Notable events of 2016 in comics. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.
DC Rebirth is a 2016 relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero comic books.
February
- February 25: In The Hague, a statue of Marnix Rueb's comic character Haagse Harry is inaugurated. [1]
- February 28: During the Stripdagen in Rijswijk, Maaike Hartjes wins the Stripschapprijs[2] and publisher Strip2000 wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs.[3] Publishing company VanderHout & Co wins the Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal.[4]
May
- May 3: Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani, jailed in 2014 over a cartoon offending the Iranian government, is finally released from prison thanks to international sympathy campaigns for her cause. [6]
- May 13: French cartoonist Piem is named Commander in the Ordre National du Mérite.[7]
June
- June 3–12 For the first time the Stripdagen in Haarlem lasts a week, rather than just a weekend.[8]
August
- Cancellation of the Dutch children's and comics magazine Taptoe[10]
September
- September 27: Dutch cartoonist Peter van Straaten wins his fifth Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon. [11]
- September 28: DC Comics writer Greg Rucka confirms that Wonder Woman is canonically bisexual. This makes her the first U.S. superhero to be officially bisexual. [12][13]
November
- Dutch journalist/comic artist Robin Vinck and publisher Seb van der Kaaden launch the Stripjournaal Podcast, a news podcast on which they discuss and interview people and events regarding the Dutch-Belgian comic industry. [15]
- January 28–April 17: "Our Comics Ourselves: Identity, Expression, and Representation in Comic Art", Interference Archive (Brooklyn, New York)[18] — artists include Cathy Guisewite, Julie Doucet, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Phoebe Gloeckner, Sheri S. Tepper, Carol Tyler, and Leela Corman; exhibition later toured to George Mason University[19][20] and the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center on the University of Connecticut, Storrs Campus[21]
- March 2–May 7: "The ZAP Show: A Cultural Revolution", Society of Illustrators (New York City) — featuring the work of R. Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Robert Williams, Victor Moscoso, Spain Rodriguez, Rick Griffin, and Paul Mavrides; curated by Monte Beauchamp
- January 26–31: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)
- April 23: FLUKE Mini-Comics & Zine Festival (40 Watt, Athens, Georgia)
- March 5: New York Comic Book Marketplace (Penn Plaza Pavilion, New York City)
- March 5–6: STAPLE! (Marchesa Hall and Theater, Austin, Texas)
- March 18–20: Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (McCormick Place Complex, Chicago, Illinois)
- March 24–26: Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience (Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah)
- March 25–27: WonderCon Los Angeles (Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California)
- May 26–29: MegaCon (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida)
- April 2–3: MoCCA Arts Festival (Metropolitan West, New York City)
- April 7–10: Emerald City Comicon (Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Washington)
- April 9–10: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (Northland Performing Arts Center, Columbus, Ohio)
- April 14-16: International Comic Arts Forum (University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina) — guests include Cece Bell, Michael Chaney, Howard Cruse, Dominique Goblet, Sanford Green, Gary Jackson, and Keith Knight[22]
- April 16–17: East Coast Comicon (Meadowlands Exposition Center, Meadowlands, New Jersey)
- April 23: FLUKE Mini-Comics & Zine Festival (40 Watt, Athens, Georgia)
- May 14–15: Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada)
