cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/21241602
Rebellion Developments began life as a video game production studio, but over the past 25 years, it has become a force in the U.K. publishing industry, having developed a robust periodical, prose, trade comics, and collectibles business and broken into both tabletop gaming and merchandising. Rebellion also made a big investment in a media production facility as part of its plans to bring properties including Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper to both big and small screens.
Rebellion keeps its offices in four U.K. locations, including Oxford, where its headquarters is home to an archive of British comics and original artwork going back to the 19th century. The company took custody of this treasure trove when it completed the acquisition of Fleetwood, one of the two longtime U.K. comics publishers, in 2016. The purchase followed Rebellion’s acquisition of Fleetwood’s marquee asset, the landmark science fiction periodical 2000AD, in 2000, which marked the company’s first foray into the publishing industry.
Rebellion sees value in the stockpile of company-owned IP from 2000AD and the rest of its archive as fuel for its gaming and media businesses, but it also takes its role as custodian of the legacy of British comics very seriously. The archive is lovingly maintained in museum-quality conditions, pointing the way toward the future as well as the past.
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While many of the company’s titles are aimed at British readers, Rebellion is reaching for more North American fans with the relaunch of another classic series, Battle Action, featuring a hard-hitting lead feature by Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher), as well as the first new work from Brian K. Vaughan (Saga) in some time. Gail Simone (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey) is doing a four-part miniseries for Misty, a gothic horror/romance and another vintage title from the 1970s. Smith said that Rebellion is also putting together curated collections of archival material by such British comics superstars as Brian Bolland, Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and others who got their start in the pages of 2000AD, featuring restored artwork and complete storylines.
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Between Rebellion and Titan—the other major British comics publisher, whose lineup includes such licensed series as Blade Runner, Conan the Barbarian, The Simpsons and, of course, Doctor Who, alongside some original properties—comics publishing in the U.K. looks as healthy as it has been in quite a while.