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Spoilers => Prog => Topic started by: hippynumber1 on 18 March, 2017, 01:08:40 PM

Title: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: hippynumber1 on 18 March, 2017, 01:08:40 PM
All new prog, all new line-up and thread bagged by me. What a great weekend!

Another great dynamic cover from Cliff Robinson - he always makes it look so easy.

Dredd - an amusing little one-off by Wagner/Ezquerra. A little predictable but fun.

Then we get to the really good stuff:

Brink: Skeleton Life kicks off with a little intrigue and shock

Future Shock - massive plot-hole aside this is great for a first attempt from both writer and artist and, let's be honest, they are virtually impossible to write, these days!

Scarlet Traces: Cold War Bk 2 - oooooooo, those martians and their machinations!

And, finally, The Fall of Deadworld: Cursed. Superbly grim stuff from Kek-W and Mr Dave. I love this strip and can't wait for the collection.

Strip of the prog for me though is Brink.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 18 March, 2017, 01:13:09 PM
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r182/Caliban_photos/2023_zpsndmp1yj9.png)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Richard on 18 March, 2017, 01:17:50 PM
What was the massive plot hole? I thought it was a good tale.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Darren Stephens on 18 March, 2017, 01:35:17 PM
Mind blowing cover from Robinson and Teague. I've not read this issue yet ( it's right next to me, waiting to be devoured!) but, I must say, the art in the Future.S looks great. Very Alan Davis. Also, can't wait to read Cursed. Loved the previous tale of Deadworld.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: hippynumber1 on 18 March, 2017, 01:38:13 PM
Quote from: Richard on 18 March, 2017, 01:17:50 PM
What was the massive plot hole? I thought it was a good tale.

[spoiler]We're going to put you through this extensive and expensive testing regime but not actually bother telling you that we'll be removing your brain, it's not like that might be something you'd want or need to know.[/spoiler]
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: hippynumber1 on 18 March, 2017, 01:39:23 PM
I suppose I should have spoiler tagged that. Oops. Sorry...  :-\
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Bolt-01 on 18 March, 2017, 01:40:42 PM
No worries- did it for you.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Richard on 18 March, 2017, 02:09:35 PM
I see what you mean but on the other hand [spoiler]they'd be a bit short of volunteers if they told people that![/spoiler]
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: dweezil2 on 18 March, 2017, 03:22:51 PM
Cliff makes those Dredd covers look effortless!

Really brilliant stuff!  :)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Colin YNWA on 18 March, 2017, 03:47:07 PM
Well it was always going to be a hard act to follow. The last few Progs have been excellent, really excellent. With the line up we have here I think we could get close to that quality. Its just here the two thrills I was most looking forward to were a little too opening episodey.

Brink was pretty damned fine up it so called out scene setting as to feel a little too deliberate. I almost wish the two scenes were in the opposite order. The great piece with the worker [spoiler]shooting himself[/spoiler] just seemed to be nailing home what had been discussed before. It did it really well and added far more intrigue but it would have worked better at the start and allowed the second scene to focus more on pressure and character. Still really enjoyed it. Scarlet Traces fair ponged of Ian Edginton's biggest weakness, poorly hidden exposition. I do love his work do he does suffer when he has episodes like this and after the highs of his superb Kingmaker this felt so heavy.

The Future Shock was cute and fun, it did feel a bit weird that it was a surprise but still fun. The art at first glance looked soooo polished and seemed like someone the American market would snap up in seconds. It didnt quite hold to close examination but hell for a first go was pretty damned fine.

The Dredd was a neat, easy one off. Not Wagner's best but Wagner doing stuff he does so well and maybe we've not been treated to for a while so really enjoyed this if it was standout.

What I did love was that the strip I was least looking forward to was the best thing in the Prog, always a treat that. Really enjoyed Deadworld which has left me cold in the past. Not sure why but something clicked and loved this. If that holds and the other strips get to the level I expect that we could be on for some good times.

Will we get another One-off next prog I wonder?
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Tjm86 on 18 March, 2017, 04:19:37 PM
I thought that the Dredd was quite a clever one in some respects and showed off some of Wagner's skill in using the strip to critique social trends.  The perversion of a simple meme that leads to tragedy.  Very topical in the current frenzied social media climate and to me harks back to the Jo Cox murder.  Elegant in its simplicity.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Dandontdare on 18 March, 2017, 04:38:48 PM
My prog came on Friday whcih is unheard of!

