2012 in comics

September

The Batman Live stage show began its US tour in Anaheim, California.

January

January 4: Richard Alf, American businessman, comic book store owner and co-founder of San Diego Comic-Con International, dies at age 59, of pancreatic cancer.

January 6: John Celardo, American comic strip and comic book artist best known for illustrating the Tarzan comic strip, dies at age 93.

January 31: Antonio Segura, Spanish comics writer (Hombre, Bogey, Sarvan, Kraken, Jack el Destipador, Eva Medusa), dies at age 69.

February

February 12: John Severin, American comics artist (Two-Fisted Tales, Frontline Combat, Mad, Cracked, Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, Two-Gun Kid), dies at age 90.

February 29: Sheldon Moldoff, American comics artist (worked on Batman), dies at age 91.

March

March 10: Jean Giraud, aka (Mœbius), French comics artist and writer (Blueberry, Arzach, Airtight Garage, The Incal) and co-founder of the magazine Métal Hurlant, dies at age 73 from cancer.

April

April 28: Dik Bruynesteyn, Dutch comics artist and cartoonist (Appie Happie), dies at the age of 84.

May

May 8: Maurice Sendak, American illustrator and comics artist (Where the Wild Things Are), dies at age 83.

May 11: Tony DeZuniga, Filipino-American comics artist (Jonah Hex, Black Orchid), dies at age 79, following a stroke.

May 12: Eddy Paape, Belgian comics artist (Valhardi, Marc Dacier, Luc Orient), dies at age 91.

May 16: Ernie Chan, Filipino-American comics artist (worked on Batman, Conan the Barbarian), dies at age 71 of cancer.

May 26: Jim Unger, British-Canadian comics artist and cartoonist (Herman), dies at age 75.

June

June 20: LeRoy Neiman, American illustrator and comics artist (Playboy, designed the Femlin characters), dies at age 91.

July

July 24: Themo Lobos, Chilean comics writer and artist (Máximo Chambónez, Ferrilo, Nick Obre, Alaraco, Mampato), dies at age 83.

August

August 12: Joe Kubert, American comics artist (Tor, Sgt. Rock, Hawkman, and Tarzan, and founder of The Kubert School, dies at age 85.

November

November 2: Gösta Gummesson, Swedish comics artist (Asa-Nisse), dies at age 84.

November 13: Ray Zone, American film historian, author and illustrator, best known for making 3-D versions of comics, dies at age 65 from a heart attack.

November 28: Spain Rodriguez, American underground comics artist (Trashman), dies at age 72 from cancer.

November 30: Jeff Millar, American comics writer (Tank McNamara), dies of bile duct cancer at age 70.

Exhibitions

April 13 – to August 19: Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (Paris, France) — "Crumb: De l'Underground à la Genèse," an R. Crumb career retrospective

April 14 – August 12: Oakland Museum of California (Oakland, California) — "Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes," curated by Susan Miller and René de Guzman

September 14, 2012 – January 13, 2013: Burchfield Penney Art Center (Buffalo State College, Buffalo, New York) — "Spain: Rock, Roll, Rumbles, Rebels & Revolution"

October 13, 2012 – January 31, 2013: State Historical Society of Missouri (University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri) — "Frank Stack at 75"

Conventions

January 26–29: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France) — 220,000 attendees

January 28–29: Wizard World New Orleans (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana) — guests: Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Jesus Merino, Félix Ruiz, Tyler Kirkham, Barry Kitson, Greg Horn, Bernie Wrightson, Norm Breyfogle, and Arthur Suydam

February 10–12: What the Hell?! Con (Greensboro, North Carolina)

February 17–19: MegaCon (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, USA) — guests include Amanda Conner, Chuck Dixon, Paul Gulacy, Phil Hester, Rob Hunter, Dan Jurgens, Jimmy Palmiotti, George Pérez, Stephane Roux, Frank Tieri, Tim Townsend, William Tucci, Ethan Van Sciver, and Zeb Wells

February 25–26: London Super Comic Convention (London, England, UK)

March 3–4: STAPLE! (Marchesa Hall and Theater, Austin, Texas) — special guests: Kevin Eastman, Jason Neulander, Brian Hurtt, Cullen Bunn, Monica Gallagher, Liz Prince, Kagan McLeod, and MariNaomi

March 10–11: Toronto ComiCON Fan Appreciation Event (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

