Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics have announced the Action 50th Anniversary Special for April. The special issue of the influential – and controversial – British comic precursor to 2000 AD will feature four all-new iterations of classic stories from the original anthology, spearheaded by Garth Ennis.
According to a Rebellion press release:
“Action was always ahead of the curve… and sometimes pushed its luck just a bit too far. Celebrating 50 years since the first issue of the original series which inspired readers across the [UK], The Treasury of British Comics are publishing an all-new oversized Special which brings back all the shock and awe of the original series!”
It adds,
“Although Action was eventually closed in 1977, the spirit and attitude of the comic found a new home in the form of 2000 AD, which took up the attack and has been running with it ever since. Now, fifty years later, Rebellion Publishing are proud to revive Action for a new Special featuring an incredible lineup of creators, and some of its most famous – and infamous characters – back on shelves and ready to inspire a whole new generation to anarchy!”
Published as a weekly anthology by IPC Magazines between February 1976 to November 1977, Action was created by then rising up-and-comer Pat Mills alongside experienced IPC staffer Geoff Kemp who were charged to revive the moribund boys adventure comic template. Stories for the anthology drew on popular film and TV at the time, and the comic especially turned heads for its depictions of violence. After launching the comic, Mills left to begin working on what would become 2000 AD, leaving the job of continuing editor to others. A September 1976 issue of the comic caused massive public outcry, with one newspaper calling it the “Sevenpenny Nightmare”. Under immense pressure, the publisher withdrew it from sale before releasing a neutered version in December 1976. It would limp along before being merged with another comic in the IPC stable, Battle, to form Battle Action the following November. It is still fondly remembered by British creators and fans.
The 50th Anniversary Special will feature four stories, two of which written by Garth Ennis – lethal secret agent Dredger, with John Higgins on art; and WW2 war action Hellman of Hammer Force, with Mike Dorey. The Special will be rounded out by a story featuring cult classic, human-hungry, unkillable shark Hook Jaw, by Steve White and Staz Johnson; alongside a new entry in classic soccer strip Look Out For Lefty, by Rob Williams and Patrick Goddard.
The Action 50th Anniversary Special will join the already announced Archival Collection reprint initiative as part of commemorations. Announced in August 2025, the Archival Collection will be a series of hardcovers planned to reprint every single one of the 86 weekly issues before its cancellation nearly 2 years after launch, pre- and post-ban/withdrawal. The first volume is set to release in time for the actual anniversary, on February 25 – with a special cover edition available to pre-order on the online store.
