2000 AD Online Forum

Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: Darren Stephens on 14 December, 2019, 06:38:18 PM

Title: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Darren Stephens on 14 December, 2019, 06:38:18 PM
And so, the bumper Christmas prog lands with a satisfyingly loud thump on the Stephens household welcome mat. As is customary, I'll not be devouring this in one sitting. Behind the stunning Alex Ronald cover lies a treasure trove of eye melting strips. I've only read Dredd so far, and must say it's a very amusing little seasonal tale from T.C Eglington with lovely art from Karl Richardson


The rest will be taken in slowly over the next couple of weeks, but I've had a peek and it all looks as awesome as expected. Great to see strips with art from Brenden McCarthy and Henry Flint in there.


Have a great Christmas everyone. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: hippynumber1 on 14 December, 2019, 06:55:13 PM
I genuinely can't remember the last time I received a Saturday prog. 😢
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Tjm86 on 14 December, 2019, 06:59:52 PM
First time this month the prog has turned up on Saturday.  Meg too.  Brief flick in preparation for the long, slow, savouring  .... looking good.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 14 December, 2019, 07:06:25 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/cpw1feP.jpg)

Alex Ronald
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 14 December, 2019, 09:38:18 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 14 December, 2019, 06:59:52 PM
First time this month the prog has turned up on Saturday.  Meg too.  Brief flick in preparation for the long, slow, savouring  .... looking good.

Shame here (I think its the first this month anyway) bloody sods law too as I always save the X-Mas Prog until I'm away on our family X-Mas run so won't be reading it yet anyway. Looks lovely though.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Bolt-01 on 16 December, 2019, 08:49:52 AM
Jim - those are some sweet letters there. You didn't mention this at TB.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 16 December, 2019, 09:26:06 AM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 16 December, 2019, 08:49:52 AM
Jim - those are some sweet letters there. You didn't mention this at TB.

Thanks, Bolt! Thing is, I didn't know at Thought Bubble — I got the call-up from His Verdant Majesty literally the day I got back home. :-)

As I've said on that there social media, I'm filling in for Ellie, who isn't well at present so I'm in the ironic position of landing my dream gig and simultaneously hoping that Ellie is well enough to take her spot back soon. I'm just planning to enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Bolt-01 on 16 December, 2019, 09:54:49 AM
Agh! Get well Ellie and maybe TMO will let you complete this run for each series?
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Jim_Campbell on 16 December, 2019, 10:09:01 AM
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 16 December, 2019, 09:54:49 AM
Agh! Get well Ellie and maybe TMO will let you complete this run for each series?

I don't presume to know the will of His Ineffable Greenness. I am but his 'umble robotic servant.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 16 December, 2019, 10:26:01 AM
Monday proggage! Meggage also! Hurrah!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Proudhuff on 16 December, 2019, 11:39:17 AM
Saturday proggage and the Meg, bliss! Still had a pile of FP comics to read too, so overdosed on Sunday night  :crazy:

Dredd, and great xmas story to get to a pun...

There seems to be a fair bit of challenging strips here, but I'm happy with the change of tack, but I did think the Absolom tidy up was great, even if the polis uniforms seemed like they were out of the ark.

A double letters page but no Butt'man letters, will he ever get that golden 100?

and well done to Jim!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 16 December, 2019, 03:34:35 PM
"Hi! My name's Gordon Rennie, and I like screwing with collectors of 2000 AD trade paperbacks, by entertainingly hurling a single-episode epilogue out there after the final trade of a series is on sale!"

*sobs*
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Batman's Superior Cousin on 16 December, 2019, 03:56:43 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 16 December, 2019, 03:34:35 PM
"Hi! My name's Gordon Rennie, and I like screwing with collectors of 2000 AD trade paperbacks, by entertainingly hurling a single-episode epilogue out there after the final trade of a series is on sale!"

*sobs*

Exactly how I feel after reading that story.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: MumboJimbo on 16 December, 2019, 04:59:31 PM
As I don't get mine until Wednesday, does anyone have a list of strips?

