Time Bomb Comics, a prominent member of Comic Book UK, has achieved a milestone achievement in bringing a unique piece of classic British sci-fi history back to life. In partnership with Anderson Entertainment, Time Bomb Comics officially released the new Project SWORD graphic novel on general sale on 15th August 2026, breathing new life into a visionary concept from legendary creator Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray).
Unlike established television hits such as Terrahawks or Space Precinct, Project SWORD previously existed only as 1960s promotional toys and a collectible comic annual. This unique heritage presented Time Bomb Comics with an exciting opportunity for total creative freedom, allowing them to craft a modern story while honoring classic Anderson lore.
Reimagining a Lost World
Set against the apocalyptic backdrop of the year 3031, Project SWORD depicts a future world drastically altered by a catastrophic meteorite impact at the Earth’s core. The resulting tectonic collapse leads to rising seas, devastating volcanic eruptions, and harsh planetary conditions. Mankind’s remaining hope rests on the Space World Organisation for Research and Development (Project SWORD).
In approaching the property, the creative team set out with two core creative ambitions:
Creating a modern streaming-era adaptation: Framing the graphic novel as a “note-perfect adaptation” of an episode from an imagined high-budget modern streaming series.
Modernising vintage concepts: Updating ship, vehicle, and character designs from the original 1960s toys for contemporary graphic novel aesthetics.
Innovative Storytelling and Crowdfunding
Artist James Grey and writer Lizbeth Myles built the world from the ground up. Because Project SWORD lacked a detailed original story bible, the creators enjoyed an unprecedented level of creative liberty, seamlessly connecting vintage nostalgia with cutting-edge indie comic storytelling.
To fund the production and test market demand, Time Bomb Comics launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The project captured immediate attention across both nostalgic Anderson fan communities and modern indie comic readers, establishing a compelling template for revitalising legacy IP.
Impact
The Kickstarter campaign became Time Bomb Comics’ most successful campaign to date, demonstrating a powerful international appetite for independent comics and classic British science fiction.
“It was obvious that Project SWORD was very different from the others,” noted the creative team. “The approach we took was to imagine if Project SWORD was something that existed as a contemporary series being produced today… even though the source material didn’t actually exist!”
Following its crowdfunding success, the graphic novel achieved a full commercial launch on August 15th, 2026, available directly through the Time Bomb Comics website and select comic book retailers.
