For the purpose of publicity, 2000AD brought back an old favourite in the form of a revamped Dan Dare who had fortuitously returned from suspended animation in time for the comic’s launch. With such stories as Flesh, MACH 1, Harlem Heroes and Invasion, 2000AD became an instant success. However, the real star of the show wouldn’t appear until issue two.  Judge Dredd, drawn by McMahon, made his debut in 2000AD and has never looked back. Judge Dredd trail blazed a new era of Sci-Fi in British comics and even went onto become a Hollywood movie starring Sylvester Stallone. It was this Trans Atlantic crossover that perhaps highlights the enduring appeal of 2000AD and its characters. Not only was an American version of 2000AD printed but Judge Dredd went onto appear alongside the likes of Batman. Such was the success of 2000AD and its creative team that British comics went on to influence and make a large impact on the American comic scene.

The 2000AD canon has many favourites including ‘Nemesis the Warlock’and ‘Slaine’. With a repertoire perhaps too numerous to mention, it is significant that some of the most loved strips such as Strontium Dog and ABC Warriors didn’t start life in 2000AD at all but began in its sister papers. Starlord (13th May 1978) lasted only 22 issues before joining 2000AD in prog. 86 (14th October 1978). Starlord was printed on high quality paper and cost much more than its contemporaries. On amalgamation, the 2000AD reader was introduced to Strontium Dog by Ezquerra, Timequake by Ian Kennedy and Ro-Busters by Pino. Such stories have become synonymous with the 2000AD canon.

Tornado (24th March 1979) also only lasted 22 issues before joining 2000AD prog. 127 (25th August 1979). Tornado began with stories such as Victor Drago (Sexton Blake) by Mike Dory, Wolfie Smith by Vano and Angry Planet by Bardinelli. Like their Starlord counterparts Tornado characters such as Wolfie Smith and Black Hawk also joined the 2000AD library.