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Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: Magnetica on 23 March, 2019, 03:09:54 PM

Title: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Magnetica on 23 March, 2019, 03:09:54 PM
A new Dredd thriller starts with Rob Williams and Chris Weston on script duties. Not sure if this is the first time the Weston bot has had a writing credit in 2000AD. The episode starts and ends well, setting up the next part well. I found the middle bit to be a bit odd, and was a bit disappointing but it soon recovered from that.

Now I do like Kingmaker, but it's going a bit too much Lord of the Rings with a bit of Game of Thrones thrown in.

There is a new Max Normal story by Guy Adams and Dan Cornwell. The opening episode is a mostly set up and I think I will reserve judgement.

Grey Area hurtles towards the series finale. Unfortunately I didn't think this week's episode (and last week's for that matter) quite hit the usual very high standard. Oh and there is a [spoiler]bit of a cliffhanger at the end, but the way it is drawn leaves enough room for Kymm to survive.[/spoiler]

I agree with NA Parry's letter that current thrills are as good as "classic" ones and that it is nostalgia that makes one think otherwise.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 23 March, 2019, 04:30:33 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/Iu73MLY.jpg)

Jon Davis-Hunt to the Max
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Geoff on 23 March, 2019, 07:03:53 PM
That cover is great...Quite Frankly.

Was hoping against hope that Davis Hunt would be drawing the strip too, but it was still great to see Max back and Cornwell's art rather suits the strip.

The first page of Dredd was so promising, Goddard is a fantastic droid and the opening had an intense feel to it.  And then all of a sudden cannibal sovs who've been living inside a strato v for 35years! What!?

And another existential threat to the Meg...   
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Colin YNWA on 23 March, 2019, 09:05:23 PM
That's a step back in the right direction.

Dredd was really enjoyable, fun, wonderful art and exciting. Simple, if familar story done well.

Kingmaker continues to be really good, nice conclusion to the mini-story that has opened this new series.

Survival Geeks remains fluff, but I must admit I enjoyed this piece of fluff.

Max Normal now this I really enjoyed. I loved way way both art and dialogue catch Max really well, all be it as discussed on the Thrillcast a slightly toned down Max but it really worked. The mood, atmosphere of of ruined times past and the new things that spring up in there place was just fantastic. Yes it was just set-up but damned good set up.

Grey Area hurtles to a conclusion I'm not ready for and I don't think the strip is either, still its a delight and lets face it Dabnett nows a damned sight more than me.

As I've said before, slight changes tweeks and tune-ups can make the Prog sing when it might have stuttered.

Oh liked Driod-life too.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Richard on 23 March, 2019, 09:57:40 PM
Dredd is obviously a comedy, so don't take it too seriously.

Kymn is [spoiler]definitely dead.[/spoiler]

In Kingmaker I felt that they all [spoiler]got out of that predicament rather too easily[/spoiler].

I know Survival Geeks isn't everyone 's cup of tea, but I like it. Happy to have 30 consecutive episodes of this.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: gameluvah on 24 March, 2019, 06:25:44 PM
Quote from: Richard on 23 March, 2019, 09:57:40 PM
I know Survival Geeks isn't everyone 's cup of tea, but I like it. Happy to have 30 consecutive episodes of this.

Wait what??? Where was this said?
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: NapalmKev on 24 March, 2019, 07:01:17 PM
Quote from: gameluvah on 24 March, 2019, 06:25:44 PM
Quote from: Richard on 23 March, 2019, 09:57:40 PM
Survival Geeks. Happy to have 30 consecutive episodes of this.

Wait what??? Where was this said?

I think this is wishful thinking on Richard's part rather than a statement of fact.

Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Darren Stephens on 24 March, 2019, 07:28:29 PM
That cover *shouldn't * work, but JDH pulls it off magnificently.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: IndigoPrime on 24 March, 2019, 10:46:39 PM
I'm surprised this is seemingly being billed as the end of Grey Area. Has Abnett had enough?
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Richard on 24 March, 2019, 11:23:31 PM
I took it to mean it was the end of the current series, rather than the end forever.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Proudhuff on 25 March, 2019, 11:52:31 AM
Nooooo! no Prog at Huff Mansions... :'(
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Bolt-01 on 25 March, 2019, 12:45:24 PM
With regard to Grey Area- I think it really is intended to be the end. Wonder if Abnett is gearing up for a new series?
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Colin YNWA on 25 March, 2019, 01:21:31 PM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 25 March, 2019, 12:45:24 PM
With regard to Grey Area- I think it really is intended to be the end. Wonder if Abnett is gearing up for a new series?

