1977 in comics

Year overall

 * Wendy and Richard Pini establish WaRP Graphics.
 * Jan and Dean Mullaney establish Eclipse Comics.
 * The United Kingdom's Eagle Awards are established.
 * Bob Brown dies at age 62.
 * Ciao magazine is launched.

January

 * Our Army at War #300: "300th Hill," by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert. (DC Comics)
 * With issue #6 (January//February issue), DC cancels Four Star Spectacular.
 * January 3: The Spider-Man newspaper comic strip makes its debut. The storyline of the first strip is that Doctor Doom is coming to address the United Nations.
 * January 24: John Rosenberger passes away at the age of 58.
 * Toward the Terra by Keiko Takemiya debuts in Asahi Sonorama's Gekkan Manga Shōnen magazine.

February

 * With issue #258, DC cancels Tarzan, a title it acquired from Gold Key Comics in 1972 (and continued the Gold Key numbering).
 * With issue #250, DC suspends publishing Blackhawk, which ran from 1944 to 1968, and was revived in 1976.
 * Star Spangled War Stories, with issue #204 (February/March ), canceled by DC.
 * With issue #33, Marvel cancels the black-and-white magazine Deadly Hands of Kung Fu.
 * Planet of the Apes, with issue #29, is cancelled by Marvel.
 * Ka-Zar vol. 2, with issue #20, is cancelled by Marvel.
 * The Occult Files of Dr. Spektor, with issue #24, canceled by Gold Key.
 * February 1: Edmond Hamilton dies at age 72.
 * February 26: 2000 AD is launched.

Spring

 * Doc Savage: Man of Bronze, with issue #8, is cancalled by Curtis Magazines (Marvel Comics).

March

 * House of Mystery #251 and The Superman Family #182 became the first DC Comics series in the 80-page Dollar Comics format, consisting of 64 pages of new stories.
 * With issue #302, DC changes the title of Our Army at War to Sgt. Rock.
 * G.I. Combat #200: "The Tank That Died Twice," by Robert Kanigher and Sam Glanzman.
 * Kobra, with issue #7, is cancelled by DC.
 * Werewolf by Night, with issue #43, is cancelled by Marvel.
 * March 5: Judge Dredd debuts in the second issue of 2000 AD with the story "Judge Whitey", written by Peter Harris and drawn by Mike McMahon.

April

 * Paul Gustavson, creator of The Human Bomb and The Angel, dies at age 60.
 * G.I. Combat #201 and World's Finest Comics #244 change to the Dollar Comics format. Backup features in World's Finest Comics include Green Arrow, Black Canary, Wonder Woman, and the Vigilante.
 * Two-Gun Kid, with issue #136, is cancelled by Marvel.
 * Marvel Spotlight, with issue #33, is cancelled by Marvel.
 * April 30: The Judge Dredd storyline "The Robot Wars" begins in 2000 AD (running through June 18).

May

 * With issue #205, DC changes the title of Star Spangled War Stories to The Unknown Soldier.

June

 * DC Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.
 * Challengers of the Unknown is revived by DC Comics with issue #81 (June/July cover date; continued from 1958 series); storyline picks up from Super-Team Family issues #8–10.
 * Secrets of Haunted House revived with issue #6 (June/July issue) after a 17-month hiatus (DC Comics).
 * With issue #5, DC cancels Ragman.

July

 * With issue #231, Marvel UK changes the title of the weekly magazine Super Spider-Man and the Titans to Super Spider-Man & Captain Britain, now featuring new Captain Britain stories (as well as The Amazing Spider-Man reprints).
 * Iron Man #100: "Ten Rings To Rule the World!" by Bill Mantlo, George Tuska, and Mike Esposito.
 * With issue #12, DC revives The New Gods (now called Return of the New Gods), continuing the numbering from the 1971 series.
 * With issue #126, DC cancels Young Love (1960 series), picked up from Prize Comics in 1963.
 * With issue #7, Marvel publishes the final issue of Logan's Run.

