Notable events of 2022 in comics, including any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.
Events
January January 15: Original artwork of Spider-Man's first appearance in his black costume, by Mike Zeck, is auctioned at Heritage Auctions for a record-breaking US $3.36 million. January 27: In Belgium new passports are distributed, featuring imagery from famous Belgian comics inside. A school board in Tennessee bans Art Spiegelman's Maus from its classrooms, which they claim is because it contains some nudity and eight curse words. The ban causes global outrage and sales of Maus rise.
March March 8: In the British comic magazine The Beano, the gag comic series Stevie Star, Mahira of the Match and Sketch Khad, by Andy Fanton, make their debut. In June, the protagonists of these series, namely Stevie Star, Mahira and Khadija, join the cast of The Bash Street Kids too. March 17: A new album of Gaston Lagaffe (Gomer Goof) by the late André Franquin is announced for the fall of 2022, drawn by Canadian artist Marc Delaf. However, by 16 May, the estate of Franquin, led by his daughter Isabelle, sues publishing company Dupuis over copyright infringement and plagiarism. As a direct result the potential release of the album is postponed.
April April 15: Former Studio Vandersteen artist Marc Verhaegen publishes his graphic novel Het Beest Is Los, a semi-autobiographical story in which he indirectly criticizes his former colleagues and bosses.
June June 5: The Adventures of Nero by Marc Sleen receives a comic mural in Hoeilaart. June 16: In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a sculpture depicting Argus the rat journalist from Marten Toonder's comic series Tom Poes, designed by Saske van der Eerden, is unveiled at the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. June 26: In Nieuw-Vossemeer, The Netherlands, a bench commemorating the comic characters Bulletje en Boonestaak, is revealed to the public.
July July 8: In Brussels, Belgium, a comic mural is inaugurated, designed by Léonie Bischoff, as part of the Brussels' Comic Book Route. July 9: Dutch comic artist Aiméé de Jongh wins the annual Stripschapprijs. Colorist Marloes Dekkers receives the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs.
September September 9: Judith Vanistendael becomes the second woman to win the Bronzen Adhemar award. September 15: Zarya of the Dawn, a comic book written by Kris Kashtanova and illustrated with the artificial intelligence software Midjourney, receives copyright protection from the United States Copyright Office. Copyright for the artwork would later be revoked in February 2023. September 19 The newspaper comic Dilbert by Scott Adams is dropped from an estimated 77 newspapers after plotlines in the strip parodied environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) strategies. Part of the plotline involved an African-American character who "identifies as white", and the company management asking him if he could also identify as gay. September 28: Dutch cartoonist Jip van den Toorn is the first woman and the youngest cartoonist ever in general to win the Inktspot Award.
October October 26: The long-running Belgian comic series Urbanus by Willy Linthout and Urbanus publishes their final album, also marks the end of the series after 40 years. Linthout does launch a new comic series, De Familie Super. The third posthumous The Adventures of Nero story, De Hemeltergers, is published, scripted by Kim Duchateau and drawn by Dirk Stallaert.
December December 13: The website ARREST sur images reports that in 2017, on Facebook, French comic artist Bastien Vivès posted very personal and offensive verbal attacks and threats, directed at comic artist Emma. The revelation causes huge controversy. December 14: The International Comics Festival of Angoulême cancels an upcoming exhibition devoted to comic artist Bastien Vivès, after controversy over some of his remarks about colleague Emma, and the content of some of his graphic novels, which some critics consider child pornography. The organizers of the festival received too many death threats and claim they can't guarantee the safety of the festival goers if the expo about Vivès went on as planned. December 17: The long-running Belgian comic series Suske en Wiske, which ran in papers since 1945, publishes its final episode in the papers. It will no longer be serialized in De Standaard, De Gentenaar and Het Nieuwsblad. However, new albums will still be published in the future. December 27: The long-running Belgian comic series De Kiekeboes, which ran in papers since 1977, will publish its final episode in the papers. It will no longer be serialized in Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg. However, new albums will still be published in the future. December 31: The final episode of the newspaper comic Funky Winkerbean by Tom Batiuk appears in print. British comic artist David Sutherland, best known for his work in The Beano, receives an OBE medal.
