2013 in comics

This is a list of comics-related events in 2013. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title. For an overview of the year in Japanese comics, see 2013 in manga.

March

 * March 3: After 30 years of continuous publication Philippe Geluck's Le Chat comes to an end.
 * March 9-10: During the Stripdagen in Haarlem, Paul Teng receives the Stripschapprijs. The P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs is awarded to Comic House. The Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal goes to Richard's Studio.
 * March 26: Dupuis buys Marsu Productions.

July

 * July 12: Albert Uderzo is named Officer in the Légion d'Honneur.

Specific date unknown

 * Rao Pingru's Our Story: A Memoir of Love and Life in China is published. He is 90-91 years old, which makes him the oldest comics artist to ever make his debut.
 * Syrian cartoonist Akram Raslan is tortured to death in a government detention center.

January

 * January 30: Vahan Shirvanian, American cartoonist and comics artist (No Comment), dies at age 87.

February

 * February 3: Pierre Defoux, Belgian priest, painter, illustrator, sculptor, lattice window maker and comics artist (Xavier, Raconté Par Le Ménestrel), dies at age 88.
 * February 16: Harald Siepermann, German comics artist and animator (Alfred Jodocus Kwak), dies at age 50.
 * February 21: Scott Clark, American comics artist (worked for Wildstorm, Marvel Comics, Aspen Comics, DC Comics), dies at an unknown age.
 * February 23: Maurice Rosy, Belgian children's book illustrator, comics writer (Tif et Tondu, Bobo, Attila, Spirou et Fantasio, Boule et Bill, Max l'Explorateur) and artistic director for Spirou between 1956 and 1973, dies at age 85.

March

 * March 7: Didier Comès, Belgian comics artist (Silence, L'Ombre du Corbeau), dies at the age of 70.
 * March 7: Damiano Damiani, Italian film director and comics artist (Mike Lazy, Pat La Rocca), dies at age 90.
 * March 10: André Veltkamp, Dutch comics artist (Het Eiland Bicyclopia, Ralf), dies at age 67.
 * March 15: Jim Unwin, American comics artist and illustrator (co-creator of Little Sandy Sleighfoot), dies at age 83.
 * March 28: Manuel García Ferré, Argentine cartoonist and animator (Pi Pío, Anteojito, Hijitus), dies at age 83.
 * March 31: Bob Clarke, American illustrator and comics artist (Ripley's Believe It or Not, Mad, continued Spy vs. Spy), dies at age 87 from pneumonia.
 * Specific date in March unknown: Helmut Zielke, German painter and comics artist, dies at age 74 or 75.

April

 * April 1: Christian Mathelot, French comics artist (made various realistically drawn comics), passes away at age 89.
 * April 2: Fred, French comics artist (Philémon), dies at age 82.
 * April 4: Carmine Infantino, American comics artist and editor (Detective Comics, Flash, Showcase), dies at age 87.
 * April 27: Jesse Santos, Filipino comics artist (Kidlat, DI 13, Dagar the Invincible, Tragg and the Sky Gods), dies at age 84.

May

 * May 3: Dan Adkins, American illustrator and comics artist (worked for various comics companies drawing sciencefiction stories), dies at age 76.
 * May 4: Rubén Lara Romero, Mexican comics artist (Fantômas, la Amenaza Elegante), dies at age 78 or 79.
 * May 16:
 * Roger Chevallier, aka Kline, French comics artist (Davy Crockett, Kaza le Martien, Loup Noir), passes away at age 91.
 * Fred Funcken, Belgian comics artist and writer (Le Chevalier Blanc, Harald le Viking, Jack Diamond, Lieutenant Burton, Capitan and Doc Silver), dies at age 91.

June

 * June 14: Zata, Spanish comics artist (El Capitan Martin de la Patrulla de los Diamantes, Goyo y Nico, Quique Banderas), dies at age 84 or 85.
 * June 19: Kim Thompson, Danish-American comics editor, translator and publisher (vice-president of Fantagraphics Books), dies at age 56 from lung cancer.

July

 * July 7: Louis Glanzman, American comics artist (Air Man, Amazing Man, The Shark, Dopey Danny Day, Blue Fire), dies at age 91.
 * July 11: Percy Eaglehurst, Chilean comics artist (Pepe Antártico), dies at age 91.
 * July 18: Gerrit Stapel, Dutch comics artist (Huon de Neveling), dies at age 92.
 * July 28: Pierre Frisano, French comics artist (made realistic comics), dies at age 79.