Here's what I've gleaned so far:

Dredd (duh)
Brink
Proteus Rex
A Zaucer of Zilk
Absalom
Fall of Deadworld

Any others?
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Pyroxian on 16 December, 2019, 05:05:14 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 16 December, 2019, 03:34:35 PM
"Hi! My name's Gordon Rennie, and I like screwing with collectors of 2000 AD trade paperbacks, by entertainingly hurling a single-episode epilogue out there after the final trade of a series is on sale!"

*sobs*

Unless of course it's a prologue for a new story...
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Dandontdare on 16 December, 2019, 05:45:13 PM
Quote from: MumboJimbo on 16 December, 2019, 04:59:31 PM
As I don't get mine until Wednesday, does anyone have a list of strips?

Here's what I've gleaned so far:

Dredd (duh)
Brink
Proteus Rex
A Zaucer of Zilk
Absalom
Fall of Deadworld

Any others?

there's also a new fantasy strip called Feral & Foe
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 16 December, 2019, 05:57:09 PM
Quote from: MumboJimbo on 16 December, 2019, 04:59:31 PM
As I don't get mine until Wednesday, does anyone have a list of strips?

Here's what I've gleaned so far:

Dredd (duh)
Brink
Proteus Rex
A Zaucer of Zilk
Absalom
Fall of Deadworld

Any others?

Durham Red
Feral and Foe (new Thrill)
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: MumboJimbo on 16 December, 2019, 06:02:07 PM
Sounds great! Thanks for the info guys
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Darren Stephens on 16 December, 2019, 08:12:40 PM
Quote from: Pyroxian on 16 December, 2019, 05:05:14 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 16 December, 2019, 03:34:35 PM
"Hi! My name's Gordon Rennie, and I like screwing with collectors of 2000 AD trade paperbacks, by entertainingly hurling a single-episode epilogue out there after the final trade of a series is on sale!"

*sobs*

Unless of course it's a prologue for a new story...


I assumed it was.  :)
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Proudhuff on 17 December, 2019, 11:34:32 AM
It certainly read like that, would be a fine series...
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 17 December, 2019, 12:40:44 PM
I really like that cover. I'm a sucker for an old skool Christmas themed cover, and Alex has become one of the best cover artists in the business.  Great to see Aaln-1 back in all his Tam-o'-shantered glory too!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Proudhuff on 17 December, 2019, 03:45:50 PM
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 17 December, 2019, 12:40:44 PM
I really like that cover. I'm a sucker for an old skool Christmas themed cover, and Alex has become one of the best cover artists in the business.  Great to see Aaln-1 back in all his Tam-o'-shantered glory too!

Aye, Alex always knocks it out the park, I thoughty Bert got Mekquaked in a previous issue?
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 18 December, 2019, 12:16:21 PM
I am not always a fan of any Christmas related themes but the cover is really awesome.

Here is how it was done : https://2000ad.com/news/2000-ad-covers-uncovered-drokking-around-the-christmas-tree/ (https://2000ad.com/news/2000-ad-covers-uncovered-drokking-around-the-christmas-tree/)
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 18 December, 2019, 11:35:38 PM
Got mine!  Read Droid Life, Dredd, Deadworld and Feral & Foe so far. 

Nice to see a Christmas Dredd story - enjoyable enough.  I still think Al Ewing's choose-your-own-adventure festive Dredd one was one of the best Dredd one-offs ever, by any writer, so I suppose between him and Lord Wagner we've been spoiled in the past.  Still, this one was fun, with a classic Dredd quip at the end.

Deadworld is great, cleverly knitting current themes into old Young Death ones more than ever before, with a tiny bit of seasonal festivities thrown into the mix of body horror and hopelessness.

Feral and Foe seems interesting so far, with f-words all over the place (but with a heavy accent so it's fine) and a fantasy setting.

Droid Life, as always, is outstanding. Long may it herald the start of the holidays.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: geronimo on 19 December, 2019, 12:00:33 AM
Just gotta say that the standard of art in this special is out-standing all the way through, really great work here, Tharg is maintaining a solid stable of talent indeed.
Looking forward to 2020.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 19 December, 2019, 11:51:59 AM
Really lovely to see Tharg continuing a Christmas tradition in the letters page. Long may that continue!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Trout on 21 December, 2019, 12:28:43 AM
I loved. this comic and I am grateful to everyone who helped make it.

