1989 in comics

==Events==
===Year overall===
* "Inferno" company-wide Marvel Comics crossover continues, involving the mutant titles The Uncanny X-Men, X-Factor, The New Mutants, and Excalibur, as well as the X-Terminators limited series and various other Marvel titles. Began in Marvel titles cover-dated October 1988; runs through issues cover-dated August 1989.
* DC Comics debuts its alternative imprint Piranha Press, rolling out such series as Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children, Epicurus the Sage, Etc., Gregory, and The Score; and the original graphic novels Desert Streams, The Sinners, and The Wastelands.
* Caliber Comics, Continüm Comics, Revolutionary Comics, and Trident Comics make their publishing debuts.
* "The Man Who Falls," by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Giordano, published in Secret Origins of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes trade paperback. (DC Comics)
===January===
* Ronald Perelman buys the Marvel Entertainment Group, the parent company of Marvel Comics, from New World Entertainment for $82.5 million, putting in $10.5 million of his own money and borrowing the rest.
* Invasion! crossover event in DC Comics
===February===
* Doom Patrol vol. 2, #19: "Crawling from the Wreckage" — Grant Morrison begins a celebrated run as Doom Patrol writer (lasting until issue #63, January 1993).
* Gotham by Gaslight, by Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola, and P. Craig Russell, published by DC Comics.
* Thor #400: "God vs. god in the greatest battle of all time," mostly written by Tom DeFalco. (Marvel Comics)
* The Avengers #300: 68-page Inferno crossover by Walter Simonson, John Buscema, and Tom Palmer. (Marvel Comics)
* February 9: Osamu Tezuka, creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion, dies at age 60.
===March===
* March 14: Action Comics, with issue #642, ends its weekly publication schedule (begun May 24, 1988) and goes on a short hiatus (resuming publication in July). (DC Comics)
* March 30: Justice League of America and Wonder Woman artist Mike Sekowsky dies at age 65.
===April===
* Dragon's Clawsis canceled by Marvel UK with issue #10.
* Wanderers is canceled by DC with issue #13.
* April 9: Carl Wessler dies at age 75.
===May===
* The Janus Directive crossover storyline begins. (DC Comics)
* Justice League International changes its name to Justice League America with issue #26 (DC Comics).
===June===
* Atlantis Attacks crossover event in Marvel Comics, runs through Marvel's core title Annuals.
* Maze Agency ceases publication by Comico with issue #7.
===July===
* Action Comics, with issue #643, goes back to being a standard format monthly title. (DC Comics)
* The introduction of the Great Lakes Avengers in issue #46 of West Coast Avengers. (Marvel Comics)
===August===
* Batman: Year Three storyline, by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick, begins in Batman #436 (runs through Batman #439). (DC Comics)
* Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 2 is canceled by DC with issue #63.
* C.O.P.S.is cancelled by DC with issue #15.
* St. Swithin's Day, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, debuts in Trident #1. (Continues through issue #4; collected by Trident Comics as a trade paperback in 1990.)
* August 4: Paul Murry, long-time Disney comics artist, passes away at age 77.
* August 8: George Papp, long-time Superboy artist, passes away at age 73.
===September===
* West Coast Avengers changes its name to Avengers West Coast with issue #48.
* Death's Head is cancelled by Marvel UK with issue #10.
===October===
* Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, published by DC Comics.
* October 28: The Dead Man storyline, by John Wagner and John Ridgway, begins in 2000 AD prog 650 (running through prog 662, 20 January 1990). (Fleetway Publications)
===November===
* Conan The King is cancelled with issue 55.
* November 22: Captain Marvel creator C.C. Beck dies at age 79.
===December===
* Acts of Vengeance crossover event in Marvel Comics; runs through February 1990 issues.
* G.I. Joe Special Missions is canceled by Marvel with issue #28.
* Maze Agency is picked up by Innovation Comics with issue #8.
==Exhibitions and shows==
==Conventions==
==Awards==
===Eagle Awards===
Presented in 1990 for comics published in 1989, distributed at the 1990 United Kingdom Comic Art Convention [UKCAC] by Paul Gambaccini and Dave Gibbons.
*Roll of Honour: 2000 AD
*Best International Comic Book: Akira
====American Section====
* Favourite Writer: Neil Gaiman, Sandman (DC Comics)
*Favourite Artist (Penciller): Todd McFarlane
*Favourite Artist (Inker): Paul Neary
* Favourite Comicbook: Uncanny X-Men
*Favourite Graphic Novel: Arkham Asylum
*Favourite Character: Batman
*Favourite Group or Team: Doom Patrol
*Favourite Villain: The Joker
* Favourite Single or Continued Story: Skreemer, written by Peter Milligan with art by Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon (DC Comics)
*Favourite New Comic Title: Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
*Favourite Comic Cover: Aliens #1 by Denis Beauvais
*Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Marvel Age
====U.K. Section====
*Favourite Writer: Grant Morrison
*Favourite Artist: Simon Bisley
*Favourite Comic: 2000 AD
*Best Graphic Novel: Violent Cases (Titan)
*Favourite Graphic Novel: Sláine: The Horned God Book I
*Favourite Character: Judge Dredd
*Favourite Villain: Judge Death
*Favourite Supporting Character: Middenface McNulty (Strontium Dog)
*Favourite Single or Continued Story: Sláine: The Horned God Book I (2000 AD Prog 626-635)
*Character Most Worthy of Own Title: Captain Britain
*Favourite New Comic: Bogey Man
*Favourite Comic Cover: 2000 AD Prog 626, by Simon Bisley
*Favourite Specialist Comics Publication: Speakeasy
===Eisner Awards===
No awards were presented in 1990, a transition year when Comic-Con International took over administration of the awards.
