Notable events of 2017 in comics. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.
March 4–5: During the Stripdagen, comics writer Willem Ritstier receives the Stripschapprijs,[1][2] while Frits Jonker wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs.[3] The Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal is awarded to Albert van Beek.[4]
March 24: The Dutch comics series Claire by The Wirojas ends it 29 years of publication in the Belgian women's magazine Flair.[5][6]
April 9: In Antwerp, Belgium, next to the Central Station the theme park Comics Station is officially opened, which puts a spotlight on various Belgian comics characters.[7]
April 15: The final issue of the Belgian satirical comics and cartoons magazine Pan is published.
April 21: Canadian comics artist Gisèle Lagacé makes headlines when she is denied entry near the U.S.-Canadian border for a couple of hours for no particular reason.[8]
May
May 8:
Ken Bald makes the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest active comics artist in the world. He broke this record before on 4 March 2015.[9]
American web comics artist Matt Furie decides to kill off his character Pepe the Frog after it became associated with white nationalism, against his will.[10] The event makes headlines all over the Internet.
May 11: Hollywood actress Goldie Hawn reveals that , at age 19, she was sexually intimidated by comics artist Al Capp (who died in 1978). According to her he tried inviting her to his casting couch, which she refused, much to his anger. She'd had told this anecdote before in a 1985 interview with Playboy,[11] but only now it receives more media attention.[12][13]
May 13: In Kansas City comics store owner James Dale, "Jim", Cavanaugh (Clint's Comics) tries to stop a shoplifter, but is thrown to the ground, hitting his head. He is brought to the hospital, where he dies.[14][15] He was 66 or 67 years old.[16]
July
July 12: The first posthumous The Adventures of Nero story, De Zeven Vloeken, starts serialisation in Knack, eight months after the death of Marc Sleen. The artist of this homage comic is Kim Duchateau. [17]
Specific date unknown in July: Archie Comics confirmed that the long-running Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series will be discontinued after their final issue in December 2016 as Archie ended their partnership with Sega, as well as poor reception with the retconned continuity from Ken Penders' departure.[18][19]
August
August 21: Nero receives a comics mural in Middelkerke, Belgium, as part of the local Comic Book Route.[20]
September
September 21: The final episode of Aloys Oosterwijk's gag comic Willems Wereld is published. [21]
September 23: The first Ringo Awards are handed out, voted by comics professionals and fans.[22]
December 17: Iranian cartoonist Ali Dorani, better known as Eaten Fish, is finally released from his detention in a refugee camp in Manus Island, where he spent five years. By making comics and cartoons about his imprisonment, which were smuggled out the camp, he was able to bring international attention to his case, which led to sympathy campaigns that eventually solidified his release. [27]
December 18: Geneviève Gautier publishes her comic book Les Aventures du Pingouin Alfred. The event receives a lot of media attention since, at age 95, she is the oldest person to ever publish a comic book.[28]
Specific date unknown
Amby Vaingankar launches her webcomic series AmbyComics, also known as Gotta Sketch 'Em All. [29]
Esther González launches her webcomic series Miss Pad Thai. [30]
Gary Panter releases the graphic novel Songy of Paradise. [31]
Mimi Pond's graphic novel The Customer is Always Wrong is published. [32]
January 15: Jean-Luc Vernal, Belgian comics writer (Jugurtha, Ian Kaledine, Tetfol, Brelan de dames, Cranach de Morganloup) and chief editor of Tintin magazine (1977–1988), dies at the age of 72.[34]
January 17: Pascal J. Zanon, Belgian comics artist (Harry Dickson), dies at age 73.[36]
