Comic Cuts — 30 January 2026

The opening pages of Action: The Sevenpenny Nightmare

You'll be pleased to hear that I've had a far more productive week thanks to a lack of distractions (working out my tax returns, writing a book introduction, ignoring the need to rake up leaves in the garden and do some tidying up in the house). I'm 70 pages into the layouts and I'm in the thick of the newspaper controversies that surrounded ACTION: THE SEVENPENNY NIGHTMARE, the latter, of course, being one of the headlines the paper was damned with.

I'm working my way slowly through the text. I've made some choices about how the book should be laid out and I've gone back to a two column format similar to the LION: KING OF PICTURE STORY PAPERS book—apt as Geoff Kemp was editor of both Lion and Action. I picked the two column format over the one wide and one slim column format of the COUNTDOWN TO TV ACTION book because of the sheer number of footnotes. Over 250. This is a book where I'm quoting as many of the people involved as I can to build up an accurate picture of what happened as events approached the pivotal date of October 6th, 1976. Someone should set up a petition at Change.org to have that declared a bank holiday by the government.

Footnotes: I didn't want to put them at the end of the introduction because there were so many and anyone reading the book would have soon become tired of flipping back and forth in case there was information at the footnote rather than just a source citation. (I find this very annoying, so I've assumed that other people do, too.)

I've spent hours trying to recreate the poster! 

Having so many footnotes at the bottom of the page is also dictating how I lay the pages out, as I don't want to have to raise too many of them off the bottom margin. I've had to in a few cases, but only when I've had no other option—when I want to include an illustration that relates to the text on that page, for instance. 

I'm also running the pictures around the same size they were printed. In the past I've often been able to shrink down a page and still have the dialogue and captions legible. However, unlike the hand-lettered pages of, say, Lion, ACTION used tiny type-set balloons and to shrink them down would have made them unreadable. No good if you're trying to give examples of the use of language as well as the action of the artwork.

So I've not run many full pages as I've done in the past. That decision was partly made because I know that Rebellion are publishing the full run of ACTION's pre-cancellation issues in three volumes over the coming months. The first volume is to be released on February 25th. Not cheap, but cheaper than buying the individual issues!

Despite the comic being mostly black & white, I'm going to be printing in full colour. It adds to the price, but, again, I can't talk about "More blood, more blood!" without actually showing the red on the pages of Hook Jaw, can I? At a rough guess, I think the new book is going to be about the same size as the BEYOND THE VOID book about Badger Books that I did a couple of years ago. So we're looking in the ballpark of 170 pages and a price around £25.00.

Hopefully that'll give you some idea of what to expect. I'm looking forward to getting this one out. I'm something like 40% of the way through the introductory text, and then we'll have indexes to the issues, the creators and the contents of annuals of specials. When I realised that we were coming up for the 50th anniversary, I worked out a plan that meant I'd get the book out mid-February. Of course, the last book I did took longer than expected and I didn't get started on the ACTION book on time. What with Christmas and New Year, I'm now hoping to have the book designed by about the time Rebellion have their book out. Proofs and more proofs will add another month, but I should have finished copies in my hands in time for the Glasgow Swap Meet, which I'm planning to attend on March 21st.

(Now watch my carefully laid plans slide into oblivion!)

Commando 5927-593

Featuring a return of Ramsey’s Raiders and Harrier Squadron, the next set of Commandos, issues 5927-5930, go on sale from today, Thursday, 29th January 2026. 

5927: Ramsey’s Raiders: Kubel Raiders! 
 
Captain Jimmy Ramsey’s Raiders are known for their fast hit-and-run tactics – going deep behind enemy lines, attacking their positions and blowing them to kingdom come before the Jerries even know what hit them! 
    So, it’s not surprising the Germans have decided to take the Raiders’ methods for themselves – using desert Kubelwagens to launch their own devastating raids on the British. And the only ones who can stop them? Ramsey’s Raiders of course!

Story: Ferg Handley
Internal and Cover Art: Carlos Pino

5928: Sky of Flame  
 
She was different from the other Lancasters, like a rogue elephant is different from the rest of the herd. She was a killer plane, and sooner or later she was going to kill Don Morgan and his entire crew ...  
 
Story: James O. Cornes  
Art: Jose Maria Jorge   
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1971 as No. 597

5929: Harrier Squadron: Armistice Day!
 
The year is 1993. Across Battleground Europe, World War III rages as the invading armies of the ASBLOC (Asian Bloc) battle the defending forces of WESFED (Western Federation). At the tip of the spear are Harrier Squadron, an international allied task force of jump-jet pilots caught up in this desperate battle — but when the chance for a ceasefire lands in their laps, they must defeat a conspiracy hell-bent on continuing the conflict! 

Story: James Swallow 
Art: Esteve Polls 
Cover: Keith Burns

5930: Spaceman In A Spitfire  
 
When Ron Holmes enlisted in the RAF, he didn’t seem to be very different from the other recruits who wanted to be pilots. Yet all that changed once he started flying. Few could ever hope to match his superb skill.  
    Many wondered what the secret of this astonishing flyer was, but none would ever have believed his fantastic story...  
 
Story: Roger Sanderson  
Art: Gordon C Livingstone  
Cover: Ian Kennedy  
First published 1984 as No. 1855

Rebellion Releases — 28 January 2026

Garth Ennis and Colin Wilson’s acclaimed DC/Wildstorm miniseries returns to print this year in a lush new collection from The Treasury of British Comics!

One of the most fondly remembered characters from the Treasury of British Comics returns in a tensely told and lushly rendered tale of honour, duty, loyalty and sacrifice.

Originally published by Amalgamated Press and Fleetway in the 1950s, Wing Commander Robert Hereward “Battler” Britton was a member of the Royal Air Force, flying as part of the Allied Forces during World War 2. His adventures saw him take to the skies for a series of fondly-remembered stories – which led to the character returning to print decades later, courtesy of Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Colin Wilson (Rogue Trooper)!

