BRIGHT NEW FUTURE FOR 2000 AD

It has now been nearly 18 months since the award-winning British sci-fi comics 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine were purchased by Rebellion, the computer-games developer behind Aliens Vs. Predator and the forthcoming Judge Dredd game.

In this time, many improvements have been made in the management, production and editorial philosophy of the titles, resulting in a steady rise in sales and subscriptions, and re-establishing 2000 AD's position as a much-loved institution of British popular culture.

In December 2001, the next stage in the comics' development takes place as the editorial and design departments of 2000 AD and the Megazine expand and relocate to Rebellion's Oxford-based studios.

The move will lead to an increase in the efficiency with which the comics are produced, speed up the decision-making process, and allow 2000 AD to interact much more closely with Rebellion's games and film development divisions.

Jason Kingsley, CEO of Rebellion, says "This is the first step of many in the expansion of the editorial office, and will hopefully lead to some exciting new developments. It's been fantastic working with both droids Dig-L and Bish-Op, and we look forward to calling on their expertise in many different ways in the future. To paraphrase a great politician, this is not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning."

To coincide with the move, Rebellion is recruiting new editorial and design staff, with new positions being established in the future as the comics continue their expansion.

Sadly, December will see the departure of Megazine editor David Bishop to expand his career as a writer. Current projects include two novels for the BBC, non-fiction volumes for several other publishers, a monthly column for trade magazine Comics International and scripting the adventures of pulp comics hero The Phantom, which are reprinted around the world.

Bishop says the Megazine has gone from strength to strength under Rebellion's ownership. "Jason and his team have funded a massive revamp of the Megazine which has boosted sales. Long may the success continue!"

2000 AD editor Andy Diggle will also make the leap to writing full-time, both for 2000 AD and other projects.

Andy says, "I've been an avid 2000 AD fan since I was 10 years old, so being the editor was a dream job for me. I've learned a lot from the talented creators I've worked with over the past four years, and I've made a lot of good friends. I'm proud to have put 2000 AD back on the path of old-school Thrill-power, and with the sales rising again, I feel I've achieved everything I set out to. Now it's time for me to fulfil another life-long ambition, which is to write full-time for the Galaxy's Greatest Comic. After the success of Lenny Zero in the Megazine, I'm hoping to make him a semi-regular character in 2000 AD."

2000 AD will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in February 2002 with the mother of all parties.