August

 * Golden Age artist Louis Cazeneuve dies at c. age 69.
 * With issue #94 (August /September cover date), DC revives Showcase, continuing the numbering from the 1956 series, which ceased publishing in 1970.
 * With issue #57, DC revives Aquaman, continuing the numbering from the 1962 series, which ceased publishing in 1971.
 * With issue #230, DC cancels Superboy (at this point titled Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes).
 * With issue #29, DC cancels DC Special (1968 series).
 * With issue #12 (August /September cover date), DC cancels Hercules Unbound.
 * With issue #12, Marvel cancels The Inhumans.
 * With issue #12, Marvel cancels the anthology title Marvel Presents.

September

 * With issue #19, DC revives Mister Miracle (1971 series), which had gone on hiatus in 1974.
 * With issue #10, Marvel publishes the final issue of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

October

 * With issue #10, Marvel cancels Omega the Unknown.
 * With issue #8, DC cancels Starfire.

November

 * Following rival DC's lead, Marvel Comics raises the price of its standard comic book from 30 to 35 cents.
 * With issue #18, DC cancels Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter.
 * November 5: Asterix co-creator René Goscinny dies at age 51.

December

 * Dave Sim begins writing and independently publishing Cerebus under the publisher name Aardvark-Vanaheim.
 * John Byrne and Terry Austin begin their acclaimed run as X-Men penciller/inker team with issue #108 of the title.
 * John Verpoorten, inker and Marvel Comics production manager, dies at age 37.
 * With issue #8 (December 1977/January  1978 cover date), DC cancels Isis.

Conventions

 * Columbus Comic Book Convention (Columbus, Ohio) — guests include Jim Steranko, Bob Layton, and Mike Nasser
 * Dayton Comic Book Convention (Convention Center, Dayton, Ohio) — produced by Dayton retailer The Dragon's Lair


 * June: Houstoncon (Houston, Texas) — guests include Frank Brunner, Spanky McFarland, Jock Mahoney, George Takei, Forrest J Ackerman, and Roy Rogers
 * July 1–5: Comic Art Convention (Hotel Sheraton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) — 10th annual show, first time in Philadelphia. Guests of honor: John Stanley and Bernie Wrightson; other guests include Roy Thomas, Wendy Pini, Linda Behrle, Barry Windsor-Smith, Frank Thorne, Frank Brunner, and Jeff Jones
 * July 20–24: San Diego Comic-Con (El Cortez Hotel, San Diego, California) — 4,000+ attendees; official guests: Carl Barks, C. C. Beck, Walter Gibson, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Kaluta, Jack Kirby, B. Kliban, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lynde, Alex Niño, Trina Robbins, and Bill Scott
 * July 29–31: Konvention of Alternative Komix (Air Galleries, London, England, UK) — 2nd annual underground comix event
 * August 5–7: Chicago Comicon (Pick-Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois) — produced by Joe Sarno, Mike Gold, and Bob Weinberg; guests include Stan Lee, Jenette Kahn, Chester Gould, and Howard Chaykin
 * September: OrlandoCon (Orlando, Florida) — guests include Ralph Dunagin and Scorchy Smith ' s Edmund Good
 * September 3–4: Comicon '77 (British Comic Art Convention) (Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, England) — organized by Rob Barrow; presentation of the first annual Eagle Awards
 * September 10–11: Frazetta '77 (Penn Stroud Hilton Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania) — guests include Harvey Kurtzman, Will Eisner, Jerry Robinson, Burne Hogarth, Bernie Wrightson, Steve Hickman, Michael Kaluta, Charles Vess, Ian Ballantine, Betty Ballantine, and Ken Kelley
 * November 25–27: Creation Comic Book & Pop Culture Convention (Statler Hilton Hotel, New York City) — guests include George Pérez; admission: $5/day

Eagle Awards
Presented in 1978 for comics published in 1977:
 * Favourite Writer: Steve Englehart
 * Favourite Artist: Neal Adams
 * Favourite Inker: Terry Austin
 * Favourite Comic Book (Dramatic): Uncanny X-Men
 * Favorite Comic Book (Humor): Howard the Duck, by Steve Gerber and Gene Colan
 * Favourite Black and White Magazine: Savage Sword of Conan
 * Favourite Single Story: "The Final Threat," Avengers Annual #7, by Jim Starlin
 * Favourite Continued Story: Avengers Annual #7 and Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2, by Jim Starlin
 * Favourite Group or Team: Uncanny X-Men
 * Favourite Character: Batman
 * Favourite Supporting Character: Pip the Troll
 * Favourite Villain: Thanos
 * Favourite Comic (UK): 2000 AD (Fleetway)
 * Favourite Editor (UK): Dez Skinn, for MAD magazine
 * Roll of Honour: Steve Englehart

DC Comics
Black Lightning
 * Release: April. Writer: Tony Isabella. Artist: Trevor Von Eeden.

