2020 in comics

Notable events of 2020 in comics. See also List of years in comics.

This is a list of comics-related events in 2020. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.

This literature-related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Events

January

• January 20: Legendary comics writer René Goscinny receives a statue in Paris. He is the first comics artist to be honoured this way in the French capital.[1][2]
• January 29: Dutch comics artist Wasco wins the Stripschapprijs.[3] On 8 February it is announced that Bas Schuddeboom and Kjell Knudde, editors of the comics encyclopedia website Comiclopedia, connected to the Amsterdam comics store Lambiek, win the P. Hans Frankfurther Prize.[4][5]

February

• February 23: The final episode of Norm Feuti's Retail is published. [6]

March

• March 23: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown Diamond Comic Distributors stops sending comics to retail shops until further notice. Issues of comics with United States release dates of April 1 or later, and with United Kingdom release dates of March 25 or later, will not be shipped until normal operations resume.[7]

May

• May 7: To support comics stores who had to close down several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown various Dutch and Flemish comics artists release a free collective comic book titled Striphelden versus Corona, which is handed out in stores to everybody who buys a comic for minimum 15 euro.[8][9]

June

• June 5: DC Comics announces that they will discontinue their distribution through Diamond Comic Distributors and instead have their comics distributed through Penguin Random House, USC Comic Distributors and Lunar Distribution instead.[10]
• June 10: At age 99 Al Jaffee retires from the comics industry. Mad Magazine releases a thematic special, which features his final fold-in.[11]

July

• July 13: The final episode of Doc and Raider is published. Three weeks later, creator Sean Martin dies from pancreatic cancer. [12]
• July 26: The final episode of Jan Eliot's Stone Soup appears in print. [13]

Deaths

January

• January 2: Bogusław Polch, Polish comics artist (Funky Koval, Wiedźmin), passes away at age 78.[14]
• January 7: Tobias Tak, Dutch comics artist (Gaboon, Zizmo the cat), dies at age 65.[15]
• January 11: Steve Stiles, American comics artist, dies at age 76.[16]
• January 19: Pirana, Belgian cartoonist and comics artist (Mevrouw Dallemans), dies at age 72 from euthanasia.[17]
• January 20: Wolfgang J. Fuchs, German author, historian (co-author of Anatomie eines Massenmediums and Comics-Handbuch with Reinhold Reitberger [18]) and comic book translator, passes away at age 74.[19][20]
• January 25: Horst Alisch, German illustrator, animator and comics artist (Bürokrates, Sohn des Pedantes, Ali und Archibald, Emmy and Käpt'n Lütt), dies at age 94.[21]
• Specific date unknown: Raymond Larrett, aka Norman Dog, American illustrator and comics artist (Bad Habits), dies at an unknown age.[22]

February

• February 3: Philippe Adamov, French illustrator, animator and comics artist (Seule au Monde, Le Vent des Dieux, Dayak, L'Impératrice Rouge, Le Malédiction de Zener, Dakota), dies at age 63.[23]
• February 8: Victor Gorelick, American comic book editor (Archie Comics), passes away at age 78.[24]
• February 10: Claire Bretécher, French comics artist (Les Frustrés, Hector, Agrippine, Celullite) and editor (co-founder of L'Écho des Savanes), passes away at age 79.[25]
• February 12: Hubert Boulard aka Hubert, French comics writer (Le Legs de l'alchimiste, Miss Pas Touche, Beauté, Les Ogres-Dieux) and colorist, dies at age 49.[26]
• February 21: Nick Cuti, American comics writer (E-Man, Michael Mauser, Captain Cosmos), editor, animator and artist (Moonchild), passes away at age 75.[27]
• Specific date unknown: Alice Schenker, American underground comix and poster publisher (Print Mint Press), passes away at age 88.[28]

