Protein Studios Hosts Two-Day Celebration in Shoreditch
Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London, will host a two-day live immersive event on March 6–7, 2027, to mark the 50th anniversary of the British science fiction comic 2000 AD, bleedingcool.com reported. Publisher Rebellion announced that the weekend gathering will feature creator signings, original programming, exclusive merchandise, and appearances by writers, artists, and editors spanning the publication’s five-decade history.
The anniversary milestone follows the weekly anthology’s launch in 1977 under founding editor and writer Pat Mills. Over the last 50 years, the title introduced characters such as Judge Dredd—created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra—while serving as an early creative home for industry figures including Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Brian Bolland, Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, and Mark Millar. Rebellion has published the comic for more than half of its existence.
Subscribers Get Early Access to Tickets on October 29
Current subscribers to the comic will receive a unique access code by email on October 27, 2026, enabling them to purchase a maximum of two early-bird tickets starting at 6:00 PM on October 29, 2026. General admission tickets will subsequently go on sale online at 6:00 PM on November 5, 2026. Organizers noted that early-bird ticket quantities are limited and availability depends on remaining inventory once the subscriber window closes.
Rebellion CEO and co-founder Jason Kingsley CBE stated that the organization values its role as custodian of the British cultural icon. Editor Matt Smith, who has led the publication for 26 years, noted that the milestone reflects the enduring quality of the stories produced by the title’s roster of talent across five decades.
Legacy and Cultural Impact Across Media
The upcoming London gathering serves as a follow-up to the comic’s 40th-anniversary event. Throughout its run, the publication influenced film, television, music, literature, and politics, with Judge Dredd alone inspiring two feature adaptations and entering the English lexicon as a reference for hardline policing. Beyond comics, the publication influenced creative minds spanning musical acts like Madness and Anthrax, actors including Simon Pegg and Karl Urban, and filmmakers such as Alex Garland and Duncan Jones.
While Rebellion confirmed the venue, dates, and ticketing schedule, specific guest appearances and the full schedule of panel programming remain unannounced as organizers finalize the roster of participating creators from the past 50 years.
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