My favourites were Absalom and Feral & Foe, but the rest were entertaining, too.

Cheers and merry Christmas!

- Trout
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: The Monarch on 21 December, 2019, 12:47:10 PM
i really hope this means peter hogan gets more work in 2000ad he kinda got screwed over in the early 90s when he was writing some of the best stuff of that time
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 21 December, 2019, 01:04:14 PM
At least one of the text articles hints that Hogan is mulling over more 2000 AD work. I hope so as well – his work was always solid, and there's room in the modern Prog for more thoughtful stuff. Resident Alien is a superb series. Also, it's good to know burned bridges can be repaired. I hope perhaps one day that might be the case with John Smith.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: The Monarch on 21 December, 2019, 01:08:19 PM
me too, me too
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Richard on 21 December, 2019, 03:15:10 PM
Quotewhen he was writing some of the best stuff of that time

No he wasn't.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 21 December, 2019, 03:43:47 PM
I dunno. His period in the Prog was mostly during the doldrums of the 800s and 900s. His work may not have been the best stuff in the Prog, but it was a long way from the worst. In 852, his fab Robo-Hunter (with Rian Hughes) was up alongside terrible Dredd tale Inferno, Alan McKenzie's awful Mean Arena, the ho-hum Demon Killer Sláine, and the divisive Tyranny Rex. In the late 800s, his Strontium Dogs was there with Steve White's noisy Rogue, Brigand Doom, an iffy Dredd, and the worst Armoured Gideon run.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Greg M. on 21 December, 2019, 04:00:23 PM
Put Hogan in context, and he was pretty good. The comic had been dominated by the spiteful, brash, unpleasant (though technically adept) story-telling of Mark Millar et al – in Hogan, we had someone who could write with charm, whimsy and restraint; someone who a clear understanding of and respect for both continuity and character. For some, I expect that made him a bit boring, and I have sympathy with those who found his storytelling a bit protracted. But at the time, I was ready to proclaim him a new prog MVP – he really stood out.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 21 December, 2019, 04:27:24 PM
Best end of year prog in years. Wonderful strips, nice design, and as usual serious heft for your greats.
Favourite strip was Brink (as usual) with Feral & Foe close behind. But everything was hovering around the "ridiculously zarjaz" mark.
Happy Earthlet here.

SBT
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Tjm86 on 21 December, 2019, 06:18:13 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 21 December, 2019, 01:04:14 PM
Also, it's good to know burned bridges can be repaired. I hope perhaps one day that might be the case with John Smith.

okay, I must have missed something here.  What happened?
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 21 December, 2019, 07:15:18 PM
Quote from: SmallBlueThing(Reborn) on 21 December, 2019, 04:27:24 PM
Best end of year prog in years. Wonderful strips, nice design, and as usual serious heft for your greats.

I must agree but I will go as far as to say that this is the best xmas prog ever. The new stories are great and can not wait for next to roll in
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Richard on 22 December, 2019, 01:29:42 PM
I hated Hogan's Strontium Dogs and Durham Red stories. To me they are an example of what was wrong with 2000AD in the 90s.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 22 December, 2019, 10:32:05 PM
Quote from: Tjm86 on 21 December, 2019, 06:18:13 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 21 December, 2019, 01:04:14 PM
Also, it's good to know burned bridges can be repaired. I hope perhaps one day that might be the case with John Smith.

okay, I must have missed something here.  What happened?

Not entirely sure but he's a fairly regular Facebook poster.  I miss his 2000ad work; he's one of the best script droids we've had.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: A.Cow on 23 December, 2019, 01:41:56 PM
Quote from: Richard on 22 December, 2019, 01:29:42 PM
I hated Hogan's Strontium Dogs and Durham Red stories. To me they are an example of what was wrong with 2000AD in the 90s.

And Timehouse too, which tried to be whimsical but failed with aplomb.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 23 December, 2019, 01:49:09 PM
A lot of the guys responsible for the state of 2000ad in the 90s left and created some wonderful later in their careers. Unfortunately 2000ad was used as a learning curve.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Leigh S on 23 December, 2019, 02:03:50 PM
Hogan wasnt a perfect fit for 2000AD, but he was a lot better than much of what was around.  His Robo Hunters still have the sense of being "Alt" to the original, but have at least restored the charm and dare i say whimsy - a  bit too much whimsy, but better that than too much cruelty.