March

• March 2:
  • Abdullah Turhan, Turkish comics artist (Uzun Kılıçlı Kahraman, Kara Murat, Tolga, Burak Bey), dies at age 87.[29][29]
  • Suat Yalaz, Turkish comics artist (Karaoğlan), dies at age 88.[30]
• March 4:
  • Helen Courtney, New Zealand cartoonist (made cartoons for Broadsheet), passes away at age 67.[31][32]
  • Frank McLaughlin, American comics artist (Judomaster, assisted The Heart of Juliet Jones, Brenda Starr, Reporter, Gil Thorp), dies at age 84.[33]
• March 5: André Chéret, French comics artist (Rahan, Domino, Protéo, continued Bob Mallard), dies at age 82.[34]
• March 9: Allen Bellman, American comics artist and one of the last living Golden Age of Comic Books artists (continued Captain America), dies at age 96.[35]
• March 13: René Follet, Belgian illustrator and comics artist (Steve Steverin, continued Valhardi), passes away at age 88.[36]
• March 18: Erwin Drèze, Belgian comics artist (Les Aventures de Louis Valmont, assisted on Lefranc), passes away at age 59 from a brain tumor.[37]
• March 19: Roman Arámbula, Mexican animator and comics artist (Disney comics, continued the Mickey Mouse newspaper comic), dies at age 83.[38]
• March 20:
  • François Dermaut, aka Franjack, French comics artist (Les Chemins de Malefosse, Souvenirs de Toussaint), dies at age 71.[39]
  • Giovanni Romanini, Italian animator and comics artist (continued Kriminal, Satanik, Alan Ford, Martin Mystère, Disney comics), dies at age 75 from a heart attack.[40]
• March 24:
  • Juan Padrón, Cuban animator and comics artist (Elpidio Valdés), dies at age 73.[41]
  • Albert Uderzo, French comics artist (Jehan Pistolet, Oumpah-pah, Astérix, Tanguy et Laverdure), passes away at age 92 from a heart attack.[42]
• March 27:
  • Daniel Azulay, Brazilian TV host and comics artist (Capitão Sol, Capitão Cipó, Turma do Lambe-Lambe), passes away at age 72 from COVID-19.[43][44][45][46]
• March 31:
  • Emmanuel Malot, aka Malotruf, French comics artist (Contes des 1001 Vies - 7 Destins, L'Étoile Miraculeuse), dies at age 51 from COVID-19.[47]
  • Valeer Peirsman, Belgian sculptor (sculpted many statues of comics characters, among others for the Comics Route in Middelkerke), dies at age 87.[48]

April

• April 2: Juan Giménez, Argentine comics artist (Metabarons), dies at age 76 from COVID-19.[49]
• April 4:
  • Dale Crain, American comics artist (archive editor of DC Comics, worked on Thor), dies at an unknown age.[50]
  • Arnold Heertje, Dutch economist and comics writer (wrote De Geschiedenis van het Geld, illustrated by Peter de Smet [51]), dies at age 86.[52]
  • Rao Pingru, Chinese illustrator and comics artist (Our Story), dies at age 97 or 98.[53]
• April 8: Mort Drucker, American comics artist, illustrator and caricaturist (the film and TV parodies in Mad Magazine, Benchley), dies at age 91.[54]
• April 16:
  • Gene Deitch, American animator, animated film director and comics artist (The Cat, Terr'ble Thompson, Maly Svet), passes away at age 95.[55]
  • Tonet Timmermans, Belgian illustrator and comics artist (Genoveva van Brabant), dies at age 94. [56]
• April 26: Jean-Claude Pertuzé, French comics artist, dies at age 70.[57]

May

• May 10: Martin Pasko, Canadian-American comics writer (wrote for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Metal Men, Star Trek comics), dies at age 61.[58]
• May 12: Frank Bolle, American comics artist (Children's Tales, Debbie Deere, Quick Quiz, continued Winnie Winkle, The Heart of Juliet Jones and Apartment 3-G), passes away at age 95.[59]
• May 29: Eric Schreurs, Dutch comics artist (Joop Klepzeiker, Dick van Bill), dies from heart failure at age 61.[60]
• Specific date in May unknown:
  • Frank B. Johnson, American comics artist (Boner's Ark, Beany, Miss Caroline, Einstein, continued Bringing Up Father), dies at age 89.[61]
  • Richard Sala, American comics artist, illustrator and animator (The Chuckling Whatsit, Evil Eye), dies at age 65.[62][63]

