Notable events of 1996 in comics.
Events
January The first issue of The Sensational Spider-Man (Marvel). In ToyFare winter's special, the debut of the strip Twisted Mego Theatre. L'homme qui aimait les poupées (The dolls lover) – by Jean-Charles Krahen (Glénat Editions); the first album of the noir series Gill Saint-Andrè.
February February 10: The final episode of Secret Agent X-9 is published. February 14: Ilah's Cordelia debuts in the Flemish newspaper De Morgen. The New Titans is canceled by DC with issue #130. Star Trek vol. 2 is canceled by DC with issue #80.
March March 2: The Flemish newspapers Het Laatste Nieuws and De Nieuwe Gazet launch a weekly children comics supplement titled De Samson en Gert Krant, based on the popular TV show Samson en Gert. It will run until 1998, after which it is renamed. March 14: Evronians, by Alessandro Sisti, Ezio Sisto and Alberto Lavoradori, album "number zero" of PKNA; debut of the principal characters of the series (the A. I. One, the journalist Angus Fangus, the female robot Lyla Lai, the super-heroine Xadhoom). With issue #75, The Sandman ends its run. (DC/Vertigo) First issue of the magazine Mondo Naif (Star Comics), meant as a showcase for the young Italian cartoonists. Prigioniero del futuro (Prisoner of the future) – written by Alfredo Castelli and Antonio Serra, drawn by Gino Vercelli and Claudio Castellini; first team-up between Nathan Never and Martin Mystere (more exactly, an android into which the Martin's memory has been poured up).
April April 27: Dutch illustrator Peter Vos and comics artists Jan Kruis and Peter van Straaten are knighted. April 30: In the Disney comics magazine Topolino, Basettoni e la dieta da fame, by Giorgio Pezzin and Romano Scarpa is first published, which marks the debut of Petulia, Chief O’Hara's wife. Berlin, city of stones, by Jason Lutes, first episode of the series Berlin (Black Eye productions). Destiny: A Chronicle of Deaths Foretold, by Alisa Kwitney and Death: The time of your life, by Neil Gaiman (Vertigo), spin-offs of the series The Sandman. First issue of the series Hitman, by Garth Ennis and John McCrea (DC Comics). DC vs. Marvel, crossover between the two main comics’ universes, published conjunctly by the two companies. Marvel discontinues its Marvel Edge imprint
May Kingdom come, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross (DC comics). In Zona X, L’uomo venuto dal futuro (The man from future), by Luigi Mignacco and Fabrizio Russo, first episode of the series about the time traveller Robinson Hart (Bonelli). In L’isola che non c’è, first strip of Venerdì 12, by Leo Ortolani. Un million sans impôts (A tax-free million), by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet (Le Lombard)
June June 11: in Topolino, Silvia Ziche's Il papero del mistero, papernovela in uno sproposito di puntate (The mystery duck, duck-novela in a blunder of episodes) begins. The story, lasting for even 24 episodes, is a parody of the never-ending Latin-American telenovelas. June 22: in Telerama, first episode of The Francis Blake affair, by Jean Van Hamme and Ted Benoit; it's the first album of the series Blake and Mortimer not realized by Edgar P. Jacobs. June 28: Charles M. Schulz receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. First issue of Batman Black and White (DC Comics). In X-Men #53, the Onslaught saga, by Mark Wald and Andy Kubert, begins. Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme is canceled by Marvel with issue #90. La valle del terrore (The valley of fear) by Claudio Nizzi and Magnus (Bonelli). The album, a Tex Willer adventure inspired by the life of John Sutter, is the swansong for Magnus, who works to it for seven years and dies just before its publishing. When Blow the Winds of Time?, by Alessandro Sisti and Claudio Sciarrone, album 0/2 of PKNA is first published, which marks the debut of the principal antagonist of the series, the time traveller Red Raider. La fortesse de Makiling by Jean Van Hamme and Philippe Francq (Dupuis).
