Notable events of 1987 in comics.
Events and publications
Year overall Independent publishers continue to enter the comics arena including Amazing, CFW Enterprises, Imperial Comics, Matrix Graphic Series, and New Comics Group. Conversely, ACE Comics, Mad Dog Graphics, Silverwolf Comics, Solson Publications, Spotlight Comics, and Wonder Comics all cease publishing. Formation of the Independent Comic Publishers Association (ICPA), to promote excellence in and further public awareness of this growing segment of the comic book industry. The appearance of the ICPA logo on a comic is meant as a symbol of quality in the small press, black-and-white market. DC Comics reboots three of its core characters and titles, with the introduction of The Flash vol. 2, Superman vol. 2, and Wonder Woman vol. 2. The "British Invasion" begins. Following the success of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen, DC Comics recruits British creators such as Alan Grant, Cam Kennedy, David Lloyd, and John Wagner. Meanwhile, Marvel's Epic Comics imprint hires Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill to create their Marshal Law limited series. Archie Comics cancels four long-running titles, Archie and Me, Archie at Riverdale High, Laugh Comics, and Pep Comics; immediately relaunching Laugh vol. 2 and Betty and Veronica vol. 2. Peter Parker marries Mary Jane Watson in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21, written by Jim Shooter and David Michelinie, with art by Paul Ryan and Vince Colletta. Quest for Dreams Lost, an anthology of short comics by independent publishers featuring such characters and titles as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Trollords, The Silent Invasion, and Tales From The Aniverse. Published by the Literacy Volunteers of Chicago. Violent Cases, by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, published by Escape Books. The Pitt, a Marvel Graphic Novel taking place in Marvel Comics' New Universe. Lords of the Ultra-Realm Special, by Doug Moench and Pat Broderick, published by DC Comics. Sam & Max: Freelance Police Special Edition, by Steve Purcell, published by Fishwrap Productions. IPC Magazines's comic assets were sold to Robert Maxwell. They were renamed to Fleetway. Strip AIDS, by various authors, care of Don Mela (Willyprods / Small Time Ink).
January January 1: At the start of the year, Tintin launches the first of 52 illustrations made Bob De Groot and Turk, published on a weekly basis throughout the year. All 52 images together form a long streetview, 15 metres in length. January 2: The first episode of René Windig and Eddie de Jong's Heinz is published. It will run until 2000, then return for a brief period between 2004 and 2006. January 23: Comics artist Willy Vandersteen is a guest in the TV show In De Hoofdrol, presented by Mies Bouwman, where, among other surprises, he is given the first copy of a brand new Suske en Wiske story, De Parel in de Lotusbloem, which his successor Paul Geerts had made in secret for him. With issue #424, DC Comics' Adventures of Superman debuts, continuing the numbering of Superman. S.P.A.D.S. by William Vance and Jean Van Hamme (Dargaud).
February "Batman: Year One" begins in DC Comics' Batman #404 (continuing through Batman #407). Written by Frank Miller, with art by David Mazzucchelli,Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 227 "Melding Miller's noir sensibilities, realistic characterization, and gritty action with Mazzucchelli's brilliant iconic imagery, "Year One" thrilled readers and critics alike...as well as being one of the influences for the 2005 film Batman Begins. "Batman: Year One" recounts the beginning of Bruce Wayne's career as Batman and Jim Gordon's with the Gotham City Police Department. It is one of the first examples of the "limited series within a series" format that is now prevalent in American comic books. The "Gods and Mortals" story arc begins in DC Comics' Wonder Woman vol. 2, the first arc featuring the rebooted incarnation of Wonder Woman following Crisis on Infinite Earths. Written by Greg Potter and George Pérez, drawn by Pérez and Bruce Patterson.Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 227 "With the help of Pérez's meticulous pencils, as well as his guidance as co-plotter, Wonder Woman was thrust further into the realm of Greek mythology than she'd ever been before." Doctor Strange vol. 2, with issue #87, cancelled by Marvel. With issue #161, Archie cancels Archie and Me. With issue #113, Archie cancels Archie at Riverdale High. Aristocratic Xtraterrestrial Time-Traveling Thieves (ongoing) #1 (Comics Interview), by Henry Vogel and Mark Propst.
March "The Universo Project" story arc begins in DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes #32. Written by Paul Levitz and pencilled by Greg LaRocque, the story arc concludes in Legion of Super-Heroes #35. Fantastic Four #300: Johnny Storm marries "Alicia Masters" — actually Lyja, a Skrull who had abducted and replaced Masters to serve as a spy. (Marvel Comics) Pep Comics, with issue #411, is cancelled by Archie Comics. With issue #288, DC cancels G.I. Combat. Swords of the Swashbucklers, with issue #12, is cancelled by Epic Comics. Thundercats #1. (Marvel UK) In the Italian magazine Corto Maltese, the first chapter of Isola gentile (The gentle island), by Sergio Toppi is prepublished. An adventure set in the Malay Archipelago. In the same issue the Corto Maltese story The secret rose, by Hugo Pratt is prepublished, an adventure inspired by alchemy and esotericism, where the hero meets Herman Hesse. In the Italian magazine Comic Art, debut of La bionda (The blonde woman), by Franco Saudelli, adventures of a female thief mixing mystery, science-fiction and bondage eroticism. and of the spy series Rudy X, by Rinaldo Traini and Rodolfo Torti.
April April 1: in Pif Gadget, the 95th Lucly Luke adventure, Nitroglicerine, by Morris and Lo Hartog van Banda, is prepublished. With issue #400, Archie cancels Laugh Comics (vol. 1). With issue #347, Archie cancels Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica (vol. 1). The Son of the Sun, by Don Rosa, on Uncle Scrooge; debut of the author in the Disney comics. April 15: After nine years at the helm, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter is fired, succeeded by Tom DeFalco.