That's certainly the take home I got from the message in the Nerve Centre... or was it letters, that said series finale - which I took to mean the end end?

Hope Dabnett has something else up his sleeve for Tharg. At the moment he is aon absolute fire. Maybe he just felt he had too many things on the go and needed to cut back... who knows. As long as it means we get something new OR even better more regular Sinister Dexter I'll get over it... eventually!
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Magnetica on 25 March, 2019, 02:18:28 PM
I read it as the end of this series, but the tag line for next Prog is "End of an Era", so it could well be the end of it completely.

I will be very sorry to see it go if it is, especially given some of the discussions on this forum over the last couple of years about the need for a strip that lends itself to one off tales with no prior knowledge required, medium, length tales and epics. Seems to me Grey Area fits the bill very well for that (as does Sinister Dexter).

Given Kingdom has apparently finished as well, that's two top DAbnett thrills we are down. It also looks like Lawless is heading for its end game in the Meg. Again I hope not.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: broodblik on 25 March, 2019, 02:48:00 PM
Well Grey Area was a good series and it would  be sad to loose it (I would rather have Sinister Dexter ending). Well at least we know that Brink will continue. I still have hope that we have not seen the end of Kingdom
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: robert_ellis on 25 March, 2019, 06:56:26 PM
Tharg, if Grey Area is done can we have Harrison & Abnett back on Durham Red?
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: broodblik on 27 March, 2019, 12:41:30 PM
Another week and another good prog.

Highlights was the great artwork on Dredd by Patrick Goddard and Kingmaker by Leigh Gallagher.

When Survival Geeks started I was not a fan but this is winning me over with some good laughs and good art
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: TordelBack on 27 March, 2019, 04:56:29 PM
On a bit of a holiday from the forum while I perform Kohlinhar and otherwise try to get my mangelwurzel on straight, but there's always an irresistible temptation to sing the praises of a great everyday prog: and this is such a beast.

Grey Area is just nail-biting, lusciously illustrated stuff; Kingmaker continues to amuse (once you accept that being-far-too-like-LotR is the whole point); and while Survival Geeks always makes me beam at the very sight of it, as light and colourful and energetic as it always it, the name 'Princess Mantears' actually made me chuckle out loud in a crowded caf.  The Dredd, if perhaps not scaling those heights due to a rather over-used premise (third time out?), still delivers with a brisk pace, tongue-in-cheek dialogue and some classic panels from Goddard.

But aside from the deep consistency of quality cover to cover, the real highlight it was the realisation that I had been desperately needing a Max Normal series from Adams and Cornwell, and I never even knew it. Snappily written, characterfully drawn and featuring the ape sidekick that is de rigeur for all former Dredd enablers in civilian life. 

I return to the monastery of P'Jem to resume the purge. Keep it up, all.
     
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Colin YNWA on 27 March, 2019, 09:23:30 PM
Tordelback - TORDELBACK - I missed you old boy and almost started a thread to see if folks knew where you'd gone, but decided to respect your departure instead.

Good to know you are still with us, in spirit at least if not in type.

Enjoy whatever it is that you are doing, return to us when you are ready and know that I for one, and I'm sure many others, hopes that's soon.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 27 March, 2019, 09:42:04 PM
Quote from: TordelBack on 27 March, 2019, 04:56:29 PM
On a bit of a holiday from the forum

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

:-)
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Trout on 28 March, 2019, 01:48:20 AM
I loved that Max Normal story you hepcat daddio something I dunno. Lots of fun, especially the kids' weird faces.

Also top work is that there Dredd. Poor old Souster! And I'm enjoying Survival Geeks. Good old chuckle.

