Notable events of 1981 in comics.
Events and publications
January January 24: In Linus, first episode of Rebecca, by Anna Brandoli and Renato Queirolo. The series has for protagonist a gypsy girl, looking for the St. Ambrose treasure in the Fifteenth century Lombardy. January 25: In Il Giornalino, first episode of the series Father Brown’s tales, by Renata Gelardini and Tommaso Landolfi, from G. K. Chesterton. Capital Comics makes its entrée into publishing with the release of Nexus #1. Frank Miller takes over full writing duties on Daredevil with issue #168, creating Elektra. The "Days of Future Past" storyline debuts in Uncanny X-Men #141 (continues in Uncanny X-Men #142). The reprint title Marvel's Greatest Comics, with issue #96, is cancelled by Marvel. The reprint title Amazing Adventures vol. 3, with issue #14, is cancelled by Marvel. The reprint title Tales to Astonish vol. 2, with issue #14, is cancelled by Marvel. Les chiens meurent en hiver by Yves Swolfs, first album of the western series Durango; the hero is inspired by the Jean-Louis Trintignant’s character in The great silence. Le demon blanc (White devil) by Derib, 10th album of the Buddy Longway series (Le Lombard). Tribunal noir (Black tribunal) by André-Paul Duchateau and Tibet, 32. qlbum of the Ric Hochet series. Les trois vieillards du pays d’Aran (The three old men in Aran country), by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński, 3. album of the Thorgal series. First issue of Necron by Magnus and Ilaria Volpe (Edifumetto).
February February 22: in Topolino, Paperobot contro i Paperoidi (Duck Robot vs. Duck aliens) by Romano Scarpa, first (and only) episode of the sci-fi series Storie stellari (Star stories). Jenette Kahn becomes president of DC Comics, succeeding Sol Harrison. Kahn retained the title of publisher, which she had held since 1976."Executive Shifts at DC" Amazing Heroes #1 (June 1981) p. 25"Harrison Retires from DC Presidency" Amazing Heroes #1 (June 1981) pp. 31-32 Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 #272 features an insert previewing the upcoming "Dial H for Hero" series in Adventure Comics by Marv Wolfman and Carmine Infantino. New York the big city by Will Eisner.
March March 1.: in the Spanish Magazine Cimoc, debut of El mercenario by Vicente Segrelles.
March 1: in Pilote, Brooklyn Station, Terminus Cosmos by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres, 10th episode of the Valerian series, is prepublished.
March 8: The final episode of Stan Lynde's Rick O'Shay is published.
March 8. In Topolino, Paperino di Bergerac (Donald of Bergerac), by Guido Martina and Giovan Battista Carpi, parody of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, is prepublished.
March 17: In a widely mediatized event, Hergé finally meets his old Chinese friend Zhang Chongren again in Brussels, whom he hadn't seen again for almost half a century. Zhang was the inspiration for the Tintin character Chang Chong-Chen. Hergé's longing to see his old friend again inspired the story Tintin in Tibet. March 19: The first episode of Raoul Cauvin and Philippe Bercovici's Les Femmes en Blanc is published in Spirou. Robert Crumb launches the American adult comics magazine Weirdo, which will run until 1993. Marvel takes notice of the growing direct market and produces a title specifically for comic shops — Dazzler #1 sells 400,000 copies. Marvel Preview (published until now by the Marvel imprint Curtis Magazines), with issue #25, changes its name to Bizarre Adventures and becomes an official Marvel Comics publication. Detective Comics #500: 84 pages, 7 different anniversary stories by several well-known creators, including television writer Alan Brennert and Walter B. Gibson, best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow.Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193: "The comic responsible for DC's name reached its 500th issue with the help of a variety of talented comic book icons...In a dimension-spanning story by writer Alan Brennert and fan-favorite artist Dick Giordano, Batman traveled to an alternate Earth to save the parents of a young Bruce Wayne...Writer of pulp icon the Shadow, Walter Gibson, spun a prose story of the Dark Knight, illustrated by Tom Yeates "The Exaggerated Death of Ultra Boy" story arc begins in DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes #273. Written by Gerry Conway, Roy Thomas, and Paul Levitz, with pencils by Jimmy Janes and Steve Ditko, the story arc concludes in Legion of Super-Heroes #282 (December). Mystery in Space (1951 series), with issue #117, is cancelled by DC Comics. Captain Canuck, with issue #14, is cancelled by Comely Comix. John Byrne and Terry Austin leave The Uncanny X-Men, with issue 143 being their last. In Frigidaire, Giallo scolastico (A school mystery) by Andrea Pazienza, the anti-hero Zanardi, a young hooligan, nihilist and drug-addicted, makes his debut.