A five-issue revival of Battler Britton was published in 2006 through DC and Wildstorm, which brought the character back to the comics page for the first time in years! And now, Rebellion are proud to collect the revival miniseries for this complete collection, bringing all the aerial action to your shelf.

As the Nazis rain terror throughout Europe, Allied forces are on the run in North Africa. It’s October 1942 and Rommel’s Panzers are unrelenting in their pursuit. Wing Commander Robert ‘Battler’ Britton of the RAF and his squadron have been dispatched to a remote American airstrip to spearhead a joint action against Hitler’s war machine. Now these two groups of reluctant allies must somehow put aside their mutual distrust and work together…a task that is much easier said than done!

Battler Britton: Bloody Good Show will be released on the 28th July, available in both standard and webshop-exclusive hardback editions! Pre-order your copy today!

And now, this week's releases...

2000AD Prog 2467
Cover: Simon Davis.

JUDGE DREDD // DEATH OF A JUDGE by John Wagner (w) Mike Perkins (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
HERNE & SHUCK // POWER TRIP by David Barnett (w) Lee Milmore (a) Gary Caldwell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
JUDGE DEE by Ben Wheatley (w) Simon Coleby (a) Jack Davies (c) Simon Bowland (l)
THARG'S 3RILLERS // MONEY SHOT: HIGH STAKES by Kek-W (w) Rob Richardson (a) Rob Steen (l)
THE DISCARDED by Peter Milligan (w) Kieran McKeown (a) Jim Boswell (c) Simon Bowland (l)

Judge Dredd The Complete Case Files 49 by John Wagner, Gordon Rennie, Rob Williams, Al Ewing, Robbie Morrison, Si Spurrier and Alan Grant (w) Carlos Ezquerra, John Higgins, Colin MacNeil, Mike Collins, Jon Haward, Karl Richardson, Boo Cook, PJ Holden, Leigh Gallagher, Guy Davis, Paul Marshall, Dylan Teague, Peter Doherty, Nick Dyer, David Roach and Anthony Williams (a)
Rebellion 978-183786671-7, 28 January 2026, 304pp, £24.99. Available via Amazon.

MEGA-CITY JUSTICE
The world-shattering Tour of Duty storyline continues as Judge Dredd is forced to consider abandoning his mission to clean up the lawless streets of Mega-City One to see out the rest of his career from behind the desk of the Chief Judge. But by taking on the Council of Judges, Dredd risks being stripped of his badge and exiled to the penal colony on Titan.
    Written by John Wagner, Gordon Rennie, Rob Williams, Al Ewing, Robbie Morrison, Si Spurrier and Alan Grant with art by Carlos Ezquerra, John Higgins, Colin MacNeil, Mike Collins, Jon Haward, Karl Richardson, Boo Cook, PJ Holden, Leigh Gallagher, Guy Davis, Paul Marshall, Dylan Teague, Peter Doherty, Nick Dyer, David Roach and Anthony Williams!

Johnny Red: A Couple of Heroes by Garth Ennis & Keith Burns
Rebellion 978-183786657-1, 28 January 2026, 192pp, £24.99. Available via Amazon.

In the last year of a long and dreadful war, as vengeful Russian forces reach the German frontier, British-born fighter pilot Johnny Redburn leads Falcon Squadron in deadly strikes against the retreating Nazis. With all his comrades gone and his lover, Nina Petrova, lost somewhere in the maelstrom, the “Red Devil” knows his own doom is only a matter of time. Maybe the next mission, or the one after that - but it’s coming.
    High above the freezing Arctic Ocean, one last aerial duel will decide who lives, who dies - and who is lost forever. 
    Written by Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher) and drawn by Keith Burns (Battle Action, Out of the Blue), A Couple of Heroes brings the saga of Johnny and Nina - the Red Devil and the Angel of Death - to its fiery, action-packed conclusion.

Comic Cuts — 23 January 2026

One thing is for certain... I'm not going to have the ACTION book finished by Valentine's Day. Apart from being quite slow at doing layouts, I forgot that I have other commitments and distractions, too, which have meant I've barely had time to look at the book this week.

I finally submitted my tax returns on Friday morning and then spent the rest of the day and the weekend backing up files onto the new external hard drive I bought last week. Trying to rationalise my filing system is like trying to disentangle the Gordian Knot, and I'm copying a lot of files from SD cards, which are slo-o-o-ow.

The mistake I made was to think of Saturday and Sunday as a weekend, so I pottered about rather than getting on with anything, thinking that I could get back to work first thing on Monday. Of course, first thing Monday I realised I had a book introduction to write (the upcoming Rebellion 60th anniversary reprint of TRELAWNY OF THE GUARDS) and spent most of the day reading, researching and writing notes. I managed to turn that into 500 or so publishable words on Tuesday and then put my feet up again. Wednesday... well, I didn't get around to anything because there was shopping to do, restocks to sort out and store, and correspondence to catch up on and video calling my Mum.

OK, so I have been doing bits of work: chasing down photos that I can use in the book, for instance, organizing scans, wandering down to the post office to send books on their way... but on the whole it has been a bit of a lazy week. I promise I'll pick up the pace next week.

With no news to offer, I thought I'd show off a few books that have come my way recently, and some not so recently, but I've recently scanned the covers. These are mostly science fiction... I'll save the crime novels for another day. This one's for long-time readers who remember the "random scans" that always ended the comic cuts column!

Rebellion Releases — 21 January 2026

Before 2000 AD there was Action!

Action was always ahead of the curve… and sometimes pushed its luck just a bit too far. Celebrating 50 years since the first issue of the original series which inspired readers across the country, we’re publishing an all-new oversized Special which brings back all the shock and awe of the original series!