DC Special Series: catch-all series primarily for one-shots of different formats, released on an irregular schedule
 * Release: September. Editor: Paul Levitz.

Jonah Hex
 * Release: March/April. Writer: Michael Fleisher. Artist: José Luis García-López.

Men of War
 * Release: August. Editor: Paul Levitz.

Shade, the Changing Man
 * Release: June/July. Writers: Steve Ditko and Michael Fleisher. Artist: Steve Ditko.

Star Hunters
 * Release: October /November Writer: David Michelinie. Artists: Don Newton and Bob Layton.

Marvel Comics
Black Panther
 * Release: January. Writer/Artist: Jack Kirby.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
 * Release: August. Writer: Doug Moench. Artists: Herb Trimpe and Jim Mooney.

John Carter, Warlord of Mars
 * Release: June. Writer: Marv Wolfman. Artists: Gil Kane and Dave Cockrum.

Human Fly
 * Release: September. Writer: Bill Mantlo. Artists: Lee Elias.

Logan's Run
 * Release: January. Writer: Gerry Conway. Artists: George Pérez and Klaus Janson.

Marvel Super Action
 * Release: May. Reprints classic Captain America stories.

Marvel Super Special
 * Premiere issues features the rock band Kiss in a 40-page fictional adventure written by Steve Gerber, penciled by Alan Weiss, John Buscema, Rich Buckler, and Sal Buscema.

Rampaging Hulk
 * Release: January by Curtis Magazines. Editor: John Warner.

Star Wars
 * Release: July. Writer: Roy Thomas. Artist: Howard Chaykin.

What If
 * Release: February. Writer/Editor: Roy Thomas.

Independent publishers
2000 AD
 * Release: February 26 by IPC Media. Editor: Tharg the Mighty.

Cerebus the Aardvark
 * Release: December by Aardvark-Vanaheim. Writer/Artist: Dave Sim.

Heavy Metal
 * Release: April by HM Communications, Inc.. Editor: Sean Kelly and Valerie Marchant.

'La Compagnia della Forca
 * Writer & Artist: Magnus

Hakusensha
Bessatsu Hana to Yume
 * Release: July

DC Comics

 * Baron Blitzkrieg, in World's Finest Comics #246 (August /September )
 * Black Lightning, in Black Lightning #1 (April)
 * Celsius, in Showcase #94 (August /September )
 * Joshua Clay, in Showcase #94 (August /September )
 * Dawnstar, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #226 (April)
 * Doctor Phosphorus, in Detective Comics #469 (May)
 * Cal Durham, in Adventure Comics #452 (July)
 * Faora, in Action Comics #471 (May)
 * Godiva, in Super Friends #7 (October)
 * Golden Glider, in Flash #250 (June)
 * Gravedigger, in Men of War #1 (August)
 * Huntress, in DC Super Stars # 17 (November /December 1977)
 * Icemaiden, in Super Friends #9 (December)
 * Impala, in Super Friends #7 (October)
 * Jack O'Lantern, in Super Friends #8 (November)
 * Owlwoman, in Super Friends #7 (October)
 * El Papagayo, in Jonah Hex vol. 1, #2 (May)
 * Professor Ojo, in Richard Dragon, Kung Fu Fighter #16 (July/August )
 * Rising Sun, in Super Friends #8 (November)
 * Scalphunter in Weird Western Tales #39 (March /April )
 * Seraph, in Super Friends #7 (October)
 * Shade, the Changing Man, in Shade, the Changing Man #1 (June/July)
 * Silver St. Cloud, in Detective Comics #470 (June)
 * Sklarian Raiders, in Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #233 (November, DC Comics)
 * Tasmanian Devil, in Super Friends #7 (October)
 * Rupert Thorne, in Detective Comics #469 (May)
 * Tuatara, in Super Friends #8 (November)
 * Valentina Vostok, in Showcase #94 (August)

