Donning flame proof suit as I haven't read it cover to cover yet, but .. That Strontium Dog advert ... Oooooh. It's John Wagner so it will probably go in a different direction than expected but I can't wait. Oh and I hope Bullmoose enjoys the damage report. He should have a Slurm to celebrate fame.
Mine is nestled comfortably in its envelope. I have some time to myself later and will save it for then.
It's calling me...
Only had chance to read the first Dredd story so far. It looks like Sinfield is poking around with something he should leave well alone in case the Mayor finds out.
GGRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
:( >:(
Crazy deadlines - working all day today - won't get home till after midnight, so could someone post the contents? In particular I'd like to know about the Dredd.... Last weeks ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Is it still Gore City? Or a new arc (O Little Town of Bethlehem?).
Also keen to know the full line up as it has seemed to change a little from the original plan.
Cheers.
Quote from: The Cosh on 12 December, 2009, 11:13:50 AM
GGRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
After the pasting we gave Batson for not respecting the sanctity of the Prog review thread, I can agree with that sentiment. On the other hand, having been guilty of premature thread bagging, I can't too be quick to cast the first stone.
I have, however, now read the whole thing!
Enjoyed it loads. Not a duffer in the pack, and a fine bit of icing on 2009's vintage cake of thrill power. Special mention to the Ewing droid for [spoiler]"Baubles! Eating my face!"[/spoiler]
I'd like to raise a festive glass to all the Nerve Centre droids, and all the script, art, and lettering droids that have made this year such a good one.
Cheers!
Jim
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 12 December, 2009, 11:25:59 AM
Quote from: The Cosh on 12 December, 2009, 11:13:50 AM
GGRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
After the pasting we gave Batson for not respecting the sanctity of the Prog review thread, I can agree with that sentiment. On the other hand, having been guilty of premature thread bagging, I can't too be quick to cast the first stone.
No no, that's fine and it wasn't what I was growling at. The postie had just been and left nothing but a Christmas card from my auntie. With no cash in it.
Quote from: The Cosh on 12 December, 2009, 11:29:12 AM
With no cash in it.
Now, that's just rude. Doesn't she understand the
meaning of Christmas?
Insultingly small amounts of cash by post from relatives you never see, Rage Against The Machine on the radio, unsportsmanlike blagging of the Prog Review thread ... now
that's Christmas.
Cheers!
Jim
You have my sympathy Cosh as I'm also victim of the random nature of X-Mas time post. No prog for me this morning BUT did get the compensation of a copy of 'Extreme' 13 containing the complete Harlem Heroes which Peter Wolf very kindly sent me (tahnk you once again Peter). So I think I'll read that today instead.
I knew you'd be understanding Jim :) Spirit of Christmas and all that. Radiator, it's a double Dredd bonanza. Some more Gore city action and a great Al Ewing one off. How cool was the layout of that? The old credit card, the page layout, the perforations along the edge of the yellowing paper. I almost found myself checking for newsprint on my fingers before going further. Top story too, nice oldschool villian and even the first 1/2s dialogue felt suitably 1977. Really shows off how far the comic has come.
No prog. God is dead. :(
No Prog in Paisley - rats' asses.
As this is the final qualifying for the never dull letters quest can anyone tell me if there are letters and if so who are the scribes? With several punters on a three count this is vital (in the world of letter writing).
cheers!
Quote from: Buttonman on 12 December, 2009, 02:04:14 PM
can anyone tell me if there are letters and if so who are the scribes?
'Tis a double-pager, BM, and the lucky Earthlets are:
Andy Grannell
Tim Lowther
Godfrey Marriott
Tonieee
Richard Wood
Glen Hattersley
Floyd Kermode
Carl Long
Cheers!
Jim
Prog 2010 was a-waiting on the door matt as I shuffled out of bed to the kitchen. Only been able to give it a semi read and am impressed with what I saw. Even Zombo. I am left wondering if Mr Edginton & Mr Davis are going to incur the wroth of a Gurkha commando squad for their 'nod' to the cream of British female board treading.
The sun is shining in Cambridge. Prog 2010 is here... I'm secretly hoping there'll be a new logo format akin to the little logo on the back page. Looks like a great prog from the flip through... oooh Johnny Alpha [spoiler]is he dead?[/spoiler].
All kinds of excited!!!
Tharg and his droids have pulled in one of the best years in 2000ad's history and prog 2010 looks like the icing on that cake! Gonna read this over the next week and savour the thrill-powered goodness!
Quote from: Jim_Campbell on 12 December, 2009, 02:08:45 PM
Quote from: Buttonman on 12 December, 2009, 02:04:14 PM
can anyone tell me if there are letters and if so who are the scribes?
'Tis a double-pager, BM, and the lucky Earthlets are:
Andy Grannell
Tim Lowther
Godfrey Marriott
Tonieee
Richard Wood
Glen Hattersley
Floyd Kermode
Carl Long
Cheers!
Jim
Cheers Jim, looks like the trophy is off to the slicer-uppers once again!
Can't wait to learn about Bullmoose's immortality and Damage Report.....
