2015 in comics

This is a list of comics-related events in 2015. 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 2015 in manga.

January

 * January 7: Charlie Hebdo shooting: In Paris terrorists invade the office of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and murder 12 people, injuring 11. They acted out of constant ridicule of the Prophet Muhammad in the magazine's pages. Among the cartoonists murdered that morning are Cabu, Charb, Philippe Honoré, Tignous and Georges Wolinski. The tragedy brings about a huge rally of national unity under the name Je suis Charlie. Two days later the assassins are shot by the police.

March

 * March 4:
 * American Gothic Press is founded.
 * Ken Bald makes the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest active comics artist in the world. He will break this record again on 8 May 2017.
 * March 7–8: During the Stripdagen in Gorinchem, Marcel Ruijters wins the Stripschapprijs. The Dutch comics magazine Tina wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs. Thom Roep wins the Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal.

April

 * April 1: Taylor Robins' webcomic Never Satisfied makes its debut.
 * April 20: The 533th issue of Mad Magazine is guest-edited by Weird Al Yankovic and Patton Oswalt.

May

 * May 3: The final episode of the long-running comic panel Grin and Bear It, originally created by George Lichty, is published.

June

 * June 20: The First chapter of the long-awaited sequel to the Dragon Ball series Dragon Ball Super is published.

November

 * November 13: In Paris terrorist attacks take place at the Bataclan concert hall. One of the people to witness this tragic events at the theater is cartoonist Fred Dewilde, who will adapt the experience into the graphic novel Mon Bataclan one year later.
 * November 22: The final episode of the long-running comics series Apartment 3-G, originally created by Nicholas P. Dallis and Alex Kotzky, is published.

January

 * January 7: Charlie Hebdo shooting:
 * Charb (Stéphane Charbonnier), French cartoonist and editor-in-chief, killed at age 47.
 * Cabu (Jean Cabut), French cartoonist (Le Grand Duduche), killed at age 76.
 * Philippe Honoré, French cartoonist, killed at age 73.
 * Tignous (Bernard Verlhac), French cartoonist, killed at age 57.
 * Georges Wolinski, French cartoonist (Paulette), killed at age 80.
 * January 13:
 * Ulli Bürer, Dutch comics artist and illustrator (Six Inch Stiletto's), dies at age 49.
 * José Luis Moro, Spanish animator and comics artist (Hazañas del ratoncito Lepi, Roechapas, El Abuelo Jonás, Tip y Top), dies at age 88.
 * January 20: Peter Pontiac, Dutch underground comics artist, illustrator and letterer (The Amsterdam Connection, Kraut), dies at age 63 after a lengthy battle with liver disease
 * January 26: R. K. Laxman, Indian comics artist (The Common Man, You Said It), dies at age 93.

February

 * February 3: Géri, Belgian comics artist (Skblllz, Mr. Magellan), passes away at age 80.
 * February 4: Roland Garel, French comics artist (Galax, Les 4 As, Jack et Minuit, Chère Pauline, Les Pionniers de l'Impossible), dies at age 84 or 85.
 * February 4: Dick Millington, British comics artist (Mighty Moth, I Don't Believe It) and writer (The Telegoons, Barney Bear), dies at age 81.
 * February 6: Jacques Kamb, French comics writer (Teddy Ted) and artist (Le Mousquetaire Pardaran, Zor et Mlouf, Couik, Zup, Dicentim), passes away at age 81.
 * February 7: Ugurcan Yüce, Turkish painter, illustrator and comics artist, dies at age 68.
 * February 16: Brett Ewins, British comic book artist (worked for the magazines 2000 AD and Deadline magazine), dies at age 59
 * February 19: Talus Taylor, French novelist (co-creator of Barbapapa), dies at the age of 82.
 * February 20: Gérard Calvi, French composer (composed music for the Astérix animated feature films), dies at age 92.