Stronts.... I remember being pleasd that someone was trying to put back the pieces of the stront universe to the point the Agency was up and running again - felt like it had momentum in the right direction, though it kind of got bogged down by trying (not unreasonably) to make something more of characters that perhaps didnt ahve that much more to give (no interest in the Firefall/FarFluff/FurFail malarkey)
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Bolt-01 on 23 December, 2019, 02:05:08 PM
That has 'always' been the way.

From Bolland & Moore, through to Spurrier & Ewing, Tharg has always helped train the talent.

It is one of the many joys of being a Squaxx - seeing those we have held dear spread their wings and fly. Of course it is also great when they drop back in.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 23 December, 2019, 02:08:03 PM
Probably also worth noting that Hogan has a ton more experience now, and the Prog is a different animal anyway. And if you're not reading Resident Alien, you should be. Hopefully, Tharg will be able to convince Hogan to pen something similarly excellent for the Prog once he's done with Zaucer.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 23 December, 2019, 02:18:40 PM
Hogan's Resident Alien is excellent. Yes, I know Zaucer is so far only one episode but it has a great start
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Tjm86 on 23 December, 2019, 02:51:22 PM
Quote from: Leigh S on 23 December, 2019, 02:03:50 PM
His Robo Hunters still have the sense of being "Alt" to the original, but have at least restored the charm and dare i say whimsy - a  bit too much whimsy, but better that than too much cruelty.


I think the bigger problem with Millar's Robo-Hunter was the excessively puerile aspect to it.  The violence was pointless and gratuitous without bringing anything to the party.  The subplot about marrying Cutie beggared belief and the challenge of giving a damn about the child trapped in a psychotic Alton Towers was too much.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 23 December, 2019, 03:57:13 PM
++ ADMIN KLAXON ++

For the record, people here are welcome to express their subjective opinions on someone's work, but we will not tolerate rudeness directed towards creators, not least returning ones.

As you were...
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 23 December, 2019, 08:38:48 PM
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 23 December, 2019, 02:08:03 PMAnd if you're not reading Resident Alien, you should be.

Yep

Quote from: broodblik on 23 December, 2019, 02:18:40 PM
Hogan's Resident Alien is excellent.

Yep again.

I've mentioned this over at the 'New comicbook day Mega Thread' so many times this series of mini-series has been just wonderful. We're waiting the final part I believe and you all really should be snapping it up in anticipation of that.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Colin YNWA on 25 December, 2019, 09:50:48 PM
So in amongst all the not doing very much I've managed to stick to my (new) X-Mas traditon and read the end of year Prog as my X-Mas treat to myself. And as everyone else has gone to bed already after a day of high octane not doing much other than having fun what better way to unwind and get ready to see in Boxing Day that share my thoughts with you lovely folks.

I have to say what a lovely treat the bumper Prog was. So gloriously atypical in many way but all the more 2000ad for it I'd say.

Okay so the Dredd was a pretty weak run of the mill affair, but aside from that it was all pretty top notch.

Graduation Day was a nice nasty little epilogue to Absalom. Figure that might be all we get but if they fancied doing more in this work I'd be happy with that.

Durham Red was an effectively harsh one off.

Deadworld likewise a lovely done in one that foreshadows much more to come one feels.

Brink - well Brink is Brink as ever and that's such a fine, fine thing. Everything about this was brilliant and that final page just superb.

Its the three(ish) new thrills that really make this feel special and make me very excited about the start of 2020. These three will carry on into the New Year and its a pleasently intriguing mix to say the least.

Feral and Foe gives us what appears to be that rare genre in 2000ad a fantasy feature. On the basis of this pulsating opening, which masterfully covers a lot of ground with seeming ease, one of those even rarer things in 2000ad a fantasy piece that really works. Really looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

The Zaucer of Zilk, while not a new thrill has been absent for almost 8 years (what - hey - how bloomin' long) after only one thrill and so feels like a new series. The tone is wonderfully of kilter to. So perfectly in keeping with the zinging Brendan McCarthy art. Its light and frothy and zips along at an engaging pace, but there's something darker sneaking at the edges and its all just glorious. Criminaut merits its place in the Prog alone!