First published in 1976, Action shocked the UK when it first landed on shelves, with a range of stories which not only brought hard-hitting action to the page, but offered social commentary and sharp criticism which soon caught the eye of Mary Whitehouse and her fellow censors. After an issue which featured a controversial cover that appeared to show a teenager assaulting a police officer as part of “Kids Rule OK”, a moral panic ensued which led to the comic being withdrawn from the shelf! When it did return, readership fell at the new, “safe” version of Action which they found in their newsagent.

Although Action was eventually closed in 1977, the spirit and attitude of the comic found a new home in the form of 2000 AD, which took up the attack and has been running with it ever since. Now, fifty years later, Rebellion Publishing are proud to revive Action for a new Special featuring an incredible lineup of creators, and some of its most famous – and infamous characters – back on shelves and ready to inspire a whole new generation to anarchy!

The Special features:

• Dredger by Garth Ennis and John Higgins. Britain’s deadliest secret agent returns, hitting the vengeance trail after the death of his partner, Breed. Dredger kills and maims his way across London, intent on delivering his own brand of justice. How much of London will be left when he’s finished?
• Hook Jaw by Steve White and Staz Johnson. There’s a killer out at sea! The vicious Hook Jaw has been seen in the depths of the ocean again, the killer shark with no regard for human life – and he’s heading out on the hunt! As a crew of drug dealers attempt to complete a sale in lawless international waters, they attract the attention of the legendary shark… this isn’t going to be pretty!
• Hellman of Hammer Force by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey. Blazing battle action on the Eastern Front in 1944, as Panzer commander Kurt Hellman leads a small German armoured unit against massed Soviet forces. As the tank men struggle to survive in this frozen hell, they face a new and terrible savagery from their vengeance-crazed Russian enemies.
• Look Out For Lefty by Rob Williams and Patrick Goddard. Footballer Kenny “Lefty” Lampton has the most dangerous left foot in the game, blazing the ball through the net. But Lefty doesn’t play fair, and his temper constantly flares up on the pitch, boiling over into fury and violence! After his anger leaves him stranded on the subs bench, he finally gets his chance – this could be his big comeback, a chance to regain his lost glory! As The Royal Family watch on from the stand, can Lefty keep it under control for ninety minutes?

Featuring a powerhouse lineup of writers and artists, Action is taking no prisoners on its return to the newspaper stand! You thought it was controversial before? You haven’t seen anything yet! Action is back, and more hard-hitting than ever!

The Action 2026 Special is coming to a newsagent or comic book shop near you on 15th April – or pre-order it now from the 2000 AD webstore!

And now, this week's releases...

2000AD Prog 2466
Cover: Cliff Robinson, with Dylan Teague.

JUDGE DREDD // DEATH OF A JUDGE by John Wagner (w) Mike Perkins (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
HERNE & SHUCK // POWER TRIP by David Barnett (w) Lee Milmore (a) Gary Caldwell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
FUTURE SHOCKS // THE STATE OF NOSTALGIA by Ned Hartley (w) Steve Roberts (a) Simon Bowland (l)
AZIMUTH // CORNERED by Dan Abnett (w) Tazio Bettin (a) Matt Soffe (c) Jim Campell (l)
THE DISCARDED by Peter Milligan (w) Kieran McKeown (a) Jim Boswell (c) Simon Bowland (l)

Judge Dredd Megazine 488
Cover: Simon Harrison.

JUDGE DREDD // HALFWAY HOUSE by Ken Niemand (w) Jake Lynch (a) Matt Soffe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
MEGATROPOLIS II by Ken Niemand (w) Dave Taylor (a) Jim Campbell (l)
ARMITAGE // DROKK THE RIPPER by Liam Johnson (w) Staz Johnson (a) Quinton Winter (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
ANDERSON, PSI-DIV by Alec Worley (w) Ben Willsher (a) Simon Bowland (l)
ROK THE WORLD by John Wagner (w) Dan Cornwell (a) Jim Boswell (c) Rob Steen (l)
DREADNOUGHTS // QUALIFIED IMMUNITY by Mike Carroll (w) John Higgins (a) Sally Hurst (c) Simon Bowland (l)

Comic Cuts — 16 January 2026

I've had a busy week that has been a mixture of humdrum, frustration and joy. Let's start where we left off last week.

There were new gas pipes being installed last week, the new pipes being pushed through the old pipes from the road and into the house. Our pipe had a right-angled bend in it which caused problems, so we had to have the pipe just outside the front door dug up and removed so that the new pipe could be fed through. This meant digging out the short path between the drive and the front doorstep.

We had our gas off from about 11.00 in the morning until about 5.30 in the afternoon. On Friday the gas went off at 7.00 and was off all day to allow the workmen to connect up the individual pipes to the newly installed main pipeline. It was starting to look like they wouldn't have it done by their evening deadline of 7.00 pm, but shortly before that there was a knock on the door, a guy came in to reconnect the gas, chcck the hob and the boiler and he finished bang on seven o'clock. Unfortunately, he told us, he still had a dozen houses to reconnect, so he was going to be working for another couple of hours. 

On Saturday, someone came around to fix the pathway outside our front door. Annoyingly, the removal of a box that opened up to get to the pipe below meant that some of the grass had been dug away, so, rather than the curve the path took to reach the doorstep, the new path was wider and didn't quite reach.

During all this, I was trying to lay out the opening pages of the ACTION book. I mentioned last week that I'd had a notion of how the book was to open before you reach the title page. I also mentioned that it wasn't working as well as I wanted. I came up with a new version on Friday which I wasn't happy with. Took 24 hours off and came to it afresh on Sunday. It still wasn't working. I went at it again on Monday and, finally, I think I've got it. 

