Action 50th Anniversary Special out in April

By John Freeman on January 14, 2026 • ( 0 )

Rebellion has announced an Action 50th Anniversary Special is coming to a newsagent or comic book shop near you in April.

The Special features a cover featuring Hook Jaw by Steve White and Dredger by John Higgins – and Steve couldn’t be happier with it.

“This really is special for me,”says Steve, “as I loved Action as a kid and read it as voraciously as Hook Jaw ate humans! Here’s to the Comic They Couldn’t Kill!”

Action 50th Anniversary Special (Rebellion, 2026)

Before 2000AD there was Action, a weekly adventure title initially ahead of the curve, that fell foul of the establishment when it was decided it had pushed the envelope too far, in terms of what was then considered acceptable in a boys comic in the 1970s. Even now, some stories and arcs might raise eyebrows.

Celebrating 50 years since the first issue of the original series which inspired readers across the country, The Treasury of British Comics are publishing an all-new oversized Special which brings back all the shock and awe of the original series.

First published in 1976, as we relate here on The Sevenpenny Nightmare micro site compiled by Moose Harris, Action shocked the UK when it first landed on shelves, with a range of stories which not only brought hard-hitting action to the page, but offered social commentary and sharp criticism, that soon caught the eye of the likes of decency campaigner Mary Whitehouse, and her fellow would be censors.

After an issue which featured a controversial cover that appeared to show a teenager assaulting a police officer as part of “Kids Rule OK“, a moral panic ensued which led to the comic being withdrawn from the shelf. When it did return, readership fell at the new, “safe” version of Action which they found in their newsagent.

Although Action was eventually closed in 1977, merged with Battle, the spirit and attitude of the comic found a new home in the form of 2000AD, which took up the attack and has been running with it ever since.

Action No. 1, cover dated February 14th 1976 With "Red Arrow" Free Gift in Very Good Condition — *Action No. 1, cover dated February 14th 1976 With “Red Arrow” Free Gift*

Now, fifty years later, Rebellion Publishing are proud to revive Action for a new Special featuring an incredible lineup of creators, and some of its most famous – and infamous characters – back on shelves and ready to inspire a whole new generation to anarchy…

The Special features:

Dredger by Garth Ennis and John Higgins. Britain’s deadliest secret agent returns, hitting the vengeance trail after the death of his partner, Breed. Dredger kills and maims his way across London, intent on delivering his own brand of justice. How much of London will be left when he’s finished?

*Action 50th Anniversary Cover Art by Steve White*

Hook Jaw by Steve White and Staz Johnson. There’s a killer out at sea! The vicious Hook Jaw has been seen in the depths of the ocean again, the killer shark with no regard for human life – and he’s heading out on the hunt! As a crew of drug dealers attempt to complete a sale in lawless international waters, they attract the attention of the legendary shark… this isn’t going to be pretty!
Hellman of Hammer Force by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey. Blazing battle action on the Eastern Front in 1944, as Panzer commander Kurt Hellman leads a small German armoured unit against massed Soviet forces. As the tank men struggle to survive in this frozen hell, they face a new and terrible savagery from their vengeance-crazed Russian enemies.
Look Out For Lefty by Rob Williams and Patrick Goddard. Footballer Kenny “Lefty” Lampton has the most dangerous left foot in the game, blazing the ball through the net. But Lefty doesn’t play fair, and his temper constantly flares up on the pitch, boiling over into fury and violence! After his anger leaves him stranded on the subs bench, he finally gets his chance – this could be his big comeback, a chance to regain his lost glory! As The Royal Family watch on from the stand, can Lefty keep it under control for ninety minutes?

Featuring a powerhouse lineup of writers and artists, Action is taking no prisoners on its return to the newspaper stand! You thought it was controversial before? You haven’t seen anything yet!

Action is back, and more hard-hitting than ever!

The Action 2026 Special is coming to a newsagent or comic book shop near you on 15th April 2026 – pre-order it now

• The Sevenpenny Nightmare downthetube micro site compiled by Moose Harris

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.