August

 * August 6: Stan Lynde, American comics artist (Rick O'Shay, Latigo, Grass Roots, Chief Sly Fox, Rovar Bob), dies at age 81 from cancer.
 * August 8: Derek Hockridge, British translator (co-translator of Astérix), dies at age 78 or 79.
 * Specific date in August unknown: René Mazyn, French comics artist (Kid Franky, Monster Hôtel, continued Pif le chien), passes away at age 53.

September

 * September 3: José Ramón Larraz, Spanish film director and comics artist (Paul Foran), dies at age 83 or 84.
 * September 7: Pete Hoffman, American comics artist (ghosted Steve Roper and Mike Nomad, created Jeff Cobb and Why We Say), dies at age 94 from a heart attack.
 * September 28: Friso Henstra, Dutch illustrator and comics artist (Olidin), passes away at age 85.
 * September 30: Roy Peterson, Canadian cartoonist, dies at age 77 from Parkinson's disease.

October

 * October 13: Takashi Yanase, Japanese manga artist (Anpanman), dies at age 94.
 * October 15: George Olesen, American comics artist (continued The Phantom), dies at age 88.
 * October 21: José Luis Beltrán Coscojuela, aka Tran, Beltrán, Koski and Tranis, Spanish comics artist and animator (Constancio Plurilópez, worked for Rolf Kauka), dies at age 82.
 * October 21: Rune T. Kidde, Danish writer, playwright, folk musician, poet, radio presenter and comics artist (Blomstrende Spaghetti), dies at age 46.
 * October 22: Yanwari Kazama, Japanese manga artist (Taberemasen, Pochi Kyokudo), dies at age 36 from liver failure.
 * October 30: Renato Canini, Brazilian comics artist (Dr. Fraud, Kactus Kid, Tibica, Zé Candango, Disney comics, José Carioca), passes away at age 77.

November

 * November 3: Nick Cardy, American comics writer and artist (Lady Luck, worked on Tarzan, Tomahawk, Aquaman, Teen Titans, assisted on Casey Ruggles) and advertising illustrator, passes away at age 93.
 * November 7: Joey Manley, American webcomics publisher (founder of Modern Tales), dies at age 48 from pneumonia.
 * November 11: Pieter van Oudheusden, Dutch novelist and comics writer (worked with Jeroen Janssen, wrote Klein Suske en Wiske), dies of a brain tumor at age 56.
 * November 23: Solveig Muren Sanden, Norwegian illustrator and comics artist (continued Tuss og Troll and Smørbukk), dies at age 95.
 * November 25: Al Plastino, American comics artist (Superman, co-creator of the characters Supergirl and Brainiac), dies at age 91.
 * November 26: Joan Nebot, Spanish comics artist (Angelina, Yolanda), dies at age 80 or 81.

December

 * December 4: Charles Grigg, British comics artist (Foxy, Splodge, continued Korky the Cat and Desperate Dan), dies at the age of 97.
 * December 6: Abel Romero, Chilean comics artist (Eos Errante, Kom igen, Stéfan!), dies at age 85.
 * December 25: Pierre Wininger, French comics artist (Victor Billetdoux, Nicéphore Vaucanson, Terminus Crusoé), dies at age 63.
 * December 26: Harold Whitaker, British animator and comics artist (comic strip adaptation of Animal Farm), dies at age 83.

Specific date unknown

 * Bi Keguan, Chinese comics artist, passes away at age 81 or 82.
 * Mario Sbattella, Italian comics artist (Disney comics, Hanna-Barbera comics, comics starring Felix the Cat and Popeye), dies at age 82 or 83.

Exhibitions

 * May 16–31: Orbital Comics (London, England, U.K.) — "Image Duplicator", an exhibition of cartoonists "re-appropriating the works of Roy Lichtenstein, tracking them back to their original source material and then creating a new comic book image that credits the original artist," curated by Rian Hughes and Jason Atomic. Cartoonists featured in the show include Dave Gibbons, Rian Hughes, Salgood Sam, Steven Cook, Howard Chaykin, Carl Flint, Betty Boolean, Mark Blamire, Tony Abruzzo, Jason Atomic, and David Leach.