My review: Outstanding!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Mattofthespurs on 18 March, 2017, 05:25:05 PM
Great Prog sadly read by 9am but still very very good.
Not a dud story in there.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: A.Cow on 18 March, 2017, 06:30:38 PM
*LOVED* the clever references in the UN scene in Scarlet Traces, especially a fully independent (http://www.rutland-times.co.uk/news/rutland-is-still-proud-to-be-independent-1-3711481) [spoiler]Rutland[/spoiler].  Genius.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Magnetica on 19 March, 2017, 04:24:02 PM
Good strong start to this run of stories.

Given this is jumping on Prog, it was a shame it didn't have the higher quality paper for the cover we have had in recent years, but it's a minor quibble really.

Nice Dredd. As John Wagner has said current events are sure to be a rich source of satire. (Hasn't it always been though?)

Nice opening episodes for Brink and Scarlett Traces. I do like the little explanatory text boxes in Brink. They don't get in the way of the flow at all and avoid "who/ what where is that?" type questions. I really do think other strips could learn from this, yes I do mean you "The Ord..."...sorry let's move on from that shall we?

I even have a new appreciation for D'Israeli's art following the recent "From the Drawing Board " video and the panel he was on at the 40th ( with INJ Culbard and Ian Edington as it happens - and Rob Williams).

I even liked Deadworld.

The future shock was good, especially the art. Looks like the Thoughtbubble competition can provide a good source of new talent for the comic (see for instance what Tom Foster had to say about it at his 40th panel.)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Proudhuff on 20 March, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 18 March, 2017, 03:47:07 PM
Its just here the two thrills I was most looking forward to were a little too opening episodey.


And to think I used to respect you  ;)

So sorry TMO didn't use Sock it to 'em JD! on the cover but that's one for us soul boys I guess  :D

Nerve Centre:
Damage Report is just that... still you'd think TMO would just lift off into space and that would clear the tubes Shirley? That list of up and coming thrills doesn't do it for me I'm afraid, where's the GRennie Droid when you need him?

JD: great one off story, only one snipe, I wished JD had used the perps name a couple of times before the reveal page, just to reinforce the punch line. Still you have to love The Squirrel's MC1.

Brink: Left me cold last time but has intrigued me this time, great re-intro and artwork perfect for the story.

Futureshock: Good stuff and highly enjoyable, art reminded me of Harry on the high rock, no bad thing.

Scarlet Traces: Top thrill of the Prog: One panel gives us... Is that Jonathan Ross representing Rutland? Peter Sellers is back in the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, not sure who's representing Pimlico but glad they made it through their troubles, and would love to see the nameplate under the speech bubble as that's maybe Khrushchev? Eamonn help us!

Edginton's love of Orrery is on display and the perfectly formed Matt Brooker doesn't let him down. 

And a vast complex story that, ahem, certain writers would take book after book after intro page book, to tell, the wonderful Edginton get it across in four pages with Matt B making it seem effortless. That last page is a cracker too.

there's a (thankfully Butt'man free) letters page, where has he got too? back in the pokey?

Deadworld continues to tell us the world is dying and D'Erth and his chums kill em all... where's the suspense? what an I missing?

Nice ad for next week's tale of a giant Rabbit in MC1  ;)




   

Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 02:00:42 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 March, 2017, 01:42:22 PM

Deadworld continues to tell us the world is dying and D'Erth and his chums kill em all... where's the suspense? what an I missing?


It's all gone a bit "walking dead"  - you know it's the apocalypse, but let's see how grim we can make the fight against the inevitable. It's about the journey, not the destination.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Pyroxian on 20 March, 2017, 02:09:15 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 March, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Is that Jonathan Ross representing Rutland?

I thought it was Eric Idle...
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 02:44:53 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 19 March, 2017, 04:24:02 PM
The future shock was good, especially the art. Looks like the Thoughtbubble competition can provide a good source of new talent for the comic (see for instance what Tom Foster had to say about it at his 40th panel.)

Aha, I thought it seemed familiar but I was sure I hadn't seen the imagery before - glad I'm not going mad!

