1993 in comics

Year overall

A tumultuous year in publishing: Topps Comics, Claypool Comics, Alternative Comics, Bongo Comics, Hall of Heroes, Lightning Comics, Azteca Productions, ANIA Publishing, Dagger Enterprises, Majestic Entertainment, Triumphant Comics, and Michael Hunt Publishing all enter the marketplace; while First Comics, Eclipse Comics, Disney Comics, Vortex Comics, Innovation Comics, Personality Comics, Northstar Publishing, and Comic Chronicles all cease publishing.

DC Comics introduces its Vertigo, Paradox Press, and Milestone Media imprints.

Early webcomics start to appear on the World Wide Web, effectively starting the history of webcomics.

Rip Off Press publishes Savage Henry #30, the final issue of volume one of that series.

January

Doom Patrol #63: "The Empire of Chairs," Grant Morrison's final issue as Doom Patrol writer.

February

Action Comics, with issue #686, suspends publication following "The Death of Superman." (DC Comics)

Clive Barker's Hellraiser is canceled by Epic Comics (Marvel) with issue #20.

Hardware #1 (cover-dated April) debuts under Milestone brand. Created by Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan, Hardware is the first character and book published by Milestone to debut.

March

DC Comics debuts its new Vertigo imprint with the publication of Death: The High Cost of Living #1. Existing DC titles Swamp Thing #129, Hellblazer #63, Sandman #47, Doom Patrol #64, Animal Man #57, and Shade, the Changing Man #33 all become Vertigo titles as well.

Hawkworld canceled by DC with issue #32.

Introduction of the hero X in Dark Horse Comics #8. (Dark Horse Comics)

Introduction of Deathblow in Darker Image #1 and Stormwatch in Stormwatch #1. (Image Comics)

April

Adventures of Superman #500 (dated "Early June") is released and the Reign of the Supermen! begins with four Supermen.

May

Cable is released by Marvel Comics as a monthly title.

Peter Parker, Spectacular Spider-Man #200: "Best of Enemies!" by J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema. (Marvel Comics)

Web of Spider-Man #100 by Terry Kavanagh, Alex Saviuk and Joe Rubinstein. (Marvel Comics)

Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. is canceled by Marvel with issue #47.

The Tick vol. 1 is canceled by New England Comics with issue #12.

Marvel's "Maximum Carnage" Spider-Man storyline begins.

The first edition of Scott McCloud's book Understanding Comics is published by Tundra Publishing. The book went on to win 1994 Harvey Awards for Best Writer; Best Graphic Album of Original Work; and Best Biographical, Historical, or Journalistic Presentation. It also won the 1994 Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Book.

June

Adventures of Superman #500 by Jerry Ordway, Tom Grummett and Doug Hazlewood.

Action Comics, with issue #687, resumes publication after a four-month hiatus following "The Death of Superman" and "Funeral for a Friend" storylines.

With issue #51, Justice League Europe changes its name to Justice League International vol. 2. (DC Comics)

Malibu Comics launches the Ultraverse line of comics in which it states that "Writers are the true enhancements in comics" (a pointed reference to the trend of publishing and marketing foil-stamped covers). Said writers include Steve Englehart, Gerard Jones, and Steve Gerber. Variant editions of the first issues are published with hologram covers.

The conclusion to Marvel Comics’ "Infinity Trilogy" is launched with Infinity Crusade.

July

Premiere issue of Hero Illustrated.

The start of the "Summer Offensive" in 2000 AD when control was handed over to Grant Morrison and Mark Millar. With issue #842 the magazine launches a raft of new features, including Really & Truly, Slaughterbowl, Big Dave, and Maniac 5 as well as Morrison's run on Judge Dredd with "Inferno."

DC Comics releases Batman #500, in which Azrael becomes the new Batman.

Image Comics and Valiant Comics stage an intercompany crossover called Deathmate.

Fatal Attractions begins.

August

2000 AD's "Summer Offensive" draws to a close with issue #849.

The New Titans #100: "The Darkening, Part Four: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something... Dead," by Marv Wolfman, Tom Grummett, and Bill Jaaska.

Deadpool #1 is released by Marvel Comics

"The Fall from Grace" storyline debuts in Daredevil #319.

Comic book radio show " 'Nuff Said! " debuts on WBAI-FM, New York City, on the 28th as part of Jim Freund's "Hour of the Wolf" science fiction program.

September

The 'Nam is canceled by Marvel with issue #84.

September 15: First issue of the comics magazine Suske en Wiske Weekblad.