March 16–18: WonderCon (Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California) — con moves from San Francisco because the Moscone Center under construction. Guests include Arthur Adams, Sergio Aragonés, Ernest Cline, Renae De Liz, Mark Evanier, Michael Golden, Joe Hill, Rebekah Isaaks, Richard Kadrey, Carol Lay, Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Todd Nauck, Steve Niles, Eric Powell, Humberto Ramos, Bob Schreck, Scott Snyder, Ryan Sook, Fiona Staples, Richard Starkings, J. Michael Straczynski, Mark Waid, Wil Wheaton, and Marv Wolfman

March 31–April 1: Hi-Ex (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland) — guests include Michael Carroll, Al Ewing, John Higgins, Sally Hurst, and Chris Murray

March 31: New York Comic Book Marketplace (Penn Plaza Pavilion, New York City, USA) — final Big Apple Comic Con, with show having been sold to Wizard Entertainment. Guest of honor: Stan Lee; other guests include George Pérez, Joe Sinnott, Dick Ayers, Carmine Infantino, Jim Steranko, Irwin Hasen, Mike Royer, Arthur Suydam, Bob McLeod, Rich Buckler, and Johnny Brennan

April 13–15: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

April 13–14: Wildcat Comic Con (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA) — guests include Walter Koenig, David Small, Dean Haspiel, and Josh Neufeld

April 14–15: Wizard World Toronto (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

April 20–22: Pittsburgh Comicon (Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, USA) — guests include Bob Almond, Jim Balent, Darryl Banks, Eric Basaldua, Brett Breeding, Robert Brewer, J. Scott Campbell, Tommy Castillo, Daxiong, Ron Frenz, Holly G, Adela Garcia, Mike Grell, Scott Hedlund, Terry Huddleston, Barry Kitson, Robert Kraus, Stan Lee, Adam Mayfield, Peter Mayhew, Scott McDaniel, Paul Monsky, Chris Moreno, Rudy Nebres, Mike Okamoto, Pat Olliffe, George Pérez, Ian Petrella, Budd Root, Alex Saviuk, Stuart Sayger, Larry Thomas, Tim Vigil, Neil Vokes, Lee Weeks, and Ron Wilson

April 21–22: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (S.P.A.C.E.) (Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus, Ohio)

April 27–29: Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

April 28–29: MoCCA Festival (69th Regiment Armory, New York City, USA)

April 28–29: Stumptown Comics Fest (Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, USA)

May 2: Asbury Park Comic Con I (Asbury Lanes, Asbury, New Jersey) — official guests include Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Stephanie Buscema, Jamal Igle, Steve Mannion, and Mike Zapcic & Ming Chen of Comic Book Men

May 5–6: Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada)

May 12–13: Comic Expo (Passenger Shed of Brunel Old Station, Bristol, UK) — guests include Paul Cornell, Ian Churchill, and Mark Buckingham; guest of honor Dennis O'Neil unable to attend. The show attracts only 300 attendees, with many exhibitors reporting losses; there is speculation the show might not survive.

May 18–20: Motor City Comic Con (Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Michigan, USA) — guests include Billy Tucci, Mike Grell, Ethan Van Sciver, Peter Bagge, Joseph Lee, Nichelle Nichols, Colin Ferguson, Dean Cain, Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman, Billy Dee Williams, Christopher Knight, Butch Patrick, and Erin Gray

May 18–19: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — guests include William H. Foster, III, Alex Simmons, and Eric Battle; presentation of the Glyph Comics Awards

May 19–20: BigWow Comicfest (San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California) — guests include Travis Charest, Juanjo Guarnido, Thomas Jane, Jim Lee, Toshio Maeda, Steve Niles, Kevin Nowlan, Bernie Wrightson, and Terrance Zdunich

May 19–20: Dallas Comic Con (Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, Irving, Texas, USA) — c.20,000 attendees; guests include Stan Lee, Neal Adams, George Pérez, Len Wein, Arthur Suydam, Jimmy Palmiotti, Cully Hamner, Brian Stelfreeze, Norm Breyfogle, Greg Horn, Mitch Breitweiser, Elizabeth Breitweiser, Alex Saviuk, Sam DeLarosa, Guo Jingxiong, Steve Erwin, and Kristian Donaldson

May 24–27: Phoenix Comicon (Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA)

May 30–June 2: Wizard World Philadelphia (Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

June 2–3: Stripdagen Haarlem (Grote Markt, Haarlem, the Netherlands)

June 16–17: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo (Columbia College’s Ludington Building, Chicago, Illinois) — first iteration of CAKE

