Comic: The Trigan Empire

The Trigan Empire

Part Roman epic, part science fiction fantasy, all classic.

In the swamps of Florida in the late 1930s, a UFO falls to Earth. On board is a collection of books. Scientists around the globe spend years decrypting their contents, to discover the story of the rise and fall of the Trigan Empire.

That was how readers were introduced to the lavishly illustrated serial in 1965, in Fleetway Publications' Ranger magazine. Created by science fiction author Mike Butterworth and artist Don Lawrence, the strip spun an epic tale of empire building on the planet Elekton - based heavily on the legends of Ancient Rome.

In 1966, the strip jumped to the edifying environs of Look and Learn, a weekly educational magazine. There, toga-clad emperor Trigo continued to extend his power, thanks mainly to the counsel of wise man Peric.

Lawrence quit in 1976, but the story continued under other hands - including Ron Embleton of comic TV Century 21 - until Look and Learn's closure in 1982.

Work nominated by gideonr and herbie1302.