Cracking one shot for Dredd - echoes of "lock her up" coming back to bite a certain president!
Chuffed at the return of Scarlet Traces.
Brink isn't my fave strip, but it's enjoyable enough so no complaints there
And I loooove Deadworld - the only thing that grates slightly is the sarcastic bike computer (I mean ... why?)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: JamesC on 20 March, 2017, 03:26:47 PM
So how come Cliff Robinson doesn't live in a glittering tower where he counts the money he's been paid for doing Batman covers?
Not that I'm complaining or anything. The longer he stays chained to the drawing board in Tharg's cellar, the better.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 02:44:53 PM

And I loooove Deadworld - the only thing that grates slightly is the sarcastic bike computer (I mean ... why?)


That's one of the best bits about it IMHO!
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: dweezil2 on 20 March, 2017, 03:59:06 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 02:44:53 PM

And I loooove Deadworld - the only thing that grates slightly is the sarcastic bike computer (I mean ... why?)


That's one of the best bits about it IMHO!

Same here.

Malfunctioning A.I is the concept I guess.

I like it, it adds a litle levity to the otherwise grim proceedings.  :)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: dweezil2 on 20 March, 2017, 04:01:44 PM
Quote from: JamesC on 20 March, 2017, 03:26:47 PM
So how come Cliff Robinson doesn't live in a glittering tower where he counts the money he's been paid for doing Batman covers?
Not that I'm complaining or anything. The longer he stays chained to the drawing board in Tharg's cellar, the better.

Cliff Robinson is not allowed to leave to work for DC or Marvel ever!

He is too cherished a droid to lose to those corporate behemoths!

Tharg, chain him to his easel and never let him go!!!!!  :lol:   
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 04:07:56 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 20 March, 2017, 03:59:06 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 02:44:53 PM

And I loooove Deadworld - the only thing that grates slightly is the sarcastic bike computer (I mean ... why?)


That's one of the best bits about it IMHO!


Same here.

Malfunctioning A.I is the concept I guess.

I like it, it adds a little levity to the otherwise grim proceedings.  :)

I think that's my trouble - it isn't a strip that suits levity! Also, I'm unsure why a biological/magical/mass murder apocalypse would cause a bike to develop a bizarre wisecracking personality
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 04:19:15 PM
It's Machine Learning - a fundamental part of AI (as per the state of the industry right now!)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Tomwe on 20 March, 2017, 04:23:49 PM
Loved the Future Shock - the artist struck me as a mid period Stuart Immonen crossed with modern Simon Coleby. Which is a good thing! More from this droid please  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: dweezil2 on 20 March, 2017, 06:31:55 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 04:07:56 PM
Quote from: dweezil2 on 20 March, 2017, 03:59:06 PM
Quote from: Magnetica on 20 March, 2017, 03:54:09 PM
Quote from: Dandontdare on 20 March, 2017, 02:44:53 PM

And I loooove Deadworld - the only thing that grates slightly is the sarcastic bike computer (I mean ... why?)


That's one of the best bits about it IMHO!


Same here.

Malfunctioning A.I is the concept I guess.

I like it, it adds a little levity to the otherwise grim proceedings.  :)

I think that's my trouble - it isn't a strip that suits levity! Also, I'm unsure why a biological/magical/mass murder apocalypse would cause a bike to develop a bizarre wisecracking personality

Oh I don't know.
The Dark Judges, even in their earliest days, had their moments of wisecrackery-even if it was of the blackest kind.  :)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Eamonn Clarke on 20 March, 2017, 07:47:09 PM
I think that's Stanley Holloway from Passport to Pimlico.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Colin YNWA on 20 March, 2017, 08:58:29 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 March, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: Colin YNWA on 18 March, 2017, 03:47:07 PM
Its just here the two thrills I was most looking forward to were a little too opening episodey.


And to think I used to respect you  ;)


Well I was never kidding myself it could ever last!
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: sheridan on 21 March, 2017, 07:35:11 PM
Quote from: Richard on 18 March, 2017, 02:09:35 PM
I see what you mean but on the other hand

Yeah, I'm not seeing that as a plot hole myself.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: sheridan on 21 March, 2017, 07:50:05 PM
Quote from: Tomwe on 20 March, 2017, 04:23:49 PM
Loved the Future Shock - the artist struck me as a mid period Stuart Immonen crossed with modern Simon Coleby. Which is a good thing! More from this droid please  :thumbsup:

Not familiar with Immonen, but I was thinking Coleby too.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: JaHawkDroid on 22 March, 2017, 12:43:12 AM
The new run of stories begins and it hasn't immediately entranced me the same way the last lot did. Though that may come from my not having read any prior Scarlet Traces. Or Deadworld. Or Brink...