Quote from: Tweak72 on 12 December, 2009, 02:25:40 PM
Only been able to give it a semi
Hate it when that happens.
Get used to it. It's called ageing....
Only read both Dredds at the minute, but the rest all looks gravy, as the kids of today rather twatishly exclaim. Paul Marshall is fantastic, eh? Those two halves of the story drawn in different eras are extremely convincing. Love the page yellowing!
Aaaaarghhhhh!!!!! I'm getting my subscription cheque in the post tomorrow! I've had no thrillpower for nigh-on two months!
:'( :'( :'(
I've read just under half so far. I was thinking of saving the rest for another day as it'll be a while before the next Prog, but.... I doubt I'll have the willpower. I'm taking a bath in a short while and I like something to read. I'll be careful not to wet the pages.
Anyway, so far:
Cover: Great little chess number. Also, I think maybe they should give that gun to Hammerstein in the ABC animation. I didn't dislike the Dredd-movie-gun they used, but why not use something the character has used in the comics? (Or is this new too?)
Droid-life: Sick droids. That's the meaning of Christmas. Arf, Arf!
Dredd, Call of Duty: Good continuation! It's slightly shocking how cold blooded Dredd and co actually are though.
Future Shocks: I love this Super hero gag story. Very amusing. I actually thought the main character's power was rather cool though. Sort of Green Lanternish cept, well more limited, but if you wanted just one hard-light hologram thing, that would be a good choice. Captain Condom. Dear me.
Xmas Dinner of the Dead: I know it's technically an Abbadon ad, but it's a strip too, and very welcome. Hyuk, hyuk. (Is it wrong that I find the fag smoking reindeer amusing?)
Stickleback- I love this strip. And what an intriguing start!
Nikolai Dante- Great new start with sauciness! [spoiler]And the second whore flying ship in the prog, except this time rooting (no innuendo intended) for our boys/gals. ;)[/spoiler] The new young lady looks like she's receding a bit though.
Thats it so far. Now for that bath.
Edit- Oh, yes, and the glowing eyes teaser! Most intriguing! Second time I've used that word this post.
Grud I can't wait for wednesday and my Xmas Thrillpower!
R.I.P.
[spoiler]Alpha or Rogue both have glowing eyes[/spoiler] both dead.
Cover. Can't be our move yet Tharg hasn't placed Dredd on the board.
V
That R.I.P. ad has got to be Alpha? Surely? Please... !?
It'll be an ad for the [spoiler]forthcoming Stront series The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha.[/spoiler]
What a scrotnig end of year prog. Totally rounds off a fantastic year for 2000AD in style. The first half of the second Dredd could genuinely be from the 70's, and the idea of having a follow-up to a pretend classic strip is inspired. Very very well presented indeed. The second half wasn't quite as good - too many comedy lines for my liking but only slightly - just really preferred the first half (first story, really - it was, after all, 2 seperate but connected stories so this is a 3 Dredd prog, really...)
Rest of the prog... The first Dredd is superb, [spoiler]Sinfield is turning into quite the baddy - the last panel with him actually shocked me - he's been evil but law abiding so far... and this has convinced me that Dredd needs to go back and arrest him right now![/spoiler]
Loved Dante, Zombo ruled, especially [spoiler]'Not a single thank you! I spend all day, every day hunting you ungrateful lot, all with no thought for myself.." and, of course, "No - not... THE TINSEL!" and "Baubles! Eating my face! AAAAAGGGHHH!"[/spoiler]
Droid Life was funny, read all the letters...
I am saving Low Life, Stickleback and Apney Cricis for tomorrow.
Green Pedestrian Hand was great. Really made me chuckle. Gonna ration the rest, otherwise I will be bereft of new thrills for three weeks...
What's this about bullmoose? Does Tharg address the status of the Prog in his Damage Report, perhaps refuting bullmoose's "theory"?
I have to wait until Thursday to pick this up as the wife is getting her wisdom teeth pulled in the morning and then my daughter has a Christmas play that afternoon.
Stupid wisdom teeth.
Stupid Christmas play.
Quote from: House of Usher on 12 December, 2009, 07:16:22 PM
Aaaaarghhhhh!!!!! I'm getting my subscription cheque in the post tomorrow! I've had no thrillpower for nigh-on two months!
:'( :'( :'(
You are more than welcome to pop over and have a read :)
It was quite a shock to see Sinfield [spoiler]actually breaking the law, or at least obviously planning to[/spoiler]. Wonder if [spoiler]Mayor Maybe will notice and tip Dredd off[/spoiler]. Probably not
The whole Sinfield thing is very interesting... [spoiler]It seems to suggest that he might be PJ Maybe, but that doesn't add up with previous stories - the whole thing about his clone for instance seems to suggest that he is himself. [/spoiler]I've been wondering for a long time how [spoiler]PJ Maybe[/spoiler] will get woven into Tour of Duty - and can't wait to see what happens next - maybe Francisco will find himself banished to the Cursed Earth settlements with Dredd, realise he's been used and have to redeem himself by helping Dredd and Rico to usurp Sinfield...
