Broxton's cover is marvellous - looking forward to new Red as someone who has never been comfortable with either the original or Abnett incarnations
Dredd is looking for a tablet, I am reminded to buy the Avalanche
Survival Geeks looks lovely and although I fnd the on the nose geek refs a bit of a tired way of generating humour (and I say this as an early adopter via Spaced etc), it is always good to have an out and out humor strip in the prog
Red also looks good, and I can now see that the style Ben Willsher ha used should merge quite well with Lee Carters - set just after the second mutant war, which is in itself an interesting pick love the Carlos creds!
Quote from: Leigh S on 19 May, 2018, 10:12:31 AM
Survival Geeks looks lovely and although I fnd the on the nose geek refs a bit of a tired way of generating humour [...] it is always good to have an out and out humor strip in the prog
I'm glad someone's enjoying it because I sure ain't. For me,
Survival Geeks wore out its welcome a loooong time ago. Not in the slightest interested in a bunch of forgettable paper-thin characters running around saying "Look at me! I'm acting zany! <insert intertextual
Star Wars reference here>".
P.S. Could someone wake me up when something actually happens in Skip Tracer?
Quote from: A.Cow on 19 May, 2018, 01:28:18 PM
P.S. Could someone wake me up when something actually happens in Skip Tracer?
You mean something original or just something that didn't already happen in Brink?
(https://i.imgur.com/3dGnmfl.jpg)
Apart from agreeing with A.Cow and finding Survival Geeks pretty twee and tiresome, if beautifully rendered I think we're on fine form.
The names Carroll and Lynch are two that I look forward to seeing on Dredd. Jake Lynch is rapidly becoming one of my favourite current Dredd scribblers and uses Carroll's nicely intriguing script to good effect. This one is a great opening and looking forward to seeing how it develops and what it reflects from the past.
While I might agree with A.Cow about Survival Geeks I disagree with him about Skip Tracer as I'm really enjoying these playful first two part. The lovely action focused burst of the opener leading nicely into this episode that builds a bit of intrigue and interest. A mystery is nicely form and after two episodes we have had stuff happen and more importantly I'm interested in learning more. While I agree to date its nothing too new with Paul Marshal ever more wonderful art a world is established and story brewing and its more than earnt time to slide into new territory with me. It surely needs to, but it deserves the chance to grow.
Durham Red to be far shows how you can do all that in just one episode. Characters and background nicely established with well disguised exposition. A lovely burst of action and a case shown in draft. Great stuff and Ben Wilsher's best art to date. Great opening.
That only leaves Deadworld for me to blather about and it turns out its the post apocalyptic tale I didn't realise I needed and the more this appears the more I like it. Great stuff and cool show down she a comin'
So yeah 4 out of 5 is good in any Prog and the 4 are a good 4 so I'm a happy terran.
Nothing for me today either. Bah.
I'm blaming Meghan!
All this and 6 letters for the Beast
Quote from: A.Cow on 19 May, 2018, 01:26:39 PM
For me, Survival Geeks wore out its welcome a loooong time ago. Not in the slightest interested in a bunch of forgettable paper-thin characters running around saying "Look at me! I'm acting zany!
I'm with you on that Cow and I was, until the last series when I had a 'getting old' moment.
2000AD needs to attract the younger end of the market and as I see it, Survival Geeks speaks more to the yooths in it's style and delivery, although there are references for the more mature among us.
I'm also mindful that 2000AD is a broad palette and my tastes in Stickleback (is that the end?), Absalom, Hope, Kingmaker, Indigo Prime etc might not be to the liking of others who dig on stuff like Brass Sun and Survival Geeks.
It's been two years since the last lot of SG and so maybe it's due a turn. Although I won't be reading it in depth, maybe it's freshness is better than the nonsense that ABC warriors has become for old readers, never mind new ones trying to figure that bobbins out... :think:
Si
I have no problem with Survival Geeks, it's fun. But the highlight for me is Durham Red. No only is the art utterly brilliant, but I thought the story was a great introduction for a character who hasn't been in the prog for a few years. And I like the way it's written: it doesn't spell out exactly what has happened but instead let's the reader figure it out. [spoiler]Presumably the person who has just hired her told the barman who she was and got her fired on purpose so that she'd be available to work for him, but nobody ever says that in so many words.[/spoiler] Alec Worley assumes that we aren't thick. And that is a cracking cover by Jimmy Broxton!
I'm also intrigued by the new Dredd story and where it's going and how something that's 100 years old is still relevant to Dread's world today. I'm going to read the tie-in novel soon, so will be interesting to see more of this Judge Deacon.
