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The King of Crooks returns! Pre-Order The Spider’s Syndicate of Crime vs. The Crime Genie now!

Standard Cover
Standard Edition Cover


‘If there was a ever a crown for the finest character created for British Comics in the shadowy black and white newsprint world of the 1960s, it would be proudly worn by the Spider.’ – Paul Grist

The King of Crooks returns!

The Spider is a fabulous intellectual adventurer who straddles both sides of the law and uses a whole host of super equipment to stay one step ahead of his enemies.

When small-time hoodlum Steve Gurko unwittingly releases a magical entity from captivity, he quickly gains the kind of power he could only ever dream about. Embarking on a crime spree, Gurko soon finds himself on the Spider’s radar. But the astounding crime fighter is about to face his toughest opponent to date because the Crime Genie won’t be enslaved by a fool like Gurko for long. Once unleashed, this mystical menace possesses enough might to enslave the human race forever!

This new collection is available for pre-order in two editions: our standard paperback alongside an webshop-exclusive hardcover, with a brand new cover from artist Vincenzo Riccardi!

Webstore Exclusive Cover

Includes:

  • The Spider vs. The Crime Genie originally printed in Lion, 4th February 1967 – 20th May 1967
  • The Spider and the Stone Of Venus originally published in Lion Annual 1968
  • The Spider (text story) originally published in Lion Annual 1969
  • The Spider Versus The Red Baron originally published in Lion Annual 1969

PRE-ORDER THE STANDARD EDITION HERE >>

PRE-ORDER THE WEBSHOP-EXCLUSIVE EDITION HERE >>

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Blazing Battle Action on Every Page! Battle Action Volume Two Is Out Now!

BATTLE ACTION RETURNS WITH A COLLECTION OF TWELVE NEW STORIES!

Air Ace Johnny Red and Angel of Death Nina Petrova face off against the Nazi invaders, lethal British agent Dredger deals with the abduction of the only person dear to his stony heart, and the louche Major Eazy must lead his men through the Devil’s Garden of El Alamein. There’s action aplenty with roguish British commandoes Rat Pack, along with Death Squad, their equally deadly German counterparts. And the hellish arctic ocean is the setting for HMS Nightshade, the classic tale of war at sea.

Writer Garth Ennis (PreacherThe Boys) is joined by an incredible roster of top-tier talent, with stories by original Battle Action writer John Wagner (Judge DreddRobo-Hunter), Torunn Gronbekk (ThorRed Sonja), Rob Williams (Suicide SquadPetrol Head) and Dan Abnett (Guardians of the GalaxyLawless), and featuring art by industry greats like Keith Burns (Out of the Blue), Chris Burnham (BatmanDoom Patrol), Henry Flint (Hawk The Slayer) and John Higgins (WatchmenDreadnoughts). There’s blazing Battle Action on every page!

ORDER VOLUME TWO STANDARD EDITION HERE >>

ORDER VOLUME TWO WEBSHOP EXCLUSIVE EDITION HERE >>

Battle Picture Weekly was where the revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.

The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.

This volume contains:

  • JOHNNY RED by Garth Ennis and Keith Burns
  • HMS NIGHTSHADE by John Wagner and Dan Cornwell
  • CRAZY KELLER by Garth Ennis and Chris Burnham
  • D-DAY DAWSON by Dan Abnett and Phil Winslade
  • DREDGER by Garth Ennis and John Higgins
  • MAJOR EAZY by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
  • COOLEY’S GUN by Garth Ennis and Staz Johnson
  • DEATH SQUAD by Rob Williams and PJ Holden
  • HELLMAN OF HAMMER FORCE by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey
  • NINA PETROVA AND THE ANGELS OF DEATH by Torunn Grønbekk and Patrick Goddard
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The Original Boy Wizard is back! Pre-Order the Kelpie The Boy Wizard: 60th Anniversary Edition

Collected in its entirety for the first time since it originally appeared in Wham! sixty years ago, Kelpie the Boy Wizard is an exciting, magical adventure illustrated by British Comics’ legend, John Burns.

In days of old, when King Arthur reigned over Britain, there was at royal Camelot an apprentice sorcerer by the name of Kelpie.

Together with his venerable master, the great and powerful Merlin, Kelpie uses his magic to protect the kingdom from evil doers including The Raven and the Weird Sisters of Doon!

First published sixty years ago by Odhams press in Wham!, the complete saga of Kelpie the Boy Wizard channels Arthurian legend through a Harry Potter filter, written by Ken Mennell and featuring the gorgeous black and white artwork of legendary British artist John Burns.

Stories included: 

  • Kelpie the Boy Wizard, originally printed in Wham!, 20th June 1964 – 29th June 1964 – 5th September 1964
  • The Beast with Seven Heads, originally printed in Wham!, 12th September 1964 – 20th February 1965
  • Kelpie strip, originally printed in Wham! Annual 1966

PRE-ORDER KELPIE THE BOY WIZARD HERE >>

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OUT NOW: Picture Library: The Crimson Sea by Hugo Pratt

The latest War Picture Library collection featuring the work of master artist Hugo Pratt – The Crimson Sea collection is available to buy in print now!