I was able to lay out some of the opening text pages on Tuesday, but ran into some problems with photos, which (of course) I've left to the last minute. I put out a call on Sunday for some pics of various people, and have subsequently managed to get a few that I like and, more importantly, that I can clear the copyright on (and here I'd like to thank Steve MacManus, Robin Smith, Steve Cook and John Wagner).

Wednesday was Mel's day off, so I thought I'd try to tackle something a little less taxing. Yes, it's tax returns time, and I have long lists of numbers that need adding up. Even a little business like Bear Alley Books requires careful accounting; print costs are high (I've just spent £250 on restocks today!) and postage is another huge cost. But there are fiddly things like, how much I've spent on envelopes; a box of printer labels costs over £20; packaging tape is £1.99+ a roll... it all adds up. And HMRC expect you to add it all up, correctly and accurately!

I didn't get too far. We tried to fix the door step problem ourselves, to put down a couple of paving slabs to at least mean we're not stepping out onto mud, which, if left, will turn into a gassy slope. It isn't the neatest or best of jobs, but hopefully it will do until we can get someone to do a bit more of a professional job.

We also bought a new aerial, because we've had a few problems with the signal breaking up on the TV. When it arrived... how can I put this... I know size shouldn't matter, but this new aerial was about four inches tall with a magnetic base. I thought I'd try it out and connected it up to the TV and blu-ray box and the result was terrible. We're a rural area almost on the coast and the house is in a dip with a steep driveway. We might have some luck if it can be fitted in the attic, but I'm not counting on it. I think we'll need a new, better, digital aerial up on the chimney stack.

I'm happier with a little 6tb hard drive I bought, which is currently whirring away copying all my music. Eventually it will also be used to back up the hard drives of my laptop and PC. I'm always running out of space because every book requires a lot of scanning, and I tend to keep all the original scans just in case something goes wrong. It's surprisingly easy to fill up an external hard drive when you have files of images, files of documents, files of music and sound recordings, files of movies and tv shows taped off the tele, etc., etc. And I add to it daily.

Anyway, it's Thursday again, and I need to get back to work with my spreadsheets and calculator. Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed the bill isn't too steep!

Commando 5923-5926

The latest set of Commando issues are a special selection from the DC Thomson archives, celebrating Cam Kennedy’s iconic art. Issues 5923-5926 go on sale from today, Thursday, 15th January 2026. 

5923: Where The Action Is!

His medal ribbons showed the campaigns he had been in. The bronze oak leaves proved his bravery. He was Captain Dave Fletcher, and he was a man who thirsted for battle. 
    Then came the moment when he had to decide which was more important – grabbing more glory for himself or saving the life of a friend.

Story: E. Hebden
Art: A. C. Kennedy 
Cover: Penalva
First published 1972 as No. 666

5924: Chariot of War

Private Dave Charlton’s mates reckoned he was off his rocker. When he didn’t have his nose stuck in a book, he was grubbing about after clay tablets covered in weird inscriptions. 
    But then they changed their minds, for Dave began getting ideas from these ancient writings – ideas about how to fight a modern war – ideas that made the enemy run for their lives!

Story: N. Allen
Art: A. C. Kennedy 
Cover: Penalva
First published 1972 as No. 652

5925: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor.

Singapore, February 1942. For days, the Japanese had thrown in everything they had to try to take the great port. 
    Finally, the city’s defenders were bombed, burned and blasted into submission. But out of the rubble walked four unbeaten men – a tinker, a tailor, a soldier and a sailor – with absolutely nothing in common except a fierce, burning hatred for the enemy.

Story: Staff 
Art: A. C. Kennedy 
Cover: Penalva
First published 1973 as No. 765

5926: Let Battle Commence!

How do you win a battle? It’s easy. You start with an ancient, paddle-driven tugboat and you steam out into the open sea. You have only some rifles on board, but a few days later you capture a Japanese torpedo boat. Then you join an enemy convoy and sink a troopship! 
    Yes, it’s that easy... as long as you’ve a will of iron, nerves of steel, and the sort of courage that heroes are made of.

Story: Gordon Brunt
Art: A. C. Kennedy
Cover: Penalva
First published 1973 as No. 785

Rebellion Releases — 14 January 2026

Each year 2000 AD asks Earthlets to tell them which of Tharg the Generous’s offerings from this planet’s most recent trip around its puny sun were their favourites – and they’ve voted in droves!

While democracy may be under strain at home and abroad, in the 2000 AD offices it still reigns supreme! From favourite covers and stories to which graphic novel voters liked the best, we’re very pleased to bring you the results of 2025’s end-of-year poll!

Thank you to all the Earthlets who voted in the poll, congratulations to the winners, and here’s to an even more Thrill-powered year 2026!

You can see which stories and covers for both 2000 AD and the Judge Dredd Megazine that Earthlets voted as the best of the year here.

2000AD Prog 2465
Cover: Toby Willsmer.

JUDGE DREDD // DEATH OF A JUDGE by John Wagner (w) Mike Perkins (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
HERNE & SHUCK // POWER TRIP by David Barnett (w) Lee Milmore (a) Gary Caldwell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
AZIMUTH // CORNERED by Dan Abnett (w) Tazio Bettin (a) Matt Soffe (c) Jim Campell (l)
THE DISCARDED by Peter Milligan (w) Kieran McKeown (a) Jim Boswell (c) Simon Bowland (l)
YOUNG DEATH // FITTING IN by Kek-W (w) Tom Foster (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)

Comic Cuts — 9 January 2026

After a Christmas and New Year break, I'm finally back at work on the ACTION book. I'm way behind where I wanted to be, but I've managed to complete the text with a couple of last minute tweaks and sorting out some of the curious short-hand I'd used for references in the footnotes as I was writing. There are 257 footnotes, so it wasn't the easiest or quickest of jobs. The final bit of research was to find out what reaction there was to Stan Lee visiting the UK to promote Captain Britain, as that title was launched just as newspapers were getting their teeth into comics. 