Anyone else notice the calendar in the Durham Red strip...!? In the office in the bar... Very amusing touch in what's looking like a very promising strip.
Dredd's looking interesting too as is Skip Tracer and I'm even enjoying Deadworld.
Survival Geeks on the other hand is just an embarrassment. Please keep its run short and don't bring it back.
I like survival Geeks. Think the humour is a bit hit and miss at times- but I like the series overall. Keep it running Tharg!
Quote from: Bolt-01 on 21 May, 2018, 09:08:15 AM
I like survival Geeks.
For me, Survival Geeks could coast quite a long way on the goodwill generated by the sight of a baby Cthulhu trying to mate with a Henry hoover, but I also enjoy it quite a lot...
Survival geeks always feels slightly like its treating the references with contempt rather than celebrating them which seems to be the difference between that and something like Spaced. That and Spaced is genuinely funny with it. Not sure I could put a finger on why I get that feeling as there isn't anything specific. Meanwhile, the new Durham Red is a great (re)introduction. Looking forward to seeing how this is going to go after a strong set up. Skip Tracer does feel very generic so far but I'm happy to give it time to develop and find its feet. Good proggage all round, not bursting the old thrill buffers but giving them a workout at least.
Dredd's a solid start. Lynch's art feels a bit Cam Kennedy at times, and I do enjoy these trips into the past of Dredd's world. Skip Tracer seems solid so far. I don't need every strip to be a bastion of originality – I just want something I enjoy.
Survival Geeks to me mostly works well for pacing and variety purposes. It's never going to be my favourite strip (humour ones never are), but I'm happy to see it occasionally grace the prog for a couple of months. As ever, the art's fab, too, and baby Cthulhu is excellent (and clearly needs a spin-off strip).
Damned continues to be horribly gruesome (hurrah!), and would usually in this selection have been my pick. But Durham Red... Despite the team involved, I was still rather sceptical of this one. Red's previous outings have been somewhat variable, notably in terms of portrayal. But here we have a woman who looks like she could kick some serious arse, and with a script that cleverly brings us up to date without a slew of caption boxes.
So, yeah, top marks to the Worley and Willsher droids, but for me there was nothing bad it this prog.
Good proggage. Interesting that the veteran writers here are Kek-W and Rennie - not a Wagner, Mills or Abnett to be seen.
Like the cover and it would be good to get Broxton back on another full strip.
I was a bit wary of the Dredd story as to some extent it's kind of an advert for the 'Judges' novels which are of course advertised straight after the strip ends. But I needn't have worried, it's a good start, hope it stays this intriguing.
Skip Tracer is still fine, waiting to see what it will become. For some reason I loved the frame with the boots at the bottom of p.4 - nice design and colouring. Actually the Teague Droid's colouring is fab here.
Survival Geeks does what it does, a bit of light hearted fun, though not a favourite of mine. I find the little Cthulhu thing quite irritating.
Fall of Deadworld made me laugh three times in the first two panels. That's writing! Love this strip.
Really pleased with the new Durham Red. The character has had hit and miss stories throughout her existence but this was a classy first episode, Willsher knocks it out the park for me and the script might be my favourite bit of Worley writing yet. I'm so glad Red isn't wearing that ridiculous outfit any more. That recent-ish series by Grant and Ezquerra was a bit cringey with the old chain-mail loincloth and weird haircut returning. I don't see why Red wouldn't have a bunch of different outfits rather than a set 'costume', although I suppose Johnny wears the same stripey outfit when he's working. He did spice it up with that metallic codpiece for a while, mind. I was surprised to see Red's sports bra seems to have her own logo on it! Also she appears to have shot [spoiler]Wolverine [/spoiler] in the final panel. Looking forward to seeing where this goes, the character and universe have so much potential and it would be great to see some real depth of character developing.
That logo was so good I was surprised that Tharg didn't incorporate it in the series title.
Another good prog
Dredd I like this and the plot is nicely setup.
Durham Red good solid first episode, really liked Ben's art on this.
Skip Tracer this is really good and I am already intrigued even if it is only the second episode and I am not worried that this feels very fimiliar
Deadworld nice macabre story in the best of ways
Survival Geeks not my cup of tee but quite readable and I can see that this do have space in the prog. Googe art is quite good
QuoteThe Satanic Verses celebrates hybridity, impurity, intermingling, the transformation that comes of new and unexpected combinations of human beings, cultures, ideas, politics, movies, songs. Mélange, hotchpotch, a bit of this and a bit of that is how newness enters the world. The Satanic Verses is for change-by-fusion, change-by-conjoining. It is a love-song to our mongrel selves - Salman Rushdie, Imaginary Homelands
Which is as erudite a description of post-
Buffy and
Clerks popular fiction as four years at Kings College can buy.
