Notable events of 2019 in comics. It includes any relevant comics-related events, deaths of notable comics-related people, conventions and first issues by title.
Events
January January 7: First installment of the comic strip Alley Oop written by Joey Alison Sayers and illustrated by Jonathan Lemon. January 25: Canadian-Dutch artist Maia Matches is inaugurated as the annual Stadstekenaar van Amsterdam (City Illustrator of Amsterdam). January: The final issue of the French comics magazine Psikopat is published.
February February 10: Wiley Miller's newspaper comic Non Sequitur causes controversy after a subliminal anti-Donald Trump message is spotted in one of the panels. Multiple newspapers discontinued carrying the strip in response. February 15: The oldest Danish comics store in the world, Fantask, in Copenhagen, announces it will close down in June after 47 years. Within two days a crowdfunding campaign saves the store from this fate and it continues its existence. February 20: Dutch comics writer Patty Klein is knighted in the Order of the Dutch Lion. She dies less than a month later.
March March 2: In Groningen, the Netherlands, the Dutch Comics Museum (Nederlands Stripmuseum) is closed down. March 3: After 43 years of non-stop publication, the final episode of Roger Fletcher's long-running comic series Torkan appears in print. March 23–24: During the Stripdagen in Utrecht Typex wins the Stripschapprijs. Ger Apeldoorn wins the P. Hans Frankfurtherprijs., while Henk Alleman receives the Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal. March 31: Jerry Van Amerongen's comic Ballard Street ends.
April April 2: Belgian cartoonist GAL receives an honorary doctorate from the Free University in Brussels. April 29: The New York Times gets caught up in controversy over two cartoons accused of antisemitism. Both target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One is made by António Moreira Antunes, the other by Roar Hagen. As a result, the magazine announces that they will no longer publish syndicated editorial cartoons. Two months later they push this policy even further and decide to no longer publish any daily political cartoons.
May May 22: In Orvelte, The Netherlands, a museum is opened dedicated to the work of Jan Kruis. In front of the Hergé Museum in Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, a statue of Hergé, sculpted by Tom Frantzen, is erected. May 29: In Hergé's birthplace Etterbeek a bust of his head is revealed. French comics artist and illustrator Pascal Somon is sentenced for plagiarism and illegal copies of Tintin to the hefty sum of 32.000 euros (35.600 dollars) in damages.
June June 10: The New York Times announces that it will no longer publish daily political cartoons in its international edition from 1 July on, as a result over a controversial cartoon by António depicting Donald Trump as a lapdog of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two months earlier. Egyptian artist Ganzeer publishes his first graphic novel The Solar Grid. June 30: Canadian cartoonist Michael de Adder is fired from Brunswick News Inc. over a cartoon criticizing president Trump.
July July 3: It is announced that Mad Magazine will no longer publish original material from August on and disappear from the newsstands. It will only be available via subscription and direct markets, specializing on reprints, but with brand new covers. It will still publish occasional specials. July 3: Robert Kirkman unexpectedly ends his long-running comic, The Walking Dead, after 193 issues.
August August 16: The Guardian makes a controversy public regarding Marvel Comics who refused to publish an essay by Art Spiegelman, because of criticism in the text regarding U.S. President Donald Trump. Marvel claims they wanted to stay apolitical.
September September 5: Belgian comics writer Raoul Cauvin announces his retirement from scripting Les Tuniques Bleues. September 17: Diane Noomin releases the collective comic book Drawing Power: Women's Stories of Sexual Violence, Harassment and Survival, published by Harry N. Abrams. It features comics by women reflecting on personal encounters with sexual violence. September 24: The Dutch cartoonists collective Gorilla wins the Inktspotprijs for Best Political Cartoon.
October October 7: In Haarlem, the Netherlands, the first comics mural of the city is revealed, designed by Thé Tjong-Khing. October 23: Belgian comics publishers Standaard Uitgeverij and Ballon Media merge.
November November 13: The Dutch cartoonist duo Evert Kwok wins a court case against a man who sued them after they complained about his illegal and uncredited use of their cartoons on his site.
