Judge Dredd takes on the US: 2000 AD announce the launch of US Graphic Novel Line

From the press release...

Rebellion Publishing is pleased to announce the upcoming US launch of iconic British comic 2000 AD’s US Graphic Novel list this June. The books are to be printed in the United States and distributed by industry major Simon and Schuster. The new North America-only list includes classic collections, outstanding new work from the hottest up-and-coming talents as well as thematic compilations which collect the work of some of the biggest names in comics, such as Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Garth Ennis, Grant Morrison, Alan Davis, John Wagner, Brian Bolland, Pat Mills, Mark Millar and many others.

2000 AD will be releasing two books a month, with the first two books going on sale June 15th 2010.
The first releases are:

•Judge Dredd Case Files 01, a 400 page collection of John Wagner’s iconic creation Judge Dredd – this starts an ongoing series of Judge Dredd collections which are already European bestsellers.

•The Complete D.R. & Quinch: Alan Moore and Alan Davis’ comedy masterpiece, featuring a new Alan Davis cover and excerpts of Alan Moore’s original script.

Founded in 1977, 2000 AD was acquired by the internationally-renowned independent video game developer, Rebellion, in 2000. In the ten years of its ownership, 2000 AD has gone from strength to strength, with the definitive Graphic Novel collections becoming best-sellers throughout the UK and Europe. Many of the biggest-names in comics today honed their skills and wrote their first important works within its pages.

For many years 2000 AD Graphic Novels have only been available in North America in highly sought-after imported editions through the direct comics-store market. 2000 AD has developed a large following in the United States, evident in the success the cult British comic has had selling out at every San Diego Comic-Con. This new list meets the clamouring demand from thrill-seekers throughout North America for Judge Dredd and 2000 AD’s roster of stellar characters.

I'm a fan of 2000AD's output (although I've never read 'D.R. & Quinch'...) and it's always good when people can beat the 'import trap'and pay regular prices for quality comic books. Good news all round! (Look out for some 2000AD reviews later on this week...)