Action 50th Anniversary Special, Action: Before The Ban, Planet Atmos: Exordium, and Bat Pat
From the Treasury Of British Comics, Mad Cave Studios, and Papercutz
Here are the latest comics news and previews, including:
The return of Action - Twice!
A new team-up for Mad Cave Studios.
A new volume of Bat Pat.
The Comic They Couldn’t Kill - ACTION Returns in April!
Yes!
Excellent news for fans of this classic comic. Coming from the Treasury of British Comics is a special issue of Action.
Before 2000 AD there was Action! The Treasury of British Comics are publishing an all-new oversized Special
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 country,which brings back all the shock and awe of the original series!
First published in 1976, Action shocked the UK when it first landed on shelves, with a range of stories which not only brought hard-hitting action to the page, but offered social commentary and sharp criticism which soon caught the eye of Mary Whitehouse and her fellow censors.After an issue which featured a controversial cover that appeared to show a teenager assaulting a police officer as part of “Kids Rule OK”, a moral panic ensued which led to the comic being withdrawn from the shelf! When it did return, readership fell at the new, “safe” version of Action which they found in their newsagent.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!The Special features:
Dredger by Garth Ennis and John Higgins. Britain’s deadliest secret agent returns, hitting the vengeance trail after the death of his partner, Breed. Dredger kills and maims his way across London, intent on delivering his own brand of justice. How much of London will be left when he’s finished?
Hook Jaw by Steve White and Staz Johnson. There’s a killer out at sea! The vicious Hook Jaw has been seen in the depths of the ocean again, the killer shark with no regard for human life - and he’s heading out on the hunt! As a crew of drug dealers attempt to complete a sale in lawless international waters, they attract the attention of the legendary shark... this isn’t going to be pretty!
Hellman of Hammer Force by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey. Blazing battle action on the Eastern Front in 1944, as Panzer commander Kurt Hellman leads a small German armoured unit against massed Soviet forces. As the tank men struggle to survive in this frozen hell, they face a new and terrible savagery from their vengeance-crazed Russian enemies.
Look Out For Lefty by Rob Williams and Patrick Goddard. Footballer Kenny “Lefty” Lampton has the most dangerous left foot in the game, blazing the ball through the net. But Lefty doesn’t play fair, and his temper constantly flares up on the pitch, boiling over into fury and violence! After his anger leaves him stranded on the subs bench, he finally gets his chance – this could be his big comeback, a chance to regain his lost glory! As The Royal Family watch on from the stand, can Lefty keep it under control for ninety minutes?
Featuring a powerhouse lineup of writers and artists, Action is taking no prisoners on its return to the newspaper stand! You thought it was controversial before? You haven’t seen anything yet! Action is back, and more hard-hitting than ever!
The Action 2026 Special is coming to a newsagent or comic book shop near you on 15th April – pre-order it now!
Action: Before The Ban, Volume 1
More news on an upcoming Action title, featuring some of the title’s first comics of the 1970’s from the Treasury of British Comics.
CREATIVE TEAM: Pat Mills, Geoff Kemp, Kelvin Gosnell, Chris Lowder, Gerry Finley-Day, John Wagner, Ron Carpenter, Ken Armstrong, Steve MacManus, Tom Tully (w) Horacio Altuna, Mike Dorey, Leopoldo Sanchez, Gustavo Trigo, Barrie Mitchell, Ramon Sola, Dusley L. Wunn, Angelo Todaro, Horacio Lalia, Massimo Belardinelli (a)
RELEASE DATE: February 18th
PAPERBACK, 384 pages
PRICE: £44.99
CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF BRITAIN’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL COMIC!