Specific date unknown Katie Silagadze designs the comic strip on the album cover of Bleeding Indigo by Moku J.
Deaths
January January 7: Tony Tallarico, American comic artist (Lobo, Great Society Comic Book, Bobman and Teddy, Jigsaw), dies at age 88. January 10: Shinji Mizushima, Japanese manga artist (Yakyū-kyō no Uta, Dokaben, Abu-san), dies at age 82. January 11: Orlando Busino, American cartoonist and comic artist (Gus, worked for Archie Comics), dies at age 95. Guy Mouminoux, AKA Dimitri, Dimitri Lahache, Guy Sajer, French writer, comic writer (wrote scripts for Jean Valhardi) and artist (Goutatou et Dorochaux, Le Chevalier au Blason d'Argent, Les Familleurreux, Prémolaire, Krampon, Les Aventures de Rififi, Le Goulag, continued Blason d'Argent), dies at age 94. January 14: Ron Goulart, American comics writer (wrote scripts for Marvel Comics, Star Hawks and TekWar), author and historian (The Adventurous Decade: Comic Strips in the Thirties, Comic Book Culture: An Illustrated History, The Great Comic Book Artists, Focus on Jack Cole, Ron Goulart's Great History of Comic Books, The Encyclopedia of American Comics, The Comic Book Reader's Companion, Masked Marvels and Jungle Queens: Great Comic Book Covers of the '40s, The Funnies: 100 Years of American Comic Strips, Comic Book Encyclopedia: The Ultimate Guide to Characters, Graphic Novels, Writers and Artists in the Comic Book Universe, Alex Raymond: An Artistic Journey, Adventure, Intrigue and Romance), dies at age 90. January 18 Narayan Debnath, Indian comic artist (Handa Bhonda, Bantul the Great, Nonte Phonte), dies at age 96. Michelangelo La Neve, Italian comics writer (Dylan Dog, Martin Mystère), dies at age 62. January 11: Paul Ausloos, Belgian photographer, graphic artist and painter (worked on the celebrity comic Het Manneke), dies at age 95. January 23: Jean-Claude Mézières, French comic artist (Valérian et Laureline), dies at age 83. January 26: Julio Radilović, Croatian comic artist (Herlock Sholmes, Partizani), dies at age 93.
February February 1: Brian Augustyn, American comic book editor and writer (The Flash, Gotham by Gaslight, Imperial Guard), dies at age 67. February 5: Ian Kennedy, British comics artist (worked on Dan Dare, Ro-Busters, Judge Dredd), dies at age 89. February 8: Borivoj Dovniković, A.K.A. Bordo, Croatian animator and comic artist (Velika Utakmica, celebrity comics based on the TV bear Mendo Mendovic), dies at age 91. February 9: Kazuyoshi Torii, Japanese manga artist, dies at age 75. February 10: Mino Milani, Italian comic artist, dies at age 94. February 11: Mel Keefer, American cartoonist (Mac Divot, continued Rick O'Shay), dies at age 95. February 12: Bill Woodman, American cartoonist, dies at age 82. February 18: Tom Veitch, American comic book writer (The Light and Darkness War, Animal Man, Star Wars), dies at age 80. February 21: Miguel Gallardo, Spanish comic book author (Makoki, worked for El Víbora), dies at age 66. February 26: Antonio Seguí, Argentine cartoonist, dies at age 88. February 27: Dick Guindon, American cartoonist, dies at age 86.