The only criticism I'd level at Tour of Duty is that we've so far seen so little of the mutant townships themselves that I assumed would be the focus of the story - I imagined we'd get a lot more of Dredd acting as a small town sheriff, a lot more stuff building the supporting cast like Beeny and the exiled mutants. Fun though it's been, I've been getting a little impatient with Dredd pursuing Pinky week after week. I'd feel a little short changed if the mutants were just given Gore City to live in and we hear no more about them.
Al Ewing's Dredd was fun - especially the retro prologue (Judge Alvin's dialogue in particular) - but while largely it was very amusing, towards the end I found the comedy was getting a bit too contrived. Much as I admire Al's Dredd work, I often find that there's a little too much crammed into his scripts, and perhaps they'd benefit from being pared down a little. Paul Marshall's artwork was wonderful - both the b&w and colour sections.
Zombo was predictably brilliant, very funny and I look forward to the new series.
So great to see Dante back - I recognised the [spoiler]Hawksmoore name[/spoiler] even before the reveal - nice bit of continuity, but it also reminded me of the fact that The Courtship of Jena Makarov was finishing up just before Prog 2000, a whole 10 years ago, which made me feel a bit old!
Haven't had time for anything else yet, but it all looks great.
Quote from: James S on 13 December, 2009, 01:28:22 PM
It was quite a shock to see Sinfield [spoiler]actually breaking the law, or at least obviously planning to[/spoiler]. Wonder if [spoiler]Mayor Maybe will notice and tip Dredd off[/spoiler]. Probably not
not without compromising himself.
V
Okay, I finished this issue last night/early this morning.
Before continuing where I left off, I was wondering about that stick Dredd uses on the mutiebilly in the first strip. Was that just a bit of pipe or is that a new look daystick? It looks telescopic, a cool idea for a futuristic truncheon. Take the little cylinder off your belt or out of your sleeve (which is how this appears to appear.) Touch a button. FSSSST! Perp twatting action, wahaay! I wonder about the weight of a stick which is basically a hollow tube though, but maybe most of the weight is in the end, or there's weird nanomachine rearrangement stuff going on inside.
Trust me to get carried away with future weapons tech speculation.
So continuing where I left off...
Letters pages. Nice to see this back. And nice to see a printed letter from Andy (Judge Muffin)Grannell in pride of place.
Zombo. Sick. Wrong. Funny. I like it. I'm not sure the last panels bode well though. More death planet fodder, cept this time they're a bunch of emos who want to die? Mind you I can see why that would generate more sick comedy laughs. I'm just worried this strip could get a bit repetitive, although I've liked what I've read so far. I was hoping future stories would get Zombo off of this particular death world.
Ampney Crucis- Heh. A bit chatty at the start, but I like the delightful gossipy aunties. It's interesting to see the different style changes considering this is the same writer of Stickleback. More weirdness, but a promising start. I might try to translate that German at the end to see what the lady is actually saying. Promising start.
More Sketch to Shelf pages! Interesting to see.
2 page poster spread. Now this is wonderful! Almost a shame it's in the prog as it means ruining it if you want to stick it on your wall. On the other hand, the pages on the other side are not story pages, so ruination is minimal. I was about to say, I'd have preferred it to have been in the centre, so you can pull it out easily in one sheet, but then the penny drops, this bumper copy has a spine. What a numpty I am. I won't pull it out just yet anyway.
Amusing Red Seas ad!
Low Life: A very basic story, (How did Dirty Frank defeat the giant turkey? Why is naked? Do we want to know?) but this is played for laughs, and it really is very chuckle-worthy what with the running vomit gag. I'm not sure why the baby swears by calling peoples names, but it's all the more funny for it. Oh, and kudos for the 'bittan' reference. Bad baby. Heh. Last couple of panels were somehow a bit downbeat though. I like Low Life though, and this was good.
Another little poster spread thing this time with Tharg and droids! It's a shame I don't know enough about the various creator's appearance to get who is who but it's a cute toony picture.
And last but not least:
Judge Dredd: O Little Town of Bethlehem- I like how the yesteryear segments are actually written in a yesteryear style with the explanation speech balloons and a thought bubble thrown in!
The present day culmination relies a lot on a number of coincidences for resolution*, but again, like Low Life, this is really for laughs. The ridiculous over-sensitive guys with farm animal mutations are a hoot (if unrealistic as mutations.) Good stuff overall. It's curious to see the change of Dredd's voice with another writer though after reading lots of Wagner stuff these last few weeks.
A great seasonal issue!
* [spoiler]It's Christmas and the town happens to be called Bethlehem, and the muties in 'the inn' happen to have farm animal mutations? That's rather funny though. I'm not over keen on the fact that the guys who stole the doll happen to arrive at the same town as the original villain who attempted to steal the first dolls yesteryear. He's there to kill Dredd, the doll is a surprise to him. I think he should have been tied to the other two from the start, but to be fair the irony of the situation is part of the comedy.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]
* It's Christmas and the town happens to be called Bethlehem, and the muties in 'the inn' happen to have farm animal mutations? That's rather funny though. I'm not over keen on the fact that the guys who stole the doll happen to arrive at the same town as the original villain who attempted to steal the first dolls yesteryear. He's there to kill Dredd, the doll is a surprise to him. I think he should have been tied to the other two from the start, but to be fair the irony of the situation is part of the comedy.