March

 * March 7: Yoshihiro Tatsumi, Japanese manga artist (Black Blizzard), credited with starting the gekiga style of alternative comics in Japan, dies from lung cancer at age 79.
 * March 8: Göte Göransson, Swedish comics artist (Texas Jim, Tiger Lasse, comics based on Biggles), dies at age 94.
 * March 9: Lou Silverstone, American TV and comics writer (Mad Magazine, Cracked), dies at age 90.
 * March 13: Irwin Hasen, American comics artist (Dondi), dies at age 96.
 * March 18: Roy Doty, American comics artist (Wordless Workshop), dies at age 92.
 * March 20: Jim Berry, American comics artist (Berry's World, Benjy), dies at age 83.
 * March 22: Tom Koch, American comics writer (Mad Magazine), passes away at age 89.
 * March 30: Roger Slifer, American comics writer (The Omega Men and co-creator of Lobo), dies at age 60 from the effects of a 2012 hit-and-run accident.

April

 * April 6: Cliff Voorhees, American animator and comics artist (continued The Toodles, Disney comics, Hanna-Barbera comics, Walter Lantz comics), dies at age 85.
 * April 13: Herb Trimpe, American comics artist (continued The Incredible Hulk), dies at age 75.
 * April 14: Kō Kojima, Japanese manga artist (Sennin Buraku), dies at age 87.

May

 * May 7: John Dixon, Australian comics artist (Air Hawk and the Flying Doctors), passes away at age 86.
 * May 17: Robert Bressy, French comics artist (worked for Opera Mundi, Independent Associated Agency and made Disney comics), dies at age 90.
 * May 30: Michele Wrightson (née Robinson), American underground cartoonist and superhero comic colorist, as well as the former wife of both Roger Brand and Bernie Wrightson, dies at age 73.

June

 * June 19: Earl Norem, American magazine and comics illustrator known for his painted covers for Marvel Comics, dies at age 92.
 * June 25: Fred Marcus, Dutch comics artist and illustrator (Het G.P.-mannetje, Joris en Jopie, Uit Het Barre Leven van Barend Buskruit, Bengeltje), dies at age 91 or 92.
 * June 26: Kája Saudek, Czech comics artist (Muriel a andělé, Muriel a oranžová smrt , Lips Tullian), passes away at age 80.
 * June 30:
 * Leonard Starr, American comics artist (Mary Perkins, On Stage, revived Little Orphan Annie), dies at age 89.
 * Paolo Piffarerio, Italian comics artist and animator (Viva l'Italia, Atomik, Maschera Nera, El Gringo, Milord, Alan Ford), dies at age 90.

July

 * July 16: Alan Kupperberg, American animator, comics writer and artist (Obnoxio the Clown vs. the X-Men, continued Howard the Duck and Little Orphan Annie), dies of thymus cancer at age 62.
 * July 20: Tom Moore, American comics artist (Archie), dies at age 86.
 * July 22: Stuf, Belgian comics artist (Passe-moi l'Ciel), dies at age 56 from a heart attack.
 * July 31: Jean-Jacques Loup, French comics artist and caricaturist (worked for Fluide Glacial), dies at age 78 or 79.

August

 * August 7: Art Finley, American radio and TV comedian, presenter and comics writer (Art's Gallery), dies from a heart attack at age 88 or 89.
 * August 8: Coyote, French comics artist (Mammouth et Piston, Litteul Kévin), dies from cardiac arrest at age 52.
 * August 11: Randy Glasbergen, American comics artist (The Better Half), dies from cardiac arrest at age 58.
 * August 30: Brad Anderson, American comics artist (Marmaduke), dies at age 91.

September

 * September 26: Liliane Funcken, Belgian comics artist and writer (Le Chevalier Blanc, Harald le Viking, Jack Diamond, Lieutenant Burton, Capitan and Doc Silver), passes away at 88.

October

 * October 8: Dennis Eichhorn, American comics writer/editor (Real Stuff), dies of pneumonia at age 70.
 * October 9: Tony Rafty, Australian caricaturist and comics artist (Jimmy Rodney of the Secret Service), dies at age 99, just a few days before his 100th birthday.
 * October 14: Vince Musacchia, American comics artist (created a comic book series based on The Honeymooners, Looney Tunes comics, Hanna-Barbera comic), dies at age 63.
 * October 22: Murphy Anderson, American comics artist (continued Buck Rogers, inked Superman), dies at age 89.