Marvel Comics

 * Aqueduct, in Ghost Rider #23 (April)
 * Aries (Life Model Decoy), in The Defenders #49 (July)
 * Bereet, in Rampaging Hulk #1 (January, Curtis Magazines)
 * Bushmaster, in Iron Fist #15 (September)
 * Constrictor, in Incredible Hulk #212 (June)
 * Deathbird, in Ms. Marvel #9 (September)
 * Devil-Slayer, in Marvel Spotlight #33 (April)
 * Doctor Bong, in Howard the Duck #15 (August)
 * Dreadknight, in Iron Man #102 (August)
 * Dyna-Mite / Destroyer, in Invaders #14 (March)
 * Celestials
 * Dreaming Celestial, in The Eternals #18 (December)
 * Eson the Searcher, in The Eternals #9 (March)
 * Hargen the Measurer, in The Eternals #9 (March)
 * Jemiah the Analyzer, in The Eternals #7 (January)
 * Nezarr the Calculator, in The Eternals #9 (March)
 * One Above All, in The Eternals #7 (January)
 * Oneg the Prober, in The Eternals #9 (March)
 * Tefral the Surveyor, in The Eternals #7 (January)
 * Ziran the Tester, in The Eternals #18 (December)
 * Eternals
 * Aginar, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Delphan Brothers, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Druig, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Forgotten One, in The Eternals #13 (July)
 * Sigmar, in The Eternals #17 (November)
 * Sprite, in The Eternals #9 (March)
 * Kingo Sunen, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Uni-Mind, in The Eternals #12 (June)
 * Valkin, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Zarin, in The Eternals #11 (May)
 * Henry Peter Gyrich, in Avengers #165 (November)
 * Human Fly (Rick Rojatt), in Human Fly (Rick Rojatt) #1 (September)
 * Imperial Guard, in X-Men #107 (October)
 * Astra
 * Electron
 * Fang
 * Flashfire
 * Guardian
 * Magique
 * Mentor
 * Neutron
 * Nightside
 * Oracle
 * Pulsar
 * Scintilla
 * Smasher
 * Starbolt
 * Titan
 * Jocasta, in Avengers #162 (August)
 * Killer Shrike, in Rampaging Hulk #1 (January, Curtis Magazines)
 * Lightmaster, in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #3 (February)
 * Machine Man, in 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 (July)
 * Malice, in Ghost Rider vol. 2, #25 (August)
 * Paragon / Kismet, in The Incredible Hulk Annual #6
 * Ringer, in Defenders #51 (September)
 * Rocket Racer, in The Amazing Spider-Man #172 (September)
 * Sabretooth, in Iron Fist #14 (August)
 * Nicholas Scratch, in Fantastic Four #185 (August)
 * Sphinx, in Nova #6 (February)
 * Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew), in Marvel Spotlight #32 (February)
 * Spirit of '76, in The Invaders #14 (March)
 * Starjammers, in X-Men #107 (October)
 * Ch'od, in X-Men #104 (April)
 * Corsair, in X-Men #104 (April)
 * Hepzibah, in X-Men #107 (October)
 * Raza Longknife, in X-Men #107 (October)
 * Swarm, in Champions #14 (July)
 * Warrior Woman, in Invaders #16 (May)
 * Will O' Wisp, in The Amazing Spider-Man #167 (April)
 * Arnim Zola, in Captain America #208 (April)

Other titles

 * Cerebus the Aardvark, in Cerebus #1 (December, Aardvark-Vanaheim)
 * Rico Dredd, in 2000 AD prog 30 (Fleetway)
 * Judge Dredd, in 2000 AD #2 (Fleetway)
 * Judge Giant, in 2000 AD prog 27 (Fleetway)
 * Judge Goodman, in 2000 AD #2 (Fleetway)
 * Bill Savage, in 2000 AD #1 (February 26, Fleetway)
 * Tharg the Mighty, in 2000 AD #1 (February 26, Fleetway)