Dateline: 26 Feb 1977

By John Freeman on February 20, 2023

26th Feb 1977 - 26th February 1977 graphic by Michael Carroll

If you’re a fan of British comics it possibly hasn’t escaped your notice that 2000AD was launched this week(ish) in the year 1977. But which other British comics might you have seen on the shelves on or around that date, bearing in mind many British comic cover “publication dates” were then the day issues of a comic were taken off sale, not when they went on sale?

2000AD Prog One, cover dated 26th February 1977

Well, wonder no longer, chums – and, indeed, pals – for your diligent and vigilant Michael Carroll (comic write and archivist) has anticipated your needs and invented a brand-new ChronoCamera™, a device that lets him peer into the past…

• Head over to his Rusty Staples blog and read Dateline: 26 Feb 1977 for the intel

• How British comic cover dates have (largely) lied to you for decades

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “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.