July Diamond Comic Distributors acquires Capital City Distribution. The Avengers #400: "History Repeats Itself," by Mark Waid, Mike Weiringo, and Tom Palmer. (Marvel Comics). Xanadu, by Alfredo Castelli and Paolo Morales (Bonelli). Sergej Orloff, the villain of the Martin Mystere series, redeems and is reconciled with the hero, in addition to healing from his mutilations.
August August 8: In Anders And & Co., A matter of some gravity, by Don Rosa is serialized. August 9: The Adventures of Nero by Marc Sleen receives a comic mural in Hasselt. Detective Comics #700: "Legacy," Part I, "Progeny of the Demon," by Chuck Dixon, Graham Nolan, and Scott Hanna. Heroes reborn by Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld, huge cross-over involving the whole Marvel universe; Avengers and Fantastic Four, officially dead, are transferred in a pocket universe. Five Marvel titles are closed and relaunched. Captain America (1968 series) is canceled by Marvel with issue #454. Le Klondyke by Morris, Yann and Jean Leturgie (Lucky Editions).
September The British satirical cartoon magazine Punch, which went bankrupt in 1992, is revived. It will run until 2002. Fantastic Four (1961 series) is canceled by Marvel with issue #416. The Avengers (1963 series) is canceled by Marvel with issue #402. Iron Man (1968 series) is canceled by Marvel with issue #332. Newspaper strip A Couple of Guys begins publication Ô Alexandrie, by Jacques Martin (Casterman).
October October 11: The 30th Asterix story is published, La Galère d'Obélix (translated in English as Asterix and Obelix All at Sea). In the story Obelix drinks the magic potion for the first time since he was a child, with dire consequences. October 12–13: During the Stripdagen in Breda, the Netherlands, Hanco Kolk receives the Stripschapprijs. Het Nederlands Stripmuseum receives the first P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs (formerly the Jaarprijs voor Bijzondere Verdiensten), named after P. Hans Frankfurther, who died in a drowning accident in August. First issue of Batman: The long Halloween, by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (DC comics). Bloody Mary, by Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra (Helix) First issue of House of secrets, by Steven T. Seagle (Vertigo) In Anders And & Co, A little something special by Don Rosa. L’heure du kidnapping by André-Paul Duchâteau and Tibet (Le Lombard)
November First issue of Superman Adventures (DC Comics) The Final Night, by Kari Kiesel and Stuart Immonen (DC Comics); death of Hal Jordan. Fax from Sarajevo by Joe Kubert (Dark Horse) In Witchblade 10, debut of The darkness (Top Cow) First album of Epileptic, by David Beauchard (L’association) Geants by Jean Van Hamme and Grzegorz Rosiński (Le Lombard). Ombre su Darkwood (Shadows on Darkwood) by Mauro Boselli and Gallieno Ferri (Bonelli); team-up between Zagor and “Elsewhere”, the secret service with an important role in the Martin Mystere series.
December December 5: Dutch cartoonist Len Munnik wins the Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon. December 27: Marvel Entertainment files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. December 27 : in Anders And & Co The Vigilante Of Pizen Bluff, by Don Rosa. Batman: The Long Halloween (1996 series) #1 - DC Comics Superman: The Wedding Album: Clark Kent marries Lois Lane (DC Comics). In Spider-Man 75, The night of the Goblin, by Howard Mackie and John Romita jr. Death of Ben Reilly; Peter Parker resumes his role as Spider-Man. Aliens: Lovesick by Richard Forgues (Dark Horse). First album of the Italian Sci-fi saga I custodi del maser (The maser's wardens) by Massimiliano Frezzato (Vittorio Pavesio productions). First issue of the Italian paranormal series Samuel Sand, spin-off of Lazarus Leed (Star comics).
Specific date unknown Will Eisner publishes the book Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative.
Births
Deaths
January January 19: Bernard Baily, American comics artist, writer and publisher (co-creator of The Spectre and Hourman), dies at age 79. January 22: Arthur Piroton, Belgian comics writer (Les Krostons) and artist (Michel et Thierry, Jess Long, Les Casseurs de Bois), dies at age 64. January 28: Jerry Siegel, American comic book writer (DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Archie Comics), dies at age 81. Burne Hogarth, American comics artist (Tarzan) dies at age 84. January 31: Claus Deleuran, Danish comics artist (Thorfinn, Rejsen til Saturn, Pirelli & Firestone, The People's Illustrated History of Denmark), dies at age 49.
