1981 in comics

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Notable events of 1981 in comics. See also List of years in comics.



Events and publications[edit | edit source]

January[edit | edit source]

February[edit | edit source]

March[edit | edit source]

April[edit | edit source]

May[edit | edit source]

June[edit | edit source]

July[edit | edit source]

August[edit | edit source]

Fall[edit | edit source]

October[edit | edit source]

November[edit | edit source]

December[edit | edit source]

Exhibitions and shows[edit | edit source]

Conventions[edit | edit source]

Awards[edit | edit source]

Eagle Awards[edit | edit source]

Presented in 1982 for comics published in 1981:

First issues by title[edit | edit source]

DC Comics[edit | edit source]

Arak, Son of Thunder

Release: September Writer: Roy Thomas. Artists: Ernie Colón and Alfredo Alcala.

Marvel Comics[edit | edit source]

Dazzler

Release: March. Writer: Tom DeFalco. Artists: John Romita, Jr. and Alfredo Alcala.

Ka-Zar the Savage

Release: April. Writer: Bruce Jones. Artists: Brent Anderson and Carlos Garzon.

Other publishers[edit | edit source]

Alien Encounters

Release: by FantaCo Enterprises. Editor: Catherine Yronwode.

Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers

Release: November by Pacific Comics. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.

Charlton Bullseye

Release: June by Charlton Comics. Editor: George Wildman.

Eclipse

Release: May by Eclipse Comics. Editors: Dean Mullaney and Jan Mullaney.

Hatsukoi Scandal

Release: in Shōnen Big Comic by Shogakukan. Author: Akira Oze.

Justice Machine

Release: June by Noble Comics. Writer/Artist: Michael Gustovich.

Love and Rockets

Release: Self-published by Los Bros Hernandez

Nexus

Release: January by Capital Comics. Writer: Mike Baron. Artist: Steve Rude.

Weirdo

Release: March by Last Gasp. Editor: Robert Crumb.

Initial appearances by character name[edit | edit source]

DC Comics[edit | edit source]

Marvel Comics[edit | edit source]

Other publishers[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Executive Shifts at DC" Amazing Heroes #1 (June 1981) p. 25
  2. "Harrison Retires from DC Presidency" Amazing Heroes #1 (June 1981) pp. 31-32
  3. Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 192. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9. Within a sixteen-page preview in Legion of Super-Heroes #272...was "Dial 'H' For Hero," a new feature that raised the bar on fan interaction in the creative process. The feature's story, written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Carmine Infantino, saw two high-school students find dials that turned them into super-heroes. Everything from the pair's civilian clothes to the heroes they became was created by fans writing in. This concept would continue in the feature's new regular spot within Adventure Comics. 
  4. 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
  5. "Howard Purcell Dies" Amazing Heroes #3 (August 1981) p. 23
  6. Manning "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."
  7. "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
  8. "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
  9. Manning "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."
  10. Mastrangelo, Joseph P. "Browsing for Comic Books," Washington Post (June 29, 1981).
  11. Hamerlinck, P.C., "I'll Never Forget C. C. Beck: C. C. Beck, Captain Marvel's Chief Artist," Fawcett Companion: The Best of FCA, Fawcett Collectors of America (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2001), p. 137.
  12. wordsandpictures.org. "Bill Sienkiewicz-Awards, Exhibits". 
  13. Austin profile, Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999.
  14. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193 "Writer J. M. DeMatteis unveiled vampire/vampire hunter Andrew Bennett with the help of artist Tom Sutton in The House of Mystery #290."
  15. Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 193: Green Lantern #141 "DC's newest science-fiction franchise, a band of over one hundred aliens called the Omega Men...They gave Green Lantern a run for his money in this issue written by Marv Wolfman, with art by Joe Staton, and the Omega Men went on to gain their own ongoing series in 1983."