2000 AD Online Forum

Spoilers => Megazine => Topic started by: Trent on 11 March, 2017, 11:03:40 AM

Title: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Trent on 11 March, 2017, 11:03:40 AM
Great cover by Jake Lynch - I would love a poster (or the original) of this. Superb, and arguably what the spine of The Mega Collection should have looked like.

Absolutely loving the Meg at the moment with all Dreddverse stories even if somewhat tenuously.

Boo Cook and Eglington are on a one off Dredd.
Havn features gorgeous Lynch art with effectively 3 full page splashesin the 9 pages. Fortitude meets 2000AD.
Anderson continues as does the ever wonderful Lawless.

Articles are an interview with Kim Raymond which I look forward to reading with interest given my somewhat harsh comments in the past, feature on new Dredd as a wolf story and an interview with Ben Wheatley, not quite sure why as this isn't Fangoria but maybe the subject matter makes it appropriate for inclusion.

Advert for Dominion but no start date and the floppy has 4 more 3Rillers to reread.

Is it just my imagination or has the paper quality on the floppy deteriorated slightly with this issue?

Once again the Meg hits its straps and is in the best shape it has seen for many a year. I really love the absence of nonDredd creator owned material and perhaps, if cashflow demands a deal could be done for creator rights in stories set within Dredd's world rather than sweary vampires and ostriches.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: dweezil2 on 11 March, 2017, 11:27:08 AM
Wheatley's a big 2000AD fan, as his podcast with Molch-R will attest, so there is relevance.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: moly on 11 March, 2017, 01:53:17 PM
Only read dredd so far but what a cracking story and the cover is fantastic
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Frank on 11 March, 2017, 03:15:41 PM
Quote from: Trent on 11 March, 2017, 11:03:40 AM
... perhaps a deal could be done for creator rights in stories set within Dredd's world

What could possibly go wrong!

http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/james-bond-right-dispute-ends-after-50-years-1200837571/

https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/opinion_kevin_mcclory_damaged_the_james_bond_series.php3

http://kevinmcclory.com/



Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 11 March, 2017, 03:59:10 PM
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/382_zpsgelkqaz2.jpg)
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:14:10 PM
Mechanismo IV coming in prog 2024!  :o
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Trent on 11 March, 2017, 04:15:42 PM
Frank, I appreciate the potential pitfalls but just wondered if there was a way of producing cheaper Dreddworld strip instead of unrelated stories as has been the case.

There is plenty of fan fiction around and its existence doesn't have to impact on the canonical views of Dredd.
Indeed, there has been lots of Megazine stories which have either been retconned as desired (Calhab) or simply ignored (Pan African Judges).

Ownership might be tricky other than perhaps granting specific character rights or simply treat as semi-professional for first run stories in a given slot. Need to think about protecting creators etc but I am just putting the question out there.

Obviously the current situation with the Meg is pretty much my ideal with 4 genuine Dreddworld strips in line with the original vision for the Meg but I always fear for its financial stability and was just seeing what folks might ponder should the worst come to worst and savings need to be made.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: dweezil2 on 11 March, 2017, 04:29:53 PM
Quote from: Eamonn Clarke on 11 March, 2017, 03:59:10 PM
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/382_zpsgelkqaz2.jpg)

Cracking cover!  :o
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: dweezil2 on 11 March, 2017, 04:30:43 PM
Quote from: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:14:10 PM
Mechanismo IV coming in prog 2024!  :o

Is that actually a thing?
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Yes. Six episodes, by John Wagner and John McCrea.

I liked the Dredd one-off, that was good.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kim Raymond come back to work on a new story.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 12 March, 2017, 09:54:07 AM
Has Anderson stumbled into Steve Bannon's underground bunker?
Will the dragon turn out to be Kellyanne Conway?
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:38:01 AM
Quote from: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Yes. Six episodes, by John Wagner and John McCrea.

I liked the Dredd one-off, that was good.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kim Raymond come back to work on a new story.