December December 2: Under pressure of Christian organisation CitizenGO, Dutch supermarket chain Dirk apologizes for offering the controversial graphic novel Jezus Christus Was Een Meisje by Jan Bart Dieperink as a prize, if customers buy an issue of their magazine Ditjes en Datjes. December 23: The Antwerp mini-theme park and exhibition Comics Station is sold to Studio 100.
Specific date unknown Julia Gfrörer publishes her graphic novel Vision. Antonia Pinnola, A.K.A. Acerotiburon, launches her autobiographical webcomic Waffley Wedded. The final episode of Arja Kajermo's gag comic Tuula is printed.
Deaths
January January 1: Dagfinn Bakke, Finnish painter and comics artist, dies at age 85. January 8: Arturo Rojas de la Cámara, aka Rojas, Spanish comics artist (Cucharito, Nabucondonosor, Gedeon, El Genio Eustaquio, Agente 7-7 a la Izquierda, Centaurito, Aladino, Don Percebe y Basilio, Anibal), dies at age 88. January 10: Ron Smith, British comics artist (Judge Dredd), dies at age 94. January 12: Batton Lash, American comics writer and artist (Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre, aka Supernatural Law, Archie Meets The Punisher, Obama Nation), dies at age 65 from brain cancer. January 15: Isaac del Rivero Sr., Spanish comics writer and artist, dies at age 87 or 88. January 16: Pauli Heikkilä, Finnish novelist and comics artist (Vanhat herrat), dies at age 60. Hanza Sanchō, Japanese comics artist, dies at age 90. Denis Sire, French comics artist and illustrator (Menace Diabolique, Bois Willys), dies at age 65. January 18: Angel Del Arbol, Spanish comics artist (Sevla Rebelde, Aventuras Deportivas, Laura, Cuentos Gigante Tres Hadas, Macabro, comics based on Tom & Jerry), dies at age 82. January 19: Bort, Italian comics artist (Le Ultime Parole Famose), dies at age 92. January 28: Frans Buissink, Dutch painter, journalist and comics writer (Sjors en Sjimmie, Brammetje Bram), dies at age 75. January 29: Alex Barbier, French comics artist and painter (worked for Charlie Mensuel, Les Paysages de la Nuit, Comme un Poulet Sans Tête, dies at age 68.
February February 1: Ted Stearn, American animator and comics artist (Fuzz & Pluck, The Forgotten Dream of a Melancholy Chef), dies at age 57 from AIDS. February 2: Kakashi Oniyazu, Japanese comics artist (Though You May Burn to Ash, Date Ast Like), dies at an unknown age. February 8: Sérgio Tibúrcio Graciano, Brazilian comics artist (assistant of Mauricio de Sousa), dies at age 83. February 9: Tomi Ungerer, French novelist, illustrator, cartoonist and poster designer (The Three Robbers, Flat Stanley, Underground Sketchbook, The Party, Fornicon), dies at age 87. February 13: Annibale Casabianca, Italian comic artist (Miciolino, I Serpenti, drew Italian versions of The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, worked for Sergio Rosi, Roy D'Ami and Alberto Giolitti), dies at age 89. February 15: Werner Hierl, German comics artist (Rolf Kauka), and animator (Bavaria Film), dies at age 88 or 89. February 17: Claude Renard, Belgian comics artist (Ivan Casablanca, 1914-1918, Les Anges de Mons) and teacher (founder of Atelier R), dies at age 72. February 18: Jacques Sandron, French comics artist (Godaille et Godasse, Raphaël et les Timbres), dies at age 76. February 19: Dee, Malaysian comics artist (Hello Bos), dies at age 52. February 20: Har Brok, Dutch journalist and writer (wrote various books about Hergé, among them: Kuifje, Van Leerlingjournalist tot Wereldberoemd Reporter), dies at age 76. February 21: Àngel Badia i Camps, Spanish painter, illustrator and comics artist (Pilaropo, created comics for Fleetway, Bruguera and Ricart), dies at age 89–90. February 25: Tadeusz Raczkiewicz, Polish cartoonist, comics writer and artist (Kusmider i Filo, Tajfun), dies at age 69.
