ACTION - BEFORE THE BAN Volume 1

Pat Mills is the creator and first editor of 2000 AD. He developed Judge Dredd and is the writer-creator of many of 2000 AD’s most popular stories such as Sláine, Nemesis and A.B.C. Warriors. * Amongst his credits are Marshal Law (Marvel and DC Comics), co-created with Kevin O’Neill, the French graphic novel series Requiem, Vampire Knight with artist Olivier Ledroit, and Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave! The Secret History of 2000 AD and Judge Dredd. Other reccent projects include *Joe Pineapples: Tin Man, illustrated by Simon Bisley and Clint Langley, Spacewarp, and Kiss My Axe! The Secret History of Sláine the Warped Warrior. John Wagner has been scripting for 2000 AD for more years than he cares to remember. His creations include Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Ace Trucking, Al’s Baby, Button Man and Mean Machine. Outside of 2000 AD his credits include Star Wars, Lobo, The Punisher and the critically acclaimed, A History of Violence. Tom Tully is one the most prolific writers ever to grace British comics. His diverse portfolio of work was produced over four decades. Born in Glasgow, Tully entered the industry in the sixties when he began working for Fleetway. One of his earliest strips, Heros the Spartan, ran in the original Eagle and was illustrated by the great Frank Bellamy. He also wrote Mytek the Mighty (Valiant & Vulcan) and The Steel Claw (Valiant & Vulcan) in the same decade. The seventies saw Tully work on a variety of significant stories including Adam Eterno (Thunder), Johnny Red (Battle), Harlem Heroes (2000 AD), The Leopard from Lime Street (Buster) and Roy of the Rovers (Tiger), the strip he worked on longer than any other writer. Steve MacManus was the editor of 2000 AD during its 1980s heyday, shepherding it through its ‘Golden Age’ as he commissioned numerous hit series such as The Ballad of Halo Jones, Sláine, Rogue Trooper, Nemesis the Warlock and more. For many, he remains the definitive editor of the multi-award-winning SF anthology. One of the most prolific writers in the comic’s history, Gerry Finley-Day holds a special place in many 2000 AD fans’ hearts as the creator of classics like Rogue Trooper, Fiends of the Eastern Front and The V.C.s, as well as Harry 20 on the High Rock and Ant Wars. A keen “ideas man”, Finley-Day’s concepts of the horrors future warfare had in store were key to both Rogue and The V.C.s’ continuing popularity, ensuring that their recent return to the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic was well-received. Finley-Day also scripted episodes of Judge Dredd and Dan Dare, and co-scripted much of Invasion! (and entirely scripted the prequel story, Disaster 1990!). Kelvin Gosnell served as 2000 AD’s second editor, from Progs 17 to 85 (18th June 1977 – 7th October 1978). He also wrote Blackhawk, Dan Dare,* A Joe Black Adventure, *Judge Dredd, One-Offs, Project Overkill, Ro-Jaws’ Robo-Tales, The Stainless Steel Rat and Tharg’s Future Shocks, as well as co-writing the first series of Flesh.

• All strips included in issues 1-12 (14th February 1976 - 1st May 1976) of the original Action comic, including: Dredger - Writers: Kelvin Gosnell, Pat Mills, Steve MacManus, Chris Lowder, Geoff Kemp Artist: Horacio Altuna Hellman of Hammer Force - Writer: Gerry Finley-Day Artist: Mike Dorey Blackjack - Writers: John Wagner, Chris Lowder Artists: Leopoldo Sanchez, Gustavos Trigo The Coffin Sub - Writer: Ron Carpenter Artist: Angelo Todaro Green's Grudge War - Writer: Gerry Finley-Day Artist: Massimo Belardinelli Hook Jaw - Writers: Pat Mills, Ken Armstrong Artist: Ramon Sola Play Till You Drop - Writer: Ron Carpenter Artist: Barrie Mitchell The Running Man - Writer: Steve MacManus Artist: Lalia Look Out For Lefty - Writer: Tom Tully Artist: Barrie Mitchell Sport's Not For Losers - Writer: Steve MacManus Artist: Dudley L. Wynn

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