A big fan of McCrea's work and a pairing with Wagner sounds irresistible!

Can't wait!  :) 
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Trent on 12 March, 2017, 12:11:09 PM
Hmmm, 6 episodes in the Prog is only 36 pages. Not sure what'll be told in such a comparatively short tale but with Wagner at the helm I doubt it will disappoint.
Messes up all the Mechanismo trades/Mega Collection a bit - the fun of Dredd being a vibrant ongoing property.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: sheridan on 12 March, 2017, 10:44:52 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:38:01 AM
Quote from: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Yes. Six episodes, by John Wagner and John McCrea.

I liked the Dredd one-off, that was good.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kim Raymond come back to work on a new story.

A big fan of McCrea's work and a pairing with Wagner sounds irresistible!

Can't wait!  :) 

Good year to be a McCrea fan - looking forward to the IDW Dredd Werewolf story (saw the pages at the 40th, trying to take in the artwork without paying attention to the unlettered story).
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:50:26 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 12 March, 2017, 10:44:52 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:38:01 AM
Quote from: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Yes. Six episodes, by John Wagner and John McCrea.

I liked the Dredd one-off, that was good.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kim Raymond come back to work on a new story.

A big fan of McCrea's work and a pairing with Wagner sounds irresistible!

Can't wait!  :) 

Good year to be a McCrea fan - looking forward to the IDW Dredd Werewolf story (saw the pages at the 40th, trying to take in the artwork without paying attention to the unlettered story).

Yeah, that IDW werewolf story looks like it's going to be a lot of fun and a fitting tribute to Steve Dillon's work!
Can't wait!  :)
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: CalHab on 13 March, 2017, 08:37:15 AM
The 3riller floppy was good this month. These can sometimes be a bit uneven, but they were were all enjoyable and complete stories in their own right.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Trent on 13 March, 2017, 11:02:00 AM
Ironically, considering my reservations about the Prog these days the Meg provides exactly what I want.

All stories are crisp and the monthly format seems to steer writers towards concisenessin their storytelling.

Recent offerings such as Angelic, Lawless and Anderson are prime examples of what 2000AD used to be all about with neat, self contained arcs which actually work even in monthly doses often better than the weekly.

Absolutely loving everything about the Meg at the moment, possibly the best it has ever been. Even the floppy adds to the mix; great to finish the VCs and enjoying the 3hrillers.

Only downside with the Meg is that these stories are harder to collect in trades which I tend to prefer retrospectively over wading through Megs/Progs.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: AlexF on 13 March, 2017, 11:19:46 AM
Yeah, this month's Meg was one of the best ever - a super solid line-up and the promse of more greatness to come.

Kim Raymond was impressively generous about the kicking his old Dredd strips got/get*, not least from Alan Grant. I had never noticed before but he explians how much he's indepbted to Ron Smith and looking back less cartoony approach.

*Personally I've always liked it, but that doesn't mean much because I basically like everything.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Proudhuff on 13 March, 2017, 03:38:24 PM
Quote from: Trent on 13 March, 2017, 11:02:00 AM
Ironically, considering my reservations about the Prog these days the Meg provides exactly what I want.

All stories are crisp and the monthly format seems to steer writers towards concisenessin their storytelling.

Recent offerings such as Angelic, Lawless and Anderson are prime examples of what 2000AD used to be all about with neat, self contained arcs which actually work even in monthly doses often better than the weekly.

Absolutely loving everything about the Meg at the moment, possibly the best it has ever been. Even the floppy adds to the mix; great to finish the VCs and enjoying the 3hrillers.

Only downside with the Meg is that these stories are harder to collect in trades which I tend to prefer retrospectively over wading through Megs/Progs.

This ^^^ and to say I loved the Dredd
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: 73north on 14 March, 2017, 09:04:53 AM
I also really enjoyed the Megazine - well worth the money
and as ever Lawless keeps storming on .... a great read
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: sheridan on 15 March, 2017, 12:29:22 AM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:50:26 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 12 March, 2017, 10:44:52 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 12 March, 2017, 11:38:01 AM
Quote from: Richard on 11 March, 2017, 04:56:39 PM
Yes. Six episodes, by John Wagner and John McCrea.