==First issues by title==
===DC Comics===
Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight
: Release: September. Writer: Dennis O'Neil. Artists: Ed Hannigan and John Beatty.
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children
: Release: June by Piranha Press. Writer: Dave Louapre. Artist: Dan Sweetman.
El Diablo vol. 2
: Release: August. Writer: Gerard Jones. Artist: Mike Parobeck.
Huntress
: Release: April. Writer: Joey Cavalieri. Artist: Joe Staton and Bruce Patterson.
Justice League Europe
: Release: April. Writer: Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis. Artists: Bart Sears and Pablo Marcos.
L.E.G.I.O.N.
: Release: February. Writers: Alan Grant and Keith Giffen. Artists: Barry Kitson, Keith Giffen, and Mike DeCarlo.
Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 3
: Release: November. Writers: Keith Giffen and Tom and Mary Bierbaum. Artists: Keith Giffen and Al Gordon.
New Gods vol. 3
: Release: February. Writer: Mark Evanier. Artist: Paris Cullins.
The Sandman
: Release: January. Writer: Neil Gaiman. Artists: Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg.
Star Trek vol. 2
: Release: October. Writer: Peter David. Artists: James Fry and Arne Starr.
Star Trek: The Next Generation vol. 2
: Release: October. Writer: Michael Jan Friedman. Artist: Pablo Marcos.
====Limited series====
Catwoman (4 issues)
: Release: February. Writer: Mindy Newell. Artists: J.J. Birch and Michael Bair.
Epicurus the Sage (2 issues; #2 published in 1991)
: Release: November by Piranha Press. Writer: William Messner-Loebs. Artist: Sam Kieth.
Hawkworld (3 issues)
: Release: August. Writer/Artist: Tim Truman.
Invasion! (3 issues)
: Release: January. Writers: Keith Giffen and Bill Mantlo. Artists: Keith Giffen and Todd McFarlane.
Justice, Inc. (2 issues)
: Release: July. Writer: Andy Helfer. Artist: Kyle Baker.
Skreemer (6 issues)
: Release: May. Writer: Peter Milligan. Artists: Brett Ewins and Steve Dillon.
===Marvel Comics===
Clive Barker's Hellraiser
: Release: January by Epic Comics. Editor: Daniel Chichester.
Marc Spector: Moon Knight
: Release: June. Writer: Chuck Dixon. Artists: Sal Velluto and Mark Farmer.
Nick Fury Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
: Release: September. Writer: Bob Harras. Artists: Bob Hall and Kim DeMulder.
Nth Man: The Ultimate Ninja
: Release: August. Writer: Larry Hama. Artists: Ron Wagner and Fred Fredericks.
Quasar
: Release: October. Writer: Mark Gruenwald. Artists: Paul Ryan and Danny Bulanadi.
Sensational She-Hulk 
: Release: May. Writer/Artist: John Byrne
What If vol. 2
: Release: July. Editor: Craig Anderson
====Limited series====
Damage Control (4 issues)
: Release: May. Writer: Dwayne McDuffie. Artists: Ernie Colón and Bob Wiacek.
Shadowmasters (4 issues)
: Release: October. Writer: Carl Potts. Artists: Dan Lawlis and Russ Heath.
The Sleeze Brothers (6 issues)
: Release: June by Epic Comics. Writer: John Carnell. Artist: Andy Lanning.
The War (4 issues)
: Release: June by New Universe. Writer: Doug Murray. Artist: Tom Morgan.
===Independent titles===
*A1 (Atomeka Press, Oct.)
The Adventures of Bayou Billy
: Release: Sept. by Archie Adventure Series. Writer: Rich Margopoulos. Artist: Amanda Conner.
*Baker Street (Caliber, Mar.)
*Black Moon Chronicles (Zenda Editions, May)
*The Crow (Caliber, Feb.)
Eightball
: Release: August by Fantagraphics. Writer/Artist: Daniel Clowes.
*Faust (Northstar)
*Fung Wan (Jonesky)
*The Green Hornet (NOW Comics, Nov.)
Saviour
: Release: Dec. by Trident Comics. Writer: Mark Millar. Artists: Daniel Vallely and Nigel Kitching.
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures (Archie Comics, Mar.)
Trident
: Release: Aug. by Trident Comics. Editor: Martin Skidmore.
====Limited series====
Aliens (4 issues)
: Release: August by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Mark Verheiden. Artist: Denis Beauvais.
