (DC Comics)

Favourite Graphic Novel: American Flagg! Hard Times, by Howard Chaykin (First Comics)

Favourite Single or Continued Story: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-9

Favourite New Comic Title: Miracleman, written by Alan Moore (Eternity Comics)

Favourite Comic Cover: Swamp Thing #34, by John Totleben (DC)

Favourite Character: Batman

Favourite Supporting Character: John Constantine, from Swamp Thing

Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Wolverine

Favourite Group or Team: The X-Men (Marvel Comics)

Favourite Group Book: The New Teen Titans, by Marv Wolfman (DC)

Favourite Writer: Alan Moore, Swamp Thing (DC)

Favourite Artist: George Pérez

Favourite Inker: Terry Austin

Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Amazing Heroes

UK Section

Favourite Artist: Alan Davis

Favourite Writer: Alan Moore

Favourite Comic: 2000 AD (Fleetway)

Favourite Comic Album: Nemesis Book III (Fleetway)

Favourite Comic Character: Halo Jones

Favourite Villain: Torquemada, from Nemesis the Warlock

Favourite Supporting Character: Meggan (Captain Britain)

Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Halo Jones

Favourite Single or Continued Story: Halo Jones Book Two (2000 AD #406-415)

Favourite New Comic: Captain Britain (Marvel UK)

Favourite Comic Cover: Captain Britain #6, by Alan Davis

Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Speakeasy

Kirby Awards

Best Single Issue: Swamp Thing Annual #2, by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, and John Totleben (DC Comics)

Best Continuing Series: Swamp Thing, by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben (DC)

Best Black & White Series: Cerebus by Dave Sim (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

Best Finite Series: Crisis on Infinite Earths, by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez (DC)

Best New Series: Zot!, by Scott McCloud (Eclipse Comics)

Best Graphic Album: Beowulf (First Comics)

Best Artist: Dave Stevens, for The Rocketeer (Comico)

Best Writer: Alan Moore, for Swamp Thing (DC)

Best Art Team: Steve Bissette and John Totleben, for Swamp Thing (DC)

Best Cover: Swamp Thing #34, by Steve Bissette and John Totleben (DC)

Best Comics Publication: Comics Buyer's Guide (Krause Publications)

DC Comics

DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel: Hell on Earth

Release:. Writers: Robert Bloch and Robert Loren Fleming. Artist: Keith Giffen.

Hex

Release: November. Writer: Michael Fleisher. Artist: Mark Texeira.

The Outsiders

Release: November. Writer: Mike W. Barr. Artist: Jim Aparo.

Limited Series

America vs. the Justice Society (4 issues)

Release: January: Writers: Roy and Dann Thomas.

Crisis on Infinite Earths (12-issues)

Release: April. Writer: by Marv Wolfman. Artist: George Pérez.

The Shadow War of Hawkman (4 issues)

Release: May. Writer: Tony Isabella. Artists: Richard Howell and Alfredo Alcala.

Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe (26 issues)

Release: March. Editors: Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and Robert Greenberger.

Marvel Comics

The Marvel Saga: The Official History of the Marvel Universe

Release: December. Writer: Peter Sanderson.

Swords of the Swashbucklers

Release: March by Epic Comics. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artists: Geof Isherwood and Ricardo Villamonte.

ThunderCats

Release: December by Star Comics. Writer: David Michelinie. Artists: Jim Mooney and Brett Breeding.

Web of Spider-Man

Release: April. Writer: Louise Simonson. Artists: Greg LaRocque and Jim Mooney.

West Coast Avengers

Release: October. Writer: Steve Englehart. Artists: Al Milgrom and Joe Sinnott.

Limited series

The Bozz Chronicles (6 issues)

Release: December by Epic Comics. Writer: David Michelinie.

Eternals (12 issues)

Release: October. Writer: Peter Gillis. Artists: Sal Buscema and Al Gordon.

Longshot (6 issues)

Release: September. Writer: Ann Nocenti. Artist: Art Adams.

Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu (6 issues)

Release: June.

Moonshadow (12 issues)

Release: March by Epic Comics. Writer: J. M. DeMatteis.

Nightcrawler (4 issues)

Release: November. Writer/Artist: Dave Cockrum.

The One (6 issues)

Release: July by Epic Comics. Writer/Artist: Rick Veitch.