June 22–24: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA) — guests include Neal Adams, Bob Almond, Jim Amash, Robert Atkins, Mark Bagley, Jeremy Bastian, Ivan Brandon, June Brigman, Pat Broderick, Mark Brooks, Jeffrey Brown, Stephanie Buscema, Scott C., Jim Calafiore, Ben Caldwell, Dennis Calero, Nick Cardy, Richard Case, Bernard Chang, Sean Chen, Cliff Chiang, Frank Cho, Mike Choi, Brian Clevinger, Becky Cloonan, Paty Cockrum, Dave Cooper, Colleen Coover, Clayton Crain, Jeremy Dale, Geof Darrow, Shane Davis, Todd Dezago, Michael Dooney, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Nathan Edmondson, Tommy Lee Edwards, Steve Epting, Michael Eury, Michel Fiffe, Ian Flynn, Matt Fraction, Francesco Francavilla, Gary Friedrich, Christos Gage, Nick Galifianakis, Ron Garney, Bryan J. L. Glass, Michael Golden, Keron Grant, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Scott Hanna, Dustin Harbin, Tony Harris, Tom Hart, Jeremy Haun, Clayton Henry, Jaime Hernandez, Jonathan Hickman, Adam Hughes, Jamal Igle, Kathryn Immonen, Stuart Immonen, Georges Jeanty, Matt Kindt, Aaron Kuder, Roger Langridge, Jason Latour, Bob Layton, Stan Lee, Jeff Lemire, Paul Levitz, Mike Lilly, Joseph Michael Linsner, Tom Lyle, Heidi MacDonald, David W. Mack, David Marquez, Laura Martin, Ron Marz, Jose Marzan, Jr., Nathan Massengill, Paul Maybury, Ed McGuinness, Bob McLeod, Mike Mignola, B. Clay Moore, Chris Moreno, Mark Nelson, Steve Niles, Cary Nord, Earl Norem, Phil Noto, Jason Pearson, Andrew Pepoy, George Pérez, David Petersen, Brandon Peterson, Ed Piskor, Chris Pitzer, Brian Ralph, Tom Raney, Ivan Reis, Andrew Robinson, Budd Root, Don Rosa, Craig Rousseau, Stéphane Roux, Jim Rugg, Andy Runton, Tim Sale, Alex Saviuk, Bob Schreck, Tom Scioli, Bill Sienkiewicz, Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson, Scott Snyder, Charles Soule, Matthew Southworth, Joe Staton, Ryan Stegman, Brian Stelfreeze, Karl Story, Romeo Tanghal, Ben Templesmith, Mark Texeira, Roy Thomas, Jill Thompson, Rich Tommaso, Tim Townsend, Herb Trimpe, Dean Trippe, William Tucci, Koi Turnbull, Rob Ullman, Ethan Van Sciver, Robert Venditti, Tim Vigil, Dexter Vines, Chris Walker, Loston Wallace, Michael W. Watkins, Lee Weeks, Brett Weldele, Shane White, Jarrett Williams, Bill Willingham, Renée Witterstaetter, Marv Wolfman, J. K. Woodward, Bernie Wrightson, Skottie Young, Mike Zeck, and Chrissie Zullo

June 29–July 2: Florida SuperCon (Miami Airport Convention Center, Miami, Florida, USA)

July 6–8: London Film and Comic Con (Olympia Grand Hall, London, England, UK)

July 12–15: Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA)

August 9–12: Wizard World Chicago (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois) — official guests: William Shatner, Jeri Ryan, Stan Lee, Jon Bernthal, CM Punk, Carlos Pacheco, George Pérez, Greg Capullo, Nina Dobrev, Kate Mulgrew, Bruce Campbell, Tom Felton, and Amy Acker

August 18–19: CAPTION 2012 Summer Special (Oxford, England, UK)

August 23–26: Fan Expo Canada (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) — over 80,000 attendees expected

August 31–September 3: Dragon Con (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

September 14–16: Montreal Comiccon (Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada) — guests include William Shatner (Guest of Honour), Wil Wheaton, Brent Spiner, John de Lancie, Malcolm McDowell, James Marsters, Nicholas Brendon, Laura Vandervoort, Mike Mignola, Gunnar Hansen, Lloyd Kaufman, Kevin Sorbo, Ben Templesmith, and Frank Cho

September 15–16: Small Press Expo (Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) — special guests: Dan Clowes, Chris Ware, Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez

September 15–16: Stan Lee's Comikaze (Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, USA) — guests of honor: Stan Lee, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jhonen Vasquez