Violent, gritty and unrelenting, Action comic was the brainchild of Pat Mills and Geoff Kemp. The pair rapidly developed a winning formula: reimagining existing story ideas from fresh perspectives and infusing them with a healthy dose of modern realism. With strips such as Hookjaw, Dredger, Look Out For Lefty and Blackjack, success was instantaneous - but so was the criticism. Press including, The London Evening Standard, The Sun and the Daily Mail were quick to denounce the comic, while Mary Whitehouse piled pressure on the publisher to do something about it..
Collected here are the first twelve issues of Action, containing all of the strips and some of the editorial that created so much infamy back in the 1970s.
Available in print from: Treasury of British comics webshop, online retailers, book stores, and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: Treasury of British Comics webshop, 2000 AD app for Apple & Android
Planet Atmos: Exordium Announced by Mad Cave Studios and Planet Atmos Inc.
New upcoming science fiction with Planet Atmos: Exordium from Mad Cave Studios and Planet Atmos Inc.
Race for the future. Survive the system.
Mad Cave Studios, in collaboration with Planet Atmos Inc., is thrilled to announce PLANET ATMOS: EXORDIUM—a nine-issue sci-fi spectacle developed in tandem with the upcoming video game ExoGP, fusing the adrenaline of high-stakes racing with the shadow of corporate conspiracy, hurtling readers into a cinematic world where glory and survival are one and the same.
From the visionary minds of D.R. Bushnell, Rob McEveety, and legendary illustrator Tommy Lee Edwards (Gatchaman: Only One Earth, Marvel 1985), with electrifying art by Andrea Cucchi (Justice League: Last Ride, Catwoman), colors by Giada Marchisio (Racer X, Cloak and Dagger) and letters by John Workman (Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man), Planet Atmos: Exordium ignites the launch of the Planet Atmos universe. Issue #1 features a stellar collection of covers by Tommy Lee Edwards, Andrea Cucchi, and Dave Johnson (Pop Kill), with a retailer incentive by Peach Momoko (Ultimate X-Men).
On the planet Atmos there is no greater challenge than ExoGP, an exhilarating and deadly racing league that has become the dominant spectacle throughout the galaxy. In this dystopian world ruled by powerful corporations and a dark underworld, the fate of three racers collide in a competition where skill, strategy, and sheer determination mean the difference between glory and death. As they become icons of the sports’ brutality and commercialization, superstar pilots Rogg, Oz, and Addy find themselves entangled in a web of political intrigue and conspiracy as a dangerous secret emerges that threatens the fragile balance of power on the planet.
The team took a moment to express their excitement about Planet Atmos: Exordium:
Tommy Lee Edwards: “I’m so proud of what the team has done with Exordium—particularly Andrea, whose drawing and storytelling skills become exponentially more amazing throughout each of the nine issues. It’s exciting to know that readers will finally get to experience the world we’ve been building for the past few years.”
D.R. Bushnell: “Many great stories come from the intersection of sci-fi and sports, often featuring desperate characters, corporate interests, fantastical tools and abilities, and using them to explore human capability. Exordium is our addition to the genre, and it has been an absolute blast to create. I’m astounded by what the team created and grateful to have worked alongside such incredible artists.”
Rob McEveety: “It's always a joy to be able to explore a new world, but it's a rare privilege to help build one and then see it brought so vividly to life. Through the incredible artistry of Tommy Lee Edwards, Andrea Cucchi, and John Workman, who took our wildest ideas and ran with them to the fullest, we now get to share that world with you. We are beyond excited to add our names to theirs and to bring you this first chapter in the brutal, back-stabbing, high-flying history of Planet Atmos.”
Andrea Cucchi: “Working on Exordium has been an amazing experience that has made me grow a lot as an artist and a storyteller. I had the opportunity to work with so many great talents and professionals who inspired me to give my best every time. I hope the readers will enjoy this series as much as we had fun working on it. I want to thank the entire team at Planet Atmos, especially Tommy and Dylan, with whom I shared this crazy journey.”
