Notable events of 1971 in comics.
I came back into the field because of [convention organizer Phil Seuling]. I remember [him] calling me in New London, [Connecticut], where I was sitting there as chairman of the board of Croft Publishing Co. My secretary said, 'There's a Mr. Seuling on the phone and he's talking about a comics convention. What is that?' She said, 'I didn't know you were a cartoonist, Mr. Eisner.' 'Oh, yes,' I said, 'secretly; I'm a closet cartoonist.' I came down and was stunned at the existence of the whole world. ... That was a world that I had left, and I found it very exciting, very stimulating".[78]
Presented July 3, 1972, (for comics published in 1971) at the Comic Art Convention, New York City, in a ceremony emceed by Tony Isabella and Carl Gafford.[88] The Goethe Award ballot was initially published in The Buyer's Guide to Comics Fandom,[89] The Monster Times,[90] and Graphic Story World.[91] Nominations were sent in from 335 readers. Ultimately, there were 7 categories with 4-7 nominees in each category. 700 fans voted for the final nominees.[88] The award results were also published in Comic Art News & Reviews.[92]
Presented in 1972 for comics published in 1971:
Ghost Manor vol. 2
Dark Mansion of Forbidden Love
DC 100 Page Super Spectacular: debuts with issue #4
The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers
When Swamp Thing debuted in this issue of House of Secrets as a "one-shot", no one could have known it would lead to an enduring hit franchise, least of all its cover model, future comics writer Louise Simonson.
As the writer, artist, and editor of the Fourth World family of interlocking titles, each of which possessed its own distinct tone and theme, Jack Kirby cemented his legacy as a pioneer of grand-scale storytelling.