Notable events of 1984 in comics. See also List of years in comics.
[edit] Events [edit] Year overall - The independent publishing boom continues, as Antarctic Press, Continuity Comics, Deluxe Comics, Matrix Graphic Series, and Renegade Press all enter the arena.
- The ups-and-downs of the marketplace take their toll, as Gold Key Comics (also known as Whitman Comics), Capital Comics, JC Comics, Pacific Comics, and Spectrum Comics all cease publishing.
- The Marvel Comics imprint Epic Comics releases four new limited series (Six from Sirius, Timespirits, Crash Ryan, and The Sisterhood of Steel), solidifying the new publishing trend.
[edit] January - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, published by Mirage Studios, premiers at a comic book convention in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Originally conceived by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird as a one-off parody, the comic's popularity goes on to inspire three television series, numerous video games, four feature films, and a wide range of toys and merchandise.
- Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars debuts, written by Jim Shooter and published by Marvel Comics. Secret Wars is the first of a new breed of large crossover events which will become a staple of both Marvel and DC Comics publishing schedules from this point forward.
- Spider-Man's black costume first appears in The Amazing Spider-Man #252, after the character returns from the Secret Wars. The black costume eventually ties into the origin of the popular supervillain Venom.
- Capital Comics suspends publication; its titles Badger, Nexus, and Whisper are later acquired by First Comics.
[edit] September [edit] October [edit] November - Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1, published by Deluxe Comics, a revival of a superhero team originally published by Tower Comics until the late 1960s. The five published issues of this title feature some of the best artists of the era, including George Pérez, Dave Cockrum, Keith Giffen, Murphy Anderson, and Jerry Ordway.
- Kitty Pryde and Wolverine #1 in a six-issue mini-series, by Chris Claremont and Al Milgrom, published by Marvel Comics.
- November 24: The Judge Dredd story "City of the Damned" begins its run in 2000 AD (the storyline runs through February 23, 1985).
[edit] December [edit] Deaths [edit] August [edit] December [edit] Exhibitions and shows [edit] Conventions [edit] Awards [edit] First issues by title [edit] DC Comics Blue Devil - Release: June. Writer: Dan Mishkin. Artists: Gary Cohn and Paris Cullins.
Infinity, Inc. - Release: March. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Jerry Ordway and Mike Machlan.
[edit] Marvel Comics Alien Legion - Release: April by Epic Comics. Writers: Carl Potts and Alan Zelenetz. Artist: Frank Cirocco.
Power Pack - Release: May (August cover). Writer: Louise Simonson. Artist: June Brigman.
Transformers - Release: September. Writers: Ralph Macchio and Bill Mantlo. Artists: Frank Springer and Kim DeMulder.
[edit] Independent titles - Dragon Ball, by Akira Toriyama, first serialized on Weekly Shōnen Jump.
- Echo of Futurepast #1, by Continuity Comics
- Mister X, by Vortex Comics
- Mage: The Hero Discovered, by Comico Comics
- New Triumph, by Matrix Graphic Series
- Scream!, by IPC Magazines
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, by Mirage Studios
- Wally Wood's T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1, by Deluxe Comics
- Zero Patrol #1, by Continuity Comics
[edit] Initial appearances by character name |