- May 13–15: Motor City Comic Con (Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Michigan)
- May 14: Comica Comiket: The Independent Comics Market (House of Illustration, London, England) — part of "Comica London Weekender"; features the "drawing parade" Cavalcade of Celebrity Cartoonists[23]
- May 21: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (The Enterprise Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- June 2–5: Phoenix Comicon (Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona)
- June 3–5: Fan Expo Dallas (Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas)
- June 11–12: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo [CAKE] (Center on Halsted, Chicago, Illinois) — special guests: Chester Brown, Tyrell Cannon, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Sammy Harkham, Cathy G. Johnson, Patrick Kyle, Laura Park, Trina Robbins, Leslie Stein[24]
- June 17–19: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina)
- June 18–19: St. Louis Comicon (St. Charles Convention Center, St Louis, Missouri)
- July 21–24: San Diego Comic-Con (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California)[25]
- July 29–31: Wizard World Columbus (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio)
- August 24–27: Wizard World Chicago (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois)
- September 2–5: Dragon Con (Atlanta, Georgia)
- September 2–4: Baltimore Comic-Con (Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland)
- September 17–18: Small Press Expo (Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, North Bethesda, Maryland)
- September 24–25: Rhode Island Independent Publishing Expo (RIPE) (Providence Public Library, Providence, RI) — third iteration of this event
- October 6–9: New York Comic Con (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City)
- October 8–9: Alternative Press Expo (San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California)
- October 8: Comica Comiket (The Lightbox, Woking, Surrey, England) — Drawing Parade; guests include Peter Hampson, son of Frank Hampson[26]
- October 13–16: Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) (Columbus, Ohio) — special guests Bruce Worden, Derf Backderf, Garry Trudeau, Sergio Aragonés, Raina Telgemeier, Nate Beeler,[27] Charles Burns, Ann Telnaes, Ronald Wimberly, Stan Sakai, Mark Osborne, Keith Knight, Julia Gfrörer,[28] Lalo Alcaraz, John Canemaker, Brandon Graham, Jay Hosler, Ben Katchor, Ed Koren, Sacha Mardou, Seth, Carol Tyler, Scottie Young
- October 28–30: Comikaze Expo (Los Angeles Convention Center)
- October 29–30: Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (Lesley's University Hall, Porter Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts)
- November 2–3: WES Feminist Comic Con (Forman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan) — first annual event
- November 5: CAB/Comic Arts Brooklyn (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church & Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, New York)
- November 11–13: Rhode Island Comic Con (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island)
- December 3–4: Comic Arts Los Angeles (Think Tank Gallery, Los Angeles, California) — featured guests: Sam Bosma, Matt Furie[29]
January
- January 2: Zdravko Zupan, Serbian comics artist (Zuzuko, Munja, Disney comics) dies at age 65.[30]
- January 11: Franco Oneta, Italian comics artist (Zembla) dies at age 82.[31]
- January 14: Shaolin, Brazilian TV comedian and cartoonist, dies at age 44 from a heart attack after being involved in a car accident.[32]
- January 17: Hansrudi Wäscher, Swiss-German comics artist (Sigurd, Akim, Tibor) dies at age 87.[33]
- January 19: Mike Docherty, Scottish comics artist and animator (worked on Conan the Barbarian), dies at age 60.[34]
- January 21: Willem Dolphyn, Belgian comics artist (Jan Zonder Vrees), dies at age 80.[35]
