2004 in comics explained

Events

February

February 6: Marvel Enterprises and Electronic Arts announce a multi-year agreement in which EA will develop a new generation of fighting video games pitting Marvel superheroes against a new, original set of EA heroes.
February 20: Erik Larsen becomes the new publisher of Image Comics, replacing Jim Valentino, who stepped down.

March

Cerebus the Aardvark ends 300-issue run.

April

April 21: Top Cow Productions launches its new property, Proximity Effect, with the first of two free online issues (at http://www.proximity-effect.com); the second issue was to premiere on May 26. A 96-page trade paperback collecting the series, with additional anthology stories and a new cover by Marc Silvestri, would be released June 30.

June

June 3: Marvel Comics announces the creation of its first prose imprint Marvel Press. Three novels were scheduled for 2004: the young adult novel Mary Jane II would land on bookstore shelves in June, followed by an adult fantasy Wolverine title in October and a middle grade Spider-Man title in November. A minimum of 12 novels would be released in 2005.
June 18: CrossGen Entertainment files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the US Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Florida. (

August

August 22: The first episode of Bunny is posted.

October

October 6: Marvel Enterprises announces an agreement with Antefilms Production to produce a new animated television series based on The Fantastic Four. Expected release of all 26 of the initial thirty-minute 2D/3D animated episodes is expected in late-2006.

November

November 30: Artist Michael Ryan (, Mystique) signs an exclusive 3-year contract with Marvel Comics.

December

December 1: Colorist Frankie D'Armata (Ultimate Nightmare, The New Avengers, Captain America) signs an exclusive 3-year contract with Marvel Comics.
December 2: Artist Michael Lark (Gotham Central) and colorist Morry Hollowell (Ultimate Secret, Marvel Knights 4, Meridian) sign exclusive contracts with Marvel Comics.
December 3: Artist Mark Brooks (Amazing Fantasy, Marvel Age Spider-Man) signs a 3-year exclusive contract with Marvel Comics.

First issues by title

These comic books were the first issued in each series.

Guardians #1

Release: July 14, 2004 by Marvel Comics. Writer: Marc Sumerak. Cover and pencils by: Casey Jones. Summary: A group of neighborhood kids pretending to be intergalactic super-heroes and calling themselves the Guardians offer help to a real alien. Fourteen years later the alien returns to seek the help of the Guardians once again, placing the fate of the universe in their hands. Rating^1: PSR

JSA Strange Adventures #1 (of 6)

Cover dated: October 2004 by DC Comics (monthly).

Loki #1 (of 4)

Release: July 7, 2004 by Marvel Comics (bi-weekly). Writer: Robert Rodi (Elektra). Cover and artwork by: Esad Ribic (Wolverine covers). Summary: In this 4-issue limited series the Asgardian lore is told from Loki's perspective, exploring his relationship with his half-brother Thor. Rating: PSR+

Man-Thing #1 (of 3)

Release: July 21, 2004 by Marvel Comics. Writer: Hans Rodionoff (screenwriter for the Man-Thing film). Covers and artwork by: Kyle Hotz (The Hood). Summary: Set in the Bywater Swamp as a 3-issue movie "prequel" to the theatrical film release by Lion's Gate Films, this new self-contained story is written by the film's screenwriter Hans Rodionoff. Rating: PSR+

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Avengers 2004 #1

Release: July 7, 2004 by Marvel Comics. Cover by: Salvador Larroca. Summary: Features in-depth profiles on more than twenty Avengers past and present, a new cover by Larroca, and digitally painted by Richard Isanove. Rating: G

Starjammers #1

Release: July 7, 2004 by Marvel Comics. Writer: Kevin J. Anderson (science fiction author). Cover and pencils by: Francisco Ruiz Velasco. Inks: Sean P. Parsons. Summary: "The Cadet and the Corsairs", part 1 (of 6). Tolo Hawk, a young cadet in the Union Corps, comes face to face with the lawless, rough and ready Starjammers. This new ongoing series features art by Alé Garza (). Rating: PSR

Witches #1 (of 4)

Release: June, 2004 by Marvel Comics (bi-weekly). Writer: Brian Walsh. Covers by: Mike Deodato. Art by: Will Conrad. Summary: In this 4-issue limited series Dr. Strange gathers three of Earth's mightiest witches - Jennifer Kale, Topaz, and Satana - to help find an ancient tomb and protect his dark secrets. Rating: PSR

Publications by release date

Released June 30, 2004

Graphic novels

Proximity Effect - Top Cow

This 96-page graphic novel tells the story of Caleb, who has the ability to give superhuman powers to those who are compatible and standing in close proximity, and Lisa, whose power comes from him. Written by Scott Tucker with artwork by David Nakayama and Beth Sotelo. Cover is by Marc Silvestri.

Released July 7, 2004

Comic books

Alpha Flight (2004 series) #5 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Captain America and the Falcon (2004 series) #5 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Exiles #49 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

(New) Invaders - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Loki #1 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

A new limited series by Robert Rodi with artwork by Esad Ribic.

Marvel Age Fantastic Four #4 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

#1 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

Marvel Age Spider-Man #7 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

#1 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Avengers 2004 #1 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

Features a new cover by Salvador Larroca and digital painting by Richard Isanove.

Spider-Girl #76 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

Spider-Man Unlimited (2004 series) #4 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Separate stories by Robert Kirkman (Captain America), with Cory Walker (Invincible), and the creative team of Allan Jacobsen and C. P. Smith (from the upcoming New Invaders series). Cover is by Erik Larsen.

Starjammers (2004 series) #1 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

A new ongoing series by sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson with art by Alé Garza.

Thanos (2003 series) #12 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Thor #82 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Ultimate Spider-Man #62 - Marvel Comics (Rating: G)

Uncanny X-Men #446 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Witches #3 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

Released July 14, 2004

Comic books

Guardians (2004 series) #1 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

A new ongoing series by Marc Sumerak with artwork by Casey Jones.

Released July 21, 2004

Comic books

Loki #2 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

Man-Thing #1 (of 3) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

A new limited series movie "prequel" by screenwriter Hans Rodionoff with artwork by Kyle Hotz.

Starjammers (2004 series) #2 - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR)

Featuring a cover by Tommy Ohtsuka and art by Jorge Lucas.

Witches #4 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

Released August 18, 2004

Comic books

Loki #3 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

Released October 6, 2004

Comic books

Loki #4 (of 4) - Marvel Comics (Rating: PSR+)

Released December 8, 2004

Comic books

Hunter-Killer (2005 series) #0 - Top Cow Productions

A 16-page prequel to a new ongoing series in 2005 written by Mark Waid with artwork by Marc Silvestri.

Footnotes

^{1 Ratings are provided by the publisher: Marvel Comics ratings.}