November

 * November 8: Félix Arburola Bustos, Costa Rican comics artist and children's book illustrator (Tricolín), passes away at age 77 or 78 from lymphatic cancer.
 * November 16: Ingvar Persson, Swedish comics artist (Frid och Fröjd, continued Agust och Lotta), passes away at age 85.
 * November 17: Henri Arnold, American comics artist (Bibs 'n' Tucker, This Man's Army, Meet Mr. Luckey), dies at age 91.
 * November 30: Shigeru Mizuki, Japanese manga artist (GeGeGe no Kitarō), dies at age 93.

December

 * December 11: Zyx, Canadian cartoonist and comics artist (Sombre Vilain), dies at age 65.
 * December 12: Luis Bermejo, Spanish comics artist and illustrator (Apache, continued Heros the Spartan and Johnny Future), dies at age 84.

Specific date unknown

 * The Pizz (Stephen Pizzurro), American painter and comics artist (Rat Fink Comix), dies at age 56 or 57.

Exhibitions

 * May 14 – September 21: The Type Directors Club (New York City) — "The Super Type of Ira Schnapp", curated by Arlen Schumer

Conventions

 * January 29–31: Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience (Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah) — guests include Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Billie Piper, Carrie Fisher, Christopher Lloyd, Felicia Day, Tom Felton, Steven Yeun, Emily Kinney, Laurie Holden, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brandon Routh, Ray Park, Paul Wesley, Phoebe Tonkin, Nichelle Nichols, Anthony Michael Hall, Mark Pellegrino, Alaina Huffman, Ralph Macchio, Glenn Morshower, RJ Mitte, Jim Cummings, Jess Harnell, Rob Paulsen and over 100 other guests
 * January 29 – February 1: Angoulême International Comics Festival (Angoulême, France)
 * March 7: New York Comic Book Marketplace (Hotel New Yorker, New York City) — guests include Jason David Frank, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Rich Buckler, Bill Plympton, Bob Camp, and Johnny Brennan
 * March 7–8: STAPLE! (Marchesa Hall and Theater, Austin, Texas)
 * March 27–29: Emerald City Comicon (Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, Washington)
 * March 28: Towson Black Comic Mini-Fest (Towson University Liberal Arts Building, Towson, Maryland)
 * April 3–5: WonderCon (Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California)
 * April 10–12: MegaCon (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida)
 * April 11–12: MoCCA Arts Festival (Center 548, New York City) — guests of honor: Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Scott McCloud, Raina Telgemeier, and J. H. Williams III
 * April 11–12: East Coast Comicon (Meadowlands Exposition Center, Meadowlands, New Jersey)
 * April 24–26: C2E2 (McCormick Place Complex, Chicago, Illinois)
 * May 9–10: Toronto Comic Arts Festival (Toronto Reference Library, Toronto, Canada) — featured guests include Lucy Knisley, Matt Holm, Scott McCloud, Jennifer Holm, Ed Luce, and Hunt Emerson
 * May 15–17: Motor City Comic Con (Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Michigan)
 * May 16: East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (Enterprise Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
 * May 22–24: St. Louis Comicon (America's Center, St Louis, Missouri)
 * May 28–31: Phoenix Comicon (Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona) — guests include Summer Glau, Jason Momoa, Paul Cornell, Mike Zeck, Edward James Olmos, Charisma Carpenter, Renee Witterstaetter, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jim Beaver, William Tucci, Scott Sigler, Lou Ferrigno, Weston Ochse, Yvonne Navarro, Van Jensen, Michael Shanks, Alexis Denisof, Alyson Hannigan among others.
 * May 29–31: Dallas Comic Con (Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas) — guests include Stan Lee, Amanda Conner, Alex Maleev, Esad Ribić, Kaare Andrews, Greg Pak, Steve Epting, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Bob Layton
 * June 6–7: 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 19–21: Heroes Convention (Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina)
 * July 9–12: San Diego Comic-Con International (San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California)
 * July 18–19: Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (Northland Performing Arts Center, Columbus, Ohio)
 * August 20–23: Wizard World Chicago (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois)
 * September 4–7: Dragon*Con (Atlanta, Georgia)
 * September 18–20: Wizard World Ohio Comic Con (Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio)
 * September 19–20: Small Press Expo (Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, North Bethesda, Maryland)
 * September 25–27: Baltimore Comic-Con (Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland)
 * October 1–3: Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) (Columbus, Ohio) — first annual event; featured guests include Jeff Smith, Kate Beaton, Art Spiegelman, Craig Thompson, Bill Griffith, Francoise Mouly, and animation historian Jerry Beck
 * October 8–11: New York Comic Con (Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City)
 * October 17–18: Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (Lesley's University Hall, Porter Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts)
 * October 31 – November 2: Comikaze Expo (Los Angeles Convention Center) — scheduled guests include Stan Lee, Elvira, Kevin Smith, Kevin Conroy, Burt Ward, Gwendoline Christie, Alfie Allen, Stephen Moyer, Kristin Bauer, Barbara Eden, Mindy Sterling, John Barrowman, Jewel Staite, Tara Strong, Howie Mandel, James Hong, Eric Roberts, Original Power Rangers (David Yost and Walter Emanuel Jones), Cast of AMC's Comic Book Men (Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic, Ming Chen, Robert Bruce), and Tommy Wiseau
 * November 6–8: Rhode Island Comic Con (Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, Rhode Island)
 * November 7–8: CAB/Comic Arts Brooklyn (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church & Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, New York)
 * December 5–6: NY Winter Comic & Sci-Fi Expo (Resort World Casino, Jamaica, New York)
 * December 5–6: Comic Arts Los Angeles (Think Tank Gallery, Los Angeles, California) — featured guests: Jaime Hernandez, Noelle Stevenson