- January 26: Bernard Cookson, British cartoonist (Punch), dies from cancer at age 79.[36]
- January 29: Linus Maurer, American cartoonist and comics artist (Old Harrigan, Abracadabra), dies at age 90.[37]
February
- February 1: Antoon Mortier, Belgian painter and comic artist, dies at age 96. [38]
- February 2: Bob Elliott, American comedian (Bob & Ray) and comics writer (Mad Magazine [39]), dies at age 92.[40]
- February 3: Jack Elrod, American comics artist (Mark Trail, continued The Ryatts), dies at age 91.[41]
- February 8: Piet Zeeman, Dutch comics writer, editor and translator (Disney comics, wrote for Sjors & Sjimmie, Jan, Jans en de Kinderen), dies at age 58.[42]
- February 21: John Caldwell, American gag cartoonist (Mad), dies at age 69.[43]
- February 23: Angel Gabriele, American comics artist and publisher (Space Giants), dies at age 59. [44]
- February: Alvin Buenaventura, American comic book publisher (Buenaventura Press and Pigeon Press), dies at age 39.[45][46]
March
- March 5: Alberto Dose, Argentine comics artist (El Cimmarón), dies at age 68.[47]
- March 7: Scott Goodall, British comic book writer (Fishboy), dies at age 80.[48]
- March 7: Paul C. Ryan, American comics artist (Marvel Comics), dies at age 65.[49]
- March 16: He Youzhi, Chinese comics artist, dies as age 94.[50]
- March 18: Klaus Vonderwerth, German cartoonist and comics artist (Albert, Ako, Kybert, Ruf 110), dies at age 80.[51]
- March 25: Ken Barr, Scottish cover painter and occasional interior artist of American comics and comic magazines, dies at age 83.[52]
April
- April 2: Gallieno Ferri, Italian comics artist (Zagor) dies at age 87.[53]
- April 3: Dick Hodgins, Jr., American comics artist (Half Hitch, continued Henry), dies at age 85.[54]
- April 6: Oto Reisinger, Croatian animator, illustrator, cartoonist and comics artist (Štefekove pustolovine) dies at age 89.[55]
- April 8: William Hamilton, American cartoonist and playwright (The New Yorker), dies at age 76.[56]
- April 8: Paul Fung Jr., American comics artist (Continued Blondie), dies at age 93.[57]
- April 19: Frits Klein, Dutch comics artist (Bokke Heidehipper, Gurbe), dies at age 91.[58]
- April 21: Siem Praamsma, Dutch comics artist (Humpo Hotsflots, Jochem Jofel), dies at age 95.[59]
- April 27: William Hamilton, American cartoonist (The New Yorker), is killed in a car accident at age 76.[60]
- April 27: V.T. Thomas, aka Toms, Indian comics artist (Boban and Molly), dies at age 86.[61]
- April 28: René Hausman, Belgian comics artist (Lalyna), dies at age 80.[62]
- April 29: Jok Church, American comics artist (You Can With Beakman and Jax), dies at age 66 from a heart attack.[63]
May
- May 2: Cleet Boris, French comics artist (Super-Héros) dies at age 53.[64]
- May 5: Siné, French cartoonist (Charlie Hebdo, Siné Mensuel), dies at age 87.[65]
- May 14: Darwyn Cooke, Canadian animator and comics artist (DC Comics), dies of cancer at age 53.[66]
- May 22: George Wildman, American comics artist (Popeye, Disney comics, Hanna-Barbera comics, Warner Bros. comics), dies at age 88.[67]
- May 24: Mell Lazarus, American cartoonist (Miss Peach, Momma), dies at age 89.[68]
- May 26: Julio Berríos, A.K.A. Juber, Chilean comics artist (Hombres en la Jungla, Khanda, El Hijo de la Montaña, Tolák, Taori, Pichinahuel, Firewall, Disney comics), dies at age 84. [69]
- May 27: Frank Modell, American cartoonist (The New Yorker), dies at age 98.
June
- June 1: Anatol Kovarsky, A.K.A. Akov, Russian-American painter, cartoonist and illustrator (The New Yorker), dies at age 97.[70]
- June 19: Rodolfo Zalla, Argentine-Brazilian comics artist (Jacaré Mendonça, Johnny Pecos), dies at age 85.[71]
- June 22: Peter Chapman, Australian comic artist (worked on The Shadow), dies at age 91. [72]
- June 23: Julio Schiaffino, Argentine comic artist (Choripán, Hot Shot Hamish and Mighty Mouse, assisted on El Eternauta, continued Joe Zunda, El Marcianero and Buster Pike), dies at age 79 or 80. [73]