June

• June 10: Murray Olderman, American sports cartoonist, dies at age 98.[64]
• June 11: Dennis O'Neil, American comics writer (Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Charlton Comics), dies at age 81.[65]
• June 24: Ralph Dunagin, American comics writer (The Middletons, continued Grin and Bear It, The Girls) and comics artist (Dunagin's People), dies at age 83. [66]
• June 25: Joe Sinnott, American comics artist and inker (Marvel Comics), dies at age 93. [67]
• June 26: Milton Glaser, American graphic designer (designed the logo for DC Comics between 1977 and 2005), dies at age 91. [68]

July

• July 2: Jiro Kuwata, Japanese comics/manga artist (8 Man), dies at age 85. [69]
• July 30: Concepció Zendrera Tomás, Catalan-Spanish comics translator (translator of The Adventures of Tintin into Catalan), dies at age 100. [70]

August

• August 3: Sean Martin, Canadian comics artist and graphic artist (Doc and Raider), dies at age 59 from pancreatic cancer.[71]
• August 10: Laurent Vicomte, French comics artist (La Balade au Bout du Monde, Sasmira), dies at age 64. [72]
• August 11: Edmond Kiraz, Egyptian-French comics artist (Line, Les Parisiennes, erotic cartoons in Playboy), passes away at age 96. [73]
• August 13: Harald Stricker, Brazilian illustrator, podcaster and comics artist (Independência ou Mortos), dies at age 47. [74]

Conventions

January

• January 11–12: Long Beach Comic Expo, Long Beach, California[75]
• January 17–19: Albuquerque Comic Con, Albuquerque, New Mexico[75]
• January 19: Pasadena Comic Con, Pasadena, California[75]
• January 25: FrankfortCon, Frankfort, Kentucky[75]
• January 25–26: CalComicCon, Costa Mesa, California[75]

February

• February 2: Comic Book and More Show, Laurel, Maryland[75]
• February 8
  • Charlotte Mini Con, Charlotte, North Carolina[75]
  • Big Lick Comic Con, Roanoke, Virginia[75]
• February 8–9: FanfaireNYC, New York City, New York[76]
• February 9: Simi Valley Toy and Comic Fest, Simi Valley, California[75]
• February 15: Imperial Valley Comic Con, El Centro, California[75]
• February 22–23
  • Alaska Comicon, Fairbanks, Alaska[75]
  • Comic Con Brussels, Brussels, Belgium[75]
• February 23: The Miami Con, Miami, Florida[77]
• February 28-March 1: Pensacon, Pensacola, Florida[75]
• February 29-March 1
  • Lubbock-Con, Lubbock, Texas[75]
  • Fayetteville, Arkansas Comic Show, Fayetteville, Arkansas[75]

March

• March 1: Buckeye Comic Con, Columbus, Ohio[75]
• March 6–8: Comic Con Liverpool, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom[75]
• March 7: ClarksvilleCon, Clarksville, Tennessee[75]
• March 7–8: Tupelo Con, Tupelo, Mississippi[75]
• March 12–15: Emerald City Comicon, Seattle, Washington
• March 13–15
  • NorthEast Comicon and Collectibles Extravaganza, Boxborough, Massachusetts
  • La Mole Convention, Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City[78]
• March 14–15: Quad Cities Comic Con, Rock Island, Illinois
• March 15: Cleveland Comic Book and Nostalgia Show, Westlake, Ohio
• March 20–22
  • Collective Con, Jacksonville, Florida
  • Planet Comicon Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
• March 21–22: Four State Comic-Con, Hagerstown, Maryland
• March 26–28: Lexington Comic and Toy Convention, Lexington, Kentucky
• March 27–29
  • Supernova Comic Con & Gaming, Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
  • Colorado Comic Con, Colorado Springs, Colorado