But its Proteus Vex that most tickles my intrigued gland. It reads to me like Mike Carroll has been wondering through Henry Flint's sketch books and wondered how to make sense of all those glorious flights of fancy that sit there. Its dawned on him it might not make entire sense but by heck its going to be fun sowing it all together into one crazy tapestry. There's so much slammed in here, so much to ponder and return to, to wrap your head into, or just go with the flow. Whichever you choice it all just seems to work. Its a blinding opening and one that has me hooked for the rest of the series.

Am I the only one of did anyone else think the opening page was a tribute to Walt Simonson. I often over read these things but its gotta be right?

Alongside all this we have a nice text piece about how different Droids approach drawing Dredd. a lovely Jake Lynch Star Scan of Joe, a bumper letters with Lego from these parts and more fun beside.

Anyway firmly anchered by solid classics like Dredd and Brink I think Feral of Foe, Zaucer of Zilk and Proteus Vex is going to give us one of the most experimental line-up we'll have seen for a while and I for one am very much looking forward to it. It may not be to everyone's tasted but its damned well going to be exciting to see where this all goes I suspect. Roll on 2020 I say.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: broodblik on 26 December, 2019, 10:32:16 AM
Dredd – The Dredd story feels like classic Dredd stuff where in this case two unfortunate families get caught in Dredd's scrupulous sense of justice.  Richardson provides to art to illustrate the fall (or in this case the destruction) of the two families.

Graduation Day – This tale serves as an epilogue for the just concluded Absalom story.  This can also be an introduction to a new story in the Caballistics-verse (as seen on the page just after the conclusion of the story – The Diaboliks). As always Tiernen provides wonderful B&W art with some nice action sequences.

The Zaucer of Zilk – This highlight of this story is the eye-candy colour extravaganza art of McCarthy/O'Grady. The story starts with a mini update on what happened before, before it starts delving into the main villain. The story sees also to return of Hogan on writing duties.

Brink - Brink continues its trajectory with some great storytelling and compelling art.

Proteus Vex - Glorious start to a new strip, got me hooked from the first page. Just love the foreign alien design of the art. Flint's work as always is a joy too look at. The most surprising fact is that this is Carrol's first original work for 2000AD (bar some Future Shocks). Hopefully he can use this strip to launch so more original work.  A second Vex series is already in the works, so I believe we are in for a treat.

Deadworld – This is almost like an epilogue with the storyline that ended the previous prog. This time the focus is on what happened to our main culprit Death to be plus more t come.

Feral and Foe - Abnett and Elson already proven to us that they are a lethal combination. The new fantasy romp has a great start and looks like the tradition will continue.

Durham Red - the progs end with a nice one-shot with a blood-sucking ending.

This was a solid 8/8 prog with the new stories promising a great start to 2020. This was great xmas-prog. With the return of Slaine advertised again (so hopefully we can get it next year) plus as mentioned before a new story from Rennie and Reardon in the Caballistics-verse.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: IndigoPrime on 26 December, 2019, 11:15:03 AM
The rapid worldbuilding and artist for Proteus Vex put me in mind of Shakara – and that's no bad thing.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Jacqusie on 28 December, 2019, 10:15:19 AM
Quote from: Leigh S on 23 December, 2019, 02:03:50 PM
Hogan wasnt a perfect fit for 2000AD, but he was a lot better than much of what was around. 

Stronts.... I remember being pleasd that someone was trying to put back the pieces of the stront universe to the point the Agency was up and running again - felt like it had momentum in the right direction

I agree, he was left with an impossible task and a right old mess, which I thought Hogan delivered well in the circumstances. The sight of Middenface drawn by Trevor Hairsine was a welcome light at the end of a very long and gloomy tunnel.

I liked his Durham Red, she had character and the cast of supporting characters were ones that you could warm too. Good to see him back in the Prog.