John Workman: “I still get a thrill when looking back in time at the amazing art of such people as Alex Raymond and Hal Foster. That such beauty exists is amazing. More recently, it's been my pleasure to be a part of Exordium, a book that has both art and story uniting to offer readers a look at something that can stand equally with the greatest comics features of the past.”
Planet Atmos Inc. is a creative studio pioneering the intersection of storytelling, gaming, and technology. Focused on building immersive worlds where narrative and interactivity converge, Planet Atmos Inc. continues to redefine the boundaries of entertainment through its flagship Planet Atmos universe and ExoGP racing experience.
Planet Atmos: Exordium launches April 22, 2026.ExoGP is a fast-paced, arcade racing game grounded in a blend of skill, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Customize and compose your Exo and gear, and race through the hostile world of Atmos. Work your way up through the ExoGP League, facing ruthless competition, and make a name for yourself as a legend of the skies.
Fogville’s friendly monsters are back, and they need Bat Pat more than ever!
All-ages monster fun from Papercutz is coming soon with Bat Pat Volume 2: Monster Slumber Party.
Fogville is full of strange happenings, but around here, even the spookiest creatures just need a little help…
This spring, Papercutz, an imprint of Mad Cave Studios, invites young readers back into the delightfully eerie, endlessly charming world of Bat Pat with BAT PAT VOL. 2: MONSTER SLUMBER PARTY.
Adapted for comics by multi-Harvey award-nominated writer Trevor Mueller (Albert the Alien, Nexus Point) and brought to life by acclaimed artist Bill Walko (The Hero Business, Fortune & Glory: The Musical), with colorist Laurie Smith and letterer Justin Birch—this new volume continues the series’ signature blend of humor, heart, and supernatural problem-solving.
The town of Fogville has a problem: it’s plagued by supernatural creatures. But these monsters aren’t scary - they need our help! Thankfully, they have a talking bat named Bat Pat and his friends, the Silver family!
Bat Pat and his friends, Rebecca, Leo, and Martin, continue to help misunderstood monsters in this continuing adventure of the beloved international best-selling book and animated series. In this volume, Bat Pat helps a werewolf with fleas, a mummy with an uncomfortable pillow, and a ghost who needs a new hairstyle. For kids who love Scooby-Doo, but wished the monsters were real!
Trevor Mueller spoke about how exciting it was to revisit the series:
"I'm so happy to be partnering with Bill Walko again for more adventures of Bat Pat! I love this series! When you combine a group of curious and open-minded kids, a town full of monsters that go bump in the night, and a talking bat that provides lots of slapstick and laughs, you get a winning combination. What makes Bat Pat different from other spooky/silly stories like this for younger audiences is that it empowers readers to explore the world around them, use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and not to take a person they encounter at face value. Don't judge a book by its cover. And to help people who need help. In these stories, those people are real monsters! Werewolves, ghosts, and mummies (oh my!), Bat Pat and his family help keep their town safe, including the creatures that go bump in the night. Because in these stories, the monsters aren't scary. They need our help with something. They just don't know how to ask for it."
Perfect for kids ages 6-9, and fans of Geronimo Stilton: Reporter and Scooby-Doo, Bat Pat continues to be a standout choice for emerging readers, reluctant readers, and kids who love light scares with big laughs. The series emphasizes empathy, curiosity, and seeing beyond first impressions, all wrapped up in a fun, spooky package.
Bat Pat Vol. 2: Monster Slumber Party arrives in bookstores, comic shops, and libraries in both hardcover and trade paperback (ISBN HC: 9781545823828 | ISBN PB: 9781545823835) on APRIL 21, 2026.
Fascinatiing how Action's return celebrates the exact controversy that got it banned fifty years ago. The original moral panic from Whitehouse and the press effectively killed a comic that was just reflecting real social issues back at its readors. I've always been curious how censorship in entertainment tends to backfire, turning banned content into bigger cultural touchstones than it might've been otherwise. Fifty years later, bringing back the 'shock and awe' feels like vindication for those original creators.