April

• April 3–5
  • Great Philadelphia Comic Con, Oaks, Pennsylvania
  • Roanoke Valley Comicon, Salem, Virginia
• April 4
  • Boston Comics in Color Festival, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Gem State Comic-Con, Boise, Idaho
• April 4–5
  • MoCCA Arts Festival, New York City, New York
  • Hill Country Comicon, New Braunfels, Texas
  • Big Apple Comicon, New York City, New York
• April 5: Comic Book and More Show, Hunt Valley, Maryland
• April 10–12: Indiana Comic Con, Indianapolis
• April 11: Wilmington Geek Expo, Wilmington, North Carolina
• April 17–19: El Paso Comic Con, El Paso, Texas
• April 24–26: South Texas Comic Con, McAllen, Texas
• April 25: Little Giant Old School Comics Show, Concord, New Hampshire
• April 25–26
  • Fayetteville Comic-Con, Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Arctic Comic-Con, Anchorage, Alaska
  • Wales Comic-Con, Telford, United Kingdom
• April 26: Canton Toy, Comic Book, and Nostalgia Convention, North Canton, Ohio

May

• May 1–3: Awesome Con, D.C., Washington, D.C.
• May 5–10: Florida Supercon, Miami Beach Convention Center
• May 9–10
  • Savannah Comic-Con, Savannah, Georgia
  • Hudson Valley Comic Con, Poughkeepsie, New York
  • Momento Con, Pittsburgh
• May 15–17: East Coast Comicon, Secaucus, New Jersey
• May 16: SNH Comic bash, Nashua, New Hampshire
• May 16–17
  • Tidewater Comicon, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • Lake Como Comic Art Festival, Cernobbio, Lombardy, Italy
  • Comicon Revolution, Ontario, California
• May 17: Cottage Country Con, Orillia, Ontario, Canada
• May 21–24: Phoenix Fan Fusion, Phoenix, Arizona
• May 22–24
  • Comicpalooza, Houston
  • Cherry City Comicon, Salem, Oregon
• May 23: Lake County Pop Culture Con, Grayslake, Illinois
• May 23–25: Puerto Rico Comic Con, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• May 30–31: 3 Rivers Comicon, Homestead, Pennsylvania

June

• June 5–7: Niagara Falls Comicon, Niagara Falls, Ontario
• June 19–21
  • Heroes Con, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Supernova Comicon & Gaming, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• June 20–21: Greater Austin Comic Con, Austin, Texas
• June 26–28: Supernova Comicon & Gaming, Perth, Western Australia

July

• July 3–5
  • NorthEast Comicon and Collectibles Extravaganza, Boxborough, Massachusetts
  • Denver Pop Culture Con, Denver
• July 10–12
  • Corpus Christi Comic-Con, Robstown, Texas
  • Tampa Bay Comic Con, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida
• July 31-August 2: Atlanta Comic-Con, Atlanta

August

• August 1: Plastic City Comic Con, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
• August 1–2: Bell County Comic-Con, Belton, Texas
• August 14–16: TERRIFICon, Uncasville, Connecticut
• August 21–23: New Mexico Comic Expo, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• August 28–30: Keystone Comicon: Philadelphia

September

• September 19: Monroe Pop Fest, Monroe, Michigan
• September 19–20
  • Granite State Comicon, Manchester, New Hampshire
  • Harrisburg Comic & Pop Con, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

October

• October 3: SNH Comic bash, Nashua, New Hampshire
• October 17–18
  • Fayetteville Comic-Con, Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • Massachusettes Expo Comic (MICE), Boston
• October 31-November 1: Vermont Fan Fest, Burlington, Vermont

November

• November 7–8: Akron Comicon, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
• November 27–29: NorthEast Comicon and Collectibles Extravaganza, Boxborough, Massachusetts

References

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