Which sadly isn't what I can say about the creators of the two Christmas Dredd stories in the Prog and Meg. Why did we have the same artist for both and I'm sorry but the stories were very much underwhelming along with the Meg's cover, which looks like it was done on the back of a fag packet.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: TordelBack on 28 December, 2019, 11:16:45 AM
Lots of good stuff in this one, under a truly sumptuous cover (I would have liked some more updated droid models front-and-centre too, CyberMatt and Molch-R for example, but what is there is loverly).

The new strips all have promise, but I was a teensy bit let down by Feral & Foe, which at first sight seemed too much like a slight Warcraft accent on Kingmaker.  It is however from one of my all-time favourite creative teams, so I have high hopes for the future, and boy does the art look nice.

Hogan's take on Zaucer seems like a seamless bleed from Ewing, so that's a very good start, and in Proteus Rex Carroll and Flint look to have something potentially awesome on their hands.

Brink continues to be the most readable, gripping slow-burn in living memory, and it along with a very welcome Absalom epilogue and a superdense Deadworld were my personal highlights.

At the weaker end of things Durham Red continued a run of pretty aimless stories which don't really make the best of how damn slick they look, and the Dredd was a perfectly serviceable Christmas tale.

The Karl Stock article was, bizarrely, too long for my tastes.  I kept thinking it was done, and then turned the page to find more... some nice nuggets in there, though. 

A great big-value read all told!


Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 28 December, 2019, 11:47:32 AM
Quote from: Jacqusie on 28 December, 2019, 10:15:19 AM
the Meg's cover, which looks like it was done on the back of a fag packet.

Bit harsh.  I liked it - not an all-time classic but a perfectly decent Christmas Dredd scene.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Jacqusie on 29 December, 2019, 08:59:26 PM
Ok maybe a tad harsh, but I think we've been spoilt by some great artists such as Greg Staples and Colin McNeil on Xmas covers and the last few for the Meg and 2000AD have been rather average.

In fact there have been quite a few covers for 2000AD this last year that have been rather 'work experience kid on the graphics package' type...
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 30 December, 2019, 01:43:32 PM
Quote from: Jacqusie on 29 December, 2019, 08:59:26 PM
Ok maybe a tad harsh, but I think we've been spoilt by some great artists such as Greg Staples and Colin McNeil on Xmas covers and the last few for the Meg and 2000AD have been rather average.

In fact there have been quite a few covers for 2000AD this last year that have been rather 'work experience kid on the graphics package' type...

Not getting any less harsh here, and as a professional mural painter myself, I can't think of any 2000ad artists I could match.  Some creators look at this forum too.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: norton canes on 30 December, 2019, 06:06:36 PM
The Staz Johnson cover? It's brilliant!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Proudhuff on 30 December, 2019, 09:08:11 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 30 December, 2019, 06:06:36 PM
The Staz Johnson cover? It's brilliant!

This
, made me smile,  great stuff, it reminds my of the old adage: sorry for the long letter, no time to send a short one. I feel it's the same with art, just because something appears simple doesn't mean it is, some 2k artists throw in everything including the kitchen sink, keeping it focused like this is an art form in its self.
You go Staz!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: TordelBack on 30 December, 2019, 10:30:32 PM
Wait, are we talking about the Christmas Meg cover now? I thought that one was brilliant! Diff'rent strokes, I suppose.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Fungus on 30 December, 2019, 11:29:34 PM
For the record, Staz Johnson's linework and his covers are ACE!
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Bolt-01 on 31 December, 2019, 09:03:41 AM
For the briefest of moments I thought it was a Winslade cover, as the linework for Lawson was so 'right' then I recognised the linework as Staz'.

It is NOT a simple cover by any means. As with many things it takes hard work to make something look so simple.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: norton canes on 02 January, 2020, 12:11:42 PM
Belated thoughts on the Christmas cornucopia...

A serviceable, knockabout Dredd - not sure a succession of over-the-top deaths is really enough to hang a story on though. A lovely Absalom epilogue leading to a bombshell preview page - surprised the return of (what's left of) Caballistics Inc. hasn't been discussed more! Probably on a thread I've managed to miss. In Zaucer Of Zilk and Proteus Vex, impressive starts to two new strips which I hope will be built on scripts as wonderful and imaginative as their artwork. Feral And Foe is as slick and humorous as one would expect from the Abnett Droid- just not sure how it's going to rub shoulders with Kingmaker, should they ever end up in the same prog. Deadworld delivers another stunner; and the Durham Red story was pretty decent, but she'll have to start doing other things than just losing her temper and biting people...
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Jacqusie on 04 January, 2020, 10:45:33 AM
Quote from: norton canes on 02 January, 2020, 12:11:42 PM
A lovely Absalom epilogue leading to a bombshell preview page - surprised the return of (what's left of) Caballistics Inc. hasn't been discussed more!

