Looking Into 2021: Rebellion’s Treasury Of British Comics Release Schedule

Well, 2020 is almost done (thank goodness), which means it’s time to look ahead to a, hopefully, quieter and better year ahead. And of course, that means lots of comics from The Treasury of British Comics, home to the biggest archive of classic British comics, who recently announced their publishing slate for 2021.

We’ve got the full list below, but a few highlights first … 2021 will see plenty of action from the archives, including new archive editions of some of Britain’s strangest heroes, including The Steel Claw and Adam Eterno, more classic reprints of the adventures of The Spider and more thrilling wartime adventures with Major Eazy and Hellman of Hammer Force. And we’ll also see plenty of the long-forgotten British war comics of the legendary Hugo Pratt in Night of the Devil and Battler Britton.

As well as those classic reprints, there’s going to be plenty of new adventures for classic characters with the collection of Rebellion’s reinvented super-team, The Vigilant, the first collection of new Tammy & Jinty material from the Specials published over the last few years, and more new Roy (and Rocky) of The Rovers, alongside more archive collections of classic Roy of the Rovers from the 1970s and 1980s. Also on the football theme, we’ll get more of the genius that was Ken Reid with a long-awaited collection of his Football Funnies drawn for Scorcher and Score between 1970 and 1972.

In November, the Treasury focuses on two very different masters of comics – master of comedy Tom Paterson and Spanish comics maestro Jaume Rumeu. The Treasury of British Comics Presents: The Tom Paterson Collection showcases Scottish-born Paterson’s work for titles such as Buster, Whoopee!, Jackpot, Whizzer & Chips and Oink!, which established him as one of the most inventive and influential cartoonists British comics has ever produced, a natural successor to the genius of Leo Baxendale. And perhaps lesser-known but no less talented, Misty Presents: The Jaume Rumeu Collection collects the short horror stories and the tales of one of the most iconic villains in British girls’ comics – the lethal Mrs. Webb, a raging femme fatale with killer style and a bone to pick with the British Establishment!

Editor Oliver Pickles said:

“2020 was full of challenges but was nonetheless the Treasury of British Comics’ best year so far, so we’re very excited about our schedule of new titles for next year. We’ve tried to strike a balance between our continuing mission to bring comics from the archives back into print, often for the very first time, while also giving new creators the chance to breath new life into classic characters. We think there’s something for everyone next year!”

JANUARY – 

Third World War Book Two by Pat Mills, art by Carlos Ezquerra, Sean Phillips, Duncan Fegredo

Written in the late ‘80s by Pat Mills (Marshal Law), this incendiary second volume of the ground-breaking political comic not only contains contributions by legend Carlos Ezquerra (Judge Dredd, Preacher) but also introduces international comics stars Sean Phillips (Criminal, Kill or Be Killed) and Duncan Fegredo (Hellboy, Kid Eternity). After her eye-opening experiences of corporate interference in Central America, Eve returns to Britain with a renewed political drive and determination to fight for what she believes in.

Release Date: 05 Jan 2021

FEBRUARY – 

Night of the Devil – War Picture Library by Hugo Pratt

Two exciting and explosive war stories lushly illustrated by Hugo Pratt, comics legend and creator of iconic character, Corto Maltese. In Night of the Devil, take a hallucinatory trip through the oppressive heat of the Burmese jungle along with British soldiers engaged in desperate skirmishes with the enemy. In Bayonet Jungle, Private Jack Green’s presence is seen as an omen of bad luck but he struggles to prove himself to the experienced soldiers of Third Platoon as they fight against the Japanese army that surrounds them.

Hardback, release date: 16 Feb 2021

The Steel Claw: Invisible Man, written by Ken Bulmer and Tom Tully, art by Jesús Blasco

Written by stalwarts of the British comics industry, Ken Bulmer (Jet-Ace Logan) and Tom Tully (Roy of the Rovers, Janus Stark) and illustrated by the legendary Spanish artist, Jesús Blasco (Capitán Trueno), Rebellion’s Treasury of British Comics is proud to present the first in a series of graphic novels collecting together for the first time every strip of 1960s adventure comics like none other! Louis Crandell was but a lowly lab assistant with a prosthetic, steel hand until an experiment gone awry results in a horrific explosion. Surging with electric charge which bestows Crandell the power of invisibility with the exception of his steel hand, so commence a series of uncanny thrills!

Release date: 02 Feb 2021
Available in standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover with a cover by Brian Bolland

MARCH –

Major Eazy: The Italian Campaign by Alan Hebden and Carlos Ezquerra

Before Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog for 2000 AD, comic maestro Carlos Ezquerra created an iconic star character of bestselling British war comic, Battle. Now, collected in order for the first time, Rebellion is proud to present all of Major Eazy’s adventures remastered and from the beginning. From pulse-pounding invasion of Sicily to the German surrender at Brenner Pass, Major Eazy Volume 1 collects all of the character’s adventures across the Italian arena of war.

Release date: 02 Mar 2021
Available in standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by John McCrea.