One of the 20th Century’s greatest artists, Hugo Pratt’s influence on comic art can still be felt today. In 1967 he created the internationally popular comic book character, Corto Maltese, but he had already been working in comics for 20 years before then. In 1959 he moved to London where he worked for Fleetway on their War Picture Library line of comics. Working with writers including Donne Avenell, Fred Baker, Alf Wallace and E. Evans, his artwork resonates today, and The Treasury of British Comics continues to bring all of his work to print!

The title story of this collection, The Crimson Sea, tells the tale of a younger brother of an officer, both survivors of the sunken HMS Grapnel, who feels he must step out of his brother’s shadow with astonishing acts of bravery. There are three other stories in this collection; Pathfinder focuses on an Australian pilot joining the RAF, Up the Marines features tales of Royal Marine Commandos being sent on daring missions behind enemy lines, and in Dark Judgment two rescued POWs are suspected of not being who they claim to be – each of these four stories is stunningly drawn by the Italian comics maestro Hugo Pratt just a few years before he created Corto Maltese.

Readers of Corto Maltese will love these forgotten classic war stories from the world renowned comic book artist, published in a format larger than originally published to show off his impressive and universally-lauded artwork!

ORDER THE CRIMSON SEA NOW >>

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Out Today! There’s Giant Bats and Dogfights in Black Max Vol.3!

German World War One flying ace Baron Maximilien Von Klorr returns to the skies over the Western Front – and this time he isn’t on his own!

The third volume of Black Max is available to now!

Ace fighter pilot Baron Maximilien Von Klorr is the scourge of the skies – menacing the Allied forces during the bloodiest battles in World War One, aided by two giant, mutated kingbats who fight by his side! Von Klorr AKA Black Max is almost unstoppable and only the brave pilots of the Royal Flying Corps oppose his complete dominance of the air…

Now, evil scientific genius Doctor Gratz has formed an unholy alliance with the giant bat-controlling Baron and together the two sinister fiends have formulated a plan to destroy Paris!

Available from 18 January and available as standard paperbacks or in a limited edition hardcover with new cover by Keith Burns (Battle Action), this third instalment features the stunning artwork of Alfonso Font and marks the final adventures of the original Black Max comic strip run from the pages of Thunder.

ORDER PAPERBACK >>

ORDER HARDCOVER >>

AMAZON.CO.UK >>

ORDER VOLUME 1 >>

ORDER VOLUME 2 >>

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Blazing Battle Action on Every Page! Pre-Order Battle Action Volume Two Now!

BATTLE ACTION RETURNS WITH A COLLECTION OF TWELVE NEW STORIES!

Air Ace Johnny Red and Angel of Death Nina Petrova face off against the Nazi invaders, lethal British agent Dredger deals with the abduction of the only person dear to his stony heart, and the louche Major Eazy must lead his men through the Devil’s Garden of El Alamein. There’s action aplenty with roguish British commandoes Rat Pack, along with Death Squad, their equally deadly German counterparts. And the hellish arctic ocean is the setting for HMS Nightshade, the classic tale of war at sea.

Writer Garth Ennis (PreacherThe Boys) is joined by an incredible roster of top-tier talent, with stories by original Battle Action writer John Wagner (Judge DreddRobo-Hunter), Torunn Gronbekk (ThorRed Sonja), Rob Williams (Suicide SquadPetrol Head) and Dan Abnett (Guardians of the GalaxyLawless), and featuring art by industry greats like Keith Burns (Out of the Blue), Chris Burnham (BatmanDoom Patrol), Henry Flint (Hawk The Slayer) and John Higgins (WatchmenDreadnoughts). There’s blazing Battle Action on every page!

PRE-ORDER VOLUME TWO STANDARD EDITION HERE >>

PRE-ORDER VOLUME TWO WEBSHOP EXCLUSIVE EDITION HERE >>

Battle Picture Weekly was where the revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.

The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.

This volume contains:

  • JOHNNY RED by Garth Ennis and Keith Burns
  • HMS NIGHTSHADE by John Wagner and Dan Cornwell
  • CRAZY KELLER by Garth Ennis and Chris Burnham
  • D-DAY DAWSON by Dan Abnett and Phil Winslade
  • DREDGER by Garth Ennis and John Higgins
  • MAJOR EAZY by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
  • COOLEY’S GUN by Garth Ennis and Staz Johnson
  • DEATH SQUAD by Rob Williams and PJ Holden
  • HELLMAN OF HAMMER FORCE by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey
  • NINA PETROVA AND THE ANGELS OF DEATH by Torunn Grønbekk and Patrick Goddard
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Pre-order now! The Iron Fist by Hugo Pratt

Pre-order the latest War Picture Library collection featuring the work of master artist Hugo Pratt – the Iron Fist collection is available to pre-order in print now!

