Rebellion has teased its Scream! 40th Anniversary Special, out in November in the UK, and available to preorder now.

Scream! launched in 1984 and although running for just 15 issues it made a lasting impression on many British comic fans before quickly merging with Eagle,

Edited by Chiara Mestieri, the new “Ghastly McNasty”, the Scream! 40th Anniversary Special features in the latest Diamond Previews Catalogue, DaNi providing the striking cover, coloured by Brad Simpson.

This chilling Special includes two stories featuring two new stories based on strips from the original comic.

This first is an all-new, 20-page “The Dracula File” written by Alex Paknadel, (Redfork, 2000AD 2025 Annual, Marvel’s Sentinels, recently interviewed on the AIPT podcast), with art by Alejandro Aragon (Death Orb, 28 Days Later, The Expanse), coloured by Jason Wordie. A mysterious figure breaks into the home of Piper, a journalist who has been working on a story about mysterious disappearances across London. What does this stranger know – and how does it connect to the Lord of Darkness himself…?

Then there’s a new “The Thirteenth Floor” tale, from Torunn Gronbekk (Battle Action, Catwoman) and artist Emily Schnall, whose comic credits include Tales from Harrow County for Dark Horse, centred on Maxwell Tower your dream home of the future. Your every whim will be catered for by in-house AI “Max”, who will make sure that you come to absolutely no harm during your stay. Unless you start to cause trouble, that is…

Also in the mix are two original stories…

“And His Skin Is Cold” by Anna Readman (2000AD) and George Pooley, coloured by JP Jordan (High on Life, Star Trek). Head back to the 1970s, as a British rock n’roll band head out on their breakout American tour. But on one fateful evening, they find that while talent can bring them fame, fortune and immortality… that isn’t the only way to live forever…

“Inverted Burial” is written and drawn by VV Glass (2000AD, SMASH!) is set in Paris, well known as the City of Love. But beyond the cosy cafes and romantic roads, what lurks deep down underneath the streets? Enter on a claustrophobic descent into the Paris catacombs…

On sale from Wednesday 6th November in the UK and 11th December in the US, you can order the Scream! 40th Anniversary Special direct from the 2000D online store here – or preorder it from your Local Comic Shop | Diamond Order Code: SEP241987

• 40 Years of Scream!, released last year, collects all of the strips included in the 15-issue run of Scream! It’s still available digitally hear from the 2000AD webshop

Produced ‘from the depths’ of King’s Reach Tower by the mysterious ‘undead’ editor Ghastly McNasty, the first issue of Scream! was unleashed on 24th March 1984. More tongue-in-cheek than horrific, the comic was an immediate hit with younger fans as it included a pair of fake vampire fangs attached to the cover and a number of fantastic new strips from such talents as Alan Moore, John Wagner, Jose Ortiz, Cam Kennedy, Tom Tully, Alan Grant and Eric Bradbury.

Beginning with introductions by editors Ian Rimmer and Barrie Tomlinson, this gorgeous archival collection reprints the strips and covers from each issue in order, as well as extras such as unpublished pages and a gallery of Ghastly McNasty images.

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: downthetubes News

Tags: Alejandro Aragon, Alex Paknadel, Anna Readman, Dani, downthetubes News, Horror Comics, Rebellion, Scream, VV Glass