Conventions

 * January 31–February 3: Angouleme International Comics Festival (Angouleme, France)
 * March 1–3: Emerald City Comicon (Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Washington)
 * March 2–3: STAPLE! (Austin, Texas)
 * March 15–17: MegaCon (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida) – scheduled guests include Ed McGuinness, Mark Bagley, Frank Cho, Bob Layton, Mike Perkins, Michael Lark, Neal Adams, Mark Waid, Chris Claremont, Mike Choi, Andrew Robinson, Steve Epting, Andy Price, Doug Sneyd, José Delbo, Matteo Scalera, Steve McNiven, Michael Atiyeh, Jimmy Cheung, George Pérez, Gail Simone, Mike McKone, Dave Johnson, Dan Panosian, Brian Pulido, Brandon Peterson, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, Billy Tucci, Georges Jeanty, Tim Townsend, and Craig Boldman
 * March 22–24: Fabletown and Beyond, Mayo Civic Center (Rochester, Minnesota) — organized by Bill Willingham; guest of honor Mark Buckingham; other guests include Gene Ha, Mike Carey, Matt Sturges, Peter Gross, Kurt Busiek, Anthony Del Col, Shelly Bond, Adam Hughes, Chrissie Zullo, and Lauren Beukes.
 * March 22–24: Wizard World St Louis (America's Center, St Louis, Missouri) - scheduled guests include Cullen Bunn, Jorge Molina, Tyler Kirkham, and Matt Kindt
 * March 29–31: WonderCon (Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California)
 * March 30: Asbury Park Comic Con (Convention Hall, Asbury Park, New Jersey) — official guests include Al Jaffee, Michael E. Uslan, Herb Trimpe, Jamal Igle, Allen Bellman, Don McGregor, Jay Lynch, Rudy Nebres, John Holmstrom, Evan Dorkin, and Bob Camp.
 * April 6–7: MoCCA Festival (69th Regiment Armory, New York City)
 * April 13–14: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus, Ohio)
 * April 13: New York Comic Book Marketplace (Penn Plaza Pavilion, New York City)
 * April 26–28: C2E2 (McCormick Place Complex, Chicago, Illinois)
 * April 27–29: Stumptown Comics Fest (Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon) — 10th annual edition; goes on hiatus after event
 * May 11–12: Comic Expo (Brunel Old Station, Bristol, UK) — 2,500 attendees; guests include Ian Churchill, Ian Gibson, Boo Cook, Mark Buckingham, Ben Oliver, and Lee Garbett
 * May 11–12: Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada) — guests include Bill Amend, David B., Chester Brown, Boulet, Ivan Brunetti, Glyn Dillon, Lisa Hanawalt, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Chip Kidd, Michael Kupperman, Josh Neufeld, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Ulli Lust, Taiyo Matsumoto, Rutu Modan, Françoise Mouly, Frederik Peeters, Paul Pope, Michel Rabagliati, Seth, Dash Shaw, Art Spiegelman, Gengoroh Tagame, Raina Telgemeier, Maurice Vellekoop
 * May 17–19: Dallas Comic Con (Irving Convention Center, Las Colinas, Irving, Texas)
 * May 17–19: Motor City Comic Con (Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Michigan) – scheduled guests include George Pérez, Jim Calfiore, Matthew Clark, Greg Horn, David Lloyd, Mark McKenna, Mike McKone, Tom Raney, Andy Suriano, and Charles Paul Wilson III
 * May 17–18: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (Enterprise Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — presentation of the Glyph Comics Awards
 * May 23–26: Phoenix Comicon (Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona)
 * June 7–9: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina) — guests include Jason Aaron, Bob Almond, Jim Amash, Peter Bagge, Mitch Breitweiser, Elizabeth Breitweiser, Mark Brooks, Richard Case, Becky Cloonan, Jeremy Dale, Michael Dooney, Steve Epting, Tom Fowler, Matt Fraction, Francesco Francavilla, Rob Guillory, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Dustin Harbin, Tony Harris, Jeremy Haun, Adam Hughes, Jamal Igle, Matt Kindt, Jason Latour, John Layman, Tom Lyle, Paul Maybury, Bob McLeod, Jorge Molina, Sean Gordon Murphy, B. Clay Moore, Ted Naifeh, David Petersen, Brandon Peterson, Ed Piskor, Eric Powell, Tom Raney, Paolo Rivera, Don Rosa, Greg Rucka, Jim Rugg, Tim Sale, Tom Scioli, Charles Soule, Matthew Southworth, Joe Staton, Brian Stelfreeze, Arthur Suydam, Marcio Takara, Philip Tan, Ben Templesmith, Tim Townsend, Cory Walker, Lee Weeks, and Brett Weldele
 * June 15–16: Chicago Alternative Comics Expo [CAKE] (The Center on Halstead, Chicago, Illinois) — special guests: Eleanor Davis, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Keiler Roberts, Zak Sally, Dash Shaw, Jillian Tamaki, and Lale Westvind
 * June 28–30: Wizard World New York City Experience (Basketball City, Pier 36, New York City) — scheduled guests include Julie Bell, Mike Deodato, Jr., Stan Lee, Carlos Pacheco, Humberto Ramos, Paolo Rivera, Arthur Suydam, and Boris Vallejo
 * July 18–21: San Diego Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California)
 * August 8–11: Wizard World Chicago (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois): Special guests: Stan Lee, Morena Baccarin, James Marsters, Juliet Landau, Manu Bennett, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, Andrew McCarthy, Jason David Frank, Alan Davis, Esad Ribić, Pasqual Ferry, Harvey Tolibao, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Kenneth Rocafort, Ramon F. Bachs, Francis Portela, Greg Land, Ethan Van Sciver, and Michael Golden
 * August 30–September 2: Dragon*Con (Atlanta, Georgia)
 * September 7–8: Baltimore Comic-Con (Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland)
 * September 13–14: Small Press Expo (Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, North Bethesda, Maryland)
 * September 14–15: FantaCon (Marriott Hotel, Albany, New York) — Thomas Skulan's horror & comics convention returns after a 23-year hiatus; guests include Stephen R. Bissette, Judith O'Dea, Judith Ridley, John A. Russo and Kyra Schon
 * September 20–22: Wizard World Ohio Comic Con (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio)
 * September 27–29: Pittsburgh Comicon (Monroeville Convention Center, Monroeville, Pennsylvania)
 * September 28: Wildcat Comic Con (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pennsylvania)
 * September 28–29: Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo [MICE] (University Hall, Cambridge, Massachusetts) — guests include Nick Abadzis, Nick Bertozzi, and Josh Neufeld
 * October 10–13: New York Comic Con (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City)
 * October 11–13: Komikazen (Ravenna, Italy) — themed in solidarity with the Occupy movement: 99 cartoonists came to Ravenna and made work related to the concept of "We are the 99%."
 * October 31–November 3: Lucca Comics & Games (Lucca, Italy)
 * November 2–3: Rhode Island Comic Con (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island)
 * December 1: Genghis Con (Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, Cleveland, Ohio) — guests include Derf