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1970s Volume 2 by Tom Tully, Yvonne Hutton, David Sque

The second outstanding archive collection of the classic Roy of the Rovers comics! This volume collects some of the best stories from the Roy of the Rovers comic, including Roy becoming a father and being offered the job of England Manager!

Hardcover, release date: 04 Mar 2021

APRIL – 

The Vigilant, written by Simon Furman, art by Simon Coleby, DaNi, Henrik Sahlstrom, Warwick Fraser-Combe, Staz Johnson, Will Sliney, and Jake Lynch.

Lost in the mists of time, home-grown British superheroes once entertained and enthralled millions of kids… Now, the likes of Adam Eterno, Blake Edmonds, Thunderbolt the Avenger, and The Leopard from Lime Street are back for a new generation of readers! This volume collects the trilogy of The Vigilant stories written by Simon Furman (Transformers) and drawn by an all-star roster of artists including Simon Coleby (Dark Souls), DaNi (Coffin Bound), Henrik Sahlstrom (The Thirteenth Floor), Warwick Fraser-Combe, Staz Johnson (Spider-Man), Will Sliney (Spider-Man 2099) and Jake Lynch (Judge Dredd).

Release date: 15 Apr 2021

The Spider’s Syndicate of Crime (US title: Jerry Siegel’s Syndicate of Crime) by Ted Cowan, Jerry Siegel, Reg Bunn

Enter The Spider – comics’ lost Golden Age supervillain from the co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel! Equipped with a razor-sharp mind, superb athletic ability and a vast array of cutting edge gadgets, The Spider has his sights set on taking over the New York underworld and establishing a ‘Syndicate of Crime’. Join the menacing Spider on his earliest adventures, recruiting other fiends into his fledging empire and seeing off competition from other villainous foes, including the master of illusion, Mirror Man! Fully remastered and collected for the first time, this volume presents many of the super-crook’s exciting 1960’s adventures which featured the most popular British comic book villain and sprang from the imagination of Superman co-creator, Jerry Siegel.

Release date: 15 Apr 2021
Available as standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by Chris Weston

MAY –

Adam Eterno – A Hero For All Time – by Tom Tully, Tom Kerr, Francisco Solano Lopez, and Colin Page

From the high seas of 1770 to the Western Front in 1916, follow Adam Eterno’s earliest adventures from the pages of Thunder. 1580, London – Adam Eterno was working as an assistant to the great alchemist Erasmus Hemlock who had just achieved his life’s goal – creating the ‘Elixir of Life’! Adam swallowed the potion, defying his masters orders. With his last breath, Erasmus placed a curse upon Adam, wishing him immortality. Unless Adam is struck over the head with a solid gold object, he is, “doomed to wander through the labyrinths of time…!”

Release date: 27 May 2021
Available as a standard format paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover

JUNE – 

Battler Britton – War Picture Library by Hugo Pratt

The master of Euro comics, Hugo Pratt, meets the classic comic book air ace who’s as skilled a fighter on land as he is in his Spitfire! In this thrilling collection, Britton helps resistance fighters smuggle gold from Nazi occupied Yugoslavia, before escorting a ballistics expert on his mission to analyse an unexploded V2 rocket in Poland! Reprinted in graphic novel form for the first time, these two fast-paced Battler Britton stories from 1960 – Wagons of Gold and Rockets of Revenge – are drawn by the legendary artist behind Corto Maltese.

Hardcover, release date: 24 June 2021

Tammy & Jinty Remixed

Collecting the critically-acclaimed Tammy & Jinty specials from 2019 and 2020, this 112 page anthology includes contributions from some of the most exciting female creators working in the industry today. New characters such as Rocky Race, ace footballer are showcased with updated classic characters like Cat Girl, Bella at the Bar and the Justice of Justine. A range of stories are included, from a mysterious boarding school that caters to just two pupils to action packed roller derby escapades, this collection pays tribute to the past while blazing a trail for girls’ comics of the future! This collection also includes exclusive new interviews and features, plus a reprint of the fan favourite classic Cat Girl strip.

Release date: 10 Jun 2021

Roy of the Rovers: The Best of the 1980s – Who Shot Roy Race? – by Tom Tully and David Sque

Collecting the most sensational storyline from Roy of the Rovers history! The dawn of this new decade was one that Melchester Rovers would want to forget. The 80/81 season was far from their finest hour with the threat of relegation snapping at their heels all throughout the season and exits from the F.A. Cup and the European Cup leaving the trophy cabinet bare. For star striker Roy Race it couldn’t be worse. His obsession with the team had caused a strain on his marriage and fractured his relationship with teammates like the hot-headed Vic Guthrie. And then there was an attempt on his life… After being shot in December 1981, Roy lay in a coma for several weeks while Sir Alf Ramsey stepped into the dugout for Melchester. Life in a lower division beckons, but at least the Rovers will be the most stylish team on the pitch with their new Gola sponsored kits!

