1989 in comics

Year overall

"Inferno" company-wide Marvel Comics crossover continues, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The New Mutants, and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles. Began in Marvel titles cover-dated October 1988; runs through issues cover-dated August 1989.

DC Comics debuts its alternative imprint Piranha Press, rolling out such series as Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children, Epicurus the Sage, Etc., Gregory, and The Score; and the original graphic novels Desert Streams, The Sinners, and The Wastelands.

Caliber Comics, Continüm Comics, Revolutionary Comics, and Trident Comics make their publishing debuts; Blackthorne Publishing, Comics Interview Group, Starblaze Graphics, and the UK publisher Harrier Comics all cease publishing.

"The Man Who Falls," by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Giordano, published in Secret Origins of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes trade paperback. (DC Comics)

NOW Comics decided to use the Comics Code Authority seal in that year.

January

Ronald Perelman buys the Marvel Entertainment Group, the parent company of Marvel Comics, from New World Entertainment for $82.5 million, putting in $10.5 million of his own money and borrowing the rest.

Invasion! crossover event in DC Comics

February

Doom Patrol vol. 2, #19: "Crawling from the Wreckage" — Grant Morrison begins a celebrated run as Doom Patrol writer (lasting until issue #63, January 1993).

Gotham by Gaslight, by Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola, and P. Craig Russell, published by DC Comics.

Justice League International #24 features the final Bonus Book, a free insert showcasing the work of new comics creators.

Thor #400: "God vs. god in the greatest battle of all time," mostly written by Tom DeFalco. (Marvel Comics)

The Avengers #300: 68-page Inferno crossover by Walter Simonson, John Buscema, and Tom Palmer. (Marvel Comics)

March

March 4: The merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communications was announced.

March 14: Action Comics, with issue #642, ends its weekly publication schedule (begun May 24, 1988) and goes on a short hiatus (resuming publication in July). (DC Comics)

April

Dragon's Claws is canceled by Marvel UK with issue #10.

Wanderers is canceled by DC with issue #13.

May

Detective Comics #600 by Sam Hamm, Denys Cowan, Dick Giordano, and Frank McLaughlin. (DC Comics)

The Janus Directive crossover storyline begins. (DC Comics)

Justice League International changes its name to Justice League America with issue #26 (DC Comics).

June

Atlantis Attacks crossover event in Marvel Comics, runs through Marvel's core title Annuals.

Maze Agency ceases publication by Comico with issue #7.

July

Action Comics, with issue #643, goes back to being a standard format monthly title. (DC Comics)

The introduction of the Great Lakes Avengers in issue #46 of West Coast Avengers. (Marvel Comics)

August

Batman: Year Three storyline, by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick, begins in Batman #436 (runs through Batman #439). (DC Comics)

Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 is canceled by DC with issue #63.

C.O.P.S.is cancelled by DC with issue #15.

St. Swithin's Day, by Grant Morrison and Paul Grist, debuts in Trident #1. (Continues through issue #4; collected by Trident Comics as a trade paperback in 1990.)

September

West Coast Avengers changes its name to Avengers West Coast with issue #48.

Death's Head is cancelled by Marvel UK with issue #10.

October

Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, published by DC Comics.

October 28: The Dead Man storyline, by John Wagner and John Ridgway, begins in 2000 AD prog 650 (running through prog 662, 20 January 1990). (Fleetway Publications)

November

Conan The King is cancelled with issue #55.

December

Acts of Vengeance crossover event in Marvel Comics; runs through February 1990 issues.

G.I. Joe Special Missions is canceled by Marvel with issue #28.

Maze Agency is picked up by Innovation Comics with issue #8.

February

February 9: Osamu Tezuka, Japanese manga artist and animator (Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, Black Jack, Phoenix, Princess Knight, Unico, Message to Adolf, The Amazing 3, Buddha), dies at age 60.

March

March 30: Mike Sekowsky, American comics artist and writer (Justice League of America, Wonder Woman), dies at age 65.

April

April 9: Carl Wessler, American comics artist and writer (Snazzy Rabbit, Señorita Juanita McMouse, Filbert Fox, Happy Daze, Atlas Comics, E.C. Comics, Harvey Comics), dies at age 75.

June

June 4: Dik Browne, American comics artist and writer (Hägar the Horrible, Hi and Lois), passes away at age 71.

July

July 10: Jean-Michel Charlier, Belgian comics writer (Buck Danny, Barbe-Rouge, Blueberry, La Patrouille des Castors, L'oncle Paul), dies at age 64.

August

August 4: Paul Murry, American comics artist and writer (Disney comics), passes away at age 77.

August 8: George Papp, American comics artist (co-creator of Green Arrow and Congo Bill, worked on Superman and Superboy), passes away at age 73.