[/spoiler]
Yeah, my point exactly - I know it was supposed to be a silly story, and a lot of the contrivances were knowingly ludicrous, but I still think it could have been simplified quite a bit to flow better.
re: the telescopic batons - I think police use them already and ISTR that despite looking a bit feeble, they're weighted in a way that they can shatter kneecaps with a strike.
Quote from: radiator on 13 December, 2009, 02:32:41 PM
The whole Sinfield thing is very interesting... [spoiler]It seems to suggest that he might be PJ Maybe, but that doesn't add up with previous stories - the whole thing about his clone for instance seems to suggest that he is himself. [/spoiler]
What?! It doesn't really suggest any of the sort - as you say, that wouldn't even make sense. He's clearly just going to [spoiler]use the SLD88 to make Francisco the compliant political puppet he wants.[/spoiler]
Mm. Well, perhaps I'm so sure that we're going to have a [spoiler]surprise PJ Maybe reveal at some point, I read too much into it. Also, it was a bit of a jump for Sinfield to go from being mildly sinister to being a full blown criminal. My initial thought was that if PJ were in a position of power, he'd use it to get his old toys back, but then I guess it would be simpler to just synthesise some more of the truth drug.[/spoiler]
I really enjoyed this prog, not a bad story there and particularly [spoiler]"Look at him! The finest man I know and you've broken him!"[/spoiler] which cracked me up as they say. Re the [spoiler]Sinfield[/spoiler] thing, I can't see how he is [spoiler]PJ Maybe[/spoiler], surely he is [spoiler]just a corrupt Judge with a good working knowledge of unsolved cases[/spoiler]...
Since the beginning of the story-line I've been waiting for more MAYBE action...there has to be a link somewhere what with him being mayor...but maybe a 'positive' link and not a negative one...
For the sake of my spreadsheet (I ask this every year)...
Could somebody please post the page counts of each strip? I'd like to know which are double-length. Thanks!
Read it all now and its all great!!
Stickleback my Fav is back with a vengence a Double Dredd, Robbie Williams and older wimmin in their scants! But no letters from Moi sob! where is Buttoman's spreadsheet? I want to know how badly I've done THIS year!
Quote from: Grant Goggans on 13 December, 2009, 09:39:02 PM
Could somebody please post the page counts of each strip? I'd like to know which are double-length. Thanks!
Dredd: Gore City - 6pgs
Future Shock - 5pgs
Stickleback - 10pgs
Dante - 12pgs
Zombo - 6pgs
Ampney Crucis - 10pgs
Lowlife - 8pgs
Dredd: Little Town of Bethlehem - 15pgs
Cheers!
Jim
mine still hasn't arrived
>:(
The only thing I've read so far is the first Dredd. All I can really say is "Fuck! Yeah!" We already know how PJ reacts to copycats.
Re the entire comic: FUCK YEAH!
I like the cover.
Finally got the chance to read mine today, not a duff strip in sight Stickleback by far my favourite. Some interesting developments in Dredd and any Zombo is good Zombo in my opinion. The return of Ampney and Dante are most welcome too. This much content for £4.20 is a real bargain, got me thinking if in future we could have a summer issue too or maybe original 50 or 60 page one offs by top creators I'm sure regular readers and quite a few comic shop browsers would pay a fiver or so for all new material.
What a treat! Dredd ticking along nicely - I agree that the Pink eyes arc is perhaps running on a bit too long, but when it's written by Wagner and drawn by Macneil it just can't fail.
Al's Dredd tale I loved too, yeah it was contrived but that didn't get in the way for me. The retro portion was a great touch too, and I loved how Al adopted the old-fashioned verbiage and Paul Marshall depicted the old school uniforms.
Stickleback was probably my favourite strip too, and I'm really looking forward to a good long run. Ampney Crucis surprised me, in that I wasn't really looking forward to it but I ended up really enjoying it. I sort of had it in my head that I didn't enjoy the first run, but if I think about it, I did. Simon Davis' wacky painted art - which I find hard to appreciate on say SinDex - is perfectly suited to this.
Zombo was fine (great to see him back), The CW futureshock amusing, Dante and Lowlife both a hoot.
All in all, a nice 70+ pages of strip to ward the thrill suckers off until January.
Quote from: JAMESCOR on 15 December, 2009, 10:05:22 AM
This much content for £4.20 is a real bargain
Indeed. ~7p per strip page in a regular prog, a mere 5.8p in this end-of-year spectacular. Tharg really IS good to us at this time of year!