Nans Of Anarchy one week,
Dukes Of Meth today; readers can form as accurate a picture of creators' viewing habits as Netflix's algorithm.
Remember-this-ism is the basic premise of
Survival Geeks, even if the vintage of the references recalls
Robohunter asking kids to sing
Delilah with different words during National Song Year (1982).
Chelsea Blue was what Alan Grant wanted to call
Durham Red[1], which is at least a more subtle kind of reference.
It'd be absurd to expect a spin-off from another strip to exist in its own hermetic bubble, but the introduction of
Deadworld Spikes Harvey Rotten suggests Deadworld is just an alternate dimension Dredd
[2]. That opens up possibilities - mostly for fan-service - but it closes off what are, to my mind, more interesting avenues to explore.
[1] He was convinced Strontium Dog was about to be made into a movie and didn't want her to sound like Jimmy Nail (Thrillpower Overload, p117)
[2] © Julius Howe (Oxon, comedian):(https://i.imgur.com/gbAfhD7.png?3)
Quote from: Blue Cactus on 21 May, 2018, 04:44:57 PMan advert for the 'Judges' novels
Which made me nip straight to Wordery and find... no book. And then go to Amazon and find... no book. And then head to the 2000 AD shop and find that the paperback was a limited-edition run of 250. Hrngg.
Quote from: Frank on 23 May, 2018, 02:15:41 PMbut the introduction of Deadworld Spikes Harvey Rotten suggests Deadworld is just an alternate dimension Dredd[2]. That opens up possibilities - mostly for fan-service - but it closes off what are, to my mind, more interesting avenues to explore.
Or it's just a reference – a nod to long-time readers – that will ultimately not make that much odds.
Quote from: IndigoPrime on 23 May, 2018, 02:46:27 PM
Quote from: Frank on 23 May, 2018, 02:15:41 PMbut the introduction of Deadworld Spikes Harvey Rotten suggests Deadworld is just an alternate dimension Dredd[2]. That opens up possibilities - mostly for fan-service - but it closes off what are, to my mind, more interesting avenues to explore.
Or it's just a reference – a nod to long-time readers – that will ultimately not make that much odds.
There was a mention of a 'Mr. Angel' in last week's episode as well.
Very nice cover.
Judge Dredd: Promising start. I hope to pick up the new novella soon.
Survival Geeks: Doesn't seem to be a lot of commenters' cup of tea but I like it. I do like humorous strips, though.
Skip Tracer: still early days, but it's good so far. It's reeling me in.
Dead World: I'm enjoying this, but my memory of past stories is not great.
Durham Red: Just one episode in, but I enjoyed this a lot. I like the fact that it served as a good introduction to the character for new readers too, (I.e. her personality, capabilities). They also used a nice little gag ([spoiler]it's a do-it-yourself cross he pulls, not a gun!)[/spoiler] to help do this.
A nice new character design, for Durham too. I love those little things us longer term readers* may pick up on. [spoiler]Her alter-ego Chelsea Blue, for example, being the original name considered for the character, and a very familiar mustachiod gentleman on the credits she takes.[/spoiler]
Oh, and I love her new shooters. Bit of a revolver thing going on. They actually remind me a bit of Malcolm Reynolds gun from Firefly... although it's actually quite different.
*Actually I'm a relative newbie compared to many here, but I'm pretty much up to date as far as Alpha and Red are concerned. Actually I've yet to read all of Abnett's run on the character. I'm just up to The Vermin Stars, so far. Her new clothing does seem far more practical, although I can see how Mark Harrison's version might serve to distract enemies. 😳
Is that Tharg's sister Mary posing naked on the wall in Durham Red? Oh, how the Mighty (One's) have fallen...
Fine prog this, but by gum, Survival Geeks is tedious already.
Apologies for being a soppy sod. I just wanted to jump on here and thank you guys so much for all your kind words. I am SO glad you're enjoying Durham so far. We've all worked like savages on this one (especially Ben). Working with such a beloved character is always tricky. We wanted to honour everything that's gone before without being beholden to it. And by trying something new there's always the risk that some of the old-school will go bananas. (Just look at the current bruhaha over Thundercats and junior Warhammer!) It's early days, I know, but I really, truly appreciate you guys giving the Durham revamp a chance. Florix grabundae, squaxx dek Thargo!
I enjoyed Durham Red but did wonder how people will react to a story set in a time period earlier than a later one in which she has been seen (i.e. The Vermin Stars etc).