October

October 12: Jay Ward, American animator and producer (Crusader Rabbit, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody and Sherman, Hoppity Hooper, George of the Jungle, Tom Slick, Super Chicken), passes away at age 69.

October 14: Dale Conner, American comics artist (Mary Worth), dies at the age of 85.

November

November 22: C.C. Beck, American comics artist (Captain Marvel), dies at age 79.

November 22: José Guadalupe Cruz, Mexican comics writer and screenwriter (comics about El Santo), passes away at age 72.

November 24: Gordon Bess, American comics artist and writer (Redeye), dies at age 60.

December

December 12: Suihō Tagawa, Japanese manga artist (Norakuro), passes away at the age of 90.

Specific date unknown

Charles Kuhn, American comics artist (Grandma), dies at age 97.

Conventions

Motor City Comic Con (Dearborn Civic Center) — first iteration of this show

January: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)

Summer: Dragon Con (Omni Hotel & Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia) — 3,200 attendees; guest of honor: Anne McCaffrey

June: Heroes Convention (Charlotte, North Carolina)

June 16–17: Comix Fair (Ramada Hotel Southwest, Houston, Texas) — seventh annual show; guests include John Romita, Jr., Bob Layton, Tim Vigil, and Doug Hazlewood

June 30–July 2: Chicago Comicon (Ramada O'Hare, Rosemont, Illinois) — c. 5,000 attendees; guests include Jim Aparo, Stan Lee, Harvey Pekar, Jay Lynch, Skip Williamson, and S. Clay Wilson

July 14–16: Dallas Fantasy Fair I (Sheraton Park Central, Dallas, Texas) — presentation of the Harvey Awards; official guests include Doug Hazlewood

July 21–23: Atlanta Fantasy Fair (Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Atlanta, Georgia) — 4,000 attendees; official guests include George Pérez, Michael Dorn, Jerry Robinson, Gary Gygax, Todd Bryant, June Chadwick, Marc Singer, and Marina Sirtis (scheduled guests Bob Kane and Tom Savini forced to cancel)

August 3–6: San Diego Comic-Con (Convention and Performing Arts Center and Omni Hotel) — 11,000 attendees; official guests: Paul Chadwick, Howard Cruse, Ron Goulart, Mark Hamill, Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez, Selby Kelly, Syd Mead, Fred Rhoads, Jerry Robinson, and Gahan Wilson

September 8–10: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention — guests include Jim Baikie, Grant Morrison, Jamie Delano, Kev F. Sutherland, John Ridgway, Dickie Howitt, Cam Kennedy, Guy Lawley, Will Simpson, Tim Perkins, Warren Pleece, Gary Pleece, Trina Robbins, Steve Yeowell, Steve Leialoha, Mark Farmer, Karen Berger, John Byrne, Jenette Kahn, Jaime Hernandez, Howard Chaykin, Woodrow Phoenix, Lew Stringer, Richard Bruning, David Lloyd, Susan Catherine, Barry Kitson, Mike Grell, Mark Buckingham, Tom Veitch, Gerhard, Gilbert Hernandez, Garry Leach, Steve Yeowell, Dave Gibbons, Phil Elliott, Myra Hancock, Paul Gravett, Eddie Campbell, Georgiou Bambos, Ed Pinsent, Glenn Dakin, Don Lawrence, Liam Sharp, Bill Marks, Archie Goodwin, Al Davison, Kevin O'Neill, Howard Chaykin, Dennis O'Neil, and Bryan Talbot

September 9–10: FantaCon (Albany, New York)

September 23–24: OrlandoCon (International Inn, Orlando, Florida) — 16th annual edition

October 21–22: Toronto Comic and Sequential Art Exposition (Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

October 27–29: Festival of Cartoon Art (Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio) —featured guests include Bill Watterson

November 24–26: Dallas Fantasy Fair II (Dallas, Texas)

Eagle Awards

Presented in 1990 for comics published in 1989, distributed at the 1990 United Kingdom Comic Art Convention [UKCAC] by Paul Gambaccini and Dave Gibbons.

