1998 in comics

Notable events of 1998 in comics. See also List of years in comics.

Events and publications

February

• Superman Red/Superman Blue begins.
• Ghost Rider, vol. 3., 1990 series, cancelled by Marvel with issue #93

March

• March 11: The Flemish newspapers Het Laatste Nieuws and De Nieuwe Gazet change the title of their weekly children comics supplement De Samson en Gert Krant, based on the popular TV show Samson en Gert, into De Plopkrant, based on the children's show Kabouter Plop. [1]
• Batman: Cataclysm begins.

May

• The first episode of Daniel Clowes' David Boring is prepublished in Eightball.
• Marvel Comics' Identity Crisis begins.
• Batman: Cataclysm concludes.

Spring

• Gay Comix (1980 series), with issue #25, publishes its final issue (Bob Ross)

June

• Emerald Knights begins.
• Identity Crisis concludes.
• Superman Red/Superman Blue concludes.

August

• August 24: The Dutch comics magazine Sjosji changes its name again into Sjosji Striparazzi.It will continue until 1999, after which it changes its name into Striparazzi.[2]

September

• September 9: Through a long trial Albert Uderzo wins the profits and rights to all his Asterix-related merchandise and albums from previous publisher Dargaud. [3]

October

• October 10-11: During the Stripdagen in Breda Joost Swarte receives the Stripschapprijs.[4] Publisher Hansje Joustra wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs. [5]
• Toy Biz buys Marvel Comics
• The "Emerald Knights" storyline concludes
• The Gathering of Five, taking place over Spider-Man's four main ongoing series
• Daredevil vol. 1, 1964 series, is canceled by Marvel with issue #380
• Excalibur is canceled by Marvel with issue #125
• The Sensational Spider-Man is canceled by Marvel with issue #33

November

• DC One Million takes place.
• The Final Chapter begins and concludes, taking place over Spider-Man's three main ongoing series
• The imprint Marvel Knights debuts with three new titles:
  • Daredevil vol. 2 — the "Guardian Devil" storyline begins
  • Black Panther vol. 3
  • Inhumans vol. 2
• Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man is canceled by Marvel with issue #263.
• Silver Surfer vol. 2 is canceled by Marvel with issue #146.
• What If vol. 2 is canceled by Marvel with issue #114.
• November 18: The first page of Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik's Penny Arcade is uploaded to the Internet.

December

• The Hunt for Xavier begins.
• The Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker: Spider-Man are both restarted with new #1 issues.

Specific date unknown

• Jim Lee announced that DC Comics would take over WildStorm Productions.
• MU Press publishes Those Annoying Post Bros. #63, the final issue of that title.

Deaths

January

• January 5: Gustavo Martz Schmidt, Spanish comics artist (Toribio Doctor Cascarrabias, El Doctor Cataplasma, Troglodito, Camelio Majareto, El profesor Tragacanto, Deliranta Rococó, La Pandilla Cu-Cux Plaf, El Sherrif Chiquito, continued Doña Urraca), dies at age 75. [6]
• January 7: Eli Bauer, American comics artist and animator (Kermit the Hermit, Norman), dies at age 69. [7]
• January 11: Win Mortimer, American comics artist (co-creator of Ripley's Believe It Or Not), dies at age 78.[8]
• January 28: Shotaro Ishinomori, Japanese manga artist (Kamen Rider, Cyborg 009, Sandarobotchi), dies at age 60 of heart failure.[9]

February

• February 8: John Miles, British cartoonist and comics artist (Perkins), passes away at age 63. [10]
• February 14: Thomas McKimson, American comics artist and animator (Looney Tunes comics, Disney comics, worked on the Roy Rogers comic strip), dies at age 90. [11]
• February 16: Gervy, French comics artist (Pat'Apouf), passes away at age 89. [12]
• February 28: Antonio Prohías, Cuban-American comics artist (Spy vs. Spy), dies at age 77.[13]

March

• March 1: Archie Goodwin, American comics writer (Luke Cage, Manhunter, worked for Blazing Combat, Creepy and Eerie), dies at age 60.[14]
• March 3: Olaf Stoop, Dutch activist and underground comics artist (Roza's Lotgevallen), dies at the age of 52 from a heart attack. [15]
• March 23: John Sikela, Slovakian-American comics artist (worked on Superman, Superboy), dies at age 90 or 91. [16]

April

• April 7: Alex Schomburg, Puerto Rican-American comics artist (Timely Comics), dies at age 92.[17][18]
• April 8: Lee Elias, British-American comics artist (Beyond Mars, Black Cat), dies at age 77.[19]
• April 17: E.E. Hibbard, American painter and comics artist (worked on The Flash, The Green Lantern and was the first artist to illustrate a Justice Society story), dies at age 89. [20]
• April 23: Enrique Riverón, Cuban-American cartoonist, animator and comics artist, dies at age 95 or 96. [21]
• April 26: Bill Crooks, American comics artist (assisted on Captain Easy), dies at age 80. [22]