Personally I have no issue with it, but given a lot of people apparently didn't like the Strontium Dog stories set before Jonnhy's death because they knew "he wasn't going to die this week", how is this viewed?
That's always been a silly complaint. We'd always assumed in Red's earlier stories that she would survive to the end and it didn't spoil the story then, so why should it matter now?
Alec don't worry Durham Red is off to a good start. Hopefully this is a start of more Durham Red.
Quote from: Richard on 23 May, 2018, 07:20:22 PM
That's always been a silly complaint.
Indeed. I've
never understood it. We had it with the Stront revival, and with Rennie's Rogue Trooper, and it
makes no sense. We never seriously think Dredd is going to die — the cliffhanger isn't "Oh my God! Is Dredd going to die?!" it's "Oh my God! How how will Dredd get out of this?"
Quote from: DrRocka on 23 May, 2018, 03:53:45 PM
Is that Tharg's sister Marg posing naked on the wall in Durham Red? Oh, how the Mighty (One's) have fallen...
Probably both of them, unless she's had surgery.
Lots? I don't know how many people really complained about flashback SD stories - they were easily on a par with pre-Final Solution stories as far as I was concerned.
Rogue Trooper I'd say is slightly different in that he had a finite mission, which is another layer of something that can't be resolved, or really be part of the story in that case.
Quote from: Geoff on 20 May, 2018, 08:14:57 PM
Anyone else notice the calendar in the Durham Red strip...!? In the office in the bar...
So that's why we haven't seen Marg in the prog for the past three decades...
It's all about the vampire vixen this week huh. Great cover and the strip is easily Top Thrill. Going to have to read through it again to pick up on all the references and in-jokes, scripted and visual.
As someone who bailed on 2000 AD in the early 90's and only returned last year the whole Strontium Dog and associated characters timeline continuity thing doesn't bother me, this looks like it could carry straight on from 'The Stone Killers'. If this (rather explicitly akimbo) picture is anything to go by the chainmail costume will sort of be back:
(https://2000ad.com/assets/pimg/00/38/2d.jpg)
Elsewhere Dredd is intriguing, Carroll's one of my favourite scripters and I like the aloof attitude he's given the early Judges. Skip Tracer fills in some background detail; not sure how I feel about it just yet, it seems to be mixing elements from all kinds of previous strips from Brink to Bad City Blue without quite forging its own identity, but plenty of time. And Deadworld is sensational right from the off - 'Lucky!'
As for Survival Geeks - as explained above I wasn't around for previous runs so it's all new to me. Reckon an out-and-out comedy strip should certainly have a place in the Prog and as a Who fan the '96 move reference made me laugh. Plus it looks brilliant (though there were a few too many wide-open manga style mouths)
Funny enough I've been reading through Mind Wars this week, having only ever bought a few issues of Starlord. It has its moments but it's a bit undistinguished to be honest.
Quote from: norton canes on 24 May, 2018, 11:04:44 AM
.... reading through Mind Wars this week, having only ever bought a few issues of Starlord. It has its moments but it's a bit undistinguished to be honest.
Depends on which episodes you've been reading. Arguably it has some of Redondo's best work (for me, anyway) and it is of an age for a different audience but it has stood the test of time quite well. Don't get me wrong, it's nowt earth shattering but I think you'll find that reading it as a whole gives a different view.
Mind you, I'm slightly more than a little biased since Starlord is one of my more cherished childhood pleasures so it might be worth getting a second opinion.
Quote from: norton canes on 24 May, 2018, 11:04:44 AMthe chainmail costume will sort of be back
Although only in the sense of it being part of an outfit, rather than depicting Red in almost Red Sonja-style sexualised form. (That image above would be... rather more problematic had it used the Ezquerra outfit, or, for that matter, the Harrison one.)
Quote from: Tjm86 on 24 May, 2018, 11:24:32 AM
Depends on which episodes you've been reading. Arguably it has some of Redondo's best work (for me, anyway) and it is of an age for a different audience but it has stood the test of time quite well. Don't get me wrong, it's nowt earth shattering but I think you'll find that reading it as a whole gives a different view
Yeah, I should have added that Redondo's work is peerless.
So the whole dang prog is working for me this week.
Favourite thing was the Durham Red relaunch, never been a huge fan of the character (Scarlet Apocrypha being an exception), but I've always felt she had huge potential, and this punchy, slickly-redesigned opener seems like it might deliver. Very nicely done, not least the way it seems like it could fit into any number of SD continuities and periods... Bonus nudey pic of Marg proudly displaying the Areoles of Sirius!
