2,000 AD

   UK weekly sf COMIC-strip magazine, 32-36pp, published by IPC from 26 Feb, 1977, and then from 1987 by Fleetway. Eds have included Kelvin Gosnell, Steve McManus, Richard Burton. Throughout, the editor has been presented as an ALIEN called Tharg, and some very entertaining and original sf short stories have appeared under the title Tharg's Future Shocks. Early issues (referred to as "progs") were printed on cheap pulp paper with colour forthe front and back and for a centre-spread. Continued success eventually justified a "new look", with better-quality paper and printing, including 50-60 per cent in Colour.

    Many of 2,000 AD's contributing artists and writers have achieved transatlantic success. They include Simon Bisley, Brian BOLLAND, Dave GIBBONS, JUDGE DREDD writers Alan Grant and JohnWagner, Cam Kennedy, Alan MOORE, Grant Morrison, Kevin O'Niell and Bryan Talbot. The magazine has featured a number of high-quality sf strips, including DAN DARE (from \#1, 26 Feb 1977), Judge Dredd (from \#2, 5 Mar 1977), Robo-Hunter (from \#76, 5 Aug 1978), Strontium Dog (from \#86, 14 Oct1978), ABC Warriors (from \#119, 30 June 1979), The VCs (from \#140, 24 Nov 1979), Stainless Steel Rat (also from \#140), Slaine (from \#330, 20 Aug 1983), Ballad of Halo Jones (from \#376, 7 July 1984), Anderson Psi Division (from \#416, 4 May 1985) and Bad Company (from \#500, 13 Dec 1986). Many 2,000 AD strips have been reprinted in the UK as GRAPHIC NOVELS and also in the USA in comic-book format (with artwork stretched lengthways to suit the taller page shape) under the Eagle Comics imprint (subsequently continued by Quality Comics and later by Fleetway). There have been several related hardback publications in the form of Annuals and Yearbooks, containing occasional reprints from the weekly but mostly newmaterial of lower quality. A monthly black-and-white title with a glossy cover, Best of 2,000 AD, has been published since Oct 1985.

RT