When you arrive at your local comics shop for Free Comic Book Day in 2016, you might forgiven if you were to think that something cool was missing.
The Powers That Be that decide what companies can participate in the annual event that brings in new readers every year, has decided that Judge Dredd is bad company. Rebellion Publishing, the publisher of Dredd, 2000 AD and many more excellent, if dark, comics has not been invited to the ball.
The company does have plans for the material that would have been released as part of FCBD – and a response to its unexpected removal from the event. Follow the jump for that.
“2000 AD is very proud of the success of our FCBD issue, which saw orders grow in huge jumps every single year, exceeding 60,000 units in 2015. We value FCBD, and the effort Diamond and the retailers put into making the day so successful, for the opportunity to support comic book stores, reach out to new audiences both within and beyond the UK, and to give something extra to readers. As such, we have proudly and routinely commissioned original content from top flight talent for our FCBD issues and increased the page count to a hefty 48 pages.
“It is therefore very disappointing to not be taking part in the 2016 event, particularly since we were so excited about including work by such huge talents as Eric Powell, Joelle Jones, and Laura and Mike Allred.
“We don’t want to keep that from our readers, so we have therefore taken the decision to still bring this amazing work out in May 2016 in a new Summer Special issue, full details of which will be forthcoming.
“Meanwhile we hope readers and retailers who are disappointed not to be able to pick up a 2000 AD FCBD issue next year will give their support to us and the Summer Special. We very much hope to be back in FCBD in 2017 and will be working hard for that to happen.”