I liked the Dredd one-off, that was good.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kim Raymond come back to work on a new story.

A big fan of McCrea's work and a pairing with Wagner sounds irresistible!

Can't wait!  :) 

Good year to be a McCrea fan - looking forward to the IDW Dredd Werewolf story (saw the pages at the 40th, trying to take in the artwork without paying attention to the unlettered story).

Yeah, that IDW werewolf story looks like it's going to be a lot of fun and a fitting tribute to Steve Dillon's work!
Can't wait!  :)

I'd like to see a Kim Raymond story as well - though that job at Disney and the watercolour painting must take up a fair chunk of time!

I try to keep away from buying reprints of things I already own, but I'm going to make an exception for the Cry of the Werewolf - all those pin-ups, pairing it with the new story and the contribution to the charity have all swayed me.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Proudhuff on 15 March, 2017, 03:36:02 PM
Oh never mind all that interesting stuff, I get a namecheck, three times on the first page first panel!

Ha!take that Butt'man!
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Prodigal2 on 16 March, 2017, 09:53:30 AM
Big thumbs up from me too. A bad day yesterday with a genuine lift coming by way of a firing on all cylinders meg.

Not one single gripe regarding content-genuine thrill power on all fronts.

Ta big Tharg.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Colin YNWA on 17 March, 2017, 09:03:49 PM
No denying the Meg is on fine, fine form at the moment. Almost as strong as the Prog, if not on a par.

The Dredd is a fantastic neat and indulgent in all the right ways one off. Havn makes an enigmatic start, left me with a few questions, but for an opener that's not a bad thing and there's no denying it looked great. Anderson provide another fine episode.

Its almost a relief that Lawless isn't quite as good as it been of late, don't get me wrong its still absolutely fantastic and the best thing in any comics anywhere right now BUT the fact its not quite as good as its been of late at least tells us that DanAbnett has not been making deal with horny beardo at the crossroads.

All this and a smackin' cover, some great text articles and we have a Meg that rivals the Prog which at the moment is quite something!
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: NapalmKev on 18 March, 2017, 05:59:38 AM
HAVN looks interesting but something about it reminds me of an old Dredd story which I'm going to put a spoiler tag on just in case my musings are correct - [spoiler]Crusade![/spoiler]

Great Meg, long may it continue!

Cheers
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Alien Goodness on 28 March, 2017, 09:23:31 PM
HAVN grapped me by the eyeballs! Wonderful art. And a totally baffling first episode, that left me with a thirst to get to know this world and its habitants more.

Lawless is another great story with superb artwork. Some of the big panels, such as the solar array and the water treatment plant are awesome. This particular episode felt a bit slow. My guess the pace has dropped before we are blown away by the next big action sequence.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: norton canes on 03 April, 2017, 10:02:16 AM
This is the first Megazine I've ever bought

So to commemorate this momentous occasion, here are my thoughts...

Dredd: Wow. It's not easy to write a story that's funny, touching, and has an epic sense of scale, but this achieves all three. A perfect way to start my first ever Megazine (did I mention that?).

Havn: Oh. Did not like. A confounding script and art that's not really my taste. Still, opening episode, might grow to like it.

Anderson: Haven't read yet, looks great though. Alan Grant on script duties, a good sign.

Lawless: Intriguing. Didn't realise this had been running so long without making it prog-side. Enjoyed it, and have put the forthcoming TBP on my wish list. (Also - Phil Winslade! Now there's a name from the (fairly recent) past. I loved Vertigo's 'Goddess'.)

What really made this edition of the Megazine, though, was the wonderful Kim Raymond interview. What a shame that his work has been slated. A pity his stint in comics was so brief - but glad to see he's prospering, and happy.

Oh yeah, and the '3rillers' freebie was a nice opportunity to catch up on some stories I hadn't read.