The title story of this collection, The Iron Fist, focuses on the lives of the crew manning the Goliath and the battles they fight, ranging from El Alamein to the D-Day landings – the tank crew rely on each other to get through the hellish situations. Also included in this collection are The Big Arena featuring Australian soldiers fighting in Egypt, and Strongpoint featuring sappers in Italy – each of the three stories in this compilation is stunningly drawn by the Italian comics maestro Hugo Pratt just a few years before he created Corto Maltese.

ORDER NOW >>

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Out Now! The Spider takes on Cursitor Doom and Adam Eterno in the final issue of Smash!

Cover Art by Andy Clarke

Adam Eterno and Cursitor Doom bring Smash! into 2023!

The six decade-spanning adventure comes to an explosive conclusion as Cursitor Doom is outwitted by a former sidekick, and the demon trapped in the stone idol since the time of Janus Stark is unleashed. The time-travelling Adam Eterno enters the fray in an attempt to halt the demon’s reign of terror, but whose side will the King of Crooks choose to align with? An action-packed finale written by Paul Grist (Jack Staff, Kane) and drawn by V.V. Glass (The Last Witch).

BUY #3 NOW >>

GET THE COMPLETE BUNDLE >>

From two very different 1960s secret agents – Jane Bond and The Steel Claw – to mechanical menaces Robot Archie and the murderous AI Max from The Thirteenth Floor, and villainous anti-hero The Spider and supernatural avenger Cursitor Doom, this is a series a whole century in the making.

This brand new mini-series unleashes the power of some of the last century’s greatest comic book characters. Having been inspired by them to create his acclaimed self-published series Jack Staff, Grist now realises his vision with the original versions of these legendary characters.

In Victorian London, when the legendary elastic-limbed escapologist Janus Stark traps a demon in a stone idol, hoping to seal away the malevolent monster for all time – yet he has just created a prize too alluring for criminal masterminds to resist!

Sixty years later, terrifying high-tech thief The Spider organises a heist for his Crime Syndicate to the steal the statuette. But heroes from across the ages unite to confound the king of crime, and prevent him from unleashing the demon hidden inside. Can they succeed and keep the evil of the stone idol contained?

Issue #3 of Smash! is out now! Available in all good comics stores, or direct from the 2000 AD Webshop here!

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Robot Archie and The Time Machine – pre-order now

The Treasury of British Comics is proud to unveil its first collection of one of British comics’ most famous and beloved characters – Robot Archie.

The most famous creation of Edward George Cowan, otherwise known as Ted Cowan, Robot Archie debuted in Lion in 1952 with his first series drawn by artist Alan Philpott. This new collection brings together Cowan and artist Ted Kearon’s ‘Robot Archie and The Time Machine’ story from 1968 – the first book in the ‘time traval saga’, which sees Archie travel across the eons on new and exciting adventures!

PRE-ORDER NOW >>

Originally built by Professor C.R. Ritchie, the mechanical being known as Robot Archie was employed to battle injustices around the world, particularly in the jungles of Africa and South America. The automated action hero has worked with the Professor to create ‘The Castle’ – a fully-functioning time machine! Together with the Professor’s nephew, Ted Ritchie and his best friend Ken Dale, Archie is ready to embark on a journey through time that will bring him into conflicts with medieval knights and a terrifying, dystopian future where aliens have conquered the Earth!

Coming out in paperback on 23 May, this collection will also be available in a hardcover edition exclusive to the Treasury of British Comics and 2000 AD webshops, featuring a stunning infographic showing a cross-section of Robot Archie.

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Stories to make you Shiver! Pre-order 40 Years of Scream today… if you dare!

NOT FOR THE NERVOUS!

Celebrating 40 years since IPC launched the UK’s most iconic ‘horror’ anthology, this wonderfully horrifying single volume collects all of the strips included in the 15-issue run of Scream!

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.

This celebratory collection of the entirety of Scream! includes every single strip published in 1984 from issues 1-15 of the original Scream! run, making this an absolute must-have for fans of classic horror and thriller comics!

To make this even more ghoulishly exciting, true horror afficionados can take home a webshop-exclusive slipcase edition designed by David Roach!

The stories included in this collection are:

The Dracula File – Writers Gerry-Finley Day, Simon Furman, Artist Eric Bradbury

Fiends and Neighbours – Artist Graham Allen

Tales From the Grave – Writers Tom Tully, Ian Rimmer, Scott Goodall, Artist Jim Watson

Library of Death – Writers Barrie Tomlinson,James Nicholas, Angus Allan Artists Cam Kennedy, Ron Smith, John Cooper, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Dorey, Steve Dillon

Monster – Writers Alan Moore, John Wagner, Artists Henzil, Jesus Redondo

The Nightcomers – Writer Tom Tully, Artist John Richardson

Terror of the Cats – Writer Simon Furman, Artists Gonzalez, John Richardson

The Thirteenth Floor – Writers John Wagner, Alan Grant, Artist Jose Ortiz

A Ghastly Tale – Artists Mike Western, Mike Dorey, Jose Casanovas Sr

STANDARD EDITION >>

WEBSHOP EXCLUSIVE EDITION >>