Tag: treasuryofbritishcomics

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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 >>

Paperback cover by Tiernen Trevallion
Hardcover by Keith Burns
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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 (Preacher, The Boys) is joined by an incredible roster of top-tier talent, with stories by original Battle Action writer John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Robo-Hunter), Torunn Gronbekk (Thor, Red Sonja), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad, Petrol Head) and Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy, Lawless), and featuring art by industry greats like Keith Burns (Out of the Blue), Chris Burnham (Batman, Doom Patrol), Henry Flint (Hawk The Slayer) and John Higgins (Watchmen, Dreadnoughts). There’s blazing Battle Action on every page!

Standard Edition
Webshop Exclusive Edition

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 >>

Standard edition
Webshop exclusive edition
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Out Now! The 2000 AD Art of Mick McMahon Apex Edition

The 2000 AD Art of Mick McMahon Apex Edition

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“Fearless in his desire to challenge himself and innovate” – The Gutter Review

This unmissable book presents high-resolution scans of stunning original art pages by artist Mick McMahon – at their actual size – in a deluxe, over-sized hardcover facsimile edition. As well as his brush and pen work, these pages include original titles, word balloons, printer’s marks and other ephemera, giving fans the chance to see art by one of 2000 AD‘s biggest talents in all its glory.

Following last year’s Judge Dredd by Mick McMahon Apex Edition, this second Apex Edition showcases McMahon’s near-constant state of evolution and change, from his early roots in mimicking the great Carlos Ezquerra on Judge Dredd to the bold, impressionistic style of his later years. It charts his career in unprecedented detail and gives fans and admirers the chance to see just why McMahon became one of the greatest 2000 AD artists of all time and influenced generations of comic book artists.

In addition to the standard retail edition, fans can order a special slipcase edition exclusively through the 2000 AD webshop that comes in an attractive slipcase, adorned with one of McMahon’s epic wraparound Sláine covers. This edition also comes with an extra bound page – individually numbered and signed by McMahon – with brand new art created exclusively for this edition.

Mick McMahon is one of the most influential artists in British comics and this volume features eagerly-anticipated pages from his groundbreaking 1980s work on 2000 AD’s legendary barbarian, Sláine.

His work on Sláine – including ‘Warrior’s Dawn’, ‘Heroes Blood’, and the incredible ‘Sky Chariots’ – contrasts with the chunky shadows and bold shapes of his art on Judge Dredd, using inks and markers to create a style akin to woodcuts. From the gritty savagery and character work of ‘Warrior’s Dawn’ to crafting long ships in ‘Sky Chariots’ that appear to float effortlessly in the air, McMahon imbued Pat Mills’ saga of fantasy and legend with a quality that is both epic and dynamic.

This volume also includes pages by McMahon from Mills’ classic robotic-team series Ro-Busters and its successor A.B.C. Warriors, as well as the complete first episode and original concept art for Gerry Finley-Day’s fan favourite space war series The VCs.

McMahon is perhaps best known for his seminal work on Judge Dredd and this Apex Edition explores his colour work for the 2000 AD and Judge Dredd annuals, such as ‘The Fear That Made Milwaukee Famous’ (presented in its entirety) and ‘Mega-City Rumble’, with bold markers and bright shades competing to create pages bursting with light and energy. It also features pages from Mills’ Judge Dredd story, ’The Return of Rico’, in which Dredd’s evil twin brother is revealed. The story inspired the 1995 Judge Dredd movie starring Sylvester Stallone as well as providing the storytelling spark that would lead to some of Judge Dredd’s biggest stories.

This stunning collection closes with one of his most important works outside of the pages of 2000 AD. Created for Marvel’s Epic imprint, The Last American is a profound meditation on loss and hope at the end of the world. Written by John Wagner and Alan Grant just as their legendary writing partnership was drawing to a close, McMahon’s pages sing with colour and clarity, his post-apocalyptic landscapes filled with despair and emptiness as its lead character, Ulysses S. Pilgrim, searches for what remains of humanity.

STANDARD EDITION >>

WEBSHOP EXCLUSIVE EDITION >>

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Out Now! Rogue AI takes control in Smash! #2 – can The Spider escape?

Cover Art by Andy Clarke

The King of Crooks latest heist has gone badly wrong!

He has been trapped in Maxwell Tower by the caretaker computer programme running the building and Robot Archie is closing in on capturing the arch-criminal. Forced to face his fears on the nightmare inducing-thirteenth floor and evade the team-up of two AI programmes, this could be the master thief’s last stand. This eighties-set thriller is brought to you by Paul Grist (Jack Staff) and Jimmy Broxton (Goldtiger).

BUY #2 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 #2 of Smash! is out now! Please beware sinister robots offering you any alternative comics. Available in all good comics stores, or direct from the 2000 AD Webshop here!