Cheers and stuff

- Trout
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: norton canes on 28 March, 2019, 09:45:34 AM
A slightly uncertain air to this week's prog I thought, in places at least. 'Unearthed', for instance, felt like a bit of a first draft - were some/none/all of the Sov Judges actually undead? They only ate four crew members in 35 years? The Sovs had a mega-weapon that they only put on one Strato-V? Also, Rob Williams can write some great zingers, but the story often felt like it was being narrated by Dirty Frank. Still, nice to see the Heavy Metal Kids in action - will they be smashing Sov skulls next week?

In contrast, the next two stories are strong and stable - an excellent resolution to this short Kingmaker prologue, and Survival Geeks is absolutely flying. Kudos to Gallagher, Googe and Caldwell for art duties on these strips.

Max Normal I'm less sure about. The hipster and gang kids satire was nice but I think Guy Adams is going to have to get some kind of interesting take on Max's character to make him properly engaging. The language was there, let's see how things develop once the origins story gets underway.

Finally, Grey Area is certainly hurtling towards its conclusion, perhaps a little too quickly even. Five pages and it's done! If anyone can make it work it's Dan Abnett.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: JamesC on 28 March, 2019, 12:51:04 PM
I enjoyed Dredd but mainly because of the artwork if I'm honest.

Survival Geeks is really growing on me. I'm not usually a fan of these comedy strips but this is really well done.

Kingmaker was ace. This is the best thing Edginton has done by a country mile and the artwork is just phenomenal.

Max Normal was really good. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this but I really did.

Grey Area is great as always. I'll be sad if this is the final series, I think this strip could run and run. I found it a little unclear as to what was happening in some panels but I got the gist.

Overall a very strong prog.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: DrJomster on 28 March, 2019, 10:56:27 PM
Max Normal hit the right notes, I must say. A strong start there.

I agree with most of what people have said above really.

Survival Geeks is fun, with gorgeous art.

Grey Area - I'm not ready for this to stop, like others.

Dredd - not 100% sure about this but interested to see where it goes next. Still good though.

Praise Be To Tharg.

Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: sheridan on 29 March, 2019, 12:42:59 AM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 23 March, 2019, 09:05:23 PM
Survival Geeks remains fluff, but I must admit I enjoyed this piece of fluff.

Liked the Megadungeon - wonder if it's original, or cribbed from elsewhere?

(https://i.imgur.com/RNse0Z7.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/RNse0Z7.jpg)
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: sheridan on 29 March, 2019, 12:49:10 AM
Quote from: Trout on 28 March, 2019, 01:48:20 AM
I loved that Max Normal story you hepcat daddio something I dunno.


That sounds like something a Troggie would say!  Shibboleth, I tell you!
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: CalHab on 29 March, 2019, 03:35:30 PM
Did anyone else get their prog in the old plastic, not-compostable, bag?

Love the dialogue in Max Normal. Highlight of the prog.

Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Molch-R on 29 March, 2019, 03:41:06 PM
Quote from: CalHab on 29 March, 2019, 03:35:30 PM
Did anyone else get their prog in the old plastic, not-compostable, bag?

After several reports of Progs turning up in non-compostable bags we got our distributor to investigate - turns out that 720 subscriber copies were mailed out with the incorrect non-compostable poly bags. Our distributor accepted responsibility for the oversight and everyone should be back to the proper compostable bags with future issues.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 29 March, 2019, 07:03:06 PM
Quote from: Molch-R on 29 March, 2019, 03:41:06 PM
Our distributor accepted responsibility for the oversight and everyone should be back to the proper compostable bags with future issues.

Can I go back to the old ones, please? I have babies to asphyxiate.
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Trout on 29 March, 2019, 10:29:53 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 29 March, 2019, 12:49:10 AM
Quote from: Trout on 28 March, 2019, 01:48:20 AM
I loved that Max Normal story you hepcat daddio something I dunno.


That sounds like something a Troggie would say!  Shibboleth, I tell you!

You drool uncool fool
Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Tiplodocus on 29 March, 2019, 11:43:02 PM
Enjoyed that a lot. All stories top art and script and colours and letters.

It's very odd having such serious art with such bonkers dialogue in DREDD. But I think it works.

Title: Re: Prog 2124 - The New Normal
Post by: Darren Stephens on 30 March, 2019, 06:10:40 PM
Enjoyed this prog a ton. Highlights for me? Dredd, loved everything about it. Survival Geeks was ace as usual and KingMaker is just the best thing in there. ;-)