:-)
Cheers
Jim
Aw man sublime is the last word I remembered reading just now. And not to speak but halfway through prog 2010 and Bladerunner playing through on my new widescreen tv, edged with french coffee and winter biscuits. This is why the the word sublime sticks some. 2010 out on the shelves already? Life in this moment is truly blessed.( Oo the snakewoman, just throat chopped Dekker. )
Quote from: mygrimmbrotherSimon Davis' wacky painted art - which I find hard to appreciate on say SinDex - is perfectly suited to this.
However, I find it odd the Simon is not on SinDex - a strip for which he is surely the definitive artist?
M@
Quote from: Banners on 15 December, 2009, 02:30:19 PM
Quote from: mygrimmbrotherSimon Davis' wacky painted art - which I find hard to appreciate on say SinDex - is perfectly suited to this.
However, I find it odd the Simon is not on SinDex - a strip for which he is surely the definitive artist?
M@
I'm with Grimm on this. I enjoyed his art much more on that than on Sin/Dex, which I've never liked him on.
Quote from: Banners on 15 December, 2009, 02:30:19 PM
However, I find it odd the Simon is not on SinDex - a strip for which he is surely the definitive artist?
Bold talk for a man with a bullet in his head!
Cheers
Jim
For me Anthony Willaims is up there with Andy Clarke & Simon for the definitive SinDex artist. Simon might just edge it, but barely.
I would have said Simon Davis a year or so ago but Anthony Williams has really been making the strip his own this year. The latest 5 part installment had some great art that noticeably stood out as being better than before.
But I do love me some Simon Davis!
If you look closely, you'll see SB is actually in Ampney Crucius!
M
I forgot to add my xmas day grub analogy type review...
I'm up and it's the last door on the advent calendar. And look what it reveals –Droid Life! What a tasty morsel too – bitter and sweet all at the same time!
Who needs breakfast? I'm straight into the selection box with Dredd; story moving along nicely, but find the Rico wisecracks a bit out of sorts. A second bite with the Ewing/Marshal effort initially satisfies, but this chocolate bar is slightly too big.
Downstairs for a civilised cuppa and a wee pile of cocktail sausages next! The Green Hand Man, Low Life, Stickleback and Ampney Crucius perch deliciously on my plate before being consumed with glee. Who doesn't like sausages? And I always look forward to more!
But, the golden roast turkeys with all the trimmings are on their way! With pudding! And boy, I could eat like Zombo alright, or the cast of Low Life! The highlight of the day by a clear drumstick. Zombo has supplied possibly the best line of the year, if not decade...
Burp!
M.
Not read the whole issue yet - trying to pace myself. But . . .that page just before the Dante episode? Goosebump stuff. Serious goosebump stuff.
An excellent end to a year of great progs. Not a duff story among them.
Really enjoyed the Al Ewing Dredd - [spoiler]'They're rehearsing a pantomime' had me laughing out loud on the train to work.[/spoiler]
With Zombo [spoiler]Do you suppose that every appearance will feature the gruesome death of some celebrity? We've got Robbie Williams here and Russel Brand in the last series.[/spoiler]
Lowlife continues in fine form, [spoiler]with hints of darker times to come in the future.[/spoiler]
The only problem is that I've finished reading it with three weeks to wait till Prog 1666. Still hopefully my hints to relatives and friends about 2000AD graphic novels will for Christmas will bear fruit...
Yay just picked it up from my local newsie! And what a marvellous looking slab of comic it is too!I couldn't resist a quick flick through but I think I'm going to try and make this last a bit rather than ploughing through it. For now all I can say is, great presentation, looks brilliant, and that Johnny Alpha teaser is the business....so....maybe he's not, y'know, RIP, after all?!?!?!?!? Coooooooooooooooool.
This might well have been the best issue of the prog since I started reading again just over a year ago. I was worried that Stickleback was a story I was coming to very late, Ampney Crucis I've only read two parts of before and they wouldn't mean much to me. Well I was very wrong. I adore Stickleback after one part, and Ampney made me think of Bix Barton and how much I loved him, but not in a bad way. The aunts in the story made me think of the actresses Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, That woman who was Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movie and someone else I can't think of. Is that a regular occurance throughout the strip?
Zombo has really got me looking forward to the next chapter. I was doubtful as to where the story could go after the first part, but I'm happy now. Lowlife and Dredd were top drawer as well. And then we have Dante. Come my next payday I will be rushing out to buy volumes 7&8 of the trades, and all the progs with Amerkia in as I can't wait for the trade to come out, so I can catch up on this story. I hope this will be before the end of Nikolai in the prog.
Quote from: Colin Zeal on 16 December, 2009, 10:25:25 PM
Ampney made me think of Bix Barton and how much I loved him, but not in a bad way. The aunts in the story made me think of the actresses Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, That woman who was Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movie and someone else I can't think of.
Looked kind of like Joanna Lumley in a wig to me, which made me think of Sapphire and Steel, which made me think of Arthur Ranson's artwork for the comic strip version in Look-In, which made me wonder what a Button Man story drawn by Simon Davis would look like.
Quote from: M.I.K. on 16 December, 2009, 11:00:28 PM
Quote from: Colin Zeal on 16 December, 2009, 10:25:25 PM
Ampney made me think of Bix Barton and how much I loved him, but not in a bad way. The aunts in the story made me think of the actresses Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, That woman who was Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movie and someone else I can't think of.
