The first issue of 2000AD publisher Rebellion’s five-issue mini-series Battle Action lands today, Wednesday 31st May, featuring two all-new action packed World War Two stories.

Available through comic book shops and the 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops, but not high street newsagents, this first issue features the return of fan favourite World War Two flying ace ‘Johnny Red’ by Garth Ennis and Keith Burns, as well as the return of Battle Picture Weekly’s co-creator John Wagner to “HMS Nightshade”, the series he co-created with artist Mike Western in 1979, with art in this inaugural issue by Dan Cornwell; the story of a Royal Navy warship protecting Allied shipping from the U-Boat menace.

As we’ve previously reported, following the success of last year’s hardcover special, the new Battle Action series brings classic series from the legendary British comics Battle Picture Weekly and Action such as ‘Johnny Red’, ‘Crazy Keller’, ‘D-Day Dawson’, ‘Dredger’, ‘Major Eazy’, and ‘Hellman of Hammer Force’ back to life, courtesy of John Wagner (Judge Dredd), Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy), Torunn Grønbekk (Thor), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad), John Higgins (Watchmen) and Chris Burnham (Batman Incorporated).

Each issue comes wrapped in a stunning cover by award-winning artist Keith Burns. A special exclusive edition of issue one, available only from the 2000AD and Treasury webshops, features a breathtaking wrap-around cover of HMS Nightshade in action, while a Diamond retailer exclusive cover edition drawn the John Higgins is available only through comic book stores.

Battle Picture Weekly was where the 1970s revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.

The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.

• Battle Action #1 is on sale today in comic shops across the UK and beyond, and available to pre-order here from the Treasury of British Comics web shop – or you can order a bundle including all five issues here | This title will not be available in newsagents such as WHSmith

• Read our guide to the returning strips in Battle Action, and an interview with Garth Ennis

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.

Categories: British Comics, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: Battle Action, Dan Cornwell, downthetubes News, Garth Ennis, HMS Nightshade, John Higgins, John Wagner, Johnny Red, Keith Burns, Treasury of British Comics, War Comics