Roll of Honour: 2000 AD

Best International Comic Book: Akira

American Section

Favourite Writer: Neil Gaiman, Sandman (DC Comics)

Favourite Artist (Penciller): Todd McFarlane

Favourite Artist (Inker): Paul Neary

Favourite Comicbook: Uncanny X-Men

Favourite Graphic Novel: Arkham Asylum

Favourite Character: Batman

Favourite Group or Team: Doom Patrol

Favourite Villain: The Joker

Favourite Single or Continued Story: Skreemer, written by Peter Milligan with art by Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon (DC Comics)

Favourite New Comic Title: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight

Favourite Comic Cover: Aliens #1 by Denis Beauvais

Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Marvel Age

U.K. Section

Favourite Writer: Grant Morrison

Favourite Artist: Simon Bisley

Favourite Comic: 2000 AD

Best Graphic Novel: Violent Cases (Titan)

Favourite Graphic Novel: Sláine: The Horned God Book I

Favourite Character: Judge Dredd

Favourite Villain: Judge Death

Favourite Supporting Character: Middenface McNulty (Strontium Dog)

Favourite Single or Continued Story: Sláine: The Horned God Book I (2000 AD Prog 626-635)

Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Captain Britain

Favourite New Comic: Bogey Man

Favourite Comic Cover: 2000 AD Prog 626, by Simon Bisley

Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Speakeasy

Eisner Awards

No awards were presented in 1990, a transition year when Comic-Con International took over administration of the awards.

DC Comics

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight

Release: September. Writer: Dennis O'Neil. Artists: Ed Hannigan and John Beatty.

Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children

Release: June by Piranha Press. Writer: Dave Louapre. Artist: Dan Sweetman.

El Diablo vol. 2

Release: August. Writer: Gerard Jones. Artist: Mike Parobeck.

Huntress

Release: April. Writer: Joey Cavalieri. Artist: Joe Staton and Bruce Patterson.

Justice League Europe

Release: April. Writer: Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis. Artists: Bart Sears and Pablo Marcos.

L.E.G.I.O.N.

Release: February. Writers: Alan Grant and Keith Giffen. Artists: Barry Kitson, Keith Giffen, and Mike DeCarlo.

Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3

Release: November. Writers: Keith Giffen and Tom and Mary Bierbaum. Artists: Keith Giffen and Al Gordon.

New Gods vol. 3

Release: February. Writer: Mark Evanier. Artist: Paris Cullins.

The Sandman

Release: January. Writer: Neil Gaiman. Artists: Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg.

Star Trek vol. 2

Release: October. Writer: Peter David. Artists: James Fry and Arne Starr.

Star Trek: The Next Generation vol. 2

Release: October. Writer: Michael Jan Friedman. Artist: Pablo Marcos.

Limited series

Catwoman (4 issues)

Release: February. Writer: Mindy Newell. Artists: J.J. Birch and Michael Bair.

Epicurus the Sage (2 issues; #2 published in 1991)

Release: November by Piranha Press. Writer: William Messner-Loebs. Artist: Sam Kieth.

Hawkworld (3 issues)

Release: August. Writer/Artist: Tim Truman.

Invasion! (3 issues)

Release: January. Writers: Keith Giffen and Bill Mantlo. Artists: Keith Giffen and Todd McFarlane.

Justice, Inc. (2 issues)

Release: July. Writer: Andy Helfer. Artist: Kyle Baker.

Lex Luthor: The Unauthorized Biography (1 issue)

Release: May. Writer: James D. Hudnall. Artist: Eduardo Barreto.

Skreemer (6 issues)

Release: May. Writer: Peter Milligan. Artists: Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon.

Marvel Comics

Clive Barker's Hellraiser

Release: January by Epic Comics. Editor: Daniel Chichester.

Marc Spector: Moon Knight

Release: June. Writer: Chuck Dixon. Artists: Sal Velluto and Mark Farmer.

Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Release: September. Writer: Bob Harras. Artists: Bob Hall and Kim DeMulder.

Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja

Release: August. Writer: Larry Hama. Artists: Ron Wagner and Fred Fredericks.

Quasar

Release: October. Writer: Mark Gruenwald. Artists: Paul Ryan and Danny Bulanadi.

Sensational She-Hulk

Release: May. Writer/Artist: John Byrne

What If vol. 2

Release: July. Editor: Craig Anderson

Limited series

Damage Control (4 issues)

Release: May. Writer: Dwayne McDuffie. Artists: Ernie Colón and Bob Wiacek.

Shadowmasters (4 issues)

Release: October. Writer: Carl Potts. Artists: Dan Lawlis and Russ Heath.

The Sleeze Brothers (6 issues)

Release: June by Epic Comics. Writer: John Carnell. Artist: Andy Lanning.

The War (4 issues)

Release: June by New Universe. Writer: Doug Murray. Artist: Tom Morgan.

Independent and small press titles

A1 (Atomeka Press, October )

The Adventures of Bayou Billy

Release: September by Archie Adventure Series. Writer: Rich Margopoulos. Artist: Amanda Conner.

Baker Street (Caliber, March )

Black Moon Chronicles (Zenda Editions, May)

The Crow (Caliber, February )

Eightball

Release: August by Fantagraphics. Writer/Artist: Daniel Clowes.