Looked kind of like Joanna Lumley in a wig to me, which made me think of Sapphire and Steel, which made me think of Arthur Ranson's artwork for the comic strip version in Look-In, which made me wonder what a Button Man story drawn by Simon Davis would look like.
I think it's Diana Rigg (Mrs.Peel out of the avengers tv series).
filip
Does anyone have Patrick Macnee's phone number? He'd settle this!
I've only just started to digest this magnificent dessert course to the five-star meal that 2009 has been, but...
Dredd: Tour of Duty - Why is seeing Joe and Rico working together so damn brilliant? And why does it give me a feeling of impending tragedy? [spoiler]And as to Sinfield's bid to become a hairdo-free Cal... oh you foolish, foolish man. Meddle not in the affairs of Maybe, for he is subtle, and quick to anger. [/spoiler]
Dredd: O Little Town - Fantastic concept, awesome execution, another step up for Ewing Dredd in terms of complexity ans an amazing companion piece to his Meg Christmas story [spoiler](note that the same racketeer villain drives part of both stories - is this a new Ewing regular, or just a clever one-off link? [/spoiler]). As to the heap of coincidences, i[spoiler]t's the bloody NATIVITY, its implicit in the structure- it has to happen this way: baby in stable, cute animals, Wiseguys from afar (loved the Frankinsence joke), all showing up n Bethlehem. Pratchett would talk about stories forming ruts, but I suppose some sort of Cursed Earth meteorological phenomenon could have drawn all the players to Bethlehem instead, but the story was long and complex enough wihout adding another framing device. [/spoiler]How great is Paul Marshall on this one.
Weston Shock: Feck me but Chris Weston is a genius. "Drokk! Incoming Eldster!" has just been pipped to the post by the year's funniest line: [spoiler]"Who can stop the coming of Astrodeus?". "Sounds like job for Captain Condom!".[/spoiler] (Because inside I'm still 12).
Aw crap I'm late for work, but:
Droid Life absolutely hilarious.
[spoiler]First series of Stickleback[/spoiler] heavily referenced in Ampney Crucis[spoiler] through the Chipps character..[/spoiler]. the Edgyverse grows ever more tangled.
Only niggle so far: no brand-new launches in this Prog, pity. That first double episode of Kingdom set expectations, damnit!
Saving Stickleback, Dante, Zombo and Lowlife for later!
Must we have all these spoiler tags for things that are in the Prog in question? It's bad enough when I've got a mouse to move, but it's absolutely infuriating [spoiler]on my new phone. [/spoiler]
So much for pacing myself and making it last, read half the bleedin' thing last night! ! ;)
Highlight so far - surprising myself here - was that Chris Weston story. My God that was brilliant. I really really really want this to come back as a regular series. Coolest bunch of spandex-clad superheroes I've ever seen. When i got to the last page I was in love with them all!
Bring them back!
The Dredd was brilliant but seemed a bit lacking for a xmas issue, just being a regular sized continuation of the ongoing story. Oh but wait, there's another one isn't there..... Haven't got that far yet!
Also, really enjoyed that letters page!
Quote from: The Cosh on 17 December, 2009, 08:30:10 AM
Must we have all these spoiler tags for things that are in the Prog in question? It's bad enough when I've got a mouse to move, but it's absolutely infuriating [spoiler]on my new phone. [/spoiler]
browsing with an iphone makes spoiler tags a total bee atch
Apologies folks, I'd forgotten spoiler tags in the Review threads were annoying people - no point using them at all if that's the case, since they're only there as a courtesy. I'm afraid it's a bad habit I'm finding hard to break.
[spoiler]That'll teach you to use convergent technology devices.[/spoiler]
Quote from: TordelBack on 17 December, 2009, 10:42:13 AM
Apologies folks, I'd forgotten spoiler tags in the Review threads were annoying people - no point using them at all if that's the case, since they're only there as a courtesy. I'm afraid it's a bad habit I'm finding hard to break.
[spoiler]That'll teach you to use convergent technology devices.[/spoiler]
Again, I think this was something (like the cover previews) we went through a few weeks ago. I tend to use them by reflex, but ISTR the consensus was that the Prog Reviews are under a Spoiler forum heading and, by definition, will contain spoilers, making the tags --
in this specific context -- redundant.
Cheers!
Jim
People will moan if you use them, people will moan if you don't so just do whatever you feel like. Personally, I will sometimes browse the review thread if I don't have my issue yet so I tend to be quite careful with spoilers.
Quote from: TordelBack on 17 December, 2009, 06:33:17 AM
First series of Stickleback heavily referenced in Ampney Crucis through the Chipps character..
how so Tordel?
I may be misrememberifying (again), but I thought a Sgt. Chipps was Inspector Bey's partner who got done in when they infiltrated the caverns beneath the orgy in the first Stickleback story. Fred Chipps is identified as the grandson of a copper who was murdered along with his boss in London. All IIRC. Progs in attic, usual disclaimers apply.
