books as an investment. 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. June 18: CrossGen Entertainment files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the US Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Florida. ( Daniel Clowes' The Death-Ray is prepublished in Eightball. August August 22: The first episode of Bunny is posted. August 26: Italian journalist and translator of Doonesbury in comics magazine Linus Enzo Baldoni is murdered by terrorists in Iraq. September September 29: Mark Retera wins the Stripschapprijs. Normally he would be awarded the prize during the Stripdagen in Alphen aan de Rijn a month later, but since he planned a holiday then he is given it during a broadcast of the TV show Vara Laat. October October 6: Marvel Enterprises announces an agreement with Antefilms Production to produce a new animated television series based on The Fantastic Four. 23-24 October: During the Stripdagen in Alphen aan de Rijn Jan Joosse of the organisation Biblion wins the P. Hans Frankfurther Prize. Nico van Dam, Bert Bus en Harry Balm receive the Bulletje en Boonestaakschaal. November November 30: Artist Michael Ryan (New X-Men: Academy X, 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. Deaths January January 7: Daniel Billon, French comics artist (Les Animaux Célèbres, continued Barbarella), dies at age 76. Jerzy Skarzynski, Polish theatre artist and comics artist (Janosik Sans Titre), dies at age 79. January 8: Eddy Ryssack, Belgian comics artist (Brammetje Bram, Opa), dies at age 75 from a heart attack. January 20: George Woodbridge, American comics artist (Mad Magazine), dies at age 73 from emphysema. January 25: Guus van Cleef, Dutch comics writer (Disney comics) and artist (De Diefstal van de Eve + Adam Kollektie), passes away at age 54. January 31: Giorgio Cambiotti, Italian comics artist (Jacula, worked on Kriminal, Messalina and