June

• June 13: Reg Smythe, British comics artist (Andy Capp), dies at age 80.[23]

July

• July 16: Tony Sgroi, American animator and comics artist (Disney comics), dies at age 73. [24]

August

• August 1:
  • René Bonnet, French comics artist (Fripounet et Marisette), dies at age 92. [25]
  • Florenci Clavé, Spanish comics artist ('Rémy Herphelin), dies at age 62. [26]
• August 15: Wim Hessels, aka Woeloem, Dutch comics artist (Stoffertje Zuig, Manusje van Alles, Boerensloot, Spatje, Muisje Nisje), dies at age 70. [27]
• August 20: Robert Rigot, French illustrator, caricaturist and comics artist (Chantal, Frédéri le Gardian, Les Rapaces), dies at age 89. [28]

September

• September 1: Francisco Coching, Filipino comics artist (Marabini, Hagibis, Sabas, ang Barbaro Pedro Penduko, El Indio), dies at age 86.[29]
• September 3: Vincent Alascia, American comics artist (American Avenger, worked on Captain America), dies at age 84.[30]

October

• October 28: Les Carroll, American comics artist (The Tillers, Life with the Rimples, assisted Boots and Her Buddies and Alley Oop, continued Our Boarding House), dies at age 86. [31]

November

• November 2: Enric Sió, Spanish comics artist (La Guerra de los Poetas, Mara, Mis Miedos), dies from a stroke at age 56.[32]
• November 3: Bob Kane, American comics artist (Batman), dies at age 83.[33][34]
• November 17: Bill Ward, American comics artist (Torchy), dies at age 79.[35]
• November 24: Jacques Eggermont, Belgian comics artist and animator (Bicky, Kaatje en Klopje), passes away at age 80.[36]

December

• December 10: Ray Goossens, Belgian comics artist (Reynaert de Vos, Ouwe Taaie, Mr. Snor, Tijl Uilenspiegel (sometimes titled Tijl en Lamme), Pimmeke, Snops, Tsjoem) and animator (Musti), dies at age 74.[37]
• December 21: André LeBlanc, Haitian-American-Brazilian comics artist, dies at age 77. [38]
• December 23: Joe Orlando, American comics artist (co-creator of the Weird Science, Weird Fantasy series), dies at age 71.[39]
• December 29: Jean-Claude Forest, French comics artist (Barbarella), dies at age 68.[40]
• December 31: Sándor Gugi, Hungarian comics artist (Talál Tamás, Der Arme Leopold, adaptations of literary novels), dies at age 81. [41]
• Specific date unknown: Reginald Ben Davies, British illustrator and comics artist (Jill Crusoe in the Land of the White Queen, Katy of Cedar Creek), passes away at age 90 or 91. [42]

Specific date unknown

• Kim Young-hwan, aka Gita Koji, Korean comics artist (Kojubu Samgukji), passes away at age 85 or 86. [43]

Conventions

• January 22–25: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)[44]
• February 21–22: Alternative Press Expo (San Jose, California)
• March 13–15: MegaCon (Orlando Expo Center, Orlando, Florida, USA) — guests include Stephen Furst and Robin Downs of Babylon 5
• March 21–22: United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (Manchester, England) — guests include Joe Sacco, Alex Ross, Eddie Campbell, Colleen Doran, Woodrow Phoenix, William Messner-Loebs, Alan Grant, and Dave Taylor ; presentation of the National Comics Awards; final iteration of the UKCAC
• April 17–19: WonderCon (Oakland, California)
• April 25–26: Pittsburgh Comicon (Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania) — guests include Kevin Smith and Jim Mahfood[45]
• May 15–17: Motor City Comic Con I (Novi Expo Center, Novi, Michigan)[46]
• May 16: Ramapo Comic Con XII (Ramapo High School, Spring Valley, New York) — guests include Barry Blair, Howard Cruse, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Dave Cockrum, Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti, Fred Hembeck, and Amanda Conner[47]
• Summer: "The Death of CAPTION" (Oxford Union Society, Oxford, England)
• June 3–5: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina) — guests include "Trilogy Tour" II members Jeff Smith, Charles Vess, Linda Medley, Mark Crilley, Jill Thompson, and Stan Sakai
• June 26–28: Fan Expo Canada (Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) — 6,778 attendees; guests include Joe Quesada, Greg Capullo, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Humberto Ramos, Christina Z, Amanda Conner, Chester Brown, Joe Matt, and Seth
• July 17–19: Wizard World Chicago (Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois) — 25,000 attendees; guest of honor: Todd McFarlane; special guests: David Prowse and Kenny Baker; other guests include "Trilogy Tour" II members Jeff Smith, Charles Vess, Linda Medley, Mark Crilley, Jill Thompson, and Stan Sakai
• July 17–18: Zinefest (Los Angeles and Orange, California)
• Aug. 11–12: Pro/Con (San Diego, California) — 6th Pro/Con moves from Oakland to San Diego; held right before Comic-Con International
• August 13–17: Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California) — 42,000 attendees. Special guests include John Broome, Eddie Campbell, Nick Cardy, Mark Crilley, Colleen Doran, Lorenzo Mattotti, Terry Moore, Paul S. Newman, James Robinson, Joe Simon, Paul Smith, Vin Sullivan, Naoko Takeuchi, Chris Ware, and Robert Williams
• September 3–6: Dragon Con (Hyatt Regency Atlanta/ AmericasMart, Atlanta, Georgia) — 18,000 attendees
• September 11–12: Big Apple Comic Con I (Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City)
• September 26–27: Small Press Expo (Holiday Inn Select, Bethesda, Maryland)[48]
• October 9–10: Festival of Cartoon Art (Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio)[49] — 6th edition
• October 10: Big Apple Comic Con II (Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City)
• October 10–11: Motor City Comic Con II (Dearborn Civic Center, Dearborn, Michigan)
• October 17–18: SuperCon III (Oakland Convention Center, Oakland, California)
• November 13–15: The Graphic Novel: a 20th Anniversary Conference on an Emerging Literary and Artistic Medium (the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts) — program book features a brief essay by Will Eisner, "Twentieth Anniversary Reflections on A Contract with God"
• November 13–14: Big Apple Comic Con III (Church of St. Paul the Apostle, New York City)
• November 28–29: Mid-Ohio Con (Adam's Mark Hotel, Columbus, Ohio) — guests include "Trilogy Tour" II members Jeff Smith, Charles Vess, Linda Medley, Mark Crilley, Jill Thompson, and Stan Sakai