September 24: First page of Doctor Fun is uploaded on the World Wide Web.

October

Batman #500: 64-page giant — "Knightfall" chapter 19, written by Doug Moench.

Green Lantern takes part in the Reign of the Supermen in issue #46

Mike Carlin and Dan Jurgens relaunch the Metal Men with a four-issue limited series

Reed Richards aka Mr. Fantastic “dies” in Fantastic Four #381

Stephen Platt debuts on Moon Knight #55 and becomes extremely popular due to his art style resembling Todd McFarlane.

X-Men 2099 #1 – Marvel 2099

The first full colour issue of The Beano, it was issue 2674 dated October 16, 1993.

November

Green Lantern #47 marks the reunion of Green Lantern and Green Arrow.

Avengers West Coast #100: 64-page anniversary issue; the death of Mockingbird.

Wolverine #75 represents a turning point in Wolverine’s life as the adamantium is separated from his body by Magneto.

Marvel's X-Men "Fatal Attractions" X-Men storyline concludes, only for "Bloodties" to begin.

December

Conan the Barbarian is canceled with issue #275

The Punisher (Marvel Comics) debuts the "Suicide Run" storyline with issue #85

"Emerald Twilight" storyline debuts in Green Lantern #48

Hellboy makes his first mainstream comic book appearance, in Next Men #21.

Lobo gets a monthly title from DC Comics

Malibu Ultraverse launches "Break-Thru," the first company-wide crossover.

January

January 28: Frans Funke Küpper, Dutch comics artist (Thijs Slof), passes away at age 84.

February

February 21: Harvey Kurtzman, American comics artist (Mad, Two-Fisted Tales, Frontline Combat, Trump, Humbug, Harvey Kurtzman's Jungle Book, Help!, Little Annie Fanny), dies at age 68.

March

March 6: Norman Mansbridge, British comics artist (Fuss Pot), dies at age 82.

March 19: Al McWilliams, American comics artist (Twin Earths, Dateline: Danger!) , passes away at age 77.

April

April 5: Alberto Giolitti, Italian-American comics artist (worked on Star Trek comics, Tex Willer), dies in Rome at age 69.

May

May 14: Gerda Gattel, American comics letterer and proofreader (DC Comics), dies at age 84.

May 30: Marge, American comics artist (Little Lulu), passes away at age 88.

June

June 14: V.T. Hamlin, American comics artist (Alley Oop), passes away at age 93.

June 25: Arturo Moreno, Spanish comics artist and animator (worked for Pulgarcito), passes away at age 84.

July

July 28: Jacques Laudy, Belgian comics artist (Hassan & Kadour, worked for Tintin) and painter, dies at age 86.

October

October 20: Gaylord DuBois, American comics writer (Tarzan, Red Ryder, The Lone Ranger), dies at age 94.

October 31: Federico Fellini, Italian film director and occasional comics artist and writer (Giacomino, Cico e Pallina, Geppi La Bimba Atomica, Viaggio a Tulun, Il Viaggio di G. Mastorna), dies of a stroke at age 73.

November

November 9: Ross Andru, American comics artist and editor (co-creator of Sgt. Rock, worked on The Amazing Spider-Man, The Flash, Metal Men, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man, Wonder Woman), dies at age 66.

November 10: Alberto Breccia, Uruguayan-Argentine comics artist (Mort Cinder, Ernie Pike, El Eternauta, Evita, vida y obra de Eva Perón, Martin Fierro), dies at age 74.

November 11: John Stanley, American comics writer (Little Lulu), dies at age 79.

December

December 21: Zack Mosley, American comics artist (The Adventures of Smilin' Jack), dies at age 87.

Exhibitions

May 18-August 8: "War No More," featuring the artwork of George Pratt, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jack Kirby, John Severin, and Frank Redondo (Words & Pictures Museum, Northampton, Massachusetts)

Conventions

January 17–18: International Association for Direct Distribution (New Orleans, Louisiana)

January 23–24: Great Eastern Conventions I (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City) — guests include Wendy & Richard Pini, launching their Elfquest '93 tour.