- June 25: Manfred Deix, Austrian cartoonist and comic strip artist, dies at age 66.[74]
- June 26: Angel Nadal Quirch, Spanish comics artist (Pasquale, Disney comics, Rolf Kauka comics, continued Buster Capp), dies at age 85.[75]
- June 27: Fred Wagner, American comics artist (continued Catfish, Grin and Bear It and Animal Crackers), dies at age 75..[76]
July
- July 3: Albert Survie, Dutch comics artist (De Vleermuis), dies at age 75.[77]
- July 4: Didier Savard, French comics artist (Dick Hérisson, Léonid Beaudragon), dies at age 65.[78]
- July 5: Nine Culliford, Belgian comic book colourist and wife of Peyo (The Smurfs), dies at age 86.[79]
- July 8: Frank Dickens, British cartoonist (Bristow), dies at age 84.[80]
- July 9: Geneviève Castrée, Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and musician, dies from pancreatic cancer at age 35.[81]
- July 9: Lothar Dräger, German comics writer (Digedags, Abrafaxe), dies at age 89.[82]
- July 16: Carlos Nine, Argentine comics artist, dies at age 72.[83]
- July 26: Coen van Hunnik, Dutch comics artist (Olle Kapoen), dies at age 90.[84]
- July 27: Jack Davis, American comics artist (Mad), dies at age 91.[85]
- July 27: Brett Merhar, American comics artist (Free For All), dies at age 46.[86]
- July 27: Richard Thompson, American comics artist, (Cul de Sac), dies at age 58.[87][88]
- July 29: Guy Dessicy, Belgian comic book colorist (Studio Hergé), dies at age 92. He was also head of Publiart, a commercial agency specializing in comic book merchandising and co-founder of the Belgian Comic Strip Center.[89][90]
August
- August 4: Gaspar Saladino, American comics letterer (DC Comics), dies at age 88.[91]
- August 7: Jean Sanitas, French writer, journalist and comics writer (Zor et Mlouf,[92] continued Bob Mallard [93]), dies at age 88.[94]
- August 17: Víctor Mora, Spanish comic book writer (Capitán Trueno, El Jabato), dies at age 85.[95][96]
- Specific date in August unknown: Jukka Murtosaari, Finnish animator and comics artist (Jake, Disney comics, worked on Moomins comics), dies at age 53.[97]
September
- September 7: Sparky Moore, American animator and comics artist (western comics, Disney comics, Zorro, The Big Bad Wolf, continued Scamp, Winnie the Pooh), dies at age 91.[98]
- September 24: Joonas, Finnish comic artist (Joonas, Tooper, Unto Uneksija, Kaista, Hirnu, Oloneuvos, V. Vaivainen, Leo ja Kaverit), dies at age 87. [99]
- September 25: Fernando Puig Rosado, Spanish cartoonist and comics artist, dies at age 85.[100]
- September 30: Ted Benoît, French comics artist (Ray Banana, continued Blake & Mortimer), dies at age 69.[101]
October
- October 8: Lyn Chevli, American comics artist (co-founder of Tits & Clits Comix), dies at age 84.[102]
- October 10: Carlos Roose Silva, Peruvian comics artist ('Pachochín, el Chupatintas), dies at age 87.[103]
- October 12: Benoît Gillain, Belgian-French comics artist (Bouby, Bonux-Boy), dies at age 78.[104]
- October 22: Steve Dillon, British comics artist (Judge Dredd, Hellblazer), dies at age 54.[105]
- October 23: Jack Chick, American comics artist (Chick tracts), dies at age 92.[106]
- October 27: Ton Beek, Dutch comics artist (Birre Beer) dies at age 90.[107]
November
- November 1: Dave Broadfoot, Canadian comedian and comics writer (Sergeant Renfrew), dies at age 90.[108]
- November 1: Carlos Alberto Santos, Portuguese comics artist (historical comics), dies at age 73.[109]
- November 4: John Gillatt, British comics artist (Billy's Boots), dies at age 87.[110]
- November 5: Averardo Ciriello, Italian comics artist (erotic comics), dies at age 98.[111]
- November 6: Marc Sleen, Belgian comics artist (The Adventures of Nero, Piet Fluwijn en Bolleke, De Lustige Kapoentjes, Doris Dobbel, Oktaaf Keunink, De Ronde van Frankrijk), dies at age 93.[112]
