Back in January we announced the news that The Trigan Empire – the gorgeously illustrated classic science fantasy strip from the pages of Look & Learn – was returning with its first new story in over four decades. Today at BF we have more details of this original graphic novel plus a six-page preview. You can read our review of the Treasury of British Comics’ first two collections of The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire here.
For the first time since 1982 – the Trigan Empire rises once again!
From the award-winning creative team of writer Michael Carroll (Judge Dredd, Dreadnoughts) and artist Tom Foster (Judge Dredd), New Adventures from the Trigan Empire pick up the torch to continue the classic comics story originally told by Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence.
This brand new original graphic novel will be published on 20th May 2026 in a luxurious hardcover edition, with a special numbered webshop edition available exclusively from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British webshops.
While the original series detailed the rise of the mighty Trigan Empire, this new graphic novel depicts its fall. Decades have passed since the empire reached its zenith and an ageing Emperor Trigo has started to think about who his successor may be. His right-hand man and nephew, Janno, is perceived as the natural successor – but Trigo’s abandoned son, Nikko, has long harboured a grudge against his father and now, having built his own Empire whilst in exile, he’s in perfect position to take revenge on his family and seize the Empire he believes is rightfully his…
Writer Michael Carroll said: “The idea of continuing such an iconic, well-loved comic strip was a tad absolutely terrifying at first, but it’s a story I’ve adored since I first encountered it in Look and Learn back in the early 1970s, so there was no way I could or would turn down the opportunity and the honour… Thrilling tales of heroic swordsmen in jet-fighters battling slavering monsters and devious aliens, all gloriously rendered by some of the finest comic artists in the business. Who wouldn’t want to work on that? This is both right up my alley and very well established in my wheelhouse!
“The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire ran for sixteen years. It opens with the founding of Trigan City, and the forging of the Empire, and it really is wonderfully inventive stuff, with dozens of exhilarating stories told over hundreds of pages… But where do we go from there? How do we pick up the reins on a story that’s been on hiatus for four decades – especially one that might feel a little old-fashioned to some present-day readers – while still staying true to its legacy? Luckily, we have the phenomenal Tom Foster on board providing some career-best artwork, and as for the story… well, sadly, my spoilerphobia prevents me from giving away any plot details. But, you know, we never did get to see the fall that was promised in the original title…”
Artist Tom Foster said: “To be the artist tasked with reprising The Trigan Empire is equally intimidating. It’s a beloved title with a history of excellent art from some of the era’s best UK comics artists. Luckily, Michael’s script is so much fun to work on that, for all the pressure to do a good job, it’s a pleasure to go to work every day. It’s also my first fully-painted book, so that’s a nice change (although it also comes with its share of distinct challenges). For those Trigan Empire fans who are eager to see how it’s going to look, we have that much in common as I’m only about a third of the way through painting it. As Michael says, we never quite got ’round to seeing the titular ‘fall’ of the empire, but, by November, we might at least have some idea of if I’m personally responsible.”
New Adventures From The Trigan Empire is available to pre-order now, releasing on the 20th May!