First issues by title

 * Accelerators: Momentum
 * Release: May 20 by Blue Juice Comics. Writer: R. F. I. Porto Artist: Gavin Smith


 * Arcadia
 * Release: May 6 by Boom! Studios. Writer: Alex Paknadel Artist: Eric Scott Pfeiffer


 * Archie vs. Predator
 * Release: March 25 by Archie Comics with Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Alex de Campi Artist: Fernando Ruiz


 * Convergence
 * Release: April 1 by DC Comics. Writer: Jeff F. King Artists: Ethan Van Sciver, Jason Paz, & Carlo Pagulayan


 * The Grievous Journey of Ichabod Azrael (and the Dead Left in His Wake)
 * Release: February 25 by Rebellion Developments/2000AD. Writer: Rob Williams Artist: Dom Reardon


 * Harrow County
 * Release: May by Dark Horse. Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Tyler Crook


 * Hellbreak
 * Release: by Oni Press. Writer: Cullen Bunn Artist: Brian Churilla


 * Invader Zim
 * Release: July 8 by Oni Press. Writers: Jhonen Vasquez & Eric Trueheart Artist: Aaron Alexovich, Dave Crosland & Warren Wucunich


 * Invisible Republic
 * Release: March 18 by Image Comics. Writers: Corrina Bechko & Gabriel Hardman Artist: Gabriel Hardman


 * James Bond 007
 * Release: November by Dynamite Entertainment. Writer: Warren Ellis Artist: Jason Masters


 * King Tiger
 * Release: August 12 by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Randy Stradley Artist: Doug Wheatley


 * Metal Locus
 * Release: April 22 by Cosmic Times. Writer: Stephan Nilson Artist: Larry Watts


 * Pastaways
 * Release: March 25 by Dark Horse Comics. Writer: Matt Kindt Artist: Scott Kolins


 * Pisces
 * Release: April 29 by Image Comics. Writer: Kurtis J. Wiebe Artist: Johnnie Christmas


 * Postal
 * Release: February 4 by Top Cow. Writer: Matt Hawkins Artist: Bryan Hill


 * Resident Alien: The Sam Hain Mystery
 * Release: April by Dark Horse. Writer: Peter Hogan Artist: Steve Parkhouse


 * Reyn
 * Release: January 21 by Image Comics. Writer: Kel Symons Artist: Nathan Stockman


 * Secret Wars
 * Release: May 6 by Marvel Comics. Writer: Jonathan Hickman Artist: Esad Ribic


 * Sons of the devil
 * Release: May by Image Comics. Writer: Brian Buccellato Artist: Toni Infante


 * Star Wars
 * Release: January 14 by Marvel Comics. Writer: Jason Aaron Artist: John Cassaday


 * Surface Tension
 * Release: May 27 by Titan Comics. Writer and Artist: Jay Gunn


 * Tokyo Ghost
 * Release: September 16 by Image Comics. Writer: Rick Remender Artist: Sean Murphy


 * The Violent
 * Release: December by Image Comics. Writer: Ed Brisson Artist: Adam Gorham