DC ACQUIRES N. AMERICAN PUB RIGHTS FOR 2000AD MATERIAL

[MattBrady]

DC today announced that it has acquired the North American publishing rights to all existing and future comic material from the UK’s Rebellion, publisher of 2000AD as well as Judge Dredd Megazine and others.

“There’s been a level of respect for what 2000 AD has accomplished over the years for a long, long time within DC,” DC’s VP of Sales & Marketing Bob Wayne told Newsarama. “To some extent, seeing people’s work in 2000AD is one of the things that helped bring about the British Invasion of comics, as 2000AD and the other publications that grew up after it gave a lot of people their first prominence in comics.”

The new arrangement came about as a result of ongoing conversations between DC and Rebellion which began shortly after they purchased 2000AD and its character library in 2000. “Various ideas were exchanged, which led us to this,” Wayne said. “There’s not really any one starting point, where you can say DC discovered 2000AD in a reverse Christopher Columbus type of thing.”

The relationship grants DC access to the full library of 2000AD and Judge Dredd Megazine material, including well-known (but rarely seen in the US) works by Garth Ennis, Simon Bisley, Frank Quitely, Mark Millar, Chris Weston, Sean Phillips, Glenn Fabry, and others.

The relationship calls for a schedule that breaks down to having DC publish three volumes of Rebellion material a month. “We’re going to start with two a month, for the first four months, which will be September through December, and then we’re going to go to three books a month starting in January, and there may be a couple of special books here or there,” said Georg Brewer, VP — Design & Retail Product Development. “At least that’s our plan going out the door. We’re going to start the launch with a reissue of our Batman/Judge Dredd Files, which collects those team-ups. That will be in regular comics format in terms of trim size. The 2000AD material will be in trim size similar to the Humanoids books…7 3/8 by 10 and 3/16th inches.”

The new volumes will carry a “2000AD” trade dress on the front, while the spine will have a shared branding of 2000AD/DC Comics, according to Brewer, whose department will be handling the cover design. “It’s very exciting to be given an opportunity to work on such a wide variety of material, as we’ve been exposed to so many, especially in the editorial design side – it’s a new flavor – it’s a new challenge creatively to design and position this so that it will appeal to the widest possible market.”

Multi-volume stories will be consecutively numbered, but Wayne said, there will be no effort madder to number the entire libraries of some character’s stories, such as Judge Dredd, where a “Volume 1 of 76” may drive readers away, rather than attract them.

Covers for the new volumes, according to Brewer, will be pulled from existing material. “The conversation has come up, but given that they have such a wide selection of cover material available, we’ll probably, from the outset, just be picking up existing covers and reformatting them.”

Likewise, stories will be reproduced in their original format, which means volumes will be published in a variety of both black and white and color. “We’ve no plans to go in and color any of the material that was originally presented in black and white – we don’t want to change the original vision,” Wayne said.

The full September ship list stands as: The Batman/Judge Dredd Files, written by John Wagner and Alan Grant, with art by Simon Bisley, Carl Critchlow, Dermot Power, Glenn Fabry, Jim Murray, and Jason Brashill; and Sinister Dexter: Gunshark Vacation, written by Dan Abnett, with art by David Millgate, Anthony Williams, Charles Gillespie, Simon Davis, and Henry Flint.

Books currently on the radar for future release include:

Devlin Waugh: Swimming in Blood, written by John Smith, with art by Sean Phillips, Siku, and Michael Gaydos; Red Razors, written by Mark Millar, with art by Steve Yeowell and Nigel Dobbyn; Judge Dredd: Judgment Day, written by Garth Ennis, with art by Peter Doherty, Dean Ormston, Carlos Ezquerra, and Chris Halls; Nikolai Dante: The Romanov Dynasty, written by Robbie Morrison, with art by Simon Fraser, Chris Weston, Charlie Adlard, and Henry Flint; Robo-Hunter: Verdus, written by John Wagner, with art by Ian Gibson; and Shimura, written by Robbie Morrison, with art by Frank Quitely, Colin MacNeil, Robert McCallum and Fraser.

While both Wayne and Brewer said that DC staffers have favorites among the 2000AD material, DC and Rebellion are working together to work up a selection of material for publication by DC.

“Basically, we went through their library and selected some titles, and have been going back and forth with them to try and find a nice balance that would suit everybody’s needs,” Brewer said. “Looking at some of the material that we might have gravitated toward initially is still part of the Titan reprints, so we’ll be touching on some of that stuff later.”

“This is seen as possibly being the start of a long-running relationship between us and 2000AD, so we’ll be ramping up and then we’ll be hitting our stride on that, but we look forward to bringing people on for years to come,” Wayne added.