April Jan Bucquoy launches the Belgian adult comics magazine Spetters. It will last until 1982. Steve Warson contre Michel Vaillant by Jean Graton, 38th episode of the Michel Vaillant series.
May May 3: in Topolino, Zio Paperone e il tuffo nel black hole (Scrooge McDuck jumps in the black hole) by Giorgio Pezzin and Guido Scala; the story is published simultaneously with the release in Italy of the film The black hole. May 8: The first issue of Eclipse Magazine is published by Dean and Jan Mullaney. It will run until January 1983. May 10: in Il giornalino, the comic-adventure series Captain Rogers, by Giorgio Pezzin and Giorgio Cavazzano, makes his debut; the hero is an American trapper, fighting against the English in the War of independence. May 19: in Tele junior, Le bandit manchot (The slot machine) by Morris and Bob de Groot, 81th episode of Lucky Luke series, is pre-published. Master of Kung Fu #100: "Red of Fang and Claw, All Love Lost," by Doug Moench, Mike Zeck, and Gene Day. Ghosts #100 (DC Comics): Edited by Jack C. Harris. With issue #66, Charlton revives The Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves, cancelled in May 1978.
June June 15: Doug Marlette's Kudzu makes its debut. It will run until 2007. June 26: In Berkeley Breathed's Bloom County Opus the Penguin makes his debut. Weird War Tales #100 (DC Comics) Final issue of The Hulk! published by Curtis Magazines. First issue of Charlton Bullseye (Charlton) Debut of the comics industry magazine Amazing Heroes (published by the Fantagraphics imprint Zam, Inc.. With later issues, until it folds in 1992, Amazing Heroes will be "officially" published by Fantagraphics). Rallye sur un vulcan by Jean Graton, 39th episode of the Michel Vaillant series. In the Spanish magazine cimoc, the war reporter Frank Kappa, by Manfred Sommer, makes his debut. In the Argentinian magazine Superhumor, the inept New York cop Merdichesky, by Carlos Trillo and Horacio Altura, makes his debut.
July Superman and Spider-Man, "The Heroes and the Holocaust," a DC/Marvel intercompany crossoverManning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 194: "In an oversized treasury edition carrying a hefty $2.50 price tag, the Man of Steel paired for the second time with Marvel's iconic web-slinger...The issue came together thanks to the script of writer Jim Shooter, a bit of plotting assistance by Marv Wolfman, the pencils of longtime Marvel luminary John Buscema, and a veritable fleet of inkers." ("sequel" to 1976's Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man). Man-Thing vol. 2, with issue #11, is cancelled by Marvel. John Byrne begins his 62-issue run as writer/artist on Fantastic Four with issue #232. In Italy, first issue of the weekly magazine Paperino & c. (Mondadori), publishing Danish and American Disney comics.