I'm now starting on the layouts. I had an idea of how the book should open and spent Tuesday and Wednesday trying to make it work. I'm still not sure it does, so I may need to rethink the whole opening; I have one idea I need to try out before abandoning the pages and starting afresh.

I'm writing this Thursday morning while things are quiet. We've had a firm (Cadent) fitting new gas pipes in our road, delayed over two years since 2023, when they missed off the last section of houses (including ours) because—we were told at the time—they needed to set up traffic lights and it would take too long to organise that through the Highway Services... so they moved on elsewhere. 

Now they're back and they've simply shut the road down. Lots of digging which in the past were done by Irish navvies (Gen X) or Polish navvies (Gen Y) shoveling dirt around. Nowadays it's done by a big drill that breaks up the asphalt and a big truck that sucks up the broken surface and the dirt below. The first time I walked down to the Post Office, I was expecting Belle Vue Road to look like the Somme. But, no... the road was lined with neat hole and was rubble-free.

They have to dig down quite deep to expose the old pipes, which are rusting and becoming increasingly leaky. But, rather than simply replace them, they're pushing new plastic pipes through the old pipes, so that they can be easily connected to each house. I'm expecting to have the house supply turned off at some point in the next hour or two. Hopefully the new pipe will reach the meter in the kitchen; if not, there's a point just outside that they should be able to get it to.

The gas supply will also be turned off on Friday to put in the main pipeline and connect all the pipes that go into houses before they fill in the holes and move on. Gas will be off all day until 7.00 pm. 

I've made plans: if the gas is off, I've made myself a big saucepan of stew that I've divided up into meals that I can microwave. I'm making curry for dinner tonight that can also be done in the microwave and I have microwavable options for Friday, just in case. 

How this will affect my glycated haemoglobin levels, I don't know. I had a HbA1c test recently so I added to all the usual Christmas/New Year distractions by trying to find out what all this wizardry means. So... glucose in your blood will stick to the red blood cells and since they last for about three months, doctors can draw blood and see how your blood sugar levels average out over that time period. My previous figure had been 56 mmol/mol [millimoles per mole] and it's now down to 52, which is still in the diabetic range. I need to get below 48, which is thought of as "pre-diabetic" and, ideally, below 42, which is what it should be. 

We're cursed with food manufacturers who put too much sugar in everything to make it taste better. You should have no more than 30g a day; the curry tonight will have 5.4g, so that's fairly healthy. But I had a large apple earlier which alone has contributed about 20g of sugar. So whatever I have for lunch needs to be as sugar-free as possible. (Watch out if you have more fruit as part of your 5 fruit and veg a day A grape can have 16-23g of sugar; a medium-sized banana 14-15g; mangos, sweet cherries, pineapples, pears and kiwis should also be off the menu if you're trying to lose weight... I'm learning this for the first time as I write!)

(And you might take a mickey out of "kids today" and their eating habits, but what food is low in sugar? Avocado!)

Not to dwell on the subject, but my weight is down by a few pounds since my last check-up and my annual diabetic eye test is now every two years. So things are moving in the right direction.

Talking of which, I should get back to those layouts. They're not going to design themselves. Hopefully I'll be able to show off a few pages of my own "Work in Progress" once I get into them and you'll be able to see what I've been up to for the past couple of months.

Commando 5919-5922

We’re welcoming the New Year with a brand-new Braddock story, a mystery in No Man’s Land and two cracking tales from the archives. The latest set of Commando issues went on sale on Thursday, 1st January, so they're in shops now.

5919: Braddock: The Flying Tigers

Ace pilot Matt Braddock and his navigator George Bourne go east!
    Joining up with the famous Flying Tigers of the American Volunteer Group in Burma, Braddock has been tasked with convincing the Yanks to get the latest British fighter-bomber aircraft — the de Havilland Mosquito, otherwise known as the Wooden Wonder!
    But the Americans can’t believe a wooden plane is capable of going head-to-head with the Japanese, so Braddock will have to fly into the thick of it to prove them wrong!

Story: Ferg Handley
Art: Manuel Benet
Cover: Manuel Benet

5920: The Pirates From Sub 13

Lieutenant Roddy MacNab was determined that this patrol would be a success. Against him he had thousands of ruthless Japanese, but on his side he had a leaky, old bucket of a submarine and a crew of ruffians on the brink of mutiny.
    How could he lose?

Story: E. Hebden
Art & Cover: Gordon C Livingstone
First published 1971 as No. 596

5921: Murder in No Man’s Land

Two bodies, both shot in the back at close enough range to leave burn marks on their clothing. Both men had been found dead in no man’s land — each with a mysterious map hidden within a secret pocket…
    Just what had Private Arthur Jones stumbled on to?

Story: David Thomas 
Art: Kev Hopgood
Cover: Kev Hopgood

5922: Delayed Action

As an act of vengeance, a French carpenter set a deadly booby-trap for a cruel and heartless nobleman. But fate intervened and both men died before the trap could be sprung.
    Now no-one knew of it, and so it lay, silent and invisible, waiting for its first victim.

Story: C. G. Walker
Art: Denis McLoughlin
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1984 as No. 1854

Rebellion Releases — 7 January 2026

Over at 2000 AD they're starting off big with a new Judge Dredd story from John Wagner and Mike Perkins! The ominous 'Death of a Judge' begins this week, which may well be Wagner's final time writing Dredd. But just how big of a bang exactly is he planning for the Lawman of the Future...?

2000AD Prog 2464
Cover: Mike Perkins.

