2000AD and Treasury of British Comics publisher Rebellion has responded to virus lockdown pressures with graphic novel rescheduling – but weekly and monthly comics to continue.
Here is their statement in full, and our full, revised listing for the company’s releases of collections and specials is here.
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented challenge to the comic book industry but as a publisher Rebellion is determined to support creators, readers, and retailers as best it can at this difficult time.
With the safety of printers, distributors, and staff in mind, Rebellion has revised its 2020 graphic novel schedule to ensure readers can still enjoy the best collections in comics, making sure we are able to support retailers that remain open while also helping those that are closed by staggering new releases through to 2021.
Printing and distribution of our periodicals will continue – this includes the weekly 2000AD, the monthly Judge Dredd Megazine, and the range of Rebellion specials. These are available from open retailers, such as newsagents and selected grocery chains, as well as in print and digital from 2000AD and the Treasury of British Comics webshop, and the 2000AD app.
Due to the closure of many book and comic book stores, unfortunately some graphic novel collections will now be delayed by a few months while others have been completely rescheduled for 2021.
Some graphic novels due for release in May, June, July, and August 2020 will go digital-first, with standard print editions postponed until later in the year. Webshop-exclusive print editions of some titles will still go ahead. This means readers can still enjoy collections while in lockdown, while avoiding a glut of titles hitting retailers when they reopen.
Ben Smith, Head of Publishing, said: ”Due to the challenges facing the book and comic book industry in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have revised Rebellion’s 2020 publishing schedule, pushing back some graphic novel releases until later in 2020 or 2021.
“We won’t be going on hiatus – the periodical comics will continue while some book collections will go digital-first so we can continue to share and shout about the amazing work our creators and editors are putting together while we’re all in lockdown. Where special hardback editions have already been printed we will release these from our webshop on the planned dates.
“We look forward to getting back to normal service, but in the meantime our mission to deliver to best in new and classic comics continues.”
• Digital titles will be available from the 2000AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops, as well as from the 2000AD app. By registering with the same details on the webshop and app, readers will be able to purchase and read titles in both
Revised Rebellion Graphic Novel and Specials Schedule
Please note: this list does not include all graphic novel titles slated for release in 2021, just new dates for titles that have been postponed from the 2020 schedule
The Complete Johnny Future
Digital and standard print edition – 30 April
Judge Dredd Case Files 35
Digital release – 14 May
Standard print edition postponed to 1 October 2020
Smash! Special
Print and digital release – 27 May
Sláine: The Horned God Collector’s Edition
Digital and webshop-exclusive edition – 28 May
Standard print edition postponed to 3 September 2020
Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy
Digital and webshop-exclusive edition – 11 June
Standard print edition postponed to 12 November 2020
2000 AD Summer Sci Fi Special: Twenty Years of Rebellion
Print and digital – 24 June
Concrete Surfer
Digital and webshop-exclusive edition – 25 June
Standard print edition postponed to 17 September 2020
War Picture Library: Battler Britton
Digital – 9 July
Standard print edition postponed to June 2021
Judge Dredd: Control
Digital – 9 July
Print edition postponed to 10 December 2020
Tammy & Jinty Special
Print and digital – 29 July 2020
Hope Book 2
Digital – 20 August
Print edition postponed to 21 January 2021
Essential Judge Dredd: America
Print and digital – 3 September 2020
Battle Special 2020
Print and digital – 16 September 2020
Misty & Scream Special 2020
Print and digital – 30 September 2020
The Dracula File paperback edition
Print edition – 1 October 2020
The Thirteenth Floor Volume 2
Print and digital – 15 October 2020
Thriller Picture Library Special
Print and digital – 11 November 2020
Faceache Volume 1 paperback edition
Print edition – 12 November 2020
Death Squad
Print and digital – 26 November 2020
Misty Creepy Christmas Special
Print and digital – 2 December 2020
Sláine: Web of Weird
Print and digital – 10 December 2020
Sugar Jones
Print and digital – 24 December 2020
Cor! Buster Collection
Print and digital – 24 December 2020
King’s Reach: John Sanders’ Twenty-Five Years at the Top of Comics
Print and digital – 7 January 2021
2000 AD Regened Collection
Print and digital – 7 January 2021
Judge Dredd: The Complete Case Files Volume 36
Print and digital – 4 February 2021
The Vigilant
Print and digital – 1 April 2021
Thistlebone
Print and digital – 29 April 2021
Devlin Waugh: Blood Debt
Print and digital – May 2021
Ken Reid Football Funnies
Print and digital – July 2021
The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire Volume 2
Print and digital – July 2021
Essential Judge Dredd: Origins
Print and digital – September 2021
Fiends of the Eastern Front
Print and digital – October 2021
Black Max Volume 2
Print and digital – October 2021
Please note: this list does not include all graphic novel titles slated for release in 2021, just new dates for titles that have been postponed from the 2020 schedule
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: 2000AD, British Comics, British Comics - Collections, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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