As Brewer said, DC will focus on materials not recently collected and reprinted by Titan, the former license holder of the 2000AD and Judge Dredd rights.

Current plans call for just comics, despite the fact that 2000AD characters have been in toy lines before, and DC does have DC Direct cranking out action figures on a monthly basis.

“Certainly the type of close cooperation between all of us in doing all this has led us to think about other things as well,” Wayne said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to have chats about that, but so far we haven’t spoken about it, really.”

Together with the recent deal announced between DC and Humanoids, as well as DC’s forthcoming manga line, tentatively titled CMX, the deal with Rebellion could be seen as one to further globalize its offerings to the North American audience.

Wayne doesn’t have a problem with people seeing it that way. “It’s safe to say that DC continues to have a very wide definition of what’s a comic book, and what’s an entertaining way to tell comic book stories. And we’re willing to go all over the planet to bring those different visions, and that diversity to the comic book market, just to make things available to the readers that have been with us for a long time, and to show them that there are other flavors of comics, much in the same way that we have the DCU, with Vertigo, and Wildstorm.

“The deals with Rebellion and Humanoids will allow for a place for people who want to see how the Rebellion folks handle 2000AD and Judge Dredd, and how the Humanoids folks handle those types of stories and anything else.”

Brewer: “This is a way that DC will be able to continue to grow and prosper and spread its wings, as well as increase our real estate on the shelves of bookstores and in comic book stores. We’re always looking for other ways to build out that area and to bring in a different flavor that we don’t necessarily have in one of our four lines. Also, as Bob mentioned, this will expose new and old readers to a variety of different types of storytelling and sensibilities and styles.”

As with the Humanoids deal, it could be seen that the new deal with Rebellion is a move by DC to counter the influx of material coming from the East that’s been cited by many as taking up more and more space on bookstore shelves: manga.

As for that view, Wayne doesn’t quite agree. “DC’s sales of book-form storytelling, collected editions, original graphic novels, hardcover archives – our sales have grown year by year in the direct marketplace, and they’ve also continued to grow year by year in the mass market channels of book distribution,” Wayne said. “So we’re having constant growth in those, and it’s not a feeling that our market is dwindling when we’re seeing increased sales, and more and more titles coming out from our book program every year – it’s really more a matter of wanting to take advantage of the skills we’ve already learned in growing to that size of a book publishing program.

“Manga publishing in North America has reached the point where it’s helping to bring people in for the first time into the experience of reading comics material, and as long as new people are coming in, we’re happy to have them coming in no matter what the entry point. We’re always encouraged to have more than one or two publishers publishing comics material. We’d like to have a large variety of comics publishers publishing comic book material, all of them healthy and making money and putting out interesting books, so it makes it a tough choice for people to figure out which great thing to read next.”

As for what the deal means for retailers, Wayne was quick to point out the benefits. “I think retailers and consumers will both benefit from DC’s skill set in terms of having the books available and having the backlist available,” Wayne said. “As long as the book is selling at a reasonable pace, we’ll make it so it will be as uninterrupted a flow as possible, so retailers will be able to have just in time reorder availability. By doing that, it makes it almost invisible to consumers that there’s ever a problem in getting the books that they want. And by the books being part of our structure in regards to discounts and terms, it gives retailers one of the best sets of tools to be able to maximize their profits as well as to bring this variety of material to customers in their stores.”

[Supreme Convoy]

I just read the first Batman/Judge Dredd team up (and I liked John Wagner's run on Legends of the Dark Knight) so this sounds like a good time to jump on a Judge Dredd book.

[Tom Daylight]

I hear A.H.A.B. is very good

In fact I would buy an A.H.A.B. trade even though I'm going to buy all the issues (it starts today) - I have that much faith in the creative team.

Not so interested in Atavar, though. So you don't need to collect that

[Aaron Weisbrod]

I was just talking to a buddy of mine about how badly I wanted this to happen, and the next day *BAM* the word breaks!

This is great news, as 2000 AD is a library of great works by top-tier creators that has been -- for the most part -- unseen by American eyes.

Oh happy day!

Jungian,
Aaron Weisbrod

[cactusmaac]

[Monty Burns] Excellent [/Monty Burns]

[ChrisArrant]

Great news.... I've never been able to consistently acquire issues of 2000AD and Megazine in the U.S., but not maybe there's an opportunity.

And I hope they collect Andy Diggle & Jock's Lenny Zero stories.

[JONAS]

This is the best news in a looong time!!! I am Swedish and lives in the US but growing up in Scandinavia and attending collage in London for a while I read 2000 AD (mostly Swedish language translations in Judge Dredd or Magnum Magazine).