JUDGE DREDD // DEATH OF A JUDGE by John Wagner (w) Mike Perkins (a) Chris Blythe (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
HERNE & SHUCK // POWER TRIP by David Barnett (w) Lee Milmore (a) Gary Caldwell (c) Annie Parkhouse (l)
AZIMUTH // CORNERED by Dan Abnett (w) Tazio Bettin (a) Matt Soffe (c) Jim Campell (l)
THE DISCARDED by Peter Milligan (w) Kieran McKeown (a) Jim Boswell (c) Simon Bowland (l)
YOUNG DEATH // THE DEAL by Kek-W (w) Mike Dowling (a) Annie Parkhouse (l)

The Legend Testers by Graham Baker & Jordi Bernet
Rebellion ISBN  ‎ 978-183786654-0, 7 January 2026, 160pp, £16.99. Available via Amazon.

3900 AD. Rollo Stones and Danny Charters are the ‘Legend Testers’ - employees of the Central Knowledge Museum, tasked with taking exhibits back through time to see if they are genuine or not. Using the world’s only time machine called, ‘The Time Chamber’, Rollo and Danny throw themselves into peril, seeking out the truth behind myths and legends. From werewolves to Greek Gods, the Legend Testers are ready to face any supernatural challenge!
    This collection includes the entire run of 'The Legend Testers' strip from Smash!, all beautifully illustrated by Spanish art superstar, Jordi Bernet.

John Buchan cover gallery

NOVELS

Sir Quixote of the Moors (London: Unwin, 1895; New York: Holt, 1895).
(no UK paperback?)

John Burnet of Barns (London: John Lane, 1898; New York: Dodd, Mead, 1898).
Pan Books X116, (Feb) 1962, 3/6. Cover by James E. McConnell
B&W Publishing  1873-63131-6, xv+293pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97073-3, 2008, xiv+322pp.

A Lost Lady of Old Years (London: John Lane, 1899).
B&W Publishing 1873-63142-1, 1995, xiv+213pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97203-4, 2011, 210pp.

The Half-Hearted (London: Isbister, 1900; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1900).
(no UK paperback?)

A Lodge in the Wilderness, anonymous (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1906).
(no UK paperback?)

Prester John (London: Nelson, 1910); republished as The Great Diamond Pipe (New York: Dodd, Mead, 1910).
Pan Books 130, (Mar) 1950, 1/6. Cover by George Woodman.
---- [?2nd imp.] 1952. Cover by Sax
Penguin Books 1138, 1956, 207pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
Penguin Books 0140-01138-2, (date?), 202pp.
Pan Books, (date?)
Oxford University Press 0182-82936-X, 1994, xxxiv+222pp.
House of Stratus 1842-32785-2, 2001, 215pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97064-1, 2009, x+207pp.

Salute to Adventurers (London: Nelson, 1915; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1915).
Pan Books X247, (Sep) 1963, 220pp, 3/6. Cover by Tayler

The Thirty-Nine Steps (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1915; New York: Doran, 1916).
Pan Books 14, (Jun) 1947, 256pp, 1/6. Cover by J. H. Bruce
---- [2nd imp.] 1949. Cover by Bruce C. Windo
---- [3rd imp.] 1951, 1/6. Cover by Wynne
---- [4th imp.] 1953, 2/-. Cover *as 3rd imp.
---- [5th imp.] 1954, 2/-. Cover *as 3rd imp.
---- [6th imp.] 1955, 2/-. Cover by Unknown
Penguin Books 1130, 1956, 126pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
Pan Books G218 [7th imp.] 1959, 2/6. Cover by De Marco
---- [8th imp.] 1960, 2/6. Cover by De Marco
---- [9th imp.] 1960, 2/6.
---- [10th imp.] 1961, 2/6. Cover by Sam Peffer
Pan Books X696, 1967. Cover by J. Oval
Penguin Books 0140-01130-7, 1991, 125pp.
Dent 0460-88128-0, 1992, 160pp.
Puffin 0140-35139-6, 1992, 125pp.
Wordsworth Editions 1853-26080-0, 1993, 98pp.
A Sutton 0750-90482-8, 1993, 128pp.
Penguin Books 0140-62109-1, 1994, 102pp.
House of Stratus 1842-32793-3, 2001, 117pp.
Penguin Books 978-0141-44117-7, 2004, xviii+118pp.
Oxford University Press 978-0199-53787-7, 2008.
Arcturus 978-1848-37609-0, 2010.
Polygon 978-1846-97198-3, 2011.
Vintage Classic 978-0099-52839--5, 2011, xii+253pp.
HarperPress 978-0007-44993-4, 2012, ix+146pp.
Pan Books 978-1509-85843-9, 2017.

The Power-House (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1916; New York: Doran, 1916).
Pan Books G441, (Mar) 1961, 155pp, 2/6. Cover by Pat Owen
Dent 0460-02243-1, 1984, xiv+112pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63114-6, 1993, 144pp.
House of Stratus 1842-32784-4, 2003, 95pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97029-0, 2007, xvi+108pp.
Polygon 978-0857-90508-6, 2012, 128pp.

Greenmantle (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1916; New York: Doran, 1916).
Pan Books 18, (Oct) 1947, 256pp, 1/6. Cover by Unknown
---- [2nd imp.] 1950, 2/-. Cover by Unknown
Pan Books GP14, (Jul) 1952, 2/6. Cover *as 2nd imp.
Penguin Books 1132, 1956, 271pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
---- [2nd imp.] 1958; [3rd imp.] 1960.
---- [4th imp.] 1961, 271pp, 3/6. Cover *as 1st imp.
Peacock PK37, 1964, 271pp.
Knight Books 0340-03399-1, 1970, 271pp.
Penguin Books 0140-10641-3 [5th imp.], 1981
---- [6th imp.] 1981; [7th imp.] 1983; [8th imp.] 1984
---- [9th imp.] 1986, 266pp, £2.95. Cover still. TV Tie-in.
Oxford University Press 0192-82953-X, xxiv+295pp.
Wordsworth 1853-26204-8, 1994, 220pp.
Penguin Books 0140-62264-0, 1997, 266pp.
Penguin Books 0141-18696-8, 2001, 276pp.
Penguin Books 978-1411-03584-0, 2008, 345pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97197-6, 2011, 270pp.