- November 12: Jerry Dumas, American cartoonist and comics writer (Beetle Bailey, Boner's Ark, Sam and Silo), dies at age 86. [113]
- November 19: Gino Gavioli, Italian comics artist and animator (Vita da Cani, Paco y Manolito), dies at age 93.[114]
- November 22: Alfredo Brasioli, Italian comic artist (Lippi e Lia, Ulix, De Bello Gallico), dies at age 81. [115]
- November 27: Micharmut, Spanish comics artist (Futurama), dies at age 63.[116]
December
- December 2: Liliana Fantoni, Italian comics artist (collaborator of her father Guido Fantoni and brother Mario Fantoni), dies at age 96.[117]
- December 4: Marcel Gotlib, French comics artist (Gai-Luron, Les Dingodossiers, Superdupont, Rubrique-à-Brac, Hamster Jovial, Pervers Pépère), dies at age 82.[118]
- December 8: Peter van Straaten, Dutch comics artist and political cartoonist (Vader & Zoon), dies at age 81.[119][120]
- December 15: Christian Lippens, French comic artist (Les Fabuleux Exploits d'Eddy Merckx, assisted on Michel Vaillant, Julie Wood), dies at age 86. [121]
- December 20: Mix & Remix, Swiss cartoonist (L'Hebdo, Siné Hebdo), dies at age 58.[122]
- December 23: Paul Peter Porges, Austrian-American comics artist (Mad Magazine), dies at age 89.[123]
- December 23: Zdenko Svirčić, Croatian comics artist (Gusari na Atlantiku, U ledenoj pustinji), dies at age 92.[124]
- December 25: Núria Pompeia, Spanish comics artist (Nosotras: Las mujeres objeto-ras, La Educación de Palmira, La Liberadas and Ramoneta), dies at age 85.[125]
- December 26: Duck Edwing, American comics artist (Mad Magazine), dies at age 81 or 82.[126]
- December 27: John Calnan, American comics artist (worked for DC Comics), dies at age 84.[127]
- December 28–29: Raymond Burki, Swiss political cartoonist, dies at age 67.[128]
- December 29: Emilio Uberti, Italian comics artist (Kociss, Diabolik), illustrator, film director and documentary maker, dies at age 84.[129][130]
- December 30: Roger Leiner, Luxembourgian cartoonist and comics artist (Superhjemp), dies at age 61.[131]
- December 30: Giovanni Degli Esposti Venturi, Italian comics artist and illustrator (La Viuda (Lady X - Lust's Captive),Sexo, amor y fantasías, Los Duelistas, La Psy), dies at age 52.[132]
Specific date unknown
- Bernard Linssen, Belgian comics artist (Les Aventures de Tumak, Chroniques Gorilles), dies at age 49 or 50.[133]
- Aether & Empire
- Released April by Blue Juice Comics. Writer: Mike Horan Artist: Bong Ty Dazo
- Batgirl and the Birds of Prey
- Released July by DC Comics. Writers: Julie Benson and Shawna Benson Artist: Claire Roe
- Civil War II
- Released June by Marvel Comics. Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: David Marquez
- Dept H
- Released April by Dark Horse Comics. Writer & Artist: Matt Kindt Colorist: Sharlene Kindt
- Fourth Planet
- Released April by Chapterhouse Comics. Writer: Fred Kenndedy Artist: Miko Maciaszek
- The Flintstones
- Released June by DC Comics. Writer & Artist: Mark Russell and Steve Pugh Colorist: Chris Chuckry
- James Bond 007: Hammerhead
- Released September by Dynamite Entertainment. Writer: Andy Diggle Artist: Luca Casalanguida
- Kill or Be Killed
- Released August by Image Comics. Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Sean Phillips
- The Land That Time Forgot
- Released July by American Mythology Productions. Writer: Mike Wolfer Artist: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
- Motor Girl
- Released November by Abstract Studio. Writer & Artist: Terry Moore
- Resident Alien: The Man with No Name
- Released September by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Paul Hogan Artist: Steve Parkhouse
- La Sagesse des mythes
- Released September by Glénat Editions. Writers: Luc Ferry and Clotilde Bruneau. Artistic director: Didier Poli
- Space Battle Lunchtime
- Released May by Oni Press. Writer & Artist: Natalie Riess