September 23: Wales Comic Con (Glyndŵr University, Wrexham, North Wales, UK)

September 28–30: Wizard World Ohio Comic Con (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA) — guests include Dean Cain, Lou Ferrigno, Jorge Molina, Greg Horn, Arthur Suydam, Mike McKone, Tom Batiuk, Chad Cicconi, Stuart Sayger, and Dirk Strangely

September 29: Asbury Park Comic Con (Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, New Jersey) — official guests include Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Dean Haspiel, Reilly Brown, Curls Studio, and Mike Zapcic & Ming Chen of Comic Book Men

October 1–4: Lucca Comics and Games (Lucca, Italy)

October 11–14: Komikazen (Ravenna, Italy) — guests include Shout and Carlos Latuff

October 11–14: New York Comic Con (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City, USA) —116,000 attendees; notable guests include Clark Gregg, Adam West

October 13–14: Alternative Press Expo (Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco, California, USA)

October 19–21: Dallas Comic Con (Irving Convention Center . Irving, Texas) — official guests include Stan Lee, Bruce Campbell, Robert Englund, Tom Felton, and Sean Astin

October 26–28: Detroit Fanfare (Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Michigan, USA)

November 2–4: Central Canada Comic Con (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

November 3–4: Rhode Island Comic Con (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA) — inaugural edition of this show

November 24: Genghis Con (Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio) — guests include Derf, Ed Piskor, Frank Santoro, and Gary Dumm

First issues by title

Alpha Girl

Release February by Image Comics. Writers: Jean-Paul Bonjour and Jeff Roenning Artist: Robert Love

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Adventures

Release April by Marvel Comics. Writer: Chris Yost Artist: Adam Dekraker

Bad Medicine

Release June by Oni Press (also available on FCBD in May 2012). Writers: Christina Weir and Nunzio DeFilippis Artist: Christopher Mitten

Batman Incorporated volume 2

Release May by DC Comics. Writer: Grant Morrison Artist: Chris Burnham

Dark Matter

Release January by Dark Horse Comics. Writers: Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie Artist: Garry Brown

Earth-Two

Release May by DC Comics. Writer: James Robinson Artist: Nicola Scott

Fatale

Release January by Image Comics. Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Sean Phillips

Dial H

Release May by DC Comics. Writer: China Miéville Artist: Mateus Santoluoco

G.I. Combat

Release May by DC Comics. Writers: J. T. Krul, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray Artists: Ariel Olivetti, Dan Panosian, Scott Kolins

King Conan

Release January by Dark Horse Comics. Writers: Tim Truman Artist: Tomás Giorello

The Manhattan Projects

Release March by Image Comics. Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Nick Pitarra

The Massive

Release June by Dark Horse. Writer: Brian Wood Artist: Kristian Donaldson

MIND MGMT

Release May by Dark Horse. Writer and Artist: Matt Kindt

The New Deadwardians

Release March by Vertigo. Writer: Dan Abnett Artist: I.N.J. Culbard

Planetoid

Release June by Image Comics. Writer & Artist: Ken Garing

Point of Impact

Release October by Image Comics. Writer: Jay Faerber Artist: Koray Kuranel

Rachel Rising

Release March by Abstract Studios. Writer & Artist: Terry Moore

The Ravagers

Release May by DC Comics. Writer: Howard Mackie Artist: Ian Churchill

Resident Alien

Release April by Dark Horse. Writer: Peter Hogan Artist: Steve Parkhouse

Revival

Release May by Image comics. Writer: Tim Seeley Artist: Mike Norton

Saga

Release March by Image Comics. Writer: Brian K. Vaughan Artist: Fiona Staples

Scarlet Spider volume 2

Release January by Marvel Comics. Writer: Chris Yost Artist: Ryan Stegman

Smoke and Mirrors

Release March by IDW Publishing. Writer: Mike Costa Artist: Ryan Brown

Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi

Release February by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: John Ostrander Artist: Jan Duursema

Thief of Thieves

Release February by Image Comics (Skybound). Writers: Robert Kirkman, Nick Spencer Artist: Shawn Martinbrough

Think Tank

Release August by Image Comics. Writer: Matt Hawkins Artist: Rahsan Ekedal

Ultimate Spider-Man Adventures

Release April by Marvel Comics. Writers: Dan Slott, Ty Templeton Artist: Nuno Plati

Whispers

Release January by Image Comics. Writer and Artist: Joshua Luna

Worlds' Finest

Release May by DC Comics. Writer: Paul Levitz Artist: George Pérez