Cover: Best of the year? Great Stuff.
Droid Life: Glad we don't get a parody at Xmas, the "originals" are always best. Great Stuff (DL scale).
Dredd TOD: If one them is to snuff it I'm putting money on Joe. Guessing Sinny wants to off Dan Fran. Great Stuff.
FS: Best thing in t'prog. Beautiful art. Kinda reminds me of The Filth. Really Great Stuff.
Stickleback: ZOMGWTFBBQ he's teh evils but he's teh hero of the strip edginton you blow my mind. Not looking forward to the fawn-ication over this in the coming weeks from you lot. Nice art though. OK Stuff.
Dante: I'm going to guess that EH is somewhat of a red herring as a mere pawn in Dimkady's plans. Would of preferred S.Fraser to draw but then I always prefer him because of his tight abs. Great Stuff.
Zombo: Billy should survive Bobastyle and get his own strip. I would read that. Looking forward to seeing these new villains even if they are "emos". Great Stuff.
Ampney Crucis: Spectacularly annoying dialogue. I want SI(N)MON-D(EX)AVIS back pronto. Nice art though. OK Stuff.
Low Life: Not sure if I approve of the heightened humour apartheid between DF and AN (related to Iain?) Loved the gargantuaturkey. Great Stuff.
Dredd OLTOB: Dare I say better than TOD? Ah, I kid. More bobastyle ordered for our anthromophs please. Great Stuff.
Overall:
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Quote from: TordelBack on 17 December, 2009, 12:35:58 PM
I may be misrememberifying (again), but I thought a Sgt. Chipps was Inspector Bey's partner who got done in when they infiltrated the caverns beneath the orgy in the first Stickleback story. Fred Chipps is identified as the grandson of a copper who was murdered along with his boss in London. All IIRC. Progs in attic, usual disclaimers apply.
ooh, missed that completely, well done that man! I'll have deek tonight at me Stickleback book...fates permitting
Very interesting,
Strange it's not picked up by D'Izzy in his Notes for Episode 1 (http://disraeli-demon.blogspot.com/)
I can't say anything that's not been said before except:
1. Dante's back and, unlike the last time, it feels like the main story is advancing properly again. Hurray! Can't get enough of this.
2. Stickleback, great stuff. I'm digging out my trade so I can be properly up to speed.
3. Zombo has swiftly become a favourite - the collection can't come quickly enough.
4. Ewing on Dredd always spells quality. He's brilliant and this is already a favourite xmas Dredd.
Quote from: nomohican on 16 December, 2009, 08:30:12 PM
An excellent end to a year of great progs. Not a duff story among them.
Really enjoyed the Al Ewing Dredd - 'They're rehearsing a pantomime' had me laughing out loud on the train to work.
With Zombo Do you suppose that every appearance will feature the gruesome death of some celebrity? We've got Robbie Williams here and Russel Brand in the last series.
Lowlife continues in fine form, with hints of darker times to come in the future.
The only problem is that I've finished reading it with three weeks to wait till Prog 1666. Still hopefully my hints to relatives and friends about 2000AD graphic novels will for Christmas will bear fruit...
Seriously. I know I'm being a dick, but can you explain why you put any of that in [spoiler]spoiler tags[/spoiler]?
anyway, almost Friday and I seem to be the only cunt that's noticed the Robin Smith starscan. you people are ruined.
Quote from: dankell on 17 December, 2009, 03:12:11 PM
Very interesting,
Strange it's not picked up by D'Izzy in his Notes for Episode 1 (http://disraeli-demon.blogspot.com/)
To be fair he's admitted previously, by the time these come out he's forgotten some Refs.
Anyone spotted the fishpaste yet?
Good news as well, not only is there a Sgt Chips as previously stated but there is also one in Scarlet Traces according to the notes I have!
was on train tonight back to Nottingham for xmas, I was laugh out in coldest Derby Rail station when reading Al Ewing Dredd story! brilliant and the best! and great characters!
Goaty's review for Prog 2010 soon!
Quote from: Mike Gloady on 17 December, 2009, 07:00:15 PM
4. Ewing on Dredd always spells quality. He's brilliant and this is already a favourite xmas Dredd.
Absolutely agreed on the Ewing comment. Was this better than 'Xmas in Exile'? To be honest, I can't make my mind up. They are both among the best Dredd I've read, thus far.
As for the Stront Dog ad... intriguing! But, it sure looks like it's going to be a resurrection story. I hope that Durham Red comes back, somehow, to the strip. Love that blade.
I have nothing to add! All superb. A great end to a vintage year.
One thing though, maybe I'm alone in this but I didn't much enjoy Zombo's first series, however for some reason I really liked this one. And Ampney Crucis was great too.
Loads of good humour in this prog, quite a nice change of pace.
Ooh yes and can't wait to find out how PJ is going to get involved in TOD. Will the mayor be come a more politically powerful figure? The Judges are certainly proving themselves to be a disunited bunch who can't maintain any consistency when it comes to legislation etc.
I loved Dante too. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let it be a long run.