The proof of a new series is often in the second part, and Skip Tracer has a stronger episode, as some backgrounds get fleshed-out and the players come into focus. I like the odd slow-burn SF wotsit, and if the worst negative I can think of is 'seems a bit like Brink', that's definitely a comparison no-one involved should be ashamed of!
Dredd was grand, if it seems a lot like a lead-in to Mike's new novel, that's perfectly fine by me - it's interesting enough opener on its own merits, and I rather fancy Judges already.
Deadworld continues to be incapable of putting a foot wrong: twisted versions of Booth/Trump, the Judge Child, Spikes Harvey Rotten and the Angel Gang all in the same story (that isn't Helter Skelter)? More please!
Finally, the very welcome return of Survival Geeks. I know you're all sick of hearing me say this, but a single page of Googe is enough to put a smile on my face - everything just looks so bubbly and fun! This is such a staggeringly efficient first episode that it should win some sort of prize: quick reprises of characters and situations barely take up more space than I did typing this, a new parallel is introduced, a slew of obligatory fandom gags are delivered, a neat psycho-Doctor storyline is kicked off, and we can already see how our characters are going to be involved. Hats off to such a seemingly effortless intro!
Not much to add. A really enjoyable prog from cover to cover.
Hopes for the future are that Skip Tracer nails it's own identity in the next couple of weeks. It's been very enjoyable but I feel it needs to do something to stand out.
Durham Red was excellent - I hope when the character develops she becomes a female character, rather than a character who happens to be drawn as female, if you know what I mean.
Overall a very good Prog.
Great opener to the new Dredd story. It's really intriguing and could be something special. Jake Lynch's art is just great. Shades of McMahon (with a bit of Flint thrown in) for me.
Skip Tracer as others have said is a bit generic so far, but fun nonetheless and a good read.
Survival Geeks has never been one of my favourites but this was perfectly fine and the art really suits it.
Deadworld is also not one of my favourites but again it read really well.
I wasn't too sure about the change in Willsher's art at first - too many much like Lee Carter - but on a 2nd and dare I say it, 3rd reading it looks mighty fine. Indeed the colouring on it and Survival Geeks looks really good and is integral to the look.
BTW we have had 4 new strips and a new Dredd over the last two weeks, but without a "jumping on" Prog.
Overall the Prog is in fine form ( and I'm tired of comments that it is in decline/ isn't as good as it was in 1982).
I have a soft spot for all the Starlord stories (except Holocaust, obviously) and far worse than Mind Wars have been reprinted over the years.
Another vote for Red as top thrill.
Generally good stuff all round. Skip Tracer hasn't grabbed me yet but it's early days of course.
Mind Wars was really good. Def deserves a reprint.
Loving the Durham Red reboot out of the gate. What a brilliantly constructed opening episode. That's how to start a new strip with a bang. Writing and art perfectly in tune. Can't wait to see what comes next. The Ezquerra dollars are a lovely easter egg.
Skip Tracer is setting up an intriguing world. Here's hoping it finds its groove and delivers on its promise.
Michael Carroll as always doing a great job with Dredd. This one looks like its going to be a good one.
I'm enjoying Survival Geeks to be honest. Its a refreshing strip for the prog, with lovely art.
Deadworld is finally beginning to interest me. Have found it hard to date to drum up much enthusiasm for the strip, but I'm starting to feel optimistic about this post-apocalyptic story, if that's not a contradiction.
One of the strongest progs overall in a while, IMHO.
An enjoyable prog. 2000ad needs a humour strip IMO to keep it grounded a little, and not to overstay its welcome! Survival Geeks is great fun, fantastic art and usually an entertaining tale to back it up, happy to see it return maybe a little more often.
Skip, bit wary, but great art.
Durham, brilliant, even though its a 'reboot' it has the old western Stront feel, looking forward to more.
Deadworld, best in the prog and Dredd, great opener. The Lynch droid is starting to grow on me, some really nice storytelling.
Strong prog, only one weakish, but still has potential.
Dredd - intriguing start including a character from the The Avalanche novella, & some McMahon inspired art.
Skip Tracer - the design of the lead character sums this up, bland & generic.
Survival Geeks - love the artwork but never got into this, I find all the references too obvious.
Damned: The Fall of Deadworld - Love it.
Durham Red - brilliant! Great opening episode. Great artwork.
Catching up on my progs and what a good one to start with! Thrill containment cardigan at the ready when taking on this week's excellence!
Picks of the very fine crop for me were Durham Red, Survival Geeks and Dredd. A strong relaunch for Red with a nice tone to the story telling and gorgeous art. I do like me a bit of Survival Geeks too.
#PraiseBeToTharg cos that was a good prog.