Faust (Northstar)

Fung Wan (Jonesky)

The Green Hornet (NOW Comics, November )

Saviour

Release: December by Trident Comics. Writer: Mark Millar. Artists: Daniel Vallely and Nigel Kitching.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures (Archie Comics, March )

Trident

Release: August by Trident Comics. Editor: Martin Skidmore.

Limited series

Aliens (4 issues)

Release: August by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Mark Verheiden. Artist: Denis Beauvais.

Squalor (4 issues)

Release: December by First Comics. Writer: Stefan Petrucha. Artist: Tom Sutton.

DC Comics

Anarky in Detective Comics #608 (November )

Amadeus Arkham in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (October )

Arm Fall Off Boy in Secret Origins vol. 2 #46 (December )

Artemiz in Suicide Squad #35 (November )

Azazel in The Sandman #4 (April )

Blasters in Invasion! #1 (January )

Garryn Bek in Invasion! #1 (January )

Blockbuster (Roland Desmond) in Starman #9 (April )

Brotherhood of Dada in Doom Patrol #26 (September )

Corinthian in The Sandman #10 (October )

Crazy Jane in Doom Patrol #19 (February )

Crimson Fox in Justice League Europe #6 (September )

Deadline in Starman #15 (October )

El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval) in El Diablo vol. 2 #1 (August )

Draaga in Superman #454 (May)

Tim Drake in Batman #436 (August )

Henri Ducard in Detective Comics #599 (April )

The Endless in The Sandman #1 (January )

Death in The Sandman #8 (August )

Desire in The Sandman #10 (November )

Despair in The Sandman #10 (November )

Dream in The Sandman vol. 2 #1 (January )

Eradicator in Action Comics Annual #2

Forager

Flamebird (Bette Kane) in Secret Origins Annual #3

Freedom Beast in Animal Man #13 (July)

Hawkwoman (Shayera Thal) in Hawkworld vol. 1, #1 (August )

Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) in Huntress #1 (April )

Kirigi in Batman #431 (March )

Kono in Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #2 (December )

Matthew the Raven in The Sandman vol. 2, #11 (December )

Maxima in Action Comics #645 (September )

Mirror Master (Evan McCulloch) in Animal Man #8 (February )

Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol vol. 2 #26 (September )

Naiad in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man vol. 2 #90 (October )

Linda Park in Flash vol. 2 #28 (July)

Merv Pumpkinhead in The Sandman #5 (May)

Marvel Comics

Agent in Marvel Graphic Novel: Rick Mason, The Agent

Alley Viper in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #92 (November )

Angler in Quasar #3 (mid-November )

Prince Baran in Wolverine vol. 2 #6 (April )

Blackheart in Daredevil #270 (September )

Bloodscream in Wolverine vol. 2 #4 (February )

Carrion (Malcolm McBride) in The Spectacular Spider-Man #149 (April )

Andrew Chord in Thor #411 (December )

Crossbones in Captain America #359 (early October )

Crystal Ball in G.I. Joe Special Missions #24 (August )

Darklon in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #88 (July)

Dogfight in G.I. Joe Special Missions #28 (December )

Jubilee in Uncanny X-Men #244 (May)

Llan the Sorcerer in Alpha Flight #71 (June)

Madman in The Incredible Hulk #363 (December )

Matsu'o Tsurayaba in Uncanny X-Men #255 (mid-December )

Midnight in Marc Spector: Moon Knight #4 (September )

Misfit in West Coast Avengers #40 (January )

Numinus in Power Pack #51 (December )

Alfie O'Meagan in Marvel Comics Presents #25 (August )

Perun in Captain America #352 (April )

Portal in Avengers #304 (June)

Powderkeg in Giant-Size Special: Captain Marvel #1

Red Guardina (Josef Petkus) in Captain America #352 (April )

Roughouse in Wolverine vol. 2, #4 (February )

Shadowmasters in Punisher War Journal #8 (September )

Shockwave in G.I. Joe Special Missions #17 (January )

Shotgun in Daredevil #272 (November )

Silver Fox in Wolverine vol. 2, #10 (August )

Alysande Stuart in Excalibur #6 (March )

Voltar in G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #87 (June)

Whiteout in Uncanny X-Men #250 (late-October )

Worm in Uncanny X-Men #249 (early-October )

Independent and small press titles

The Crow in Caliber Presents #1 (Caliber Comics, January )

Krang in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures vol. 2, #1 (Archie Comics, March )

Faust in Faust (Rebel Studios)

Friday in 2000 AD #650 (Fleetway, 28 October )

Freeza in Dragon Ball chapter 247

Judge Giant, Jr. in 2000 AD #651 (Fleetway, 4 November )