Mr. Standfast (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1918; New York: Doran, 1919).
Penguin Books 1134, 1956, 230pp, 3/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
---- [2nd imp.] 1960, 230pp, 3/6. Cover *as 1st imp.
Pan Books M58, (Apr) 1964.
Wordsworth Classics 1853-26225-0, 1994, 287pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97155-6, 2010, x+338pp.

The Path of the King (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1921; New York: Doran, 1921).
(no UK paperback?)

Huntingtower (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1922; New York: Doran, 1922).
Hodder & Stoughton [Yellow Jacket C5], Jun 1950, 256pp, 2/-. Cover by C. H. Richard
Penguin 1133 , 1956, 229pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
---- [2nd imp.]
---- [3rd imp.], 3/6. Cover *as 1st imp.
Hamlyn 0600-20562-2, 1982, 204pp.
Alan Sutton 0750-90484-4, 1993, xviii+202pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63119-7, 1993, xiv+199pp.
Oxford University Press 0192-83229-8, 1996, xxxi+229pp.
Oxford University Press 978-0199-53786-0, 2008, xxxi+229pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97223-2, 2012, vii+221pp.

Midwinter (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1923; New York: Doran, 1923).
Hamlyn 0600-20563-0, 1981, 196pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63115-4, 1993, viii+247pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97070-2, 2008, xiv+254pp.

The Three Hostages (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1924; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1924).
Penguin Books 908, 1953, 282pp.
---- [2nd imp.] 1955.
---- [3rd imp.] 1956, 282pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
Peacock Books PK15, 1963, 282pp.
Knight Books 0340-15580-9, 1971, 283pp.
Penguin Books 0140-10640-5, 1986, 282pp.
Oxford University Press 0192-82419-8, 1995, xxx+300pp.
Wordsworth Editions 978-1853-26252-4, 1995, 261pp, n/pr. Cover Following the Scent by John Howard Lyon
House of Stratus 1842-32794-1, 2001, 317pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97157-0, 2010, x+306pp.

John Macnab (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1925; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1925).
Penguin Books 1135, 1956, 3/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
Hodder & Stoughton 836, 1967, 287pp.
Oxford University Press 0192-82935-1, 1994, xxviii+248pp.
Wordsworth Editions 1853-26296-X, 1996, 188pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97028-3, 2007, ix+240pp.

The Dancing Floor (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1926; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1926).
Oxford University Press 0192-83287-5, 1997, xxxvi+231pp.
New English Library 0450-02901-8, 1976, 220pp.
Penguin Books 0140-06875-9, 1987, 251pp, £2.95. Cover by Kenneth Wynn
Polygon 978-1846-97031-3, 2007, ix+236pp.

Witch Wood (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1927; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1927).
Oxford University Press 0192-82941-6, 1993, xxv+331pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97071-9, 2008, xiv+304pp.

The Courts of the Morning (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1929; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1929).
Hodder & Stoughton 456, 1961, 316pp.
Dent 0460-02240-7, Oct 1983, 432pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63120-0, 1993, xvi+356pp. 
----, 2000, , xvi+356pp, £7.99. Cover: Sir Frank Swettenham by John Singer Sargent
House of Stratus 978-1842-32764-7, 2008, 405pp.

Castle Gay (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1930; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1930).
Hodder & Stougton [Yellow Jacket]
Penguin Books 1136, 1956.
Pan Books M194, 1967

The Blanket of the Dark (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1931; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1931).
Penguin Books 1653, 1961, 281pp, 3/6. Cover by Heather Standring
B&W Publishing 1873-63141-3, 1994, xiii+264pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97072-6, 2008, xvi+268pp.

The Gap in the Curtain (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1932; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1932).
Sphere [Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult 17] 1974.
B&W Publishing 1873-63109-X, 1992, 217pp.
House of Stratus 978-1842-32767-8, 2001, 224pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97224-9, 2012, xiii+219pp.

The Magic Walking Stick (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1932; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1932).
(no UK paperback?)

A Prince of the Captivity (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1933; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1933).
Pan Books X154, (Oct) 1962, 3/6.
Hamlyn 0600-20564-9, 1981, 271pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63168-5, 1996, xii+322pp.

The Free Fishers (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1934; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1934).
Penguin Books 1954, 1964, 268pp.
NEL/Four Square 1679, (Jul) 1967, 5/-.
Hamlyn 0600-20566-5, 1982, 224pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63132-4, 1994, xiii+263pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97065-8, 2009, viii+269pp.

The House of the Four Winds (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1935; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1935).
Penguin Books 1137, 1956, 237pp, 2/6. Cover by Stephen Russ
Peacock Books PK57, 1965, 232pp.
Dent 0460-02241-5, 1984, 201pp, £2.50. Cover by Brian Grimwood

The Island of Sheep (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1936); republished as The Man from the Norlands (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1936).
Pan Books 240, (15 May) 1953. Cover by FVM
Penguin Books 1131, 1956.
Penguin Books 0140-10642-1, 1988, 244pp.
Wordsworth Editions 1853-26276-5, 1995, 272pp.
Oxford University Press 0182-82433-3, 1997, xxviii+240pp.

Sick Heart River (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1941); republished as Mountain Meadow (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1941).
Hodder, 1965, 254pp, 5/-.
Penguin Books 0140-06804-X, 1985, 205pp.
B&W Publishing 1873-63106-5, 1992, 211pp.
Oxford University Press 0192-82937-8, 1994, xxxiii+221pp.
Polygon 978-1846-97030-6, 2007, x+214pp.

COLLECTIONS

The Watcher by the Threshold and Other Tales (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1902; enlarged edition, New York: Doran, 1918).
Digit Books R613, (Aug) 1962, 2/6.