February February 5: Roberto Raviola, aka Magnus, Italian comics artist (Alan Ford, Kriminal, Satanik, Lo Sconosciuto, Necron) dies from cancer at age 56. February 6: Boody Rogers, American comics artist (Sparky Watts, Babe), dies at age 91. Franco Tarantola, Italian comics artist, dies at age 53. February 13: Cara Sherman-Tereno, American comics artist (Life With The Vampire) dies of leukemia at the age of 44. February 26: Cork, Dutch cartoonist, (Mr. Cork/Ruitenheer), dies at age 64.
March March 6: Jack Abel, American comics artist and inker (Star Spangled War Stories, Our Fighting Forces, Legion of Super-Heroes), dies at age 68. March 7: Ramon Monzon, French comics artist (Cha'pa et Group-Group, Jehan des Bis, Finnekin Jones, Bouzouk, le Petit Prince, Testar le Robot), dies at age 65. March 14: Jack Berrill, American comics artist (Gil Thorp), dies of cancer at age 72. March 15: Homer Groening, Canadian-American film director, cartoonist and comics artist (Phoebe, Get Your Man), dies at age 76. March 25: Mike Roy, Canadian comics artist (The Saint, Nero Wolfe comics, Akwas), dies at age 75. March 29: André Oulié, French comic artist (Robin L'Intrépide), dies at age 98.
April April 12: Bob Zschiesche, American comics artist (Our Folks, Harley Hogg, assisted on Gasoline Alley and Snuffy Smith), dies at age 67 from an aneurysm. April 14: Mary Oosterdijk, Dutch animator and comics artist (assisted on Kappie), dies at age 82. April 20: Håven, Swedish cartoonist and comics artist (Gamle Uno), dies at age 74.
May May 6: Eric Larnoy, French illustrator and comic artist (Thanéros), dies at age 35 from liver cancer. May 7: Piet Worm, Dutch comics artist (De Vrolijke Vaderlandse Geschiedenis, Professor Zegellak), dies at age 95. May 9: Carl Fallberg, American comics writer and artist (Disney comics) dies at age 80. May 26: Francis Paid, Dutch comics artist (Joris Voetangel, Toonder Studios), dies at age 71.
June June 11: Gin, Spanish comics artist, animator, and illustrator (Nathalie, Denise, Disney comics), dies at age 65. June 15: Nonkel Fons, Belgian priest, publisher, and comics writer (founder of the comics magazine Zonneland, writer of Rikske en Fikske) dies at age 84. June 19: Curt Swan, American comic book artist (Superman, Legion of Super-Heroes), dies at age 76.
July July 2: Mike Parobeck, American comics artist (Batman Adventures) dies from diabetes at age 30. July 7: Arno, French comic artist (Alef-Thau), dies at age 35. July 23: Jim Pabian, American animator, animated film director and comics artist (Disney comics, Walter Lantz comics), dies at age 87.
August August 12: Mark Gruenwald, American comics writer and editor (Marvel Comics) dies at age 43. August 28: P. Hans Frankfurther, Dutch film & TV producer, activist and organizer (founder of Het Stripschap, namegiver to the annual P. Hans Frankfurther comics prize), drowns at age 64, trying to save his son (who also drowns).
September September 3: Petar Grigorov, Bulgarian painter and comics artist, dies at age 83. September 14: Fernando Bento, Portuguese illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 85. September 23: Hiroshi Fujimoto, Japanese manga artist (Doraemon, Perman, Mojacko, Jungle Kurobe, Kiteretsu Daihyakka, Pokonyan!, Esper Mami, Chimpui, Obake no Q-tarō), dies at age 62. September 26: Alex Kotzky, American comics artist and writer (Apartment 3-G, the backgrounds in The Spirit), dies at age 73.
October