August August 5: in Le matin de Paris, first chapter of La jeunesse de Corto Maltese (Corto Maltese’s youth) by Hugo Pratt and Patrizia Zanotti.: DC's The Flash reaches its 300th issue and celebrates its 25th anniversary. Justice League of America #193 features an insert previewing the upcoming All-Star Squadron series by Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler."All-Star Squadron, DC's new World War II-era superhero series debuts in May in a 16-page preview insert in Justice League of America #193." as noted in "Thomas Revives WWII Superheroes" Catron, Michael Amazing Heroes #1 June 1981 pp. 28-29 Final issue of Marvel Premiere (#61) published by Marvel Comics With issue #47, DC cancels Super Friends. "Doomquest" storyline debuts in Iron Man #149 (continues in Iron Man #150) The Warlord #48 features an insert previewing the upcoming Arak, Son of Thunder series by Roy Thomas and Ernie Colón."Arak, Son of Thunder, described as an 'Indian/Viking,' makes his debut in a preview insert in Warlord #48, on sale in May." as noted in "Thomas's Indian/Viking to Roam Medieval Europe" Catron, Michael Amazing Heroes #1 June 1981 pp. 29-30
Fall DC Special Series #27 — Batman vs. The Incredible Hulk, an intercompany crossoverManning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 195 "Written by Len Wein and illustrated by José Luis García-López, the comic saw...Batman and the Hulk doing battle with both the Joker and Marvel's ultra-powerful Shaper of Worlds." between DC and Marvel Comics. This marks the final issue of DC Special Series (1977 series), a catch-all series primarily for one-shots of different formats, released on an irregular schedule.
September September 5: in 2000 AD, first strip of Rogue Trooper, by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons. September 20: Jean Dulieu wins the Stripschapprijs. Patty Klein, Annemieke and Har van Fulpen win The Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten (nowadays the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs). September 21: Guy Gilchrist and Brad Gilchrist's newspaper comic based on The Muppet Show is published for the first time and in more than 80 countries across the world on the same simultaneous date. An exceptional event. September 24: Kamagurka and Herr Seele's Cowboy Henk makes its debut in De Morgen. Toon van Driel's gag comic Hullie debuts in Algemeen Dagblad, where it will run until 2001.
Le scandale Ric Hochet by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet, 33th episode of the Ric Hochet series (Le Lombard).
October October 18: in Il giornalino, Nicoletta, by Clod and Claudio Nizzi, makes her debut. The Defenders #100: Double-sized issue written by J.M. DeMatteis. (Marvel Comics) "Block Mania" storyline begins in 2000 AD. (continues through December) The Hunting Party, by Pierre Christin and Enik Bilal (Dargaud) Asterix and the black gold – by Uderzo (Editons Albert-René). La tour de Babele by Jacques Martin, 16. album of the Alix series.
November November 1: In the Italian Disney magazine Topolino, the Donald Duck story The Tourist at the End of the Universe, by Giorgio Cavazzano and Carlo Chendi marks the debut of O. K. Quack. November 2: Steve Bell's political comic strip If debuts in The Guardian. It will run until 2021. November 22: in Il giornalino, Rosco and Sonny, by Claudio Nizzi and Giancarlo Alessandrini, make their debut. November 26: in Spirou, first chapter of La Ceinture du grand froid, by Nic Broca and Raoul Cauvin. Jinty merges with Tammy (Fleetway). Pacific Comics makes its entree into publishing with the release of Jack Kirby's Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #1 The reprint title Marvel Super Action, with issue #37, is cancelled by Marvel. In Linus, the shabby private eye Joe Balordo by Benito Jacovitti, makes his debut; the series, very short lived (only two episodes), for its explicitly sexual contents, is one of the few comics by the author aimed to an adult audience.
December December 17: Stéphane Colman and Stephen Desberg's Billy the Cat makes its debut in Spirou. December 23: The final issue of the French satirical comics magazine Charlie Hebdo is published. It will be relaunched in July 1992. In Italy, first issue of the magazine Pilot (Bonelli), specialized in French comics; it contains L’uomo di carta (Paper man) by Milo Manara, a western adventure on the natives’ side, already published in France.