moorereppion

As you probably already know, today is  “Galaxy’s Greatest Comic” 2000 AD’s 35th Birthday.

Stumbling out from the zarjaz office party, festooned with space-age streamers,  a party hat perched wonkily on his generous green head, Tharg the Mighty managed to make the following statement.

Writing couple Leah Moore and John Reppion are to make their debut for the publishers of legendary British comic 2000 AD.

Leah’s father, the writer Alan Moore, first got his break in the pages of 2000 AD in 1980 and went on to write classic stories such as The Ballad of Halo Jones, Watchmen, and V for Vendetta. Moore and Reppion have forged their own writing career with titles such as Albion, Doctor Who: The Whispering Gallery, The Thrill Electric and adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Dracula.

Their first work for 2000 AD, a Tales from the Black Museum story entitled Scouting for Bots, will appear in Judge Dredd Megazine #322, on sale in the UK on 28th March and in North America on 11th April. Art on the nine-page tale has been supplied by another 2000 AD fan favourite – D’Israeli, otherwise known as artist Matt Brooker.

“We are really excited to be finally working for the comic we have all grown up with (some of us more than others!),” said Leah. “I remember my dad taking me to the 2000 AD office when I was small (maybe eight?) and meeting Tharg in the flesh!

“I said “Borag Thungg, O Mighty One”. He said “Borag Thungg, Earthlet Leah”. It was awesome. It’s nice to see that bit of early networking paid off over two decades later.

“I have to say I am more excited about getting a short story in the Judge Dredd Megazine than I have been about lots of our much bigger projects elsewhere. Not sure why. Some kind of loyalty-chip implated during my visit to Tharg maybe?

“2000 AD has always been somewhere for British talent to cut their teeth, and learn their craft. Even though we have been in the business now for nearly ten years, I am certain that we have more to learn, and what better way to do it than at 2000 AD?”

“Leah Moore and John Reppion are amongst the exciting new generation of comics writers,” said Matt Smith, editor of 2000 AD, “and I’m delighted to have them contributing to 2000 AD for the first time – hopefully, we’ll see more from their pen in the pages of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comics in the future!’

UPDATE: Just pinched the following preview panels from Bleeding Cool.