2000 AD Celebrates 35 Years in February

I'll wager that you don't know that it's someone birthday in February. A publisher's 35th birthday. A publisher who, if you don't celebrate, will dispense one man to judge, sentence and execute the sentence on you. Well, it probably won't be that severe, but you should still pipe up.

The Galaxy's Greatest Comic is celebrating 35 years at the SFX Weekender event in February. And honoring the publisher at the show will be John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra. You know, the two guys responsible for creating Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog.

“It's an incredible achievement for any British comic to reach 35 years of continuous publication,” said 2000 AD editor Matt Smith, “and the fact that 2000 AD is still here is testament to the remarkable talents of the writers, artists, colourists, letterers, designers and editorial staff that have worked on it over the past three and a half decades – and, of course, to the loyal readership that continue to pick up the Galaxy's Greatest every week. We hope that the 35th birthday party at SFX Weekender will be a fitting celebration for everyone to raise a polystyrene cup in salute to Tharg's Mighty Organ!”

There will be a special Friday night bash and the team will have all the latest graphic novels on hand, plus giveaways and freebies. There will be interviews, Q&A sessions, comic workships, video games, music, book readings and a tone more. You can get tickets at www.sfxweekender.com for the event at Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in Wales from 3-4 February 2012.

"We're thrilled to be celebrating 2000 AD's 35th anniversary at the SFX Weekender!” said Dave Bradley, editor of SFX. “The Galaxy's Greatest Comic has been incredibly influential through its history and remains a must-read – it makes sense to join up with the world's leading sci-fi mag for a fan-filled party. And meeting Judge Dredd legends Carlos Ezquerra and John Wagner will be a geek-tastic treat. Roll on February!"

Full press release after the jump.

2000 AD CELEBRATES 35 YEARS IN FEBRUARY

Break out the balloons, paper plates and the party poppers – it’s 2000 AD’s birthday!

The Galaxy’s Greatest Comic is celebrating three and a half decades of Thrill-power at the SFX Weekender event in February, with its one and ONLY official 35th birthday party!

And what better way to mark this incredible moment in comics history than the legendary co-creators of classic characters Judge Dredd and Strontium Dog, John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, appearing together for the first time in years!

Along with a glittering array of galactic talent, there’ll be a special Friday night bash, and the 2000 AD team will be ensuring that the next 35 years gets off to a flying start with all the latest graphic novels plus giveaways and freebies! Tickets can be purchased by going to http://www.sfxweekender.com

Back for a third year in 2012, the SFX Weekender will be packed with activities for fans: big-name guests, interviews, Q&A sessions, comic workshops, videogaming, music, book readings and plenty more. It will take place at Prestatyn Sands holiday camp in Wales from 3-4 February 2012.

“It's an incredible achievement for any British comic to reach 35 years of continuous publication,” said 2000 AD editor Matt Smith, “and the fact that 2000 AD is still here is testament to the remarkable talents of the writers, artists, colourists, letterers, designers and editorial staff that have worked on it over the past three and a half decades – and, of course, to the loyal readership that continue to pick up the Galaxy's Greatest every week. We hope that the 35th birthday party at SFX Weekender will be a fitting celebration for everyone to raise a polystyrene cup in salute to Tharg's Mighty Organ!”

"We're thrilled to be celebrating 2000 AD's 35th anniversary at the SFX Weekender!” said Dave Bradley, editor of SFX. “The Galaxy's Greatest Comic has been incredibly influential through its history and remains a must-read – it makes sense to join up with the world's leading sci-fi mag for a fan-filled party. And meeting Judge Dredd legends Carlos Ezquerra and John Wagner will be a geek-tastic treat. Roll on February!"

Hitting newsstands for the first time on 26th February 1977, 2000 AD quickly established itself as the powerhouse in British comic books. While competitors fell away, the self-styled Galaxy’s Greatest Comic became the proving ground for such incredible talent as Alan Moore, Mark Millar and Grant Morrison, as well creating some of the world’s most famous and revered characters, including future lawman – and star of a new forthcoming Hollywood movie – Judge Dredd.