There are so many absolutely brilliant stuff hiding in the 2000 AD/Megazine archives!!! Just take teh recent return of Rough Trooper, Pat Mills & Flint Henrys ABC Warriors relaunch, anything drawn by Andy Clarke (I am still surprised Marvel or DC never scooped him up) or Frazer Irving (the best horror artist since Bernie Wrightson). The recent Carlos Esqurerra (sp) illustrated "clone Dredd" story was really fun in its old-school Dredd ultra violence action.

If any one from Rebellion or DC reads this PLEASE give us a collection of the Judge Dredd stuff Colin Wilson recently drew (in 2001 or 2002, I think). Since almost everything Wilson does NEVER sees print in English this would be a true event (and they you guys could have French publishers fight for the french language editions).

...........how are things going with the Zenith legal stuff though?? Does any one know???

[Jamie Boardman]

Hi, folks.

I'm Jamie Boardman, the 2000 AD editor responsible for bringing these collections out.

While I can't confirm details of any titles at present - beyond what's been mentioned above - I can tell you that our reprints are going to be fairly extensive, covering many of the artists and writers (e.g. Colin Wilson - Jonas, I assume you mean the "Doomsday for Dredd" / "Doomsday for MC-1" stories) mentioned by the various posters upthread.

I have no new information regarding ZENITH, I'm afraid.

Do feel free to pose questions here or at the official 2000AD message board, which you can find at http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=fa...&Comic=&Field=

I'll try to get to them when I can; got a few books to sort out, y'know?

[Tom Daylight]

How about reprinting AHAB instead of Atavar, Jamie?

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by Fetsur
I hear A.H.A.B. is very good

In fact I would buy an A.H.A.B. trade even though I'm going to buy all the issues (it starts today) - I have that much faith in the creative team.

Not so interested in Atavar, though. So you don't need to collect that

Just read AHAB part one myself, and I must say, it's looking cracking (but being the old-skooler I am, I preferred SAVAGE this week).

ATAVAR doesn't actually fall under the DC deal - basically, we've left a little leeway to collect material that might be a little too short for a US-style TPB, but would fit in a Euro-format paper- or hardback (along the lines of the books we've recently been producing).

Hope that clarifies things!

[Sambo253]

Well isn't this bloody fantastic. Not 7 hours after I vowed to quit buying anything remotely related to DC, I read this. I don't know what to do now...i'm still leaning on the side of "Screw DC" and just support the U.S. Indys, but this is so tempting. Ack.

[Greg McElhatton]

Any chance for Paul Cornell's or Mike Carey's recent(ish) contributions to the magazine to be collected? Or are they too new?

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by Greg McElhatton
Any chance for Paul Cornell's or Mike Carey's recent(ish) contributions to the magazine to be collected? Or are they too new?

Greg - I assume you mean XTNCT and THIRTEEN respectively; the former might well come out direct from us (see my above post to Fetsur), and I think the latter's on the "potentials" list for the DC titles; as I rather enjoyed THIRTEEN, I think it's safe to say that you can rest assured that it'll come out at some stage...!

[Tom Daylight]

Originally posted by Sambo253
Well isn't this bloody fantastic. Not 7 hours after I vowed to quit buying anything remotely related to DC, I read this. I don't know what to do now...i'm still leaning on the side of "Screw DC" and just support the U.S. Indys, but this is so tempting. Ack.

You could just buy the weekly magazine. Not connected with DC in any way!

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by Supreme Convoy
I just read the first Batman/Judge Dredd team up (and I liked John Wagner's run on Legends of the Dark Knight) so this sounds like a good time to jump on a Judge Dredd book.

FYI, THE BATMAN/DREDD FILES collects three of the four team-ups (the fully painted ones):-

Judgment on Gotham (Wagner/Grant/Bisley), The Ultimate Riddle (Wagner/Grant/Critchlow), and Die Laughing (Wagner/Grant/Fabry/Murray/Brashill).

[Tom Daylight]

Originally posted by Jamie Boardman
Just read AHAB part one myself, and I must say, it's looking cracking (but being the old-skooler I am, I preferred SAVAGE this week).

Basically, we've left a little leeway to collect material that might be a little too short for a US-style TPB, but would fit in a Euro-format paper- or hardback (along the lines of the books we've recently been producing).

Hope that clarifies things!

Thanks, Jamie! Unless something nasty happens to me in the meantime, you have one guaranteed sale already

[borghe]

Jamie - As a current pruchaser of 2000AD and Megazine from my local shop, can you tell me if this will change things for me? Is 2000AD being published by DC in America now or is this news just referring to trade collections?

2000AD has ALWAYS been on the cutting edge of the comics industry.. It's always funny to go back through my old issues and see today's American comics superstars writing or drawing 2000AD stories from 5 or 10 years ago..