March March 3: Stu Goldman, American editorial cartoonist (Eavesdrawings), dies at age 74. March 7: Mia Ikumi, Japanese manga artist (Tokyo Mew Mew, Super Doll Licca-chan), dies at age 42. March 15: Fred de Wit, Belgian painter and comic artist (Marnix van Sanmarty), dies at age 75. March 22: Stan Mott, American cartoonist (known for drawing eccentric vehicles, The Absolute Alliance), dies at age 89. March 24: Erik Vandemeulebroucke, Belgian cartoonist and comic artist (Jim Lont, Dobberman en Van Geyt, worked for Karel Verschuere and later Rolf Kauka), dies at age 79. March 25: Birago Balzano, Italian cartoonist (Zora), dies at age 86. March 26: Garry Leach, British comic book artist (M.A.C.H. 1, Warpsmith, worked on Judge Dredd, Tharg's Future Shocks, Dan Dare), dies at age 67.
April April 7: Motoo Abiko (half of the creator duo Fujiko A. Fujio), Japanese manga artist (Doraemon, Ninja Hattori-kun, The Monster Kid, The Laughing Salesman), dies at age 88. April 8: Stelio Fenzo, Italian comic artist (Jungla, continued Capitan Cormorant), dies at age 89. April 11: Calvi, French cartoonist, dies at age 83. April 19: Marco Innocenti, Italian comic writer and artist (worked for the magazine Schizzo), dies at age 56. April 21: Clive Collins, British cartoonist, dies at age 80. April 23: Daniel Bardet, French comic writer (Malefosse, Les Chemins de Malefosse, Timon des Blés, Le Boche), dies at age 79. Justin Green, American comic artist (Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary), dies at age 76. April 28: Neal Adams, American comic book artist (Batman, Superman vs. Muhammad Ali, Green Lantern), dies at age 80.
May May 3: Luca Boschi, Italian comic writer and artist (Remorenzo Rizzuto, Gozo, Disney comics), dies at age 66. May 6: George Pérez, American comic book artist (The Avengers, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Teen Titans) and writer, dies at age 67. May 7: Henk van Faassen, Dutch graphic artist and comic artist (made comics for the magazine Haak In), dies at age 90. May 9: Fred Carter, American comic book artist (Christian comics for Jack Chick), dies at age 83. May 30: Jacques Nicolaou, French comic artist (continued Placid et Muzo), dies at age 91.
June June 1: Serge Diantantu, Congolese-French comic artist (Petite Djily), dies at age 62. June 5: Dick Vlottes, Dutch cartoonist and comic artist (Hinter en Minter, Senmoet de Egyptenaar, De Krek, worked for Marten Toonder), dies at age 89. June 14: Everett Peck, American animator and comic artist (Duckman), dies at age 71. June 15: Patrick van Gelder, Belgian co-organizer of the Brabants Stripspektakel comic festival, dies at age 57. June 16: Tim Sale, American comic book artist (Batman: The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, Superman for All Seasons), dies at age 66.
July July 4 Remco Campert, Dutch poet and columnist (made comics and cartoons for the magazines Mandrill, Het Parool, Haagse Post, NRC Handelsblad), dies at age 92. Kazuki Takahashi, Japanese manga artist (Yu-Gi-Oh!), dies at age 60. July 7: R.C. Harvey, American cartoonist and comic historian (The Art Of The Funnies, The Art of the Comic Book), dies at age 85. July 8: Wendell Washer, American animator and comic artist (Piffles the Barbarian, Zar, Gene Toons), dies at age 75. July 10: Tom Kane, American sports cartoonist, dies at age 87. July 20: Alan Grant, British comic writer (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Outcasts, The Last American, Lobo, Anarky), dies at age 73. July 23: Paul Coker, American illustrator, animator and comic artist (Mad Magazine, Horrifying Clichés, Lancelot, Horace and Buggy), dies at age 93. July 28: Ron Zimmerman, American comedian and comic writer (Marvel Comics, wrote stories for Spider-Man, The Punisher, Captain Marvel, Rawhide Kid, dies at age 64.
August