Yeah maybe the Prog isn't aimed at me at the moment.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: CalHab on 22 March, 2017, 09:37:16 AM
Quote from: JaHawkDroid on 22 March, 2017, 12:43:12 AM
The new run of stories begins and it hasn't immediately entranced me the same way the last lot did. Though that may come from my not having read any prior Scarlet Traces. Or Deadworld. Or Brink...

Yeah maybe the Prog isn't aimed at me at the moment.

It does seem odd that, after all the publicity of the 40th, Tharg has chosen a few stories that are continuations rather than fresh starts.

I'm happy to see Scarlet Traces and Brink back. Deadworld isn't for me.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Tomwe on 22 March, 2017, 12:31:45 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 21 March, 2017, 07:50:05 PM
Quote from: Tomwe on 20 March, 2017, 04:23:49 PM
Loved the Future Shock - the artist struck me as a mid period Stuart Immonen crossed with modern Simon Coleby. Which is a good thing! More from this droid please  :thumbsup:

Not familiar with Immonen, but I was thinking Coleby too.
Stuart Immonen is a Marvel Exclusive artist whose best work was with Warren Ellis on Nextwave Agents Of HATE. He recently did Empress with Mark Millar as well as a run on Star Wars.
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/e2/94/64/e294645beb6913987eb5955219e0200b.jpg)
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: ZenArcade on 22 March, 2017, 12:47:36 PM
Dead world is just something else.  Loving this strip....just oozes class.  Z :D
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: robert_ellis on 22 March, 2017, 03:25:20 PM
Great line-up with this prog. I love an old school Dredd, with a laugh out loud ending. I can't honestly remember what happened previously in Deadworld, Brink or Scarlet Traces but they are all top. Maybe a catch up page each might have helped and keep new readers
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Bolt-01 on 22 March, 2017, 04:33:10 PM
Immomen started out on Legion of superheroes back in the 1990's. I'm looking forward to seeing his early work again in my reread.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Spikes on 22 March, 2017, 04:56:07 PM
Picked up my copy today, and whilst I've not had chance - yet - to read it in it's entirety, it looks very much like a top form read from (cracking) cover to cover.  :thumbsup:

And without wishing to single anyone out, I've got to say that Culbard's art on Brink continues to impress.  :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: TordelBack on 22 March, 2017, 04:57:33 PM
Everything was great this week, everything.  I don't think I remember a previous transition that went from 5 great stories to... 5 great stories.  Special mentions for a terrific one-off Dredd that reminds us all what seemingly effortless great writing and art look like, and a neatly told fine-looking FS, but really, I haven't a bad word to say about a single panel in the whole prog. 
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Smith on 22 March, 2017, 05:23:00 PM
JD and Deadworld were great as usual.I didnt really care about the rest.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Woolly on 22 March, 2017, 06:38:14 PM
Absolute cracker of a prog, from cover to cover.
As TordelBack says, not a panel out of place.

Deadworld in particular has re-gripped me, after losing me a bit on the last series. The PSIs looked particularly stunning, Dave Kendall must be having a whale of a time!
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Timothy on 23 March, 2017, 08:01:34 AM
Not really a review of this Prog, but I went back to re-read the first series of Brink last night and can confirm that it is bloody good comics. Let's hope that the second series carries on the quality. Early signs are good.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: I, Cosh on 23 March, 2017, 09:39:41 AM
2017 in thrillpower has won me over I think. Thrills in order of power:

#1. Brink. Great stuff. Loved the unexpected splash of colour. Abnett has been on unbelievable form over the past year or so.

#2. Dredd. Fun stuff from the experts with a bit more bite than it first appears.

#3. Future Shock. A good effort from both droids.

#4. Scarlet Traces. Slow opener. One stunning D'Israeli splash to distract from the talking heads. The abrupt change of tone on the last page made me sit up and bodes well for the coming weeks.

#5. Deadworld. The fly in the ointment. Would be perfectly happy if this just stopped, never to be seen again.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Smith on 23 March, 2017, 09:54:07 AM
So the Martians are building a Dyson Sphere around the Sun?They went from steampunk to that?
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: norton canes on 23 March, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
[Disclaimer: I only re-started reading 2000 AD at prog 2011, so I'm not familiar with any of the continuing strips]

Cover: Excellent. Cliff Robinson is an artist I wasn't sold on when he started out, but these days his work is pure class.