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by Fetsur
Thanks, Jamie! Unless something nasty happens to me in the meantime, you have one guaranteed sale already

Just make sure you keep dodging them thrill-suckers

[MicroZone]

This is great news. The diversity coming from DC anymore is just staggering. People want to focus on the DCU or the problems getting WS titles to sell, but DC have SO many other options for readers that it's becoming impossible NOT to find something worth reading from DC, no matter how narrow your tastes are.

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by borghe
Jamie - As a current pruchaser of 2000AD and Megazine from my local shop, can you tell me if this will change things for me? Is 2000AD being published by DC in America now or is this news just referring to trade collections?

2000AD has ALWAYS been on the cutting edge of the comics industry.. It's always funny to go back through my old issues and see today's American comics superstars writing or drawing 2000AD stories from 5 or 10 years ago..

This news refers to trade collections only - 2K and the Megazine will still be published by Rebellion, still order-able from PREVIEWS or by direct subscription.

Cheers for the kind words!

[joeker_1]

Will I still be able to get the weekly progs? I like the weekly anthology format. Will it still be magazine sized?

[KOBE27]

Well, these are great news, indeed.
However, and not to be just negative here, but really, hasn't Titan Books already done the cream of the crop in their recent TPB/HC releases?
From Alan Moore they did Halo Jones, Skizz, D.R. & Quinch.
The better-known Slaine stories.
The first ABC Warriors, and Strontium Dog.
The very best (IMHO) of the TONS of Judge Dredd stories (the Cursed Earth, the first Judge Death, the Judge Child quest, the Judge Cal story, the Apocalypse War), plus the best of the Garth Ennis Dredd stories (if not ALL of them), PLUS three volumes of Psi Judge Anderson TPBs.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the Red Razors story (although I already have it), and some of the Durham Red stories.

[Big_K]

AWESOME. Maybe now I can pick up old Rogue Trooper stories and old Judge Anderson stories.

Some 20 years ago, an uncle of mine gave me about 20 issues of the large newspaper format 2000AD magazine. I LOVED reading R.Trooper, the Mega Citiy wars, the introduction of Judge Death, meeting Judge Anderson [rowrrr], Robo Hunter and many others.

This is a great addition to the already good DC liscensing deals with European publishers!

Included in these was some absolutely amazing art by Brian Bolland, Kevin Oneill, Dave Gibbons and others. Just awesome.

[joeker_1]

Originally posted by Jamie Boardman
This news refers to trade collections only - 2K and the Megazine will still be published by Rebellion, still order-able from PREVIEWS or by direct subscription.

Cheers for the kind words!

Thank God! I love the weekly format. Reads great in the bathroom. This should be great for getting creators to do more work in the magazine. Andy Clarke of Sinister Dexter is a great artist. Any plans for that to be collected and do you think he will recieve any mainsteam work. I would love to see him on a vertigo comic or two. Hellblazer anyone?

[Jamie Boardman]

Originally posted by KOBE27
Well, these are great news, indeed.
However, and not to be just negative here, but really, hasn't Titan Books already done the cream of the crop in their recent TPB/HC releases?
From Alan Moore they did Halo Jones, Skizz, D.R. & Quinch.
The better-known Slaine stories.
The first ABC Warriors, and Strontium Dog.
The very best (IMHO) of the TONS of Judge Dredd stories (the Cursed Earth, the first Judge Death, the Judge Child quest, the Judge Cal story, the Apocalypse War), plus the best of the Garth Ennis Dredd stories (if not ALL of them), PLUS three volumes of Psi Judge Anderson TPBs.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the Red Razors story (although I already have it), and some of the Durham Red stories.

Without wanting to pass comment on Titan's reprints - many of which I worked on as an editorial assistant - I think it's safe to say that there's a wealth of material which hasn't yet been covered; if you enjoy Dredd, for example, you'll most likely enjoy DEVLIN WAUGH (which features two Dredd team-ups, not to mention fully painted Sean Phillips art!); fans of Crossgen's more epic and rangy titles like SOJOURN are sure to dig on NIKOLAI DANTE; and if you've ever liked a Tarantino flick, chances are you'll like SINISTER DEXTER.

Bear in mind that 2000AD's been publishing weekly for just over 27 years now, at 32 pages a week - add that to the Megazine, which is around 200 issues old (for 80-100pp per issue), and I think you'll agree that there's a lot left to look at - not to mention the great new work that's being produced for the ongoing comic — this week's issue, for example, sees collaborations between John Wagner (Dredd co-creator) and Cam Kennedy (War Story), Pat Mills (Sláine) and Charlie Adlard (The Establishment), Nige Kitching and Richard Elson, Rob Williams (Cla$$war) and Henry Flint (Dredd/Aliens), and Wagner, Patrick Goddard and Dylan Teague. I mean, I *could* go on...