2000 AD has formally announced their next Apex Edition: The Button Man By Arthur Ranson for December 2024. The 192-page art book will showcase full size high resolution scans of the the fan favourite artist Arthur Ranson‘s original pages from across the classic hitman survival thriller series he co-created with writer John Wagner.
Measuring 14 x 10 inches and retailing for £80 (~$105), the book will release December 11, 2024. Preorders have opened on the 2000 AD webshop. A £100 (~$130) limited edition version is also available featuring a slipcase and tip in sheet signed by the artist.
The first Button Man series ran in 2000 AD progs 780-791, in 1992. It features a former soldier and hitman enlisted into a game of survival in a remote part of the English countryside. Arthur Ranson’s gorgeously rendered photorealistic art and watercolours made this an instant classic. The pair would work on two subsequent series featuring the main character, Harry Exton, in 1994 and 2001. A fourth series written by Wagner and based on an idea by Ranson was published in 2007 with Frazer Irving on art.
The Button Man Apex Edition had been mentioned as early as 2000 AD’s Thought Bubble panel in November 2023 but no new updates had been given regarding a release date. Via Youtuber Near Mint Condition, the book was formally announced to the public this week.
The Rebellion press release:
“As announced by Near Mint Condition today, we are delighted to announce that the next instalment of our incredible Apex line will highlight one of the most acclaimed comics in 2000 AD history: The Button Man by Arthur Ranson Apex Edition!
“Button Man is an action-packed thriller, deservedly regarded as one of the greatest strips ever to be published in 2000 AD and a high point in the career of Arthur Ranson, whose photo-realistic artwork astonished readers.”
It adds:
“This Apex Edition reprints nearly 200 pages from the first three stories, newly scanned from the original art, printed at the size the pages were drawn, and without the inclusion of the dialogue balloons, to give you a real insight into Arthur Ranson’s meticulous work. Each page of this book has been scanned directly from Ranson’s art and presents each page as if you were looking at it in person!
“Measuring a huge 19 x 14 inches, this is a landmark collection of a classic 2000 AD series, straight from the drawing board! Running 192 pages in total, this is one of the biggest Apex collections to date”
Although the press release indicates the book will be “19 x 14 inches”, the website indicates a smaller form factor of 14 x 10 inches. The 2000 AD webshop listing says:
“Unlike previous Apex editions (which measured 47.5 x 36.5cm / 19 x 14″) this volume is 36.1 x 27.6cm / 14 x 10” reflecting the smaller size of the original Button Man artwork.”
This new Button Man by Arthur Ranson Apex Edition will mark the continued expansion of the line of art books featuring full size, high resolution scans of original pages from fan favourite series or spanning the career of top creators seen in the pages of the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic. Previous books in the line have spotlighted the 2000 AD careers of Kevin O’Neill, Mick McMahon, Brian Bolland, and most recently Steve Dillon. The Apex Edition line stretches back to 2015 with Zenith Phase One showcasing Steve Yeowell‘s art from the Grant Morrison-penned series.
Button Man has re-emerged in the news in recent months as it was reported by Deadline that Fifth Season, the company behind Tokyo Vice and Severance, had picked up the rights for a TV adaptation – with The Fall Guy director (and John Wick co-director) David Leitch planned to direct.
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