Overall... I wouldn't say the Megazine was as vital as the Prog... whether I continue with it will depend a lot on if I have a spare 5..9 floating around next month...
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: JayzusB.Christ on 03 April, 2017, 06:47:22 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 03 April, 2017, 10:02:16 AM
Oh yeah, and the '3rillers' freebie was a nice opportunity to catch up on some stories I hadn't read.


Not quite sure if the floppies could be called 'freebies' - never really liked having to pay extra for stories that I already have, but I seem to be in the minority, so never mind.

Anyway, the Meg:  Only read Dredd and Anderson so far.  I loved the Dredd, I really did.  Just the right amount of America-esque dipping into MC1 history to keep an ageing fanboy happy; and it's not hard to see who Big Meg really is - she's the spirit of the city, far more than Dredd is. She's every unnamed Mega Citizen there's ever been, the unpared core of the original batch of 800 million.  It's probably best if we don't ever see her again - I loved the first Planet Gary story in the prog, but it really didn't need that sequel.

Anderson was a tad more interesting than she has been for a long time.  Although I didn't really like Alan Grant's old  habit of using Anderson to present vast, continuity-blasting, this-changes-everything truths about the Dreddverse; it almost gives me a sentimental glow to see it back again.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: norton canes on 03 April, 2017, 08:06:51 PM
Quote from: JayzusB.Christ on 03 April, 2017, 06:47:22 PM
Not quite sure if the floppies could be called 'freebies' - never really liked having to pay extra for stories that I already have, but I seem to be in the minority, so never mind.

Ah. Didn't realise they'd bumped the cover price.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Magnetica on 06 April, 2017, 09:33:55 AM
I thought Havn had a great first episode. It is definetly worth reading twice though. Great art too for me.

Bit underwhelmed by the Dredd, especially as a 40th thing.

Lawless carries on, as superb as ever.

Anderson - ok ish, nothing special compared to what it has been in the past.

Highlight for me also was the Kim Raymond interview. I really don't get the point of view that "he didn't get Dredd / was one of the worst Dredd artists ever." Not for me. Indeed before I read the text I thought a couple of his panels looked just like they had been done by Ron Smith (and you don't get much better than that),so it was revealing to see Ron had effectively mentored him.

As to the floppies...sigh...it had been stated countless times...including by Rebellion's own PR bot, that they don't add significantly to the cover price.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Cyber-Matt on 06 April, 2017, 01:59:17 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 06 April, 2017, 09:33:55 AM
As to the floppies...sigh...it had been stated countless times...including by Rebellion's own PR bot, that they don't add significantly to the cover price.

They're not printed out of fairy dust, Earthlet.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Magnetica on 06 April, 2017, 02:24:51 PM
It's not me saying it Mr Tharg, it's your own PR bot.

Perhaps it is time to summon Mek Quake?

Quote from: Molch-R on 30 January, 2015, 09:47:54 AM
Quote from: Fungus on 29 January, 2015, 11:27:01 PM
Yes, they clearly add to the cover price.

They don't. They were brought in to give added value to the magazine when the price had to rise due to rising production costs. Getting rid of the 'floppy' GN wouldn't bring the price down beyond a couple of pence.
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Jacqusie on 09 April, 2017, 11:44:08 AM
Quote from: Eamonn Clarke on 11 March, 2017, 03:59:10 PM
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/382_zpsgelkqaz2.jpg)


This for me is the best cover of the Meg for quite a while - the design and layout is executed brilliantly with enough detail to keep you busy at the top.

The lower half of the page manages to evoke a solitude that's not easy with all that going on above, but somehow Lynch pulls it off wonderfully.

Great stuff!  :)
Title: Re: Meg 382 - Life in the Big City
Post by: Tony Angelino on 12 April, 2017, 10:17:47 PM
This issue was advertised on a couple of news site as including a floppy of The Lawless Touch (old strip from Tornado). I was quite disappointed that it didn't. I wonder did some news bods get mixed up between Lawless and The Lawless Touch?