For the first time in over four decades, The Trigan Empire is back — and it’s not coming quietly.
Rising once again from the legendary vaults of classic British comics, New Adventures from the Trigan Empire marks the long-awaited return of one of the medium’s most iconic sci-fi fantasy sagas. Brought to life by the powerhouse team of writer Michael Carroll (Judge Dredd, Dreadnoughts) and artist Tom Foster (Judge Dredd), this brand-new original graphic novel continues the legacy first forged by Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence.
Set for release on May 20, 2026, this gorgeous new chapter will arrive in a luxurious hardcover edition, with a special numbered webshop edition available exclusively through the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops. So yeah, collectors — this one’s already calling your name.
But don’t expect a victory lap.
While the original saga chronicled the rise of the mighty Trigan Empire, this new graphic novel dares to tell the story fans never got before — the fall.
Decades have passed since the Empire stood at its height. Now an ageing Emperor Trigo begins to face the question every ruler eventually fears: who comes next? The expected heir is his loyal nephew and trusted right-hand man, Janno. But lurking beyond the throne is a far more dangerous threat — Nikko, Trigo’s abandoned son, a man who has spent years in exile building power, nursing rage, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now that moment has come.
Family betrayal. Imperial collapse. Revenge on a galactic scale.
Yeah, this ain’t just a return — it’s a war for the soul of an empire.
Writer Michael Carroll said: “The idea of continuing such an iconic, well-loved comic strip was a tad absolutely terrifying at first, but it’s a story I’ve adored since I first encountered it in Look and Learn back in the early 1970s, so there was no way I could or would turn down the opportunity and the honour… Thrilling tales of heroic swordsmen in jet-fighters battling slavering monsters and devious aliens, all gloriously rendered by some of the finest comic artists in the business. Who wouldn’t want to work on that? This is both right up my alley and very well established in my wheelhouse!
“The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire ran for sixteen years. It opens with the founding of Trigan City, and the forging of the Empire, and it really is wonderfully inventive stuff, with dozens of exhilarating stories told over hundreds of pages… But where do we go from there? How do we pick up the reins on a story that’s been on hiatus for four decades – especially one that might feel a little old-fashioned to some present-day readers – while still staying true to its legacy? Luckily, we have the phenomenal Tom Foster on board providing some career-best artwork, and as for the story… well, sadly, my spoilerphobia prevents me from giving away any plot details. But, you know, we never did get to see the fall that was promised in the original title…”
That last line says it all. This isn’t some half-hearted nostalgia grab. This is a creative team stepping into sacred ground with a real story to tell — one that finally delivers on the promise fans have been waiting decades to see.
And visually, it sounds like this book is going to be an absolute monster.
Artist Tom Foster said: “To be the artist tasked with reprising The Trigan Empire is equally intimidating. It’s a beloved title with a history of excellent art from some of the era’s best UK comics artists. Luckily, Michael’s script is so much fun to work on that, for all the pressure to do a good job, it’s a pleasure to go to work every day. It’s also my first fully-painted book, so that’s a nice change (although it also comes with its share of distinct challenges). For those Trigan Empire fans who are eager to see how it’s going to look, we have that much in common as I’m only about a third of the way through painting it. As Michael says, we never quite got ’round to seeing the titular ‘fall’ of the empire, but, by November, we might at least have some idea of if I’m personally responsible.”
That’s the kind of quote fans love to hear — respect for the legacy, pressure to get it right, and enough passion to make it clear this team knows exactly how important this return really is.
New Adventures from the Trigan Empire looks ready to bring old-school grandeur crashing into the modern era with all the spectacle, ambition, and emotional weight a comeback this massive deserves. Between political tension, family drama, betrayal, war, and fully painted artwork, this has all the ingredients to be one of the most talked-about graphic novel releases of 2026.
For longtime fans, this is the return of a legend.
For new readers, this could be the perfect moment to witness the fall of an empire in glorious fashion.
New Adventures from the Trigan Empire is available to pre-order now and arrives on May 20, 2026.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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