Squalor (4 issues)
: Release: Dec. by First Comics. Writer: Stefan Petrucha. Artist: Tom Sutton.
==Initial appearance by character name==
===DC Comics===
* Anarky in Detective Comics #608 (Nov.)
* Amadeus Arkham in Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth (Oct.)
* Arm Fall Off Boy in Secret Origins vol. 2 #46 (Dec.)
* Artemiz in Suicide Squad #35 (Nov.)
* Azazel in The Sandman #4 (Apr.)
* Blasters in Invasion! #1 (Jan.)
* Garryn Bek in Invasion! #1 (Jan.)
* Blockbuster (Roland Desmond) in Starman #9 (Apr.)
* Brotherhood of Dada in Doom Patrol #26 (Sept.)
* Corinthian in The Sandman #10 (Oct.)
* Crazy Jane in Doom Patrol #19 (Feb.)
* Crimson Fox in Justice League Europe #6 (Sept.)
* Deadline in Starman #15 (Oct.)
* El Diablo (Rafael Sandoval) in El Diablo vol. 2 #1 (Aug.)
* Draaga in Superman #454 (May)
* Tim Drake in Batman #436 (Aug.)
* Henri Ducard in Detective Comics #599 (Apr.)
* The Endless in The Sandman #1 (Jan.)
** Death in The Sandman #8 (Aug.)
** Desire in The Sandman #10 (Nov.)
** Despair in The Sandman #10 (Nov.)
** Dream in The Sandman vol. 2 #1 (Jan.)
* Eradicator in Action Comics Annual #2
* Forager
* Flamebird (Bette Kane) in Secret Origins Annual #3
* Freedom Beast in Animal Man #13 (July)
* Hawkwoman (Shayera Thal) in Hawkworld vol. 1, #1 (Aug.)
* Huntress (Helena Bertinelli) in Huntress #1 (Apr.)
* Kirigi in Batman #431 (Mar.)
* Kono in Legion of Super-Heroes (vol. 4) #2 (Dec.)
* Matthew the Raven in The Sandman vol. 2, #11 (Dec.)
* Maxima in Action Comics #645 (Sept.)
* Mirror Master (Evan McCulloch) in Animal Man #8 (Feb.)
* Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol vol. 2 #26 (Sept.)
* Naiad in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man vol. 2 #90 (Oct.)
* Linda Park in Flash vol. 2 #28 (July)
* Merv Pumpkinhead in The Sandman #5 (May)
===Marvel Comics===
* Agent in Marvel Graphic Novel: Rick Mason, The Agent
* Alley Viper in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #92 (Nov.)
* Angler in Quasar #3 (mid-Nov.)
* Prince Baran in Wolverine vol. 2 #6 (Apr.)
* Blackheart in Daredevil #270 (Sept.)
* Bloodscream in Wolverine vol. 2 #4 (Feb.)
* Carrion (Malcom McBride) in The Spectacular Spider-Man #149 (Apr.)
* Andrew Chord in Thor #411 (Dec.)
* Crossbones in Captain America #359 (early Oct.)
* Crystal Ball in G.I. Joe Special Missions #24 (Aug.)
* Darklon in G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #88 (July)
* Dogfight in G.I. Joe Special Missions #28 (Dec.)
* Jubilee in Uncanny X-Men #244 (May)
* Llan the Sorcerer in Alpha Flight #71 (June)
* Madman in Incredible Hulk #363 (Dec.)
* Matsu'o Tsurayaba in Uncanny X-Men #255 (mid-Dec.)
* Midnight in Marc Spector: Moon Knight #4 (Sept.)
* Misfit in West Coast Avengers #40 (Jan.)
* Numinus in Power Pack #51 (Dec.)
* Alfie O'Meagan in Marvel Comics Presents #25 (Aug.)
* Perun in Captain America #352 (Apr.)
* Portal in Avengers #304 (June)
* Powderkeg in Giant-Size Special: Captain Marvel #1
* Red Guardina (Josef Petkus) in Captain America #352 (Apr.)
* Roughouse in Wolverine vol. 2, #4 (Feb.)
* Shadowmasters in Punisher War Journal #8 (Sept.)
* Shockwave in G.I. Joe Special Missions #17 (Jan.)
* Shotgun in Daredevil #272 (Nov.)
* Silver Fox in Wolverine vol. 2, #10 (Aug.)
* Alysande Stuart in Excalibur #6 (Mar.)
* Voltar in G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero #87 (June)
* Whiteout in Uncanny X-Men #250 (late-Oct.)
* Worm in Uncanny X-Men #249 (early-Oct.)
===Independent titles===
* The Crow in Caliber Presents #1 (Caliber Comics, Jan.)
* Krang in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures vol. 2, #1 (Archie Comics, Mar.)
* Faust in Faust (Rebel Studios)
* Friday in 2000 AD #650 (Fleetway, 28 Oct.)
* Frieza in 	Dragon Ball Z chapter 53
* Judge Giant, Jr. in 2000 AD #651 (Fleetway, 4 Nov.)
Category:1989