First issues by title

• Elseworld's Finest: Supergirl & Batgirl

References

1. "Jean-Pol". lambiek.net.
2. "Eppo". www.lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
3. "Albert Uderzo". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
4. "Stripschapsprijs 1998 voor Joost Swarte". De Morgen (in Dutch). 1998-08-25. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
5. https://www.stripschap.nl/pages/stripschapprijzen/p.-hans-frankfurtherprijs/complete-lijst.php
6. "Gustavo Martz-Schmidt". lambiek.net. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
7. "Eli Bauer". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
8. "Win Mortimer". lambiek.net.
9. "Shôtarô Ishimori". lambiek.net.
10. "John Miles". lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
11. "Tom McKimson". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
12. "Gervy". lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
13. "Antonio Prohias". lambiek.net.
14. "Archie Goodwin". lambiek.net.
15. "Robert Olaf Stoop". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
16. "John Sikela". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
17. Saunders, David. "Alex Schomburg (1905–1998)," PulpArtists.com: Field Guide to Wild American Pulp Artists (2009). Accessed June 25, 2012.
18. "Alex Schomburg". lambiek.net.
19. "Lee Elias". lambiek.net.
20. "E. E. Hibbard". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
21. "Enrique Riverón". lambiek.net. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
22. "Bill Crooks". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
23. "Reg Smythe". lambiek.net.
24. "Tony Sgroi". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
25. "René Bonnet". lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
26. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/c/clave-florenci.htm
27. "Woeloem". lambiek.net. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
28. "Robert Rigot". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
29. "Francisco V. Coching". lambiek.net.
30. Vincent Alascia at the Lambiek Comiclopedia. Retrieved October 18, 2011. Archived from the original October 18, 2011
31. "Les Carroll". lambiek.net. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
32. "Enric Sio". lambiek.net.
33. Boxer, Sarah. "Bob Kane, 83, the Cartoonist Who Created 'Batman,' Is Dead", The New York Times November 7, 1998
34. "Bob Kane". lambiek.net.
35. "Bill Ward". lambiek.net.
36. "Jacques Eggermont". lambiek.net.
37. "Ray Goossens". lambiek.net.
38. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/leblanc_andre.htm
39. "Joe Orlando". lambiek.net.
40. "Jean-Claude Forest". lambiek.net.
41. "Sandor Gugi". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
42. "Reginald Ben Davis". lambiek.net. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
43. https://www.lambiek.net/artists/k/kim_yong-hwan.htm
44. Kannenberg, Jr., Gene. "Veni, Vidi, BD: A First-Time View of Angoulême, 1998," The Comics Journal #202 (Mar. 1998), pp. 24-26..
45. "Chasing Kevin: Besides Movie Fans, Director Smith Has to Cope With Comic Book Lovers," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (29 Apr 1998), p. F-5.
46. "Detroit Gears Up for Motor City Con," Comic Book Marketplace, vol. 2, #58 (Apr. 1998), pp. 74-75.
47. Rimmels, Beth Hannan. "Stripped: Cruising in Queens, Etc.," Long Island Voice (May 14–20, 1998).
48. "News for the week ending September 27, 1998," Sequential Tart (Sept. 1998).
49. Kannenberg, Gene. "One-of-a-kind: The Ohio State University Festival of Cartoon Art, October 9–10, 1998, A Personal View," Comics Journal (Dec. 1998), pp. 9–14.