IPC’s Battle comic, which had been running under various titles since 1975, was the perfect home for an Action Force strip. In June 1983, the publication began a four part Action Force story which, although primarily a promotion for the Action Force toy range, can in retrospect be seen as a pilot strip for what was to come. The story was a hit and five colourful Action Force mini-comics were subsequently given away free in various IPC comics including Battle itself, Eagle and 2000AD (a trick which would be repeated a few years later when Supernaturals was launched).