January 18: Raoul Giordan, French comics artist and half of the Giordan Brothers (Franck Nevil, Tom Tempest, the space family Les Francis, Bob Corton, Vigor and Thierry), dies at age 90.[37]
January 25: Jack Mendelsohn, American comics writer, artist (Jacky's Diary) and TV script writer, dies at the age of 90 from lung cancer.[41]
January 21: Alessandro Biffignandi, Italian illustrator, comics, magazine cover and film poster artist (Rombo Bill, Flambo, Antonin, Agent Special K3, Sergeant Fury), dies at the age of 81.[42]
March 21: Gerard Wiegel, Dutch comics artist, illustrator and cartoonist (Professor Cumulus, Flossie, Conny, Tiep, Professor Vliegop, Kimo), dies at the age of 89.[57]
March 26: Chen Uen, Taiwanese comics artist, dies at age 58.[58]
March 27: Leone Cimpellin, Italian comics artist (Jonny Logan, Maxmagnus, Plutos, Red Carson, Papero grosso e Fiorello, Gibernetta, Carletto Sprint, Tribunzio, Gigi Bizz, Gianni & Rob-8, Gelsomino, Tam Tam, Nero Fumo, Tom Patapom, Tchak), dies at the age of 91.[59]
March 29: Knut Westad, Norwegian comic artist (Tåkehauk, Tigalo, worked on The Phantom), dies at age 61. [60]
April
April 9: Carolyn Kelly, American comics artist, animator and book designer (continued Pogo), dies.[61]
April 10: Chris Roodbeen, Dutch comics artist, illustrator, cartoonist and courtroom artist (Ahmed, De Roemrijke Avonturen van Papom), dies at the age of 87.[62]
April 15: Martin Greim, American comics writer and artist (Thunderbunny), dies from heart failure at age 74.[63]
April 27: Peter Spier, Dutch writer and illustrator, dies at age 89.[65]
April 30: Jidéhem, Belgian comics artist (Sophie), dies at the age of 81.[66]
Specific date unknown: Norberto Firpo, aka Ácido Nítrico, Argentine journalist and cartoonist (Olegario, Furgon de Cola), dies at age 85.[67]
May
May 2: Jay Disbrow, American comics artist, writer, illustrator and lecturer (Blue Bolt Weird Tales of Terror, Spook, Ghostly Weird Stories, Daring Adventures, Eerie Tales, The Flames of Gyro, Aroc of Zenith), dies at the age of 91.[68]
May 13: James Dale Cavanaugh, American comics store owner (owned Clint's Comics in Kansas City since 1975), dies at age 66 or 67 after being killed trying to stop a shoplifter.[14][15][16]
May 18: Oscar González Guerrero, Mexican comics artist (co-creator of Zor y Los Invencibles and Hermelinda Linda), dies at age 95.[69]
June 4: Rob Gorter, Dutch comics artist, caricaturist and illustrator (Japie, Chris Crack, co-creator of Toon en Toos Brodeloos, Buro Moeilijke Zaken), dies at 71.[75]
July 15: Martin Landau, American film and TV actor and cartoonist (continued The Gumps), dies at age 89.[88]
July 23: Flo Steinberg, American underground comics publisher (Big Apple Comix) and secretary of Stan Lee, dies at age 78 from a brain aneurysm and metastatic lung cancer.[89][90]
August 21: Michel Plessix, French comics artist (Julien Boisvert, Le Vent dans les Saules, Le Vent dans les Sables), dies from a heart attack at age 57.[100]
August 28: Bert Bus, Dutch comics artist (Olaf Noord, Theban de Eerste Wereldreiziger, Cliff Rendall, Stef Ardoba, Malorix, Russ Bender), dies at age 86.[101]
August 30: Roger Subirachs y Burgaya, aka Roger, Spanish comics artist (Vaselín Piula, Emili Piula, Destino Gris, Roberto Ruina), dies at age 60.[102]
August 31: Jan Romare, Swedish diplomat and comics artist (Ur Igelkotten Huberts Dagbok, Gorilla Gusten, Mullvalden Malte, Ugglan Urban, Pyton, Himlens änglar), dies at age 81.[103]
December 7: Alain d'Orange, French comic artist (Marc Leloup, various biographical-historical comics), dies at age 94. [118]
December 19: Lona Rietschel, German comics artist (Abrafaxe), dies at age 84.[119]
December 20: Annie Goetzinger, French comics artist and illustrator (Félina, Aurore, La Demoiselle de la Légion d'honneur, Agence Hardy), dies at age 66.[120]
October 27–November 12: "Contar o Mundo: Reportagem em Banda Desenhada" (“Tell the World: Comics Reportage“) (Fórum Luís de Camões, Amadora, Portugal) — comics journalism exhibition featuring the work of Joe Sacco, Josh Neufeld, and Ted Rall, among others; part of Amadora BD[123]