March March 2: Sergio Tuis, Italian comics artist (La Pattuglia dei Bufali, Kirby Flint, Agente senza Nome, continued Martin Mystère), dies at age 83. March 6: Shigehisa Sunagawa, Japanese comics artist, dies at age 77. March 12: Tom K. Ryan, American comics artist (Tumbleweeds), dies at age 92. March 14: Augusto Cid, Spanish caricaturist, illustrator, sculptor and comics artist (Bicas e Bocas), dies at age 77. March 15: Patty Klein, Dutch poet and comics writer (Noortje, Polletje Pluim, wrote for Panda, Sjors & Sjimmie, Schanulleke, the magazines Okki, Jippo, Taptoe, Rolf Kauka comics, Hanna-Barbera comics and Disney comics too), dies at age 73. Toby Vos, Dutch comics artist and illustrator, dies at age 100. March 17: Ken Bald, American comics artist and illustrator (Namora, Judd Saxon, made comics adaptations of the TV series Dr. Kildare and Dark Shadows), dies at age 98. March 21: Pedro Alfonso Abelenda Escudero, or Abelenda, Spanish painter and comics artist, dies at age 87. March 23: Benno Vranken, Dutch comics artist (comics in the magazine Zone 5300, Walburg), dies at age 57. March 24: Olivier Cinna, French comics artist (La Fête des Morts, Ordures, Hibakusha), dies at age 46. March 27: Leslie Sternbergh, American comics artist, dies at age 58. March 29: Mark Alessi, American comics publisher (founder of CrossGen), dies at 65. March 31: Don Morgan, American animator and comics artist (Disney comics, assisted on Pogo), dies at age 80.
April April 2: , Norwegian comics writer (Pyton), dies at age 60 from cancer. April 9: James D. Hudnall, American comics writer (Espers, Alpha Flight, Strikeforce: Morituri, Harsh Realm, Obama Nation), dies at age 61. April 11: Monkey Punch, Japanese comics artist (Lupin III, Pinky Panky), dies at age 81. April 15: Malky McCormick, Scottish comics artist, caricaturist and postcard designer (The Big Yin), dies at age 76. Ibrahim Tapa, Turkish comic artist (Zampara Moruk), dies at age 68 or 69. April 17: Kazuo Koike, Japanese comics writer (Lone Wolf and Cub, Hulk: The Manga, Lady Snowblood, Samurai Executioner, Nijitte Monogatari, Path of the Assassin, Hanappe Bazooka, Wounded Man, Mad Bull 34, Crying Freeman, Kawaite sōrō, X-Men Unlimited,...), dies at age 82. April 22: Greg Theakston, American illustrator, comics artist and restorator of classic comics, dies at age 65. April 23: Jochen Arfert, German comics artist, dies at age 88. Akihiko Takadera, Japanese comics artist, dies at age 68. April 28: Teva Harrison, Canadian-American comics writer and artist (In-Between Days), dies from breast cancer at age 42. April 29: Makoto Ogino, Japanese comics artist (Spirit Warrior), dies at age 59.
May May 10: Jorge Longarón, Spanish illustrator and comics artist (Friday Foster), dies at age 86. Miguel Anguel Repetto, Argentine-Spanish comics artist (continued the Tex Willer series), dies at age 90. May 18: Justin Ponsor, American comics colorist (Marvel Comics), dies at age 42 from cancer. May 20: Jürgen Kieser, German caricaturist, advertising illustrator, comics artist (Fix und Fax), dies at age 97. May 23: Alberico Motta, Italian comics artist (continued Chicchirichi, Cucciolo, Tiramolla, Laurel & Hardy comics, Disney comics, Tom & Jerry, Popeye, Felix the Cat), dies at age 81. May 26: Alexis Dragonetti, Belgian publisher (CEO of comics and children's book publishing company Ballon Media), dies at age 50 in a car accident.