March 5–7 Dallas Fantasy Fair I (Dallas, Texas) — first presentation of the Harvey Awards since the death of awards' namesake Harvey Kurtzman; fund-raiser to help pay for the continuance of the award; official guests include Adam West, Donald Simpson, Larry Stroman, Tex Henson, Kerry Gammill, and Shannon Wheeler

March 21: WaRP Graphics convention (Liverpool, New York) — organized by Wendy and Richard Pini to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation

March 31 – April 1: ProCon (Oakland, California) — first professionals-only convention; held right before WonderCon

April 2–4: WonderCon (Oakland, California) — 7th edition of the convention

April 3–4: Great Eastern Conventions II (New York City)

April 24–25: GlasCAC (Glasgow City Halls, Glasgow, Scotland) — 4th edition of the GlasCAC; presentation of the U.K. Comic Art Awards; guests include Colin MacNeil, Cam Kennedy, Dave Alexander, John Beeston, and Jim Shooter

May 8: Ramapo Comic Con VIII (Ramapo High School, Spring Valley, New York) — guests include Julius Schwartz, José Luis García-López, Jerry Ordway, Frank McLaughlin, Luke McDonnell, Jim Salicrup, Mike Leeke, Evan Dorkin, Mark Chiarello, George Pratt, Lee Weeks, Bob McLeod, Dave Cockrum, Bob Pinaha, John Workman, Rick Parker, Jordan Raskin, Bob Wiacek, Ron Garney, Rachel Pollack, Ken Gale, Mercy Van Vlack, Kurt Schaffenberger, Anthony Tollin, Adrienne Roy, Joe Staton, Bernie Wrightson, Elaine Lee, Doug Moench, Bob Smith, Bob Layton, Michael Davis, Deni Loubert, Ray Lago, Eric Shanower, Kim DeMulder, Rick Bryant, Howard Bender, and M. D. Bright

June 11–13: Heroes Convention (Charlotte, North Carolina)

June 12–13: Great Eastern Conventions III (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City)

June 18–20: Dallas Fantasy Fair II (Dallas Market Hall Convention Center, Dallas, Texas) — guests include Clive Barker (special guest) and Dave Sim

June 25-27: Atlanta Fantasy Fair XIX (Hyatt Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, Georgia) — official guests include David Prowse, Grace Lee Whitney, Caroline Munro, Monique Gabrielle, Jeff Rector, Gunnar Hanson, Irish McCalla

July 2–4: Chicago Comicon (Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois) — 20,000–30,000 attendees; guest of honor: Neil Gaiman

July 16–18: Dragon Con Atlanta Comics Expo (Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Atlanta, Georgia) — 8,000 attendees; presentation of the Wizard Fan Awards

July 17–18: CAPTION93 (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England)

August 7–8: Houston Comic Book Festival (University Center, University of Houston, Houston, Texas) — first annual edition; guests include Chris Claremont, Matt Wagner, Kelley Jones, Joe St. Pierre, Evan Dorkin, and Mike Leeke

August 19–22: San Diego Comic-Con (San Diego Convention Center and Doubletree Hotel, San Diego, California) — 28,000 attendees. Special guests include Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, Peter Bagge, Dan Clowes, Nancy Collins, Paul Dini, Garth Ennis, Ferd Johnson, Rick Kirkman, Don Martin, Olivia, Dave Sim, Vin Sullivan, Michael Whelan, Robert Williams, and Roger Zelazny

September 18–19: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (London, England) — guests include Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Rian Hughes, Steve Yeowell, Jill Thompson, Matt Wagner, Alan Grant, and Carlos Ezquerra

October 8–11: Comicfest '93 (Philadelphia Civic Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — produced by David Greenhill Promotions; guests included Harlan Ellison, Jim Shooter; infamous debate about Image Comics between Peter David and Todd McFarlane, moderated by George Pérez

Awards

First annual publication of the Wizard Fan Awards, presented at Dragon*Con.

Sirius Entertainment

Animal Mystic

DC Comics

Batman: In Darkest Knight

Black Canary (vol. 2)

Bloodlines

Catwoman (vol. 2)

Chain Gang War

Hawkman (vol. 3)

Justice League Task Force

Legacy of Superman

Lobo

Lobo annual

Metal Men limited series

The Outsiders (vol. 2)

Robin monthly series (vol. 2)

Showcase 93

Supergirl (vol. 3)

Trinity

Image Comics

1963

Freak Force

Stormwatch

Malibu Ultraverse

Break-Thru

Exiles

Hardcase

Mantra

Prime

Sludge

Solitaire

The Strangers

Marvel Comics

Deadpool

Doom 2099

Midnight Sons Unlimited

Night Thrasher

Nova (vol. 2)

Punisher 2099

Spider-Man Unlimited

Transformers: Generation 2

X-Men 2099

X-Men Unlimited

Milestone Comics

Blood Syndicate

Hardware

Icon

Static

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie. Artist: John Paul Leon