Secret Wars II (9 issues)

Release: July. Writer: Jim Shooter. Artist: Al Milgrom.

Squadron Supreme (12 issues)

Release: September. Writer: Mark Gruenwald. Artists: Bob Hall and John Beatty.

Independent titles

Alien Encounters

Release: June by Eclipse Comics. Editor: Catherine Yronwode.

Femforce

Release: by AC Comics. Writer: Bill Black. Artist: Mark G. Heike.

Fish Police

Release: June by Fishwrap Productions. Writer/Artist: Steven Moncuse.

Miracleman

Release: August by Eclipse Comics. Writer: Alan Moore. Artists: Mick Anglo and Garry Leach.

Neat Stuff

Release: June by Fantagraphics. Writer/Artist: Peter Bagge.

Scout

Release: September by Eclipse Comics. Writer/Artist: Timothy Truman.

Tales from the Aniverse

Release: December by Arrow Comics. Writer/Artists: Randy Zimmerman and Susan Van Camp.

Tales of the Beanworld

Release: by Beanworld Press. Writer/Artists: Larry Marder.

Those Annoying Post Bros.

Release: Jan. by Vortex Comics. Writer/Artists: Matt Howarth.

To Be Announced

Release: July by Strawberry Jam Comics. Writer: Derek McCulloch. Artist: Mike Bannon.

DC Comics

Fel Andar, in The Shadow War of Hawkman #1

Anti-Monitor, in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2

Bekka, in DC Graphic Novel #4: The Hunger Dogs

Black Mask, in Batman #386

Black Mass, in Justice League of America #234

Cadre, in Justice League of America #235

John Constantine, in Swamp Thing #37

Fastball, in Justice League of America #234

Doctor Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4

Jinx, in Tales of the Teen Titans #56

Kid Devil, in Blue Devil #14 (July)

Kole, in The New Teen Titans vol. 2, #9

Lady Quark, in Crisis on Infinite Earths #4

Alexander Luthor, Jr., in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

Doctor Mid-Nite (Beth Chapel), in Infinity, Inc. #19

Mister Bones, in Infinity, Inc. #16

Onyx, in Detective Comics #546

Pariah, in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

Shadow Thief (Hammer), in Vigilante #14

Superboy-Prime, in DC Comics Presents #87

Hourman (Rick Tyler), in Infinity, Inc. #20

Vigilante (Alan Welles), in Vigilante #20

Marvel Comics

Brian Banner, in The Incredible Hulk #312

Bushmaster II, in Captain America #310 (October )

Guido Carosella (Strong Guy), in New Mutants #29 (July)

Diamondback (Rachel Leighton), in Captain America #310 (October)

Dennis Dunphy (Demolition Man), in The Thing #28 (October)

Erg, in Power Pack #12 (July)

Eternals

Cybele, in The Eternals (vol.2) #1 (October)

Interloper, in The Defenders #147 (September)

Khoryphos, in The Eternals (vol.2) #1 (October)

Phastos, in Eternals (vol. 2) #1 (October)

Fenris (Andrea & Andreas Von Strucker), in Uncanny X-Men #194 (June)

Firestar, in Uncanny X-Men #193 (May)

Flag-Smasher, in Captain America #312 (December)

Freedom Force, in Uncanny X-Men #199 (November )

Kofi Whitemane, in Power Pack #16 (November )

Legion, in New Mutants #25

Longshot, in Longshot #1 (September )

Mojo, in Longshot #3 (November )

Nimrod, in Uncanny X-Men #191 (March)

Normie Osborn, in The Amazing Spider-Man #263 (April )

Rattler, in Captain America #310 (October )

Scourge of the Underworld, in Iron Man #194 (May)

Silver Sable, in The Amazing Spider-Man #265 (June)

Sin-Eater, in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107 (October )

Skrullian Skymaster, in Squadron Supreme #1 (August)

Tabitha Smith, in Secret Wars II #5 (November )

Alistair Smythe, in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19

Sharon Ventura, in The Thing #27 (September )

Independent titles

Casey Jones, in Raphael #1 (Mirage Studios)

Druuna, in Morbus gravis (Dargaud)

Krillin, in Dragon Ball chapter #25 (Shueisha)

Emanuel Santana, in Scout #1 (Eclipse Comics)

She Cat, in Femforce #1 (AC Comics)