The Harry epilogue is also hopefully a prologue as it stitched together the end of the series with the new bloods maybe going forward. I agree about Caballistcs Inc, I thought it would have created some fervour on here, it's not been that long since it had it's own (well overdue) epilogue with the hospital scene, so looking foward to what's to come for, fngers crossed, both series.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Magnetica on 08 January, 2020, 07:38:53 PM
Very late to the party here, but overall I thought it was great.

The stories that were new / will continue next week were the best for me.

Feral and Foe was the stand out - when I read the blurb in the Nerve Centre I thought it wasn't going to be great, but I was hooked from the 2nd panel. What a great opening episode that was. It really introduced us to the world and the characters and it was pretty funny too. Really looking forward to more. Have to say though the lead chap looks a bit like Gene The Hackman to me.

I was surprised by the Zaucer of Zilk. I was gearing up to hate it but it was actually really good. I just hope it doesn't get too weird in the weeks to come.

Proteus Vex  had a strong concept at the heart of it and the story moved along nicely. Now I'm going to say something I didn't think posssible, but I didn't really like Henry Flint's art on it. It was too cartoony for my liking, which I think was largely down to the colour palette. Sorry I know that probably as close to heresy as you can get here.

Brink was just awesome. This really is as good a strip as 2000AD has run, classic Nemesis, Slaine, ABC Warrriors, Strontium Dog, Dredd included....
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: The Adventurer on 09 January, 2020, 03:12:30 AM
Finally caught up with all my 2019 2000 AD reading (I was 2 months behind, whoops). I'll be completly honestly, 2019 wasn't my favorite year for 2000 AD, it had some good stuff. But a lot of felt... overly familiar and the stuff that excited me was kinda spread out throughout the year.

But Prog 2062 has recharged me quite a bit. Feral and Foe and Proteus Vex are the real stand out winners for me, in a way they both complement each other. Zaucer of Zilk is a welcome return, if not my favorite (has it really been 8 years since the first one?!) Brink continuing is always welcome. Graduation Day + the ad for more Caballistics Inc. universe stuff (with Reardon! Woo!) was a wonderful surprise (feel sorry for those trade buyers though). Deadworld was excellent as always, though I enjoy the strip immensely I feel its starting to drag itself out (which might be a problem for a series with an inevitable conclusion). Dredd and Durham were decent but uninspiring though. But if a big 100 pager only has two stripes I consider dogs, that's still pretty good.

The new year line-up of Judge Dredd/Proteus Vex/Zaucer of Zilk/Feral and Foe/Brink is really as solid as it gets for current 2000 AD. Like I said, excited for the Prog again.
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: Robin Low on 25 January, 2020, 05:01:20 PM
Getting a bit lazy in my old age, so I'm weeks late to this.

With the first series of Zaucer, I started reading, but kinda gave up through lack of interest. I decided I'd give this new series a go, and I thought this is actually much more readable and enjoyable than I remember.

I just assumed because of the art it was the same writer too, but I come to check out this thread and discover it's Peter Hogan! Fantastic! No wonder I like it, he's one of the best writers this comic has ever had. Very, very glad to see him back.

Regards,

Robin
Title: Re: Prog 2162 : The gift of Thrill Power!
Post by: 73north on 26 January, 2020, 12:52:10 PM
Too busy with work last few weeks to post anything here on the Forum
but I have to say Feral and Foe is very good - very impressed

I have to also say that I was happily surprised by the Zaucer of Zilk.
Good artwork and a nice change from the usual stories inside

Proteus Vex - this is a new story that I am enjoying immensely - as ever
I am impressed with the strong storyline - I also love Henry Flint's art on it.

Brink still is just wonderful T- a standout in the Prog alongside Jaegir for me
which i also hope comes back very soon .