May May 5: in Spirou, Spirou à New York, by Tome and Jamy, is prepublished. Don Rosa's Uncle Scrooge story Nobody's business is prepublished.
June June 27: British comic artist Leo Baxendale, who sued his former publisher DC Thomson to receive financial compensation for his work, reaches an out-of-court settlement with DC Thomson, which hands the rights of his characters back to him. "Batman: Year Two" begins in DC Comics' Detective Comics #575 (continuing through Detective Comics #578). Written by Mike W. Barr, with art by (among others) Todd McFarlane, "Batman: Year Two" follows on the success of "Batman: Year One". Le tigri volanti by Luigi Mignacco and Franco Bignotti (Bonelli); Mister No's past in the Flying Tigers and the origin of his nickname are revealed. La diabolica invenzione by Alfredo Castelli and Giampiero Casertano; first apparition of Altrove (“Elsewhere”), the secret bases of American government for the study of magic and paranormal phenomena, recurring in Martin Mystere and other Bonelli series. Alfa e Omega by Tiziano Sclavi and Corrado Roi (Bonelli, Dylan Dog series) First issue of the anthological magazine Tutto West (Bonelli), reprinting some almost forgotten Wester comics published by the house in the Fifties.
July July 4 - September 6: In Ghent, Belgium, museum curator Jan Hoet organizes an exhibition about European comics titled Kunst en Grafische Vernieuwing in het Europees Beeldverhaal (Art and Graphic Innovation in European Comics), exhibiting original artwork by various Belgian, French, Swiss, Italian, Polish and Dutch comics artists. Gumby's Summer Fun Special #1, by Bob Burden and Art Adams, published by Comico. After 13 years of quarterly publication, Métal Hurlant is cancelled. Mythological menagerie, by Don Rosa, on Walt Disney's Comics and Stories.
August August 9: In Topolino, L'inferno di Paperino (Donald's inferno), by Giulio Chierchini is prepublished, a parody of the Dante's inferno; it's a follow-up to the legendary Mickey's inferno, by Guido Martina. August 30: in Topolino, Giorgio Cavazzano’s Casablanca, is prepublished; it's a parody of the cult movie interpreted by the characters of the Mouse universe, "The Greatest Hero of Them All" story arc begins in DC Comics' Superman (vol. 2) #8, Action Comics #591 and Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 3) #37. Written by Paul Levitz and John Byrne, and pencilled by Byrne, Greg LaRocque, and Mike DeCarlo, the story arc is DC's first attempt to correct the inconsistencies in Legion history created when Byrne removed the original Superboy from mainstream DC continuity in the Man of Steel limited series. (Continues in September's Legion of Super-Heroes #38.) Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters by Mike Grell (DC Comics) With issue #14, Eclipse cancels Alien Encounters. The Egg of Darkness, written by Serge Le Tendre and drawn by Régis Loisel, is published by Dargaud; fourth and last episode of The Quest for the Time-Bird. In Italy, first issue of the magazines Magic boy and Magic girl, published by Matell as a promotional vehicle for its toys.
September Joe Matt releases the first installment of his autobiographical comic series Peepshow. The first episode of Mark Parisi's Off the Mark is published. The "Challenge of the Gods" story arc begins in DC Comics' Wonder Woman #8, written by George Pérez and Len Wein, and drawn by Pérez. (It continues through issue #15.)
October October 14: in Il giornalino, the series La pattuglia ecologica (The echo-patrol) by Mauro Cominelli and Mario Rossi, makes its debut; it has a group of five environment's defenders as heroes. October 24: The Judge Dredd storyline "Oz", written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, begins in Fleetway's 2000 AD (running for 26 episodes to April 16, 1988). The Spider-Man storyline "Kraven's Last Hunt" (also known as "Fearful Symmetry") begins in Web of Spider-Man #31, The Amazing Spider-Man #293, and Spectacular Spider-Man #131. Written by J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, the storyline concludes in the November issues Web of Spider-Man #32, Amazing Spider-Man #294, and Spectacular Spider-Man #132. With issue #18, DC cancels Electric Warrior. With issue #12, Marvel cancels the New Universe title Kickers inc. With issue #24, Eclipse cancels Scout. In the Italian magazine Comic art, the first chapter of Alias is prepublished, an adventure series set in 17th-century Amsterdam, written by Renato Queirolo and drawn by Anna Brandoli. Asterix and the magic carpet, by Uderzo is published. Terror over Kansas, by Jean Michel Charlier and Colin Wilson, fifth chapter of La jeunesse de Blueberry; second and last chapter of the Quantrill saga. La citè di dieu perdu (The lost god's city) by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński (Le Lombard).
November With issue #7, DC's Justice League becomes Justice League International. Fit to be pied and Recalled wreck, by Don Rosa, on Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. First issue of Marvel Masterworks. Ric Hochet contre Sherlock by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet (Le Lombard)
December December 5: Erika Raven is the first female comic artist to receive the Bronzen Adhemar award. Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes, with issue #354, is cancelled by DC. With issue #17, DC cancels Hawkman vol. 2. Batman: Son of the Demon by Mike W. Barr and Jerry Bringham (DC Comics) Cash flow, by Don Rosa, on Uncle Scrooge. In Italy, first issue of the magazine Zio Paperone (Mondadori, then Disney Italia); it reprints integrally the Carl Barks production, later extending to other Disney authors.
Specific date unknown Gerrit de Jager wins the Stripschapprijs. Martin Lodewijk and Don Lawrence receive the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten (nowadays the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs).