2000 AD

British comic

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July 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The British comic 2000 AD is a science fiction anthology that began publication in 1977 and continues today. It gained significant popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, selling up to 120,000 copies weekly at its peak.1

The comic is known for its gritty, adult-oriented content and innovative art style, often printed on higher-quality paper than other comics of its time. A flagship feature of 2000 AD is Judge Dredd, which presents a cynical view of American culture and an authoritarian state through the adventures of a law enforcer in a post-apocalyptic world. The comic's success and distinctive style influenced the medium and was adapted into books and films.1

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comic strip
Institutionalization
…market is exemplified in Britain’s 2000 ad, which flourished from 1978 to 1985 (and continues in the 21st century at a lower circulation level), was reprinted in the United States, and at its peak sold 120,000 copies per week. Its chief feature was Judge Dredd; written from a cynical perspective…
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…market is exemplified in Britain’s 2000 ad, which flourished from 1978 to 1985 (and continues in the 21st century at a lower circulation level), was reprinted in the United States, and at its peak sold 120,000 copies per week. Its chief feature was Judge Dredd; written from a cynical perspective…
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Grant Morrison
…that Morrison would gravitate toward 2000 AD, Britain’s leading comics anthology. On its pages Morrison created 2000 AD’s first superhero, Zenith. Zenith (1987–92; art by Steve Yeowell) arguably stands alongside Watchmen (1986–87; Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons) and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986; Frank Miller) as one of the…
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…that Morrison would gravitate toward 2000 AD, Britain’s leading comics anthology. On its pages Morrison created 2000 AD’s first superhero, Zenith. Zenith (1987–92; art by Steve Yeowell) arguably stands alongside Watchmen (1986–87; Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons) and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986; Frank Miller) as one of the…
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