Dredd: Damn, looks like John Wagner has just written 2000 AD's best ever Future Shock. He is the King.

Brink: Perfect. Wonderful contrast between the opening two pages and the final three. Great scene-setter. Bleakly shocking final page.

Future Shock: Hmm. A nice idea that needed some refinement to really make sense. Unfortunate to be placed in a prog that contained two stories with far more 'shocking' final pages (see above)

Scarlet Traces: As mentioned already, exposition-heavy. Not really enthralled. Still, the concept as outlined in the Nerve Centre page seems promising, so let's see.

Cursed: Liked what I saw in prog 2000 so glad to see this continuing in the same vein. I find it genuinely disturbing that everything is this world will eventually be reduced to the endless fields of scattered bones   seen at the end of Judge Death Lives. I guess the whole 'Deadworld' series will end with the last citizen being executed by Death, as immortalised in the Judge Death Lives statue?
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: sheridan on 23 March, 2017, 12:42:33 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 23 March, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
Cursed: Liked what I saw in prog 2000 so glad to see this continuing in the same vein. I find it genuinely disturbing that everything is this world will eventually be reduced to the endless fields of scattered bones   seen at the end of Judge Death Lives. I guess the whole 'Deadworld' series will end with the last citizen being executed by Death, as immortalised in the Judge Death Lives statue?

Not necessarily - presumably there's some form of space travel available (if not interstellar).  There's definitely going to be intradimensional travel at one point (that's how the DJs get their dimension jumps, by nicking them from travellers), so there's some (slender) hope that not everybody will die a grisly death.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: sheridan on 23 March, 2017, 12:43:23 PM
Quote from: robert_ellis on 22 March, 2017, 03:25:20 PM
Great line-up with this prog. I love an old school Dredd, with a laugh out loud ending. I can't honestly remember what happened previously in Deadworld, Brink or Scarlet Traces but they are all top. Maybe a catch up page each might have helped and keep new readers


Really is a great line-up - a one or two-page spread with more in-depth intros for the returning stories would have been a good idea for the presumed hordes of new/lapsed readers.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Proudhuff on 23 March, 2017, 01:26:00 PM
Quote from: Pyroxian on 20 March, 2017, 02:09:15 PM
Quote from: Proudhuff on 20 March, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Is that Jonathan Ross representing Rutland?

I thought it was Eric Idle...

Doh! of course!  :-[
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: Link Prime on 23 March, 2017, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 23 March, 2017, 12:42:33 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 23 March, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
Cursed: Liked what I saw in prog 2000 so glad to see this continuing in the same vein. I find it genuinely disturbing that everything is this world will eventually be reduced to the endless fields of scattered bones   seen at the end of Judge Death Lives. I guess the whole 'Deadworld' series will end with the last citizen being executed by Death, as immortalised in the Judge Death Lives statue?

Not necessarily - presumably there's some form of space travel available (if not interstellar).  There's definitely going to be intradimensional travel at one point (that's how the DJs get their dimension jumps, by nicking them from travellers), so there's some (slender) hope that not everybody will die a grisly death.

After chatting with both the enthusiastic Kek-W and Dark Judge Kendall at the 40th bash I came away with one single impression; expect the unexpected.
Title: Re: Prog 2023 - Punch It
Post by: norton canes on 23 March, 2017, 03:01:31 PM
Quote from: Link Prime on 23 March, 2017, 01:30:28 PM
Quote from: sheridan on 23 March, 2017, 12:42:33 PM
Quote from: norton canes on 23 March, 2017, 10:45:23 AM
Cursed: Liked what I saw in prog 2000 so glad to see this continuing in the same vein. I find it genuinely disturbing that everything is this world will eventually be reduced to the endless fields of scattered bones   seen at the end of Judge Death Lives. I guess the whole 'Deadworld' series will end with the last citizen being executed by Death, as immortalised in the Judge Death Lives statue?

Not necessarily - presumably there's some form of space travel available (if not interstellar).  There's definitely going to be intradimensional travel at one point (that's how the DJs get their dimension jumps, by nicking them from travellers), so there's some (slender) hope that not everybody will die a grisly death.

After chatting with both the enthusiastic Kek-W and Dark Judge Kendall at the 40th bash I came away with one single impression; expect the unexpected.

Points taken  :)

Just a wild guess, really. I thought it would provide a nice sense of... closure.