The Moon Endureth: Tales and Fancies (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1912; New York: Sturgis & Walton, 1912).
Hodder 594, 1963, 307pp, 5/-.

The Runagates Club (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1928; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1928).
Sphere, 5/-.
A. Sutton 0750-91159-X, 1996, x+165pp.
Handheld Press 978-1999-82801-1, 2017.

The Long Traverse (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1941); republished as The Lake of Gold (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1941).
House of Stratus 978-1842-32778-4, 2001, 130pp.

The Far Islands and Other Tales of Fantasy (West Kingston, RI, Donald M. Grant, 1984).
(no UK paperback)

OMNIBUS

The Complete Richard Hannay
Penguin Books 0140-17059-7, 1992, 1139pp, £10.99. Cover by Arthur Wakelin
as The Complete Richard Hannay Stories, Wordsworth Editions 978-1840-22655-3, 2010, 990pp.

The Power-House and The Thirty Nine Steps
B&W Publishing 1873-63195-2, 1999, xxviii+233pp, £5.99. Cover by Arthur Melville ("Company at Dinner")

OTHERS

VERSE
The Pilgrim Fathers: the Newdigate Prize Poem, 1898 (Oxford: Blackwell/London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, 1898).
Grey Weather: Moorland Tales of My Own People (London: John Lane, 1899).
Ordeal By Marriage: An Eclogue (chap) (London, R. Clay, 1915).
Poems, Scots and English (London & Edinburgh: T. C. & E. C. Jack, 1917; revised and enlarged edition, London: Nelson, 1936).

NON-FICTION
Scholar Gipsies (London: John Lane, 1896; New York: Macmillan, 1896).
Sir Walter Ralegh; the Stanhope Essay (Oxford: Blackwell/London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent, 1897). 
Brasenose College (London: Robinson, 1898).
The African Colony (Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1903).
The Law Relating to the Taxation of Foreign Income (London: Stevens, 1905). 
Some Eighteenth Century Byways and Other Essays (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1908).
Nine Brasenose Worthies (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1909).
Sir Walter Raleigh (London: Nelson, 1911; New York: Holt, 1911).
What the Home Rule Bill Means (chap) (Peebles, Allan Smyth, 1912).
The Marquis of Montrose (London: Nelson, 1913; New York: Scribners, 1913).
Andrew Jameson, Lord Ardwall (Edinburgh & London: Blackwood, 1913).
Britain's War by Land (London & New York: Oxford University Press, H. Mitford, 1915).
The Achievement of France (London,  Methuen Publishing, 1915).
Nelson's History of the War, 24 volumes (London: Nelson, 1915-1919); revised as A History of the Great War, 4 volumes (London: Nelson, 1921-1922; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1922).
The Battle of the Somme, First Phase (London & New York: Nelson, 1916).
The Battle of Jutland (Edinburgh, New York & London: Nelson, 1916).
The Future of the War. An address (chap) (London, Boyle, Son & Watchurst, 1916).

The Battle of the Somme, Second Phase (Edinburgh, New York & London: Nelson, 1917).
The Battle-Honours of Scotland 1914-1918 (Glasgow, George Outram, 1919).
These for Remembrance (London: Privately printed, 1919).
The Island of Sheep, by Buchan and Susan Buchan as Cadmus and Harmonia (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1919; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1920).
The History of the South African Forces in France (London: Nelson, 1920).
Francis and Riversdale Grenfell: A Memoir (London: Nelson, 1920).
A Book of Escapes and Hurried Journeys (London: Nelson, 1922; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1923).
The Last Secrets (London: Nelson, 1923; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1924).
The Margins of Life (chap) (London, Birkbeck College, 1923).
Lord Minto: A Memoir (London & New York: Nelson, 1924).
The History of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (1678-1918) (London & New York: Nelson, 1925).
Days to Remember: The British Empire in the Great War, by Buchan and Henry Newbolt (London: Nelson, 1923).
The Man and the Book: Sir Walter Scott (London & Edinburgh: Nelson, 1925).
Two Ordeals of Democracy (chap) (Boston, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1925).
The Fifteenth-Scottish-Division 1914-1919, by Buchan and John Stewart (Edinburgh: Blackwood, 1926).
Homilies and Recreations (London: Nelson, 1926; London & New York: Nelson, 1926; Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1926).
Montrose (London & Edinburgh: Nelson, 1928; Boston & New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1928).
The Causal and the Casual in History (Cambridge: The University Press, 1929; New York: Macmillan, 1929).
The Kirk in Scotland, 1560-1929, by Buchan and George Adam Smith (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1930).
Montrose and Leadership (chap) (Oxford, University Press, 1930).
The Novel and the Fairy Tale (chap) (Oxford, printed at the University Press by John Johnson, 1931).
Sir Walter Scott (London & Toronto: Cassell, 1932; New York: Coward-McCann, 1932).
Julius Caesar (London: P. Davies, 1932; New York: Appleton, 1932).
Andrew Lang and the Borders (London, Oxford University Press, 1933).
The Massacre of Glencoe (London: P. Davies, 1933; New York: Putnam's, 1933).
Gordon at Khartoum (London: P. Davies, 1934).
Oliver Cromwell (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1934; Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1934).
The King's Grace (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1935); republished as The People's King: George V (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1935).
Augustus (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1937; Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1937).
Naval Episodes of the Great War (London & New York: Nelson, 1938).
The Interpreter's House (London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1938).
Presbyterianism Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Lord Tweedsmuir (chap) (Edinburth, Church of Scotland committee on Publications, 1938).
Memory Hold-the-Door (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1940); republished as Pilgrim's Way (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1940).
Comments and Characters, edited by W. Forbes Gray (London & New York: Nelson, 1940).
Canadian Occasions (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1940).