First issues by title

 * The Accelerators
 * Release: May by Blue Juice Comics. Writer: RFI Porto Artist: Gavin Smith


 * Age of Ultron
 * Release: March by Marvel Comics. Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Bryan Hitch''


 * Alex + Ada
 * Release: November by Image Comics. Writer: Sarah Vaughn and Jonathan Luna Artist: Jonathan Luna


 * Black Beetle
 * Release: January by Dark Horse Comics. Writer/Artist: Francesco Francavilla


 * East of West
 * Release: March by Image Comics. Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Nick Dragotta


 * Five Weapons
 * Release: February by Image Comics. Writer & Artist: Jimmie Robinson


 * Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3
 * Release: February by Marvel Comics. Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Artist: Steve McNiven


 * Helheim
 * Release: March by Oni Press. Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Joëlle Jones


 * Lazarus
 * Release: June by Image Comics. Writer: Greg Rucka Artist: Michael Lark


 * Lost Vegas
 * Release: March by Image Comics. Writer: Jim McCann Artist: Janet Lee


 * New Avengers vol 3
 * Release: January by Marvel Comics. Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Steve Epting


 * Nova vol 5
 * Release: January by Marvel Comics. Writer: Jeph Loeb Artist: Ed McGuiness


 * Resident Alien: The Suicide Blonde
 * Release: August by Dark Horse. Writer: Peter Hogan Artist: Steve Parkhouse


 * Sex
 * Release: March by Image Comics. Writer: Joe Casey Artist: Piotr Kowalski


 * Uncanny Skullkickers
 * Release: February by Image Comics. Writer: Jim Zub Artists: Edwin Huang and Misty Coats