Actually I've said quite a lot. Didn't mean to do that.
Well, heres my review of 2010. It may be a long one.
Dredd : A suitably vicious end for the Big ol' Boys but the real meat was in the MC1 scenes. Sinfeld looks like more of a threat all the time and I worry for poor old Dan. This story gets twistier and turnier with every installment and I wouldn't even like to hazard a guess as to where they're going with it. Beautiful artwork as ever by Mr MacNeil. Lovely stuff.
Future Shock : Another genius piece of work from Chris Weston. I'd half convinced myself that "Counts as one" was a fluke but no, he's done it again. More please.
Stickleback : What a basterd eh? In a wonderfully entertaining way though, so he can be forgiven. Mr Edgington is, after Abnett and Wagner in joint first, my favourite writer currently working on the prog and he does his usual sterling work here, aided as ever by the wonderful D'israeli. Great start to what I'm sure will be a great series.
Dante : Pure set up for what is to come but as entertaining as ever and 12 pages of painted loveliness by THE Dante artist, full of half naked ladies no less, there is surely no cause for complaint.
Zombo : Rubbish. Total waste of space that squanders all the goodwill the first series had earned. I'd rather be reading Slaine. Slaine I say.
Ampney Crucis : Another excellent story by the Edgington scribe. I've never been a particular fan of Davis' art really but he gets points here for those wonderful depictions of the aunts. Liked the Stickleback nod as well. Edgington does those little things realy well.
Low Life : Poignant and hilarious at the same time ,with art perfectly suited to the tale. Can't fault it.
Dredd again : Glorious in concept and execution. Loved every bit of it.
ONE OF THE ABOVE REVIEWS DOES NOT REFLECT MY TRUE OPINION OF THE WORK IN QUESTION. GUESS WHICH ONE.
The cover got me thinking. 2000ad chess set. Herooes/White, Villains/Black. Which characters for which pieces? Is there a thread in that do you think?
Quote from: faplad on 21 December, 2009, 08:21:17 PM
ONE OF THE ABOVE REVIEWS DOES NOT REFLECT MY TRUE OPINION OF THE WORK IN QUESTION. GUESS WHICH ONE.
It's Dredd, isn't it?
Cheers
Jim
Weeeell, you know what, all things considered, I'll tell you what it is, at the end of the day. You might be right. My TRUE opinion of Dredd would have contained a fair few more superlatives.
But no.
its christmas, the prog is once again the highlight of the year,
which is saying something given the year of thrills we just enjoyed.
perfection has a new starting point. :P
loved every single page.
That last Dredd story cracked me up!
Great prog now how to deal with 2 n half weeks no Twoth...
Well, you 'could' have ordered yourself a copy of Zarjaz or Dogbreath to tide you over the festivities...
But you've all left it too late now.
Well I've been saving this as I didn't get a chance to read it when it first arrived. It was a pretty good Prog. Have to be honest number of stories aside it didn't feel too special but then I guess the annual prog has been a relaunch Prog for a while now.
Stand outs were definately Dante which was simply superb, both Dredds and the Future Shock. Zombo was good but felt a little thrown together, that last page set-up of the next story did excit me though anybody else thing the art looked a little Quitelyesque? Stickleback while it looks glorious doesn't do it for me. Ampney Crucis was ok but for a 10 pager did really grip me but again looked great and Lowlife was ok.
The highlights were fantastic the rest so so making it overall a good prog not a great one. Now the wait begins...
Quote from: TordelBack on 17 December, 2009, 06:33:17 AM
Weston Shock: Feck me but Chris Weston is a genius.
From the sounds of his latest blog entry (http://chrisweston.blogspot.com/), we may be seeing a bit more of Weston-the-writer ...
Cheers!
Jim
Alas not in the Prog yet but here's hoping he tries his hand for 2000ad again.
After the thrill-less weekend, I had to re-read the whole prog, great thing is no loss of TP on re-reading, so if yer circuits are dipping you know what to do.
Necropost!
I just had to say that I've had an incredibly disappointing and aggravating and expensive day and learned that my next two out-of-town foodie BBQ trips are BOTH going to have to be scrubbed, and my reread brought me to Al Ewing's Little Town of Bethlehem story and I laughed like a drain, like I haven't in weeks. Man alive, I needed that laugh. I feel so much better now. I'd forgotten how good this episode is.
Necropost!
This is the 2009 (year) 100-page winter special prog 2010 (really prog 1665 and a half). Just to be clear.
So: I've got a puzzler - there's a page just before the Nikolai Dante story: it's got a pair of glowing white eyes and above it the text "RIP?"
Those eyes look like Rogue Trooper, perhaps. Does anyone know what this page is referencing?
Quote from: Funt Solo on 08 July, 2019, 05:12:19 AM
Does anyone know what this page is referencing?
http://www.2000ad.org/?zone=prog&page=profiles&choice=1689
Thanks, Frank: I feel a bit silly for not realizing that without help. How many glowing-eyed characters are there, after all?
Your punishment is to write an entertaining and perceptive review of the prog(s) in question.