Preview: ‘The Rise And Fall Of The Trigan Empire Volume VI’ — The Definitive Collection Of A Classic

by Richard Bruton

Created by Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence, The Trigan Empire is a legendary strip, revered by so many. And Rebellion and the Treasury of British Comics are collecting, for the first time, the entire saga.

(Cover by Chris Weston)

This is the sixth and penultimate volume of this one, never before collected, ushering in the ending of the saga as both Mike Butterworth and Don Lawrence left the series they created, handing over the reins to Ken Roscoe, Oliver Frey, and Gerry Wood, with Roscoe and Wood carrying on to bring the series to its end, with work that will appear in the seventh and final volume.

The Trigan Empire – LXX – The Battle For Survival – by Mike Butterworth and Oliver Frey

Here’s what Rebellion have to say about it…

‘The end is nigh! This penultimate omnibus collection of the original The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire stories, collects all the strips originally published in Look & Learn from 1977 through to 1980. This sixth book contains Oliver Frey and Mike Butterworth’s final work on the series, as they pass the baton to Ken Roscoe and Gerry Wood who will work on the remainder of the series.

This volume collects – for the first time – thirteen classic, fast-paced, yet beautifully painted, stories featuring the Emperor Trigo, ruler of the Trigan Empire, holding the line against monsters, alien threats, and internal usurpers, with the help of his nephew Janno, and the scientist Peric.’

The Trigan Empire – LXXII – Junix’s Claim To The Throne – by Ken Roscoe and Gerry Wood

That Rebellion are committed to bringing us the entire saga is a laudable thing. Other reprint collections in the past have, understandably, concentrated just on the Don Lawrence material. But although Wood’s art might not be at the level of Lawrence’s (and being honest, what is?), it’s still really impressive and there’s something essential about being able to have all seven volumes proudly sitting on your shelves, don’t you think?

If you didn’t already know, The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire is a iconic series in the history of British comics, dealing with big themes, beautifully illustrated and in glorious colour. It’s the sort of work that you see artists and fans go misty eyed over when they’re talking about it. Rebellion’s reprints have brought all that back, the reproduction is typically excellent, making this a truly definitive collection of one of the classics of British comics,

As with all of the series, this penultimate volume comes in standard paperback and webstore exclusive hardback versions, both with a cover by Chris Weston.

The Rise And Fall Of The Trigan Empire Volume 6

Written by Mike Butterworth and Ken Roscoe

Art by Oliver Frey and Gerry Wood

Letters by David Agnew.

Originally serialised in Look and Learn #800 – 923 (1977-1979)

Published by Rebellion and The Treasury of British Comics on 16 July 2025