Hardback, release date: 10 June 2021

JULY – 

The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire Volume III by Mike Butterworth, Don Lawrence, Miguel Quesada

The third thrilling omnibus of the lost Sci-Fi classic from the 1960s. This is the epic story of the Trigan Empire’s rise and fall, and of how Trigo, often alone, had to fend off usurpers and monstrous threats to save his people. The lush painted comic art that Don Lawrence produced in this period would solidify him as one of the greatest comic book artists of all time. Collected within are all the Trigan Empire stories published in chronological order including the never before reprinted short stories not illustrated by Don Lawrence, to give you the complete saga of the Trigan Empire.

Release date: 20 July 2021
Available as a standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by Chris Weston

AUGUST – 

Ken Reid’s Football Funnies: The First Half

Go football crazy with comics’ comedy master, Ken Reid! The first time that many of these uproarious strips have been reprinted, Football Funnies collects silly scores and chucklesome kick-offs from the imagination of one of Britain’s greatest cartoonists. Drawn for Scorcher and Score between 1970 and 1972, this collection includes strips such as Sub, Manager Matt, Hugh Fowler and the Football Forum pundits.

Hardcover, release date: 5 August 2021

SEPTEMBER – 

The Thirteenth Floor Volume 3 by John Wagner, Alan Grant and Jose Ortiz

The thrilling conclusion to the classic 1980s horror comic strip! Max the maniacal computer is back in Maxwell Tower, dishing out his twisted form of retribution on anyone who dares to cross his beloved residents! From a conniving milkman to thuggish street urchins, anyone who enters Max’s territory looking for trouble is going for a one-way trip to the thirteenth floor! However, Max’s past exploits have not gone unnoticed. The K.G.B. have sent their own super-powered computer called Boris to make Max an offer – help them conquer the world or face obliteration!

Release date: 16 September 2021
Available as a standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover

OCTOBER – 

Black Max Volume 2 by Frank Pepper and Alfonso Font

Thrilling supernatural war comics from the pages of classic British comics Lion and Thunder! Ace fighter pilot Baron Maximilien Von Klorr is the scourge of the skies, menacing the Allied forces during the bloodiest battles in WWI. Skilled, ruthless and in possession of two giant, mutated kingbats who fight by his side, Von Klorr AKA Black Max is almost unstoppable. Only the brave pilots of the Royal Flying Corps, including Lieutenant Tom Wilson, oppose the Black Max’s complete dominance of the air…

Release date: 4 October 2021
Available as a standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by Ian Kennedy

Roy of the Rovers: New Digs by Rob Williams and David Sque

It’s the start of a terrific new season for Melchester Rovers. They are now a Championship club with a new kit, new owners and a fabulous new stadium. With Sowerby now fully integrated into the club, Rocky and Roy Race couldn’t be happier. But a personal tragedy and an appalling incident during a Melchester Rovers match in Europe, will push the footballing siblings to the limit.

Release date: 28 October 2021

NOVEMBER – 

The Treasury of British Comics Presents: The Tom Paterson Collection

Scottish artist Tom Paterson is one of the most inventive and influential cartoonists British comics have produced. Inspired by the work of George Martin, Leo Baxendale and Ken Reid, Tom’s work was unmistakable – packed with visual comedic gags and giving each one that instant re-readability. This collection features some of Tom’s outstanding work for IPC/Fleetway from titles like Buster, Whoopee!, Jackpot, Whizzer & Chips and Oink! amongst others. With quotes from the man himself and some extra, added treasures, this is a must have for fans of British humour comics both young and old!

Release date: 25 November 2021
Available as a standard hardcover and webshop exclusive hardcover with cover by Tom Paterson

Misty Presents: The Jaume Rumeu Collection

Black widows, mad scientists, femme fatales and giant spiders abound in this collection of horrifying Misty stories, all drawn by comics maestro Jaume Rumeu Perera! This collection celebrates one of the most iconic villains in British girls’ comics: the lethal Mrs. Webb, a raging femme fatale with killer style and a bone to pick with the British Establishment. Determined to take over the country with her army of giant arachnids, only two schoolgirls stand between her and global domination! Full of stunning artwork, terrifying twists, beautiful – but deadly – women, and, of course – giant spiders, this is an essential comic for any horror connoisseur.

Release date: 11 November 2021

DECEMBER – 

Hellman of Hammer Force by Gerry Finley-Day and Mike Dorey

This isn’t your grandad’s war comic – never had there been an anti-hero like Hellman of Hammer Force! One of the major highlights of the controversial 1970s comic, Action, Major Kurt Hellman is a Panzer commander in the 1940 German invasion of Belgium. But this man is no Nazi – he avoids taking life wherever possible, all while facing foes without and treachery within! Collected for the first time, and from the very beginning, this groundbreaking series of thrilling combat is written by Gerry Finley-Day (Rogue Trooper) and drawn by Mike Dorey (Ro-Busters).

Release date: 9 December 2021
Available as a standard paperback and webshop exclusive hardcover