Has nearly a decade gone by since I wrote about 2000 AD‘s 40th birthday party? Apparently so. If you missed that epic birthday bash in 2017 then you have a chance to rectify that with a special 50th anniversary event in London next year. Full details in the press release below.
It’ll be the galaxy’s greatest party — Rebellion is delighted to announce a huge event to celebrate 50 years of 2000 AD!
To celebrate half a century of the groundbreaking comic book in 2027, a special two-day immersive live extravaganza will be staged at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London on 6-7 March.
This explosive, must-see celebration will be as unique and thrilling as the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic itself, with a jam-packed schedule of prestige events, original programming, world exclusive merchandise, and one-of-a-kind spectacles befitting the legacy of the finest comic book export the UK has ever produced.
Special guests will be announced in the coming weeks, with an unprecedented number of writers, artists and editors from the past 50 years. Honouring the achievements of both legendary talent and new voices from the pages of 2000 AD, this landmark event that will be the culmination of a slate of nationwide signings and events.
It will also be a chance for 2000 AD to thank its fans for their continued loyalty across the last 50 years — regular subscribers will get the chance to secure exclusive limited edition early bird tickets a week before they go on general sale!
Day tickets for this much-anticipated celebration will go on sale online on Thursday 5 November, with limited early bird tickets for 2000 AD subscribers on sale from 29 October.
Launched in 1977 and led by founding editor and writer Pat Mills 2000 AD quickly became a cultural powerhouse, influencing everything from music, film, TV, comedy and literature — and even politics. Its most popular character the satirical sci-fi cop Judge Dredd, created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, has become a global comics icon, spawning two major movies and entering the English language as a byword for hardline policing.
2000 AD has served as a launchpad for some of the world’s most celebrated comics talent, from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons – who reimagined comics with the incredibly influential Watchmen – to Brian Bolland (Batman: The Killing Joke), Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys), Mark Millar (Marvel’s The Ultimates), Jock (Batman, Dredd), and many, many more. It has also been an inspiration for world-leading creative minds, from musicians such as Madness, The Human League, and Anthrax, to actors such as Simon Pegg and Karl Urban, directors such as Alex Garland and Duncan Jones, and comedians such as Sue Perkins, Bill Bailey and Al Murray.
Jason Kingsley CBE, CEO and co-founder of Rebellion said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 50 years of the galaxy’s greatest comic. We have been the custodians of this cherished British cultural icon for over half of its life, which means a great deal to us. Not only is this a celebration of 2000 AD’s past but we are very much looking toward to marking our way into the future, telling more incredible stories that will delight audiences both existing and new. We cannot wait to see you there!”
Matt Smith, the editor of 2000 AD for the last 26 years, said: “It’s only natural that the comic with the thermonuclear impact would have a lasting legacy – and 2000 AD is still thrilling readers fifty years since its launch. It’s an incredible achievement for a weekly British sci-fi anthology to still be here five decades on, and testament to the strength and timeless quality of the stories from an amazing roster of talent. Such a milestone demands a celebration to match – and I hope loyal Squaxx will come join the droids for this galactic event!”
Ticket ordering information
All current 2000 AD subscribers will each receive a unique code by email on Tuesday 27 October — which will allow them to order early bird tickets for the event — as well as a link to the order site. Tickets are limited to two per code and the code can only be used once. Emails will be sent to the addresses currently attached to each subscriber’s account. Early bird tickets will be limited and, once these limited numbers are exhausted, no more tickets will be released until the general release on Thursday 5 November.
Limited edition early bird ticket sales for subscribers will go live at 6pm BST on Thursday 29 October on the link sent to subscribers